Page 77 of Home Hearts Hooves

“Please, it’s nothing. We’d be keeping her here, regardless.”

“Pres showed me photos; her color looks just like her momma.”

“Mostly, but there’s a soft rose coming through that I’m excited to see if it develops more.”

Isabel is quiet. I watch Poppy play and boss around Connor and Skye, who are setting up the drinks and snacks her mother brought along.

“She’s got them all wrapped around her little finger.” I chuckle.

Isabel turns to me.

“I know the feeling. Well, I suppose Pres told you about Savannah.”

I nod. “Sounds like an amazing opportunity. Well overdue, I hear, too.”

“It is, but…” She sighs. “I can’t take her away from all this. Look how happy she is.”

“I’m sure whatever you choose, you’ll figure out a way to make it work. Savannah isn’t that far away; it’s a few hours, really. I’ve traveled up for a few of my brother’s games and to see Gramps and Kelly. Sure, you won’t want to do it every day, but you’ll figure out what works.”

“I’ve been talking with my parents, you know, about having her for a few nights.” I don’t know why she’s having this conversation with me. She needs to have it with Preston.

“You already live there, so I’m sure they’d manage okay, plus, she has her father now, too.”

“Preston asked me to let her stay with him,” she says softly, like she’s unsure if she should say anything.

“Yeah, we talked about that, too. He’s got her room partway set up for her. We cleared out the boxes a few days ago.”

Isabel glances down at my leg. It’s still strapped into the giant boot that’s supposed to ensure it heals right, and she raises a brow.

“You helped?”

“I had Nial bring over a big bit of wood to lay down the side of the stairs, then I just slid the boxes down.” I laugh.

“That’s really clever.”

“Why is everyone always so surprised that I can come up with good ideas?”

Nial slaps a hand down on my shoulder and leans in between us.

“Because, brother, in this partnership, I’m both the brains and the beauty.”

“What am I then?” I ask.

“The beefcake. Now, hurry up and go get Pres. Connor’s gone to collect Miss Milky and her little one.”

“Ahh, yes, okay, back in a minute.”

I shuffle up to the house, still using the walking stick for support, more because I can go faster with it than without, and I shove open the back door.

“You ready?” I call, and Preston pops his head around the corner of the kitchen.

“We’ll be out in one minute. Sally-May is just finishing off the pies, and I have the snack cups all ready to go.”

“Good, because Connor’s bringing round Miss Milky and little no-name.”

“You’ll have to stop calling her that after today.” He chuckles, and I hold the door open for him to pass with a tray of cups filled with cut fruit and veggie sticks inside. I pull a carrot stick and take a bite. They’re from the Royal’s garden next door. Sally-May traded a few bottles of milk for a basket of vegetables after the goats got into hers and ate it almost clean. Perry has started on her greenhouse enclosure to protect the new growth.

The carrot has a perfect crunch and a sweet, earthy taste. I’m glad the Royals are getting the land next door back into a working farm and not stripping it down to put up some big retreat things like they did with the Millers last year. Sure, I like the increase in guests to the cuddle cove, but it still sucks when a generational farm is just gone.

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