A Family for Tyler. Angel Smits

wiry old man hustled across the drive and through the gate to take the horse. “Gracious, who you got there?” Chet peered past Prism’s shoulders.

      “The judge,” Wyatt explained, knowing Chet knew the situation with Tyler. “Seems she’s scared of horses.” Her eyelids fluttered and Wyatt hastened to the steps to get her inside and away from the horse.

      “Come on, boy. Just my luck. He gets to catch the girl and I’m stuck with you.” Chet’s words followed Wyatt toward the house as the old man led Prism out through the gate.

      “Addie,” Wyatt yelled as he stepped inside the foyer. He headed to the living room, and was halfway to the couch when the judge’s eyes opened. Wyatt found himself staring into a very startled pair of deep brown eyes. Her panic surprised him.

      “Put me down!” She wiggled and Wyatt struggled to keep from dropping her. She managed, with his help, to land on her feet—barely. She wobbled and he wasn’t sure if it was her condition or those ridiculous heels.

      “Sit down,” he commanded and guided her to the couch. “Better yet, lie down until we figure out if you’re okay.”

      “I’m fine.” She did, however, sit down.

      “Uh-huh.”

      Her color was returning and she closed her eyes while she took several deep breaths.

      Lame horses, banged-up cowboys and even flash storms, Wyatt knew how to handle. Women didn’t normally swoon at his feet, so he was at a loss of what to do. Where the hell was Addie? “Can I get you anything?”

      The judge looked at him then, and the shimmer in her eyes startled him.

      “Maybe some water. I...must have been out in the heat too long.” She rubbed her forehead with a trembling hand.

      “Sure. Add—” he yelled then stopped himself when he saw his sister appear in the doorway. Tyler was behind her, munching on a cookie that was bigger than his hand.

      “Tyler, where have you been? Are you okay?” Wyatt hunkered down beside the boy, the judge left to Addie’s care.

      “I’m okay,” Tyler said around a mouth full of chocolate.

      “What are you yelling for?” Addie stepped forward, seeing the judge sitting on the couch. “What happened? She was fine a minute ago.”

      “You knew she was here?” Wyatt frowned at Tyler.

      Addie frowned back. “Yeah. She’s the one who brought him home.”

      Wyatt’s heart sank. There went that hope. “I carried her in.”

      “What?” Addie simply stared back at him then hastily moved to the couch. “He carried you?”

      “I...uh...fainted. Must be the heat. I’m fine now.”

      Wyatt took a deep breath and turned his focus back to the boy, who wouldn’t meet his eyes. “You got something you want to tell us?”

      “No.” Tyler turned toward the kitchen and climbed back up onto the chair he’d obviously been sitting in. He grabbed the half-full glass of milk and took a drink.

      “Are you sure about that?”

      Tyler didn’t say anything, and to keep from grabbing the kid, Wyatt slid over into Dad’s chair. “So where have you been?”

      “I don’t know.” Tyler swung his legs and stared at the ground, reminding Wyatt of the day he’d first met the boy at that abandoned house. He needed to tread carefully here.

      “I can answer that.”

      Wyatt turned back to see the judge standing in the doorway. She was no longer pale and her eyes were a stormy brown. The vulnerable woman he’d glimpsed was gone and the no-nonsense judge was back. Addie was right behind her.

      “Please, have a seat. I made coffee,” Addie said.

      “I’d prefer something cooler, if you have it. Water would be great.”

      “Of course.” As Addie got busy, the judge—Emily, he reminded himself—headed toward the table. He hastily pulled out a chair and noticed her hands still trembled as she sat.

      “I’m sorry Prism scared you. I—I was focused on Tyler.” The soft perfume he’d noticed earlier mingled with the sweet scent of the fresh cookies. Temptation.

      “Understandable.”