Rowdy shrugged, standing a little straighter as he admitted, “I’ve won a couple of belt buckles mutton-busting.”
“Sounds like you’ve already started.” Renata held her hand out. “Like your mom and your dad. Toben’s my cousin, so that makes us cousins, too. We haven’t officially met. I’m Renata Boone.”
“Hi.” Poppy saw his eyes go wide, a smile on his face. “You’re a lot nicer than my other cousins,” he said, shaking her hand. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you.”
Renata laughed. “You, too, Rowdy. Toben’s always talking about you.”
His smile grew ever bigger.
Poppy nudged her boy. “You can tell Rowdy’s not at all pleased to hear that.” She did her best to shove aside the constant doubt his excitement caused.
“I’m really glad you decided to settle here,” Renata said. “The Boones are going to welcome you with wide-open arms. Fair warning, there’s a passel of us. And we’re all about family.”
“That’s all right. Me and Ma won’t be lonely now.” Rowdy nudged his mother back, all dimples and bright eyes.
Her heart thumped.
“You’ll have that,” Renata assured him. “And then some. Hope you’ll come to the next family get-together? The both of you?”
Poppy stared at the woman. Her blue eyes waited, no hint of teasing or judgment clouding her pretty face. The woman was serious...and it made Poppy think. Just because Toben might not stick around didn’t mean his family would bail on Rowdy. For the first time, Poppy saw the Boones as potential allies for her son—people who would be there for him regardless of his father’s actions. And she was overwhelmingly relieved by that possibility.
“He tried to bring us before,” Rowdy said, his cheeks flaming red. “But I chickened out.”
Renata nodded. “Understandable. Just know we’re not strangers—we’re family, so there’s nothing to worry over.” She smiled at Poppy. “One thing I love about being a Boone—we’ve got each other’s backs, through thick and thin.” Renata wasn’t just talking to her son. “I should be heading out. It’s been a long day and I’m stopping off to visit Tandy on my way home. Have you met Tandy yet? She’s Toben’s twin sister.”
“Dad has a twin?” Rowdy asked.
“Guess that’s a no. Your aunt is one of the sweetest gals ever, a real brain, too. She’s studying to be a veterinarian over at the university. I bet she’d love to take you on a tour, show you all the animals. She’s going to be tickled pink to meet you.” Renata touched his cheek.
Rowdy nodded. “I’d like that. Ma and I are thinking about getting us a dog or two.”
Poppy laughed. “Oh, we are?”
Rowdy’s grin was triumphant. “A boy needs a dog, Ma. And you should have one, too, so they don’t get lonely when we’re not home.”
“Or they could come to the shop,” Renata said. “The ladies at the hair salon have a few cats that sit in the customers’ laps while they’re getting their hair done. It’s a hoot.”
“Huh?” Rowdy shook his head. “A cat’s fine, I guess, but I think we need dogs.”
“I’ll keep my ears open for you,” Renata offered.
Poppy knew they’d end up with a dog or two before the summer was out. Now that it was just her and Rowdy, he was bound to get lonely. And, as he pointed out, a boy should have a dog. As long as Cheeto didn’t mind too much.
“I’m off,” Renata said.
“It was nice chatting with you, Renata,” Poppy said, meaning it.
“You, too.” The woman waved and turned, then stopped. “Oh, wait, I almost forgot. We have a big scavenger hunt out on the ranch on Fourth of July weekend, too—a fund-raiser for the refuge my brother Archer runs. On horseback, of course. You and Rowdy could form a team, if you want, or join one.”
Rowdy stared up at her. “That sounds like fun.”
“It does,” Poppy agreed. “How do we sign up?”
“I’ll give Toben a registration form and have him bring it out to you.”
Poppy nodded. “Sounds good.”
“I’ll be in touch.” She opened the door. “It was nice to meet you, Rowdy.”
“Bye,” Rowdy called out, turning a huge smile Poppy’s way once they were alone. “Maybe Dad will be on a team with us—for the scavenger hunt? Think he will, Ma?”
