Page 15 of Fooling the Forward

“What happened to your mom? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“No, not at all. My dad came home from work and found her on the floor. She was already gone. The autopsy found a brain aneurysm.”

“Your poor dad. That’s horrible.”

“He took it really hard. They’d been together since high school and they were happy. The two of them were always laughing about something.”

Ryder drapes his arm on the top rail of the wooden fence and I do the same. The ponies run over, eager for some attention. Bending down, I reach between the two posts to stroke a reddish-brown muzzle.

“So soft. What a cute little thing you are,” I say.

“That’s Ginger. Her owners were moving to the city, so I took her in. She’s a sweet girl.” Reaching over, he scratches behind her ears and she nickers with contentment. I can’t blame her. God knows what sounds would come out of my mouth if his hands were on me.

“And who are you?” I ask when a white pony nudges my hand.

“That’s Daisy. She came here via Kentucky. Her owner passed away and his daughter didn’t have a place for her.”

“What a cutie,” I say, stroking her soft muzzle.

Ryder whistles and a dark brown pony comes running over. “Hey, boy,” he says, smiling. “This is Bear.” He caresses a hand from the top of Bear’s head down to his back. “He was abused by his previous owner. When he first came here he was skittish and stayed to himself. But now, he knows no one’s ever going to hurt him again. Isn’t that right, Bear?” He speaks in a babyish tone, and I smile. It’s endearing to see this softer side of the bad-ass hockey player.

“Is he your favorite?” I ask.

“Shh.” He hushes me with a finger in front of his mouth. “They’ll hear you.”

I giggle. “That means your answer is yes.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny.” His lips tug at the corners, as if he’s holding back a smile. “He’s come a long way in the two years we’ve had him.”

“We?”Does he have a secret wife or girlfriend no one knows about?

“My dad lives across the street.” He turns and points at a white ranch house with a front porch.

“I didn’t even notice that on the way in. I was too busy looking at the animals.”

“He sold the house I grew up in and was trying to figure out where he wanted to settle. I may have given him the nudge he didn’t need by having a house built for him. But he loves helping out around here.”

“Geez, it sounds like you’re the ideal son. He’s lucky to have you.”

“He’s a great dad. I’m the lucky one.”

“Does your sister live here too?”

He barks out a laugh. “Hell no.”

“You have a lot of land here. I didn’t know if she had a house off in the distance somewhere.”

“Her husband has a great job and provides well for her and their kids. He’s not the type to want help, and since they don’t really need any, I spoil their kids instead.”

“One of the most exciting things about Darius and Evie getting married, is I’m gaining a niece,” I say.

“Tillie’s a great kid.”

“She is. I love her to pieces.”

“How are you doing on time? Do you want to meet the cows?” he asks.

I glance at my watch. “Yes, please. I’d love that.”