Healing Hearts by Margaret Daley Page A

a friend who owns a stable where she does horse therapy with kids who have physical issues.”
    “Really?”
    “It’s something your brother can look into if your doctor and physical therapist agree.”
    “What can I look into?” Dominic asked as he stepped into the room.
    “Madison misses riding. I was telling her about a friend of mine who helps people with physical problems ride a horse.”
    Madison twisted around to see him behind her. “Dominic, please, please find out if I can.”
    The look he shot Abbey told her she’d overstepped again, but when he came into Madi’s view, his expression didn’t reveal his displeasure. “I will, but as Abbey pointed out, I need to see what the doctor says first. Your incisions haven’t healed yet.”
    Before he changed his mind about letting Gabe visit Abbey, she said, “I’d better be going. I still have to pick up the new dog at Dad’s.”
    “You’re getting another dog?” Madison asked.
    “Only temporarily, until I find a good home for her.”
    “Her? What kind is she?” The child continued to stroke Gabe.
    “A bichon frise. She’s small and white with a curly tail.”
    “Like a pig?”
    “Sorta.” Abbey put the leash on her Lab. “We’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll be here after work.”
    “I’ll walk you to the elevator.” Dominic followed her toward the door. “Be back in a minute, Madi.”
    Before he could say anything to her in the hall, Abbey asked, “Did you get everything settled about your employees?”
    “Yes, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”
    She grinned. “I know. I shouldn’t have said anything to Madison without asking you first.” She lifted her arms in a shrug. “What can I say? I’m a work in progress.” She pushed the button for the elevator. “Those bulldog characteristics won’t disappear overnight.”
    “You aren’t in the least bit contrite over what you did.”
    “Yes, I am. But I will say Madison working with Tory would be good for your sister since she loves to ride horses. Or maybe her physical therapist is familiar enough to show you what to do with Madison.”
    As the elevator arrived and she got on it, Dominic shook his head, but a laugh escaped his mouth. She waved at him as the doors slid shut. Gabe looked up at her. “We’ve got our work cut out for us, boy. Those two are definitely in need of our services. We’re both good listeners, and they have a lot bottled up inside them.” Although she was pretty sure Madison had confided in Gabe while she and Dominic had been in the hallway, the little girl needed to talk to someone about her feelings concerning the plane crash.
    As the elevator opened on the ground floor, Abbey couldn’t stop wondering what had Madison troubled.
    * * *
    Dominic’s housekeeper opened the door to Abbey, looked her up and down, then fixed her gaze on Gabe before returning her attention to Abbey. She pursed her lips and said, “Mr. Winters called and told me a young lady was coming with a dog to be here when Madison comes home. I’m assuming you’re that person.”
    “Yes. I wanted to surprise her.”
    “Madison doesn’t like surprises.”
    Abbey held out her hand. “I’m Abbey Harris.”
    The housekeeper stepped back and said, “Please come in. You can wait in the foyer with your dog.” Then the woman, who was around fifty, with a touch of gray at the temples, headed toward the hallway. “I must finish the cake I made for Madison’s homecoming.”
    Abbey dropped her arm to her side and watched the housekeeper disappear. “Well, Gabe, it’s just you and me.”
    She glanced around the large foyer, which was bigger than her bedroom, then peeked into the living and dining rooms opposite each other. The entry with its marble floor, a large mahogany round table in the middle with fresh-cut flowers in a crystal vase and an antique sideboard with pieces of Western sculpture set the tone for the house—wealthy elegance.
    Abbey prowled the foyer with Gabe