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from the stall and over to a nearby set of cross-ties. Dang, but that was a sight made for a picture. The little boy in his hoodie and sneakers, leading a horse six times his size, the rising sun lighting them with a soft glow through the barn doors.
    Grady quickly found out Josh was a natural when it came to horses. Despite the way he usually bounced around, Josh possessed a calm manner and a soft touch that Jackson ate up.
    Grady watched the horse nudge Josh gently on the shoulder, earning a delighted laugh. Big brown eyes watched the boy as he picked up the reins and Grady had a feeling Jackson was a goner. The horse would probably follow Josh anywhere.
    Grady finally called a halt to the riding lesson after about an hour and a half—he didn’t want Josh to be too sore tomorrow. Josh had a natural feel for the horse and a good seat in the saddle. He didn’t push or force but guided. Yep, the kid had the makings of a top-notch horseman.
    “You did good, kid,” Grady said quietly when Josh stopped in front of him. That cute face just beamed. Josh kept one hand wrapped tightly around the reins, the other resting on the gelding’s shoulder. “Pretty soon you’ll be taking off with the others.”
    Josh smiled, conveying his silent thanks. Grady smiled back.
    “You’re welcome.” He ruffled Josh’s hair, like Isaiah unable to resist the soft, unruly strands. The kid looked younger than his years, staring up at Grady with adoring eyes and just soaking up the praise, as if he wasn’t used to hearing encouraging words. The thought made Grady sad.
    “What do you say we put Jackson up and take some lunch out to Isaiah, hmm? We’ll take the Jeep for today, but maybe tomorrow we can ride it out to them.”
    The words earned Grady another one of those happy smiles. Grady briefly clasped one skinny shoulder in his hand and squeezed before following Josh and his new best friend inside.
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    THE LONELY HEART K.M. Mahoney 33

Chapter Five

    “Looks okay.” Grady used his boot to hold down one strand of barbed wire as he ducked under the second. He paused on the other side, looking back at the heifer grazing with bovine contentment. She’d been wobbling a bit when he and Josh first saw her, but after a quick inspection, seemed to be in one piece. He’d mention it to Isaiah, just to keep a watch.
    She was destined for his breeding programme and as it wasn’t a large programme, he needed every gal he had.
    Grady bent over and snatched up the reins off the ground. He tugged his gelding’s head up. The action got him a baleful glare, soggy grass hanging out of the horse’s mouth.
    “Silly beast,” Grady scolded. He slapped the side of Dixon’s neck before swinging into the saddle.
    “Ready?” Grady looked over at his travelling companion with a grin. Josh returned the expression. He waved his hand in a shooing motion and Grady laughed. “What, we on a time schedule I don’t know about?”
    Josh smirked and prodded Jackson into a slow jog.
    Out of pure habit, Grady kept one eye on Josh, watching as the budding rider guided his horse around a puddle. Josh really didn’t need any supervision—he sat in the saddle like he’d been born there, happy and relaxed, taking in everything around them with wide-eyed wonder.
    They left the scattered herd of cattle behind, passing through a small stand of trees before cresting a small rise. Josh waved madly as several distant figures came into view. A tall shadow waved back equally madly, whole body getting into the motion. Grady couldn’t stop a burst of laughter at Tommy’s antics.
    Josh and Grady had fallen easily into the habit of trekking out every day, lunch in tow.
    With winter rapidly approaching, the boys were spending most of the day on the range, rounding up the cows and pushing them closer, readying the majority of them to be loaded and hauled off for sale. Grady and Josh usually saddled up around ten or eleven, depending on how far they had to