“I’m trying not to,” Laura said, her hand automatically going to the bridle. “He’s a stunt horse, not a saddle pony.”

“Gentle as a lamb,” Michael assured her, then lifted Ali over the fence and put her behind her sister. “He’ll carry the three of you if you want. He’s also strong as a bull.”

“No, thank you.” Her heart settled as she looked into Max’s eyes. They were indeed gentle. “I’m not exactly dressed for it.”

“So I noticed. You look good, Ms. Templeton. And you looked damned good climbing over the fence.”

She looked back, into Michael’s eyes. Gentle? No, indeed, she thought. But just as compelling. “I imagine I made quite a picture.”

“You don’t know the half of it, sugar.”

She stepped back. “Okay, girls, party’s over. You need to wash up for dinner.”

Ali started to complain, stopped herself. She didn’t want to risk being told she couldn’t come back. “Can Mr. Fury come to dinner?”

“Oh.” Discomfort and manners. Manners always won. “Of course Michael, you’re welcome to come.”

And if he’d ever received a cooler and less enthusiastic invitation, he couldn’t remember. “Thanks, but I have plans. I’m heading over to Josh’s to meet his son.”

“Well, then.” She reached up, lifted Kayla, then Ali to the ground. “We’ll get out of your way.”

“There were a couple of things I wanted to run by you. If you’ve got a minute.”

“Of course.” Her feet were killing her. All she wanted was to take off those damn heels and sit down. “Girls, tell Annie I’ll be in shortly.”

“Thank you, Mr. Fury.” Her mother’s daughter to the core, Ali offered a hand.

“You’re welcome.”

“Thanks, Mr. Fury, for showing us the horses, and the tricks and everything. I want to tell Annie.” Kayla started to race off but stopped at the fence. “Mr. Fury?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

She giggled at that, then sobered. “Can you teach dogs, too? If you had a puppy, or somebody did, could you teach him tricks like Max?”

“I expect I could, if he was a good dog.”

She smiled again, wistfully, then hurried away behind her sister.

“She wants a dog,” Laura murmured. “I didn’t know. She never said. She asked years ago, but Peter. . . . Damn it. I should have realized.”

Intrigued, Michael watched the varied emotions play over her face. And the weightiest was guilt. “Do you always beat yourself up this way?”

“I should have known. She’s my child. I should have known she wanted a puppy.” Suddenly tired, she dragged her hands through her hair.

“So get her one.”

Her chin set. “I will. I’m sorry.” Shaking off the guilt, she looked back at Michael. “What did you need?”