Page 11 of Due North
Blaze walked back over and picked up a folder off a bale of hay. “Glad to hear you say that, son. We didn’t figure you’d do anything but fall for her instantly. It’s a little early, but happy birthday.”
Cece walked up alongside me as I took the paperwork from Blaze. “What is this?”
“All the paperwork you’ll need to register her as your horse,” Heaven explained.
“My horse? Happy birthday?” I asked in confusion.
Cece’s laughter filled my head, and my heart stopped pounding instantly, smoothing out to a slow and steady beat again. “I think they’re saying that Dolly is your horse. They bought her for your birthday.”
My leg almost gave out at the thought, and Cece put her arm around my waist to steady me. “My horse? You bought me a horse?”
Heaven motioned toward Dolly. “I saw her on a forum, and since the ranch was less than a mile away, I decided it had to be fate that brought her here.”
“Penny said she was an auction horse?” I asked, glancing up from the paperwork.
“She was, but she’s a pure Haflinger. All the information is in there for you to go over.”
“Are you serious right now?” My voice was stunned and nearly inaudible.
“As serious as a cow is about her red dog,” Blaze said with a grin. “We’ll have the vet come over in a few days to check her out. When you take Cece into town for baby supplies, stop by the farm store and use the Bison Ridge credit to get what you need for her. I’m sure she’s going to fit right in here.”
“Because she’s a misfit?”
Cece laid her head on my arm for comfort.
“Because she didn’t have a home, but now, she does,” Heaven answered, squeezing my forearm. “I can see in your eyes that you fell in love with her the moment Penny walked her off that trailer.”
I shook my head, my gaze on the rafters so I didn’t cry like a baby.
They bought me a horse!
“I fell in love with her the moment Penny opened the trailer doors. This is incredible. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough when someone gives you something you’ve wanted all your life.”
Heaven threw her arm around me and hugged me so hard Blaze had to grab her to keep her from falling over. “You’re welcome. I’m so happy you’re pleased with her. I know you’ve dreamed of owning one. Heavenly Lane is the perfect ranch for her. She’s bred to navigate the rocky ridges better than Sundance. If she’s a solid horse for you, we might invest in a few more for the hands.”
I rubbed her shoulder a few times before I released her. “I’ll keep you posted. She has some growing to do yet, but I can tell she’s going to be a favorite around here.”
Blaze clapped me on the back and nearly knocked me over. He grabbed my coat and pulled me back to even, but he gave me a funny look before he spoke. “She’s your horse, not the ranches. You can use her for work around the place, but you file that paperwork and make sure it’s in your name. That’s the way we intended it, son.”
“I will,” I promised, shaking his hand with gratitude while trying not to cry. “I will, Blaze. You guys have thrown me for a loop today,” I said, laughter bubbling up in my chest. “I was so confused when that horse trailer pulled up to the gate.”
Cece grabbed my arm and turned my chin to face her. “I have to go check on Poppy. Congratulations on the horse. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
I nodded with a bright smile on my face when my gaze met hers. The horse standing behind me couldn’t hold a candle to Cece’s beauty, but I couldn’t find a way to tell her. Instead, I just waved and watched her walk away.
Four
Caleb was swaying back and forth with Poppy in his arms while I dug through the storage unit that held most of Allie’s things. We’d already been to the store to buy Poppy the new clothes and outerwear she would need, but I wanted to avoid spending money on stuff I knew was already sitting here. Besides, it might comfort her to have some of her old things at the house.
“Are you sure she’s not too big for a crib?” Caleb asked as I stacked the crib parts against the storage unit wall.
“I know most kids her age don’t sleep in a crib, but she’s little and still fits. I could put her in a toddler bed, but at least the crib lets me sleep at night without worrying about her escaping the room. Right now, I hardly sleep because I’m constantly checking to make sure she’s still next to me.”
“I guess I didn’t think of that,” he agreed. “What else do we need?”
I put my hands on my hips and shook my head at the mess inside the unit. “We already bought all the stuff Heaven suggested, like the baby gates and playpen. I don’t like the idea of keeping her in a playpen, but for now, it’s our only choice until she’s more secure in her surroundings. Since she can’t hear me, I have to keep her safe when I’m cooking and out from under my feet.” I rubbed my forehead with frustration. “I’m going to suck at being a mother. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m probably just making things worse for her.”
“Cece,” he whispered, walking up alongside me, the baby asleep on his shoulder. “You aren’t making things worse for her. Look at her. She’s happy, safe, fed, and content. That’s all she needs right now.”
