Nick nodded. “I like him.”

She kissed Nick’s head. “He likes you, too.” She stood and met Luke’s steady gaze. “Watch Nick. I’ll go say hello to Ace.”

“Just don’t steal him again,” Luke teased.

She headed down the aisle and called out, “No promises.”

Luke mock-groaned behind her. Soon she heard his low voice as he played with Nick and the cats.

She reached Ace’s gate just as he kicked it again. “Hey now. That’s enough of that, big guy.”

Ace turned and put his head over the gate. She gave his neck a long stroke. “There, now. That’s a nice boy.” She wished she could take him out for a ride, but settled for babying him with lots of pats.

A phone rang in the distance.

“Hey Sarah,” Luke called.

She turned and found him standing next to Nick holding up his cell. “Sorry. It’s work. I need to take this.”

She nodded, gave Ace another rub down his long nose, then kissed his face. “Be good. I’ll see you later.”

She headed back down the aisle as Luke walked away from her and Nick. She met her son in the middle and picked him up. “Did you have fun with the kitties?”

“I love them.” He tucked his hands between her and his legs. “I have to go.”

“Okay.”

Luke stood at the end of the barn, his back to her. She rushed toward him, knowing Nick probably couldn’t wait long to go to the bathroom.

“What did you find out about the car accident?” Luke’s question stopped her in her tracks. “I want to know everything about it and the woman in the car with him.”

“Mama. I have to pee.”

Luke spun around, his eyes filled with guilt. He pointed to a closed door next to an office.

She took Nick, opened the door, set him down, and made sure the light was on before he closed the door and did his business.

“I need to call you back,” Luke said, then turned to her. He opened his mouth to say something, but immediately closed it.

“Nothing to say? Let me. I thought after our talk you dropped this, but you’re still digging into my past. It doesn’t matter what I say or do, you’re going to continue to believe everything Margaret says about me for a friend you didn’t even keep in contact with past high school. You’re more loyal to a woman obviously bent on revenge even though I’ve done nothing to warrant it and a dead man you don’t even know anymore. Do you really believe I’m such a terrible person and mother?”

“Mama.” Nick stood in the open bathroom door, his gaze bouncing between her and Luke.

She held her hand out to him. “Time to go home.”

“But we didn’t pick vegetables,” Nick whined. “Jack isn’t even here yet.”

Sarah picked up Nick and walked toward the barn doors. “We’re going back to Grandma’s.”

“Sarah, wait. Let me explain.”

She turned but didn’t meet his eyes.