“You can rub her nose between her eyes.”
Her face lights up with delight as Lollipop lets her pet her. So far, things seem to be going well. I mean, it could be worse. She could have run crying from the barn. Then any hope of a relationship with my daughter would go right out the window.
It probably helps that Poppy was talking to me before she even really met me.
“Let’s grab you a helmet,” I say.
Helping Poppy get the right size, I get her all buckled in before helping her on the horse. She looks fucking adorable sitting up there on Lollipop.
Grabbing the rope, I click at the horse and start leading the two of them around the ring. Presley is standing in the middle of the barn, a nervous look on her face.
Having done this before, I know how to do it. And with Lollipop being the sweetest horse on the ranch, Poppy is in good hands. Her hands are wrapped tight around the horn of the saddle.
“Are you liking it?” I ask Poppy.
“I really like it. Can we go faster?”
I shake my head. “Not today. If you want lessons, maybe your mom can bring you out to the ranch and I can teach you.”
“I don’t think Mom has ever ridden a horse before.”
“She has,” I answer without thinking.
“Really? Maybe she can ride with me.”
I glance over to Presley. A memory crashes into my mind. One of when Presley and I took one of the older horses out for a ride. I had a picnic for the two of us. It was the first time we ever slept together. That was one of the best days of my life.
I miss those days. Now that I’m back in Pinecrest, it’s harder to push aside the memories. Because everywhere I turn is steeped in history. The two of us were always joined at the hip. Where one of us went, the other was always there. There isn’t a place that Presley and I haven’t gone. Haven’t shared something special together. I wish it didn’t hurt, but it does.
Being here now makes me realize just how much I’ve missed out on.
“Hey Sam,” I call out. “Want to help lead Poppy around the barn?”
“Sure thing, boss,” he agrees.
“Sam’s going to take you around the barn, okay? I’m going to talk to your mom.”
“Make sure to tell her I want lessons,” Poppy says.
I smile up at her. “I will.”
Heading to where Presley is, I nod my head toward the benches on the side.
“Can I talk to you for a minute, Presley?”
“Sure.”
She looks at me