Page 82 of Home Hearts Hooves

“The booking I just took was for a mum and her son, he was born missing one of his legs and she wants to bring him here.”

“Because you’ve got animals missing limbs?”

“Yeah, he loves animals.”

“You do have some of the best ones. The sheep, Juju, is just adorable, and that duck. Well, it freaks me out a bit, if I’m being honest. But the kids all love him.”

“I guess she feels the same way, and it made me think, maybe we could be doing more.”

“How do you mean?”

“We could block out cabin one to host families like theirs, on the ranch.”

“Like for free.”

“Exactly. And we can have a whole program planned for them, like private cuddle sessions.”

“Yeah, and horseback riding, and they can be the first to go through Nial’s Milking tour. They’ll even get to milk a cow themselves.”

“I still don’t think people will want to do that.”

“Sure, they will. People visit your ranch for so much more than the cow cuddles. You’ve got a whole experience going, let’s set this mom and son up with the works, and then we can plan how to put your idea into action.”

“Okay, but we’re not charging her, either. They can stay for free, and all the meals and stuff are on me too.”

“I know I told you that you’re incredible before, but the word really doesn’t do you justice. I don’t think I’ve met a more kind-hearted, caring man in my whole life.”

“I’m just taking my cues from you, Doc.”

He kisses my cheek, and I spot Nial through the window. When he sees us, he scrunches his nose and points our way.

“Hey, you know the rules, keep the canoodling to your room,” he calls, and Sally-May looks over then, too, shaking her head.

Preston continues to hold me, as I shave dark chocolate on top of the cream to finish the no-bake chocolate pie, and a few moments later, the front door opens and closes, and Nial’s heavy footsteps bring him barreling into the kitchen.

“Shouldn’t you be dragging Chewie out of the pool?” he asks, and Preston pulls away.

“Oh shit, yeah, I was on my way there, sorry,” he says, kissing me again, short and sweet. “Back soon.”

Preston rushes out the kitchen door and heads down toward the pool.

“Nice job palming off Chewie duty, how’d you manage that?” Nial asks, and I pump my brows.

“I have my ways. Do you really have a problem—”

“No,” Nial quickly interjects. “I’m just messing with you guys. It’s great seeing you happy. If you haven’t noticed, happiness is contagious. Ever since you and Preston got together, the guys have all been feeling the glow.”

“Not sure why.”

“Maybe cause you’re less cranky now and lay off the little stuff?”

“No, that can’t be it,” I say, and we laugh.

“So what about you, little bro?”

“What about me?”

“You’ve been out every night this week. I sort of figured maybe you’d met someone?”

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