Sure, I’ve dated and had relationships while in Seattle. I wasn’t going to become celibate just because I didn’t haveher.
But nothing ever felt as good as being with her.
I shut that thought down. Lock it up tight. I’m here for the ranch. And now Poppy. Everything else can be figured out later.
No more kisses or almost-kisses.
The sounds of footsteps grow closer. Spinning on my heel, I see Poppy running toward me with Presley following in her wake. At a much slower pace.
“Hi, Kade.” She’s out of breath by the time she stops in front of me.
Her blonde hair is in pigtails, and she’s in a pink sweatshirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. She’s fucking adorable.
“Hi, Poppy.” I drop down to my knees to get on her level.
I have no idea how to interact with kids. I’ve never really been around them before. It’s a whole new world for me.
“What are we going to do today?” she asks, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“I thought maybe we could ride horses.” My eyes dart to Presley’s. “If it’s okay with your mom.”
Poppy runs over to her, jumping up and down. “Please, Mom? Can I ride the horse?”
“Only if you listen to Kade. You’ve never been on a horse, and I don’t want you falling off.”
“Yes!” She pumps her arm before coming back over to me. “She said yes.”
“Follow me.”
Poppy grabs my hand, walking beside me. It tugs on myheart as I lead her into the barn. It’s not the worst start to this parenting thing.
“This is Lollipop.”
Leading her up to the mare, we approach her from the front.
“Her name is Lollipop?” she asks, looking up at her in awe. “She doesn’t look like a Lollipop.”
“She’s really sweet. I have a feeling she’ll like you, but why don’t we warm her up with a treat?”
“Okay.”
Presley stays close, eyeing us as I grab a bag of carrots and pull one out. The horse’s eyes track the movement, feet stamping on the ground.
“She’s excited,” Poppy tells me, still standing a few feet away from the horse.
“She likes treats. Hold your hand like this.” I demonstrate how to hold it out flat. “I’ll put the carrot on your palm and Lollipop will eat it, okay?”
She does as I tell her, and there’s barely time to give her the carrot before Lollipop is sniffing at it before gobbling it down.
“Her mouth tickles.” Poppy giggles as Lollipop chomps on the carrot.
“You’re doing a really good job,” I encourage.
“She’s pretty.”
“Do you want to pet her?”
“Yes.” Poppy bobs her head up and down.
