A smile that rivalled the winter sunlight blazed across Rea’s face. ‘Are you really sure, Laurel?’

Laurel gave her a hug. ‘Let’s just hope the insurance company hasn’t already got someone interested.’

Gabe snorted. ‘You don’t think they’ve got a private ad out, do you? Her name will be down to go back to the sale. Though that way she’d at least be bought from the ring and not as part of some shady side hustle.’ He beetled his brows at Bertie, who looked abashed behind his beard.

Rea fairly threw herself into Laurel’s arms, nearly beaning her with the peak of the riding hat she still wore. ‘You are the best sister in the world.’

Gabe, perhaps understanding that to invite Rea indoors would be too much, too soon, disappeared into the house for a few minutes before returning with the insurance company’s contact information and Daybreak’s details. Rea took the sheets of paper and nodded as she listened to Gabe’s suggestions as to how to proceed.

Then, all at once, she seemed to run out of steam and the glance she sent down the track held a trace of longing. ‘It must be well past lunchtime,’ she said, tentatively.

Laurel shrugged easily. ‘Daybreak’s grazing happily, so she’s started without us. Shall we go home?’

Daisy’s eyes gleamed wickedly. ‘I could eat a horse.’

A laughing light returned to Rea’s eyes. ‘Don’t say such things in present company or I won’t teach you to ride my pony.’

Daisy snorted inelegantly. ‘No, thanks.’

They left Gabe and Bertie and strolled down the track. Rea looked tired with the effort of being out for so long, but a small smile was never far from her mouth.

At Grady’s spray shop the door was still closed but Laurel’s heart lifted when she spotted a light through the window. She decided not to see whether Rea would be OK the rest of the way home with Daisy though. It wasn’t very fair when she’d said she’d be there and Daisy would likely want to see Grady, too, and this was one occasion when Laurel didn’t want to share him. Accordingly, she scurried up Main Road with her sister and niece, saw them into The Nookery and then called a cheeky, ‘See you later!’ and turned to scurry back the way she’d come.

‘Oy! What about the Christmas tree?’ Daisy bellowed after her.

‘Later,’ Laurel tossed over her shoulder. ‘You get it all out of the cupboard and I’ll be back to help, soon.’

She reached the spray shop flushed and breathless, opened the door and stepped inside. ‘Hiya.’