“Only way to find out is to ask him.” She ruffled Rowdy’s hair. She glanced at the large windmill-shaped clock that hung on the back wall. It was almost four. “How about a swim?”
She and Rowdy had given Rose and Bob a tour of the place before her sister’s family left. She and Rose hadn’t been close in a long time but it had been hard saying goodbye to Dot and Otis. The four of them had started getting along so well—having fun and making memories she hoped they’d treasure as they grew. She and Bob made sure dates for next year were set, making the goodbyes a little easier. Rose, as impressed with the shop as she’d been with the house, had been eager to hustle the kids into their SUV and hit the road. Poppy and Rowdy stood waving until the car had turned off Main Street, then stuck around to add some finishing touches to the two changing stalls and put up the last of the decorations. Her boy deserved some fun.
Rowdy jumped up. “Sounds great.”
Poppy grinned, walking through the shop and turning off lights before locking up behind them. After having Dot and Otis with them, she hoped Rowdy was enjoying the quiet as much as she was. She knew it was a more isolated existence for him—for her, too. On the circuit, there’d always been people to talk to and things to do and see.
“You happy, Rowdy?” she asked, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, grinning. “Only thing that could make me happier is a dog.”
* * *
TOBEN PARKED THE TRUCK, waved at Rowdy and tried not to react to how pretty Poppy looked. His son was dripping wet, the inner tube under his arm almost as big as he was. Poppy was wrapped in a towel, the straps of her bikini top displaying the golden skin beneath. He sucked in a deep breath, steadying himself. Tonight was about the three of them growing closer as a family. Not him getting waylaid by his want for her. He opened the truck door and slid out, grabbing the bag of groceries he’d brought. “Hope you’re hungry,” he said.
“Starved.” Rowdy was all smiles. “Need help?”
“Sure.” Toben grinned at his son. “Poppy.”
She nodded. “Toben.”
“Sure is quiet,” he said, following Rowdy into the kitchen.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Rowdy asked. “Aunt Rose and Uncle Bob left this morning.”
“Come on, Rowdy, be nice. I think your cousins were sad to go.” Poppy pulled the door shut behind them.
“I guess. But it was time, Ma.” Rowdy shrugged.
Poppy shook her head. “You go change before you make a puddle on the floor. Then you can help your dad.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowdy ran down the hall.
Toben watched his son go, pleased with his willing attitude. A nice change from Poppy’s niece and nephew. He glanced at Poppy, then away—the sight of her too great a temptation. Best to say something to distract himself until he could forget that she was wearing next to nothing—even wrapped in a towel—standing within arm’s reach. He cleared his throat. “You’re missing Otis and Dot?” Toben asked, pulling the food from the brown paper sack.
She didn’t answer, so he looked at her.
She grinned, wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Not really,” she whispered, sounding guilty.
He laughed. “That’s okay.”
“Rowdy and I haven’t really had time to make this place our own yet. To settle in, just the two of us. It’s all still pretty new.” She tugged her towel tighter, taking in the room with assessing eyes. “Once those new appliances g
et here, I’ll be downright happy.”
He wasn’t going to let her “just the two of us” comment get to him. Not tonight. He was going to put in the work to show her it didn’t need to be just the two of them...and hope she’d come around to his way of thinking. Toben’s gaze fell to her exposed shoulder. “When will that be?”
“Soon, I hope.” She looked at him, then away. “What do you need? For dinner?”
“A bowl. And something to marinate the chicken in. Otherwise, I think I got it covered.” He pulled out the fresh green beans. “Rowdy ever snapped beans?”
Poppy took the bag. “It’s time he learned. I’m hoping to put in a garden.”
“Soil’s good for it,” he agreed.
“I need to read up on what grows best here, but I’m hoping beans, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, some squash... Guess I’m rambling.” She broke off.
He glanced at her, shaking the bottle of his uncle’s homemade barbecue sauce. “Are you?” He liked listening to her talk, and knowing she had plans for this place made him...happy.
