HER SECRET 9

‘St Matthew, I guess.’

‘What did he do?’

‘I’m not sure.’

Matt paused and extended a hand to the boy. ‘Pleasure to meet you, Will,’ he said.

Round-eyed, the boy tentatively accepted his handshake, enjoying the gesture normally reserved for adults. His chest swelled and he stood taller, but the grasp of his small hand reminded Matt oddly of little Tanner reaching out to him last night.

‘What are you doing out here, Will?’ Sierra’s voice broke through the encroaching darkness. ‘I told you not to disturb Mr Rollins while he’s working.’

‘He’s not bothering me,’ Matt insisted calmly. ‘We were just discussing going riding tomorrow.’

Matt saw her hand ball into a fist.

‘Can I, Mom?’ Will pleaded. ‘I wasn’t begging. It was Matt’s idea.’

Matt nodded to confirm this.

‘We’ll see,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you go inside and get washed for dinner?’ Reluctantly, he marched off. It had been a long time since she’d seen his eyes shine about anything.

‘He’s a nice kid. Sierra,’ Matt noted. ‘I’d like to tak