Luke was sitting at the kitchen table eating his second bowl of oatmeal when Harriet came downstairs the next morning. The dogs were at his feet in their normal begging positions, the cat curled in his lap.
Harriet refilled the water kettle and set it on the stove to boil.
“Since I’m going to the yarn store in Port Townsend I could get that yarn for Aunt Beth for you, if you want.”
“She’ll know I didn’t pick it out for her. Should I forget about the stable and go with you?” His face lost all expression while he waited for her answer.
“Aunt Beth will know that you tried to shop at Millie’s, but due to extenuating circumstances, you weren’t able to get her present. She’ll understand. And she knows you need to go check on Major.”
A grin lit up his face.
“You guys are the best.”
He gave the dogs each a crust from his toast and scooped a little dab of butter from the edge of his plate onto his finger for Fred to lick. When they were all finished, he cleared his dishes and headed for the stairs.
“I’ll be ready in a flash.”
“Don’t be too flashy—I’ve got to eat something before we go. Don’t worry, I’ll be quick about it.”
Harriet was thankful her drive to Bazaar Girls Yarn Shop in Port Townsend was uneventful. She found a pale-blue fingering yarn for Kathy, James’s mother; it would match her eyes and make a lovely shawl. She bought a pattern the shopkeeper assured would be good for a beginner. She chose a hand-spun, hand-dyed, Blue-faced Leicester wool for her aunt. She was pretty sure it was something Beth didn’t already have in her stash.
James had just gotten home when she returned.
“Oh, good,” he said. “I was afraid you’d pick up Luke on your way home. Since the restaurant is closed for the rest of the day, I thought I’d go out to the stable with you then tag along when you drop off the presents at Luke’s…I’m not sure what to call his father’s baby momma and her children.”
Harriet slipped her arms around his waist.
“I’d call them his past. It’s sweet that he wants to share his newfound prosperity with his little brother. I hope the kid appreciates it.”
“I can’t help resenting the mother for not taking Luke when she took his brother.”
“So, you’re thinking if you go and see that it’s horrible, you’ll feel better about that?”
He pulled her to him and buried his face in her hair.
“That sounds terrible, doesn’t it?”
Harriet smiled.
“No, it just sounds like you care a lot about Luke.”
She guided him over to the kitchen peninsula and a plate of tea sweets he’d likely set there when he came in. She took a tartlet and popped it into her mouth.
“Want one?” she asked as she chewed.
James stepped back.
“If I never see a tea cake or sandwich again, at least until next Christmas, it’ll be too soon.”
Harriet picked up a glazed miniature sausage roll.
“They’re so good, though.”
“How soon are we going to the stable?”
Harriet glanced at the kitchen clock.
“How’s thirty minutes?”
“Perfect.” He leaned in for a kiss. “Like you.”
Marcia was alone in the barn, sweeping and picking up debris left from people grooming their horses. She leaned her broom against a stall as they walked up to her.
“If you’re looking for Luke, he’s in the arena with Emily. Usually when people are in the therapy program, we spend a few sessions having them groom the horse, walk the horse on a lead, feed the horse, and generally get used to being around them. Depending on how nervous they are, this is a longer or shorter process. We take things slow with the riding process, too. Luke and Major bonded so quickly, when he asked if he could start riding, I said okay. I hope that’s all right with you.”
“That’s great,” Harriet said. “How’s he doing?”
Marcia smiled.
“Like a duck to water is the appropriate expression, I think. Go see for yourself.”
James grabbed Harriet’s hand as she started to head for the arena.
“How have things been going here?” he asked Marcia. “Security-wise.”
She reclaimed her broom and leaned on it.
“No one who shouldn’t be here has been near Becky. The cameras in the barn haven’t shown anything. We put a camera out at the end of the driveway to see if anyone comes in but doesn’t drive all the way to the barn. The security company suggested we do that in case someone parks and then comes in on foot.”
“Has it shown anything?” Harriet asked.
“Yes, and no. No one has driven in that doesn’t belong, but there’s a gray BMW sedan that drives by more often than seems normal. Whatever normal is.”
Harriet stiffened.
“Can you see who’s driving?”
Marci began sweeping.
“Tinted windows. The security people don’t think it’s significant, but if you live out here, you know. No one who doesn’t live on this road drives by that often. And I recognize all the neighbor’s rigs.”
Harriet glanced down the aisle.
“How’s Becky doing?”
“You can go see for yourself. She’s none the worse for the wear, and she’s liking her improved diet.”
James led the way to Becky’s stall, pulling a bag with two carrots from his coat pocket. She whinnied and came to the front of her stall, hanging her head over the half-door.
“Okay, you can take it from here,” he said and handed the carrots to Harriet.
“It’s easy, just watch how I hold the carrot. She’s going to bite it in half when you first give it to her. Hold the second half flat in your hand so she can use her lips to get it into her mouth.” She demonstrated with the first carrot and handed the second carrot to James.”