“You want to hear me talking about my gardening plans?” she asked, rolling her eyes.
“Why not?” he asked. “Uncle Teddy has a big garden. Well, it was Aunt Mag’s. When she passed, we all sort of pitched in to keep it going. Now a couple of the people that work at the Lodge—the bed-and-breakfast on the ranch—have taken over. It’s impressive, all sorts of vegetables and herbs. It’s where I got some of our dinner.” He looked at her. “I’ll show you when you come out.”
She put the beans on the counter. “Renata stopped by the shop today.”
He grinned. “And?”
“She says you have a sister?” She paused. “A twin?”
His grin grew. “I do. I haven’t told you about Tandy? Still not sure if I’m coming or going.”
“I... There’s still a lot we don’t know about each other,” she said.
He looked at her, nodding. “I’m hoping we can change that?”
Her brown eyes were intense, searching his face. “I’d like that.” She blew out a slow breath, her voice high and tight. “For Rowdy.”
“What about me?” Rowdy asked. “You gonna change, Ma?”
“I’m going.” Poppy nodded. “I’ll be back.”
“Were you talking about getting me a dog?” Rowdy asked.
She laughed. “No, we were not talking about getting you a dog.” She shook her head, walking down the hallway to her room.
“You want a dog?” Toben asked.
“Uncle Bob said we were awful far away from town, with no alarm or protection.” Rowdy shrugged. “A dog would fix that. Or two.”
Toben nodded, not liking the truth in Bob’s words. They were alone, a good fifteen minutes from town. Almost forty minutes from Boone Ranch. Pretty damn isolated for a woman and small boy. Not that Poppy couldn’t handle things—she could. But...a dog was a good idea. And soon. “It would. Your ma’s not keen on the idea?”
“Not yet.” Rowdy poked the bag. “Green beans?”
“Not a fan?” Toben asked, chuckling at the face his son made.
The boy shook his head.
“That’s okay.” Toben bent and whispered, “I’ve got a secret way to make them taste good.”
Rowdy didn’t believe him. “Green beans? Taste good?”
Toben chuckled again. “Yes sirree. I’ll show you how to snap off the ends first.”
Five minutes later, Rowdy was at the table, throwing the snapped beans in a colander and the ends in a bag. While Rowdy was working on the beans, Toben started boiling macaroni and chopped up some bacon and onions to sauté.
“You cook?” Poppy asked, returning to the kitchen in jeans and a pink T-shirt hugging all-too-perfect curves. Her hair was loose and wet, thick curls hanging down her back.
He shrugged. “A bit.”
“Can I help?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Clara sent another pie for dessert. Apple this time.”
“I thought I smelled cinnamon,” Poppy said, peering into the bag before pulling the dessert out.
“Who’s Clara?” Rowdy asked, still snapping away.
“My uncle Teddy’s new wife,” Toben said. “His first wife, Aunt Mags, died a while back. We all thought Uncle Teddy was done with romance, but Clara showed up and he was all flowers and valentines.”
“You like her?” Rowdy asked.
“I do.” Toben tossed the bacon and onions in the skillet. “Only person in my family I don’t always see eye to eye with is my cousin Archer. But he’s a mite better now that he’s married. Eden, his wife, and his two little girls seem to have taken some of the...starch out of him.”
“Starch?” Rowdy asked.
Toben glanced at Poppy, who was grinning. “He’s sort of...uptight. A know-it-all. A little...rough around the edges. But he’s better, for the most part.”
Toben had arrived with no expectations for their evening. He hoped it would go well. He hoped he’d drive away feeling like he and his son were growing closer—that Poppy was settling into this new arrangement. But laughing, sharing stories, working in the kitchen together, was so much more. Dinner was good, made better by the company. It was new and fragile, but there was a sense of family here. He wanted to protect it and watch it grow.
“Huh,” Rowdy said, between bites.
Toben couldn’t help but notice his son’s plate was almost empty. Green beans included. “Huh?” he repeated.
