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    Kara watched him help Ryan with the halter, his large hands guiding the boy’s smaller ones. No wonder Ryan likes him , she thought. Colin has a lot more patience than I do .
    â€œNeed help with Lily?”
    Even in the murky light, Kara could see the grin in Colin’s eyes. She hoped he couldn’t see her blush. “No thanks,” she said casually, “I’ll manage.”
    They groomed the horses, gave them each a peppermint treat, and turned them out to pasture.
    Kara looked at her watch. “Oh no, it’s almost eleven and I promised I’d help Anne finish cleaning the kitchen.” She expected Ryan to howl about leaving the horses, but Colin intervened again.
    â€œI’d be much obliged, Miz Sheridan, if Ryan could stay and help me mend the fence.” He lowered his eyes, twisted his hat in his hands, and pasted on a goofy grin.
    Kara didn’t know if she wanted to thank him or sock him in the jaw. Miz Sheridan. Right . Sometimes he acted even younger than Ryan.
    â€œJust see that he gets back to the lodge in time for lunch.”
    Great. Now I sound like Mom .
    All she wanted was to escape before she made a bigger fool out of herself, but she forced herself to walk instead of run. Why did Colin make her act so weird? She’d never been this uptight around a guy before.
    By late afternoon, the kitchen was spotless, the dining tables were set, and wood smoke trailed from the chimney. The musty smell had been replaced with the aroma of thick beef stew and fresh-brewed coffee.
    Kara saw the pleasure in her father’s eyes when he entered the room, both arms loaded with supplies.
    â€œWhooee,” he said, and whistled. “This place has never looked so good.”
    She felt a prickle of irritation. Mom had done a pretty good job of keeping things clean. She’d been a great cook too .
    Greg and Colin followed him through the door carrying a large cardboard box. “This thing’s heavy,” Greg growled. “Where do you want it?”
    â€œThe radio.” Dad answered Kara’s unspoken question. “Put it in the storeroom off the kitchen for now. We’ll get it set up tonight.”
    Kara rushed to hold the door while her brother and Colin lowered the heavy instrument to the floor.
    Colin pulled a wrinkled bandanna from his back pocket and wiped the sweat off his face. “Whew, that thing better work. I’d sure hate to have to haul it back.”
    While they helped unload supplies, Anne poured cups of steaming coffee and handed them around. Dad disappeared again, then came back with a stack of boxes.
    He cleared his throat and handed them to Kara. “Anne said you needed these.” He looked uncomfortable. “I hope they fit.”
    Kara swallowed hard and opened the boxes. Along with a silky white blouse and light blue denim skirt were a pair of soft, white doeskin boots with rounded toes and decorative fringe along the sides.
    â€œDad! They’re gorgeous. It’s exactly what I would have chosen. How did you know?”
    He laughed. “Thank Anne. She described what she thought you’d like and wrote down the sizes.”
    â€œBut how could she know?” She looked into the kitchen. The guys were still unloading groceries, but the cook was nowhere in sight.
    Kara didn’t waste any more time thinking about it. “I want to try these on.”
    She put her arms around her father’s neck and hugged him hard. “Thanks, Dad,” she whispered. “Be right back.”
    Everything fit. Including the boots. They slid smoothly over her calves and felt soft as velvet against her skin. Howcould Anne have known? Mom would have known. But she’s not Mom .
    Kara took one more turn in front of the mirror. Her mother would have called the outfit stunning. It was perfect, and Kara decided to wait until Saturday night to show it off to the family. And Colin. She grinned at her reflection, then