Sorrows and Lace by Bonnie R. Paulson, Brilee Editing Page B

positive attention. So I got a horse and named her Redbird. Does that offend you?”
    “No, it just caught me off guard.” To say the least. Holy crap, her old boyfriend had named his horse after her last name. The coincidence was too, what’s the word? Coincidency? Coincidentish? Whatever, she couldn’t believe it. And yet, she’d take it. Anything to make her feel more right then, rather than less which is how she always felt since Sonny and her breakup with Ronan. “Still saddled, you said?”
    He cleared his throat and pulled on the jacket. “Yeah. Um, don’t forget a coat, it’s a bit chilly out there. I have a few women’s jackets in the closet from when Amelia and Mom lived here. Help yourself.”
    He jerked his thumb over his shoulder and half-turned his body toward the door. “I need to check in with the hands. Since I was gone so long, they have to update me on how things are faring. Afterwards, I’m heading into town for a meeting with the MacAllisters that I had to bail on when it was scheduled earlier. You and I didn’t get home until too late for me to do anything productive. For the most part though, if you need me, I’m just outside.” His smile displayed shiny white teeth straight and unnerving from between slightly parted lips that had moments before nibbled her bare skin.
    Kelsey returned the smile after he’d closed the door behind himself. She had a lot to do before she could go on her ride. Something told her she’d be heading toward Lonely Rivers.
     
    ~~~
     
    Knocking on the door seemed strange. When they’d been in high school, Amelia and Kelsey had spent more time between Lacey Caverns and Lonely River than they did at their own homes – well, Kelsey anyway, since Lacey Caverns was where Amelia lived. But driving out to Lonely Rivers to find Amelia had never ended with Kelsey knocking on the door or ringing the bell. She’d always walked right in.
    The door swung inward, revealing Kelsey’s long-ago friend.
    Amelia’s smile appeared instantly, prompting Kelsey to do the same.
    “Oh, my word, you’re here! What are you doing here? I can’t believe it. Hold on, Robbie’s in the back.” Amelia turned and yelled into the house. “Robbie! Slate! Kelsey’s here.” She reached out for Kelsey’s sleeve and pulled her inside and into her arms for a huge hug from such a small girl.
    Chuckling, Kelsey returned the embrace. “I can’t believe you cut your hair. What did we always talk about?”
    Amelia pushed Kelsey to arm’s length. “Well, you haven’t cut yours, so maybe I’ll grow mine back. Oh, wow, it’s so good to see you. What are you doing out this way?” Amelia peered closely at Kelsey. “Does Ronan know you’re in town? He’s going to die.”
    “Kelsey! Come in. Oh wow, you look amazing.” Slate strode toward her, a rougher, leaner version of him following close behind. He opened his arms and folded her in for a large bear-style hug. Squeezing a grunt from her, he laughed when he set her back on her feet. “Just like old times. Except now, I have a girlfriend and she’s awesome.”
    “Really? That’s surprising. I can’t believe your ugly mug caught a girl.” She winked and he chuckled. Slate was anything but ugly – in fact, more than one girl had lost her heart when he’d walked by.
    Robbie moved to stand beside Amelia, his arm protectively around her waist. Kelsey just grinned, seeing her friend so happy.
    Newly remodeled since she’d last been there, Lonely Rivers had an elegant outdoorsy feel going on. “The place is amazing. I can’t believe how big you made it.” She ran her fingers through her freshly washed hair, careful not to smudge the makeup she’d applied to lighten her skin tone. Amelia’s fairness had never been a point of jealousy for Kelsey, but she’d always wanted to fit in better with her lighter-skinned friends. The insecurity over the years hadn’t faded. “And yes, Amelia, R.J. knows I’m here. I’m staying with