Page 79 of Home Hearts Hooves

“How about, Miss Moo?” Poppy says, returning to her calf to pet it. It nuzzles her with its head and makes a soft sound.

“I think she likes it,” Preston says, and I shake my head.

“I guess it’s better than Seefer and Emfer.”

“I’ll come over every day and see her and I’ll brush her, wash her, and give her treats. You won’t have to do anything, can’t I, Mom?” Poppy asks, and Isabel nods, looking at Preston and me.

“Sure, you can. We’ll sort it all out, darling. Promise.”

***

“And you are sure you have everything?” Isabel asks for the third time in five minutes.

“Yes, Mom,” Poppy replies, hugging her mother again. It’s her first night staying at Preston’s and while Isabel won’t be starting art school for another month, Poppy didn’t want to wait until then to start staying at her dad’s. In fact, the second we showed her the room Preston was setting up for her, she was all too excited to start helping there, too. She painted it a deep green because she wanted it to look like the meadow grass where her own little cow, Miss Moo, grazes. A color her grandparents would never have let her have her room at their place, she told us.

“I’m sure if she’s forgotten anything, we can run on over to grab it,” Preston reasons and I snuggle at his side.

“Well, you have fun, and don’t stay up too late and-”

“Mom, you can leave. I’ll be fine. I’m just staying at Dad’s place, not going to Africa.”

Isabel laughs.

“Okay, okay. I’ll go.” She gives her one last squeeze and kisses her head, then Poppy runs up the stairs to Preston’s loft before she can grab her again.

“I guess she’s good then,” Isabel says, and she walks back through the clinic to leave.

“I should be going, too,” I say, and Preston grabs my hand.

“You don’t have to.”

“I know. But it’s her first night here. It should be just you two. I’ll see you both at the ranch in the morning.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive. Now, go have fun with your daughter.” I lean towards the stairs and yell, “See you tomorrow, Poppy.”

“Bye, Dean, say good night to Miss Moo for me and tell her I’m bringing her a treat. Dad, I’m putting strawberries in the freezer. Don’t take them out or eat them, they’re for Miss Moo, not you.”

“Okay,” we call back.

“I guess I’ll see you in the morning,” he says, and I kiss him one more time.

“Yep, love you. Bye.” I’m stuck. Frozen. My mind is begging my legs to move, but they just stand there like pigs stuck in mud with Preston Knight looking at me with a gaping mouth and wide surprised eyes.

Holy shit. I just said I love you to Preston Knight. I mean, I knew I loved him. I’ve known for ages. But I didn’t think we were at the saying it stage yet and clearly by the overwhelmed shock on his face, he didn’t think we were there yet either. If only my legs would fucking move, then I could run away and pretend it didn’t happen. Cause that has always worked out so well for me in the past. Oh my god, stop being a shit. “I…umm, you know I’m always falling over my words around you, I didn’t—”

“You didn’t?”

“I mean, I did, I do—”

“You do?”

“I do if you do.”

“I do.”

“Do you?”

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