“Here goes nothing,” he muttered.
Becky chomped the carrot loudly, and James smiled when her lips tickled his palm picking up the second half. Harriet patted him on the back.
“See, that wasn’t so hard. We’ll make a cowboy out of you yet.”
“I think I might be one of those people who has to hang around the horse a few times before I try riding.”
She put her arm around him and gave him a hug.
“But, see, you’re talking about when you ride, not if you try it. I’ll take that as a good sign.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see. This might be a Harriet and Luke thing, not a James and Harriet and Luke thing.”
“Let’s not make any decisions about that yet. You never know.”
When they reached the arena, Harriet stepped up on aluminum bleacher seats at the side of the ring and sat down. James slid onto the cold seat beside her. Luke and Emily were riding side-by-side on the far side of the ring.
Luke caught sight of them and steered Major across the arena, stopping in front of them.
“Hi,” he said. “I hope it’s okay I’m riding.”
“Of course it is,” Harriet assured him. “If you’re comfortable with it, we’re comfortable. Just be sure you listen to Marcia and Emily. He’s a big horse, and you need to pay attention to the safety rules.”
“Don’t worry. I am.”
Emily rode up behind him on a much smaller black horse.
“I’m keeping an eye on him. He’s learning really fast.”
“Just because he learns quick, he still needs to be told everything. Don’t assume he knows anything.”
Luke blushed at this.
“She’s telling me everything, believe me.”
“Okay, take another few turns around the arena so we can see how you’re doing, and then we need to go deliver presents,” she told him.
She watched him ride off, and when he was out of earshot, James leaned over and bumped her with his shoulder.
“So, how’s he really doing?”
Harriet answered without taking her eyes off Luke.
“He looks good. He’s holding his hands nice and low, and he’s not putting too much pressure on Major’s mouth. His balance seems good.”
“I don’t know anything about riding, but he’s so athletic, I suspect he could pick up any sport and do it well,” James said proudly.
Harriet laughed.
“I’m sure it’s all because you feed him so well.”
“I wasn’t going to brag, but he does look better since I’ve been feeding him.” He tried to keep a straight face, but he, too, started laughing.
Luke and Major came around the ring again, followed by Emily.
“Are you guys laughing at me?”
Harriet reached out and patted Major’s thick neck.
“No, you’re looking very good. James was just saying your riding skill was due to his excellent cooking.”
Luke smiled. “I’m sure it helped.”
Emily looked confused.
“James has a restaurant on Smuggler’s Cove,” Luke explained. “He’s a really good cook.”
The girl’s eyes widened.
“We went there for my mom’s birthday. It was…” She struggled to find the right word.
“I hope fabulous is the word you’re looking for,” James said.
Her face burned red.
“It was beyond fabulous. My mom said it was the best birthday dinner she’d ever had.”
James smiled. “Now you’re going to have me blushing.”
Harriet stood up.
“Okay, we better end this love fest and get moving. I’m going to check on Becky again while you put Major away.”
James stood beside Harriet in front of Becky’s stall.
“I’m glad Luke is enjoying this horse stuff so much.” He glanced up at the newly installed security camera across the aisle. “But I have to say, I’m really nervous about him coming out here while someone is trying to steal a horse that may or may not even belong to us, not to mention may be connected to the murders downtown.”
Becky nuzzled Harriet’s chest, and she rubbed the mare’s nose.
“If it would make you feel better, I can come with him.”
James smiled and stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“I know you’ve taken care of yourself most of your life, but these are dangerous people. I don’t know why they want Becky, but if they are the same people who killed Daniel and William and Valery, they won’t let you and Luke stand in their way.
“That gray sedan you told me about, the one that keeps appearing where you are, just might prove they aren’t done yet. I know you like Detective Morse, but she and the FPPD aren’t making any headway on any of these crimes, as far as I can see.”
“So, what are you saying?”
James stepped back and ran his hands through his hair.
“I don’t know. Luke is really starting to blossom since he’s been coming here. I don’t want to take that away from him, but I can’t come out here with you as often as he wants to be here; and besides, I’m sure he doesn’t want us hanging around him as he tries to woo Emily.”
Luke led Major into the barn and cross-tied him in the open area just beyond Becky’s stall.
“You guys look serious,” he said as he lifted off the saddle and carried it past them to the tack room. “Something going on?” he asked on his return trip.
Harriet picked up a brush and started grooming the big horse.
“James is worried about the gray car. We’ve seen it on our street a few times.”
“It’s probably nothing,” James said. “I’m just a little paranoid with everything that’s been going on in town.”
Luke patted Major’s neck.
“I can take care of myself. Besides, this one makes a good guard dog.”
James blew out a breath.
“I hope it won’t come to that.”