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snorted and galloped through the field toward the creek.
    When Shane turned back toward Veronica, she stood in the corral with him. Wrapping her arm through his, she leaned in close as they walked out the gate and back to the house. “I saw a gorgeous wedding gown in the bridal magazine I bought last week in town. I wanted to see if I could talk you into buying it for me.”
    Shane froze in his tracks. “Wedding gown? Is there something you’re not telling me, sugar?”
    Veronica veiled her eyes and flashed a smile that would have any man quivering in his boots. “Well, Daddy, I’m sure Daniel’s getting closer to proposing. Yesterday, he insisted on taking me to the International Jewelry Exhibit, and he spent a lot of time looking at wedding rings. Toward the end of the show, he disappeared for a while. I’m sure he went back to buy one.” Her voice was infused with excitement.
    Shane’s stomach did a flip. “That’s wonderful news, honey. I’m happy for you. Your mama would have been so proud.” His vision blurred, but he was determined not to show his tears. He glanced down at the ground. “I guess Daniel finally realized Martha wasn’t the right woman for him.”
    “Well . . . he doesn’t actually remember Martha.”
    Shane turned toward her and held her hands in his. “He doesn’t remember her at all?”
    Veronica shook her head with a cocky smile on her lips. “No, and I like it that way. I’ve told him all he needs to know about their farce of a marriage, and he’s ready to move on—without his memories. He said yesterday he’d rather not remember her anyway. She was a hussy and a tramp, and—”
    “Hey, wait a minute, baby. Did Daniel actually say those things about Martha, or did you plant the seed in his head?
    Veronica looked guilty, but she shook her head. “I didn’t actually call her names, but I told him the facts. If he calls her those things, it’s not my fault. Besides, Mama told him what Martha did, and he knows she would never lie—neither would the state patrol.”
    Shane’s throat tightened. “Okay, honey, but make sure you don’t push. This has to be his idea, or it won’t work between you. Be patient, and Daniel will come around.”
    Veronica pouted and gave him a petulant frown. “All right, Daddy. I won’t push, but will you buy me the dress anyway?”
    Shane felt a “yes” bubbling up inside of him—no matter what the dress might cost, his Veronica deserved the best of everything. She lost her mama, and her mama had done everything she could to make Veronica happy. That meant he had to take Mary’s place and fill the void losing her mama had caused.
    Before he could answer, a rider galloped through the barnyard.
    Veronica scowled. “What’s Jordan Welsh doing here?”
    Gerald watched as the man slid off his horse and tied the gelding to the corral fence.
    “He asked about buying some of the horses I rejected from the last bunch I bought—the ones I don’t think’ll make the cut.”
    “I thought he moved to California or something after Vinny died in that car accident.”
    “I, uh . . . I think he came back recently to open up the old ranch.”
    Veronica sniffed and raised her nose in the air. “He acted like he cared about Vinny when he died, but after the funeral, I got the impression it was the ranch and the money that he really cared about. Remember how fast he wanted Vinny’s will read?”
    “Hush.” Shane whispered as Jordan walked in their direction. Jordan shook hands with Shane and ignored Veronica.
    “Shane.”
    “Well, Jordan, how did you like the horses?”
    “They were tolerable . . . just tolerable. It’s possible we can make a deal. How about throwing in that bay I saw you working with over there?”
    Shane blew out a laugh. “Hardly. That one’s definitely not for sale.”
    Jordan looked him in the eyes. “We’ll see. I bet we can come up with some kind of agreement.”
    Shane hardened his eyes and shook his head. “Not for