Page 76 of Home Hearts Hooves

“I really don’t think this place is suitable—”

“Not this place.” He chuckles, turning off the burner and spinning me to face him. “My place. She could keep it on the ranch until she’s grown and has a farm of her own.”

“You’d keep it at your ranch?”

“Sure. We have a bunch anyway, what’s one more? Unless you’re thinking of that gigantic breed I saw online, that’s about the size of three of Miss Milky.”

Poppy loves Miss Milky more than any of the other cattle on the ranch. More than even Cuddles, who is the cutest pygmy goat in the entire world. I glance over at where he’sasleeprugged up inside one of Dean’s shirts on a dog bed on the floor by the couch. It’s actually a really good idea, but is that too much to ask of him? I mean, he offered, so I’m not really asking at all.

“I don’t think she needs a cow bigger than Miss Milky, but now that you bring her up, she’s about to drop any day.”

“Yeah, I reckon two days and we’ll have a mini Miss Milky unless it’s a mister milky, I guess,” I chuckle.

“She’d love her own Miss Milky,” I offer, biting my lower lip and giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

“Even if it’s a bull calf?”

“Yeah, no, probably not a good idea. I mean, while it’s young, it would be fine, but the males are more unpredictable with their temper as they get older. Okay. Howabout,if it’s a heifer calf, then I buy it from you and give it to Poppy? If it’s a bull calf, it can be bred with your girls like you were planning to do, and I’ll buy one of the other heifer calves, whichever is the cutest.”

Miss Milky isn’t just Poppy’s favorite, she’s Dean’s, too. Maybe this is asking too much?

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

“Really? What about your brothers, Kelly, andGramps? Do you think they will mind you selling Miss Milky’s calf?”

“First, I’m not selling, I’m gifting. And second, I’ll message them, but I can’t see any of them having issues with it. Miss Milky is mine. As long as I’m good with it, they will be too. Besides, they’ll love that the calf is going to someone who will give it an amazing life.”

He kisses the top of my head and pulls me close, wrapping his large arms around me.

“You know this means she will probably be over at the ranch every day after school?”

“I know, and if she’s living with you, that means I get to keep seeing you every day, too. It’s a total win for me.”

“You’re a genius, you know that?”

“Tell me again when Nial is around.”

I push up a little on my toes and kiss him, soft, sweet, and perfect.

Chapter twenty-five

DEAN

ALL IN THE NAME OF LOVE

“Hi,Dean,”Poppysays,climbing the rail into the cuddle cove.

“Happy birthday,” I reply, and she smiles, and I see so much of Preston there.

“Thank you. Mom, I’m playing until everyone comes.”

I turn and find Isabel walking down with an armful of bags.

“Sky, can you give Isabel a hand, please?” I call. Skye jogs over and takes her things, and she joins me at the rail. Poppy’s sitting on fresh hay, a mini highland in her lap, and Cuddles jumping around her, trying to steal her attention.

“Did the good Doc tell you what he’s giving Poppy for her birthday?” I ask, careful to keep my voice low. I’ve learned that Poppy has surprisingly good hearing, and I would hate to spoil the surprise.

“He did. It’s really very sweet of you.”

---