“They were good.” Rowdy winked.
“Bacon does that.” Toben winked back.
Poppy laughed. “I’ll start washing up. Since you cooked.”
But Toben couldn’t sit still. He helped clear off the table and took the trash out, returning to find the pie cut and on plates. Rowdy had a million questions about the scavenger hunt and the Fourth of July festivities.
“I’ve only been here for a couple of years—on the rodeo circuit long while before that,” Toben confessed. “My mother lives in Montana.”
“Miss her?” Rowdy asked.
Toben was aware that both Poppy and Rowdy were waiting for an answer. He sat his fork down, a small smile on his face. “Well, now, Rowdy. I’d like to say I’m as close to my mother as you are, but that’s not the case.”
“Because she won’t tell you who your dad is?” Rowdy asked, causing Poppy to cough and choke.
Toben patted her on the back while Rowdy got her a glass of water. She stared at him, her eyes wide over the rim of her glass.
“That’s part of it,” Toben agreed, not wanting to ruin the tone of their evening. Poppy was still staring at him. What he wouldn’t give to know what she was thinking.
Rowdy nodded. “I like apple pie.”
“Me, too,” he agreed. “All of Clara’s pies are good.” Which was true. And one of the reasons his uncle was getting a little belly on him. “After work sometime, how about we go to the veterinary hospital? You can meet my sister and see if there are any dogs looking for a home.”
“Really?” Rowdy asked.
“Really.” Toben nodded. Until he met Poppy’s eyes. She wasn’t happy. Dammit. “Maybe... I guess... You know a dog’s a lot of work?”
Rowdy nodded. “Yes, sir. So is Cheeto. And I keep him happy.” He looked at his mother. “Don’t I, Ma?”
Poppy nodded. “You do.”
Toben knew he’d messed up. Through the game of dominoes, she kept her eyes averted. She agreed to let him put Rowdy to bed without a single word. And when he walked down the hall, he felt the hostility rolling off her in waves. Best to start off with an apology and hope for the best. “I should have asked first—”
“Yes, you should have,” she agreed, packing up the leftovers into the brown paper bag. “We’re the adults, the two of us. We need to
be on the same page when it comes to Rowdy. No more of...this. I don’t know what you’re going to say or do and it makes me...nervous.” She spun around, her brown eyes flashing when they met his. “I’m trying...but you keep...you keep making things hard.”
He frowned. He made her nervous? “I don’t mean to.”
“I know.” Her tone rose. “I know you don’t mean to. I know you want him to adore you. He does, believe me. You don’t have to promise him dogs and big families. He’d be happy with just you, you know?”
His frustration sparked. “No, I don’t know. I’ve never done this before. Ever. I’m learning as I go. All I know is I see him smile and I like it. I see him sad and it guts me.”
Poppy blew out a slow breath, shaking her head.
“No dog?” he asked.
She made a little sound of irritation. “I can’t tell him no now, can I? Then I’m the bad guy.” A crease formed between her brows, her mouth pressing flat.
“I’m sorry, Poppy.” He meant it. He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “Can’t seem to get this right.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it, made that angry little sound and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why did you fix the wall and stall in the barn?”
He shrugged.
“I was going to get to it.” Her eyes flashed.
“I didn’t mind,” he said warily. Where was this going? Why the hell did a simple repair seem to be her tipping point?
“It’s not your place.” She shook her head. “You don’t need to do things for me, Toben. You don’t need to cook dinner for me or...bring me flowers. You being here has nothing to do with me.”
She didn’t know how wrong she was. He wanted to do those things. He wanted to be a part of her daily life, not just Rowdy’s. The more time he spent with her, the more he missed her when they were apart. But Ryder’s warning had struck a nerve with him—being cautious was the right thing to do. She still thought of him as he had been, hell-bent on adventure and taking stupid risks. Maybe it was time to tell her he wasn’t that man anymore and hope she’d give him a chance to prove it. “It bothers you?”
“Yes.” The word was unsteady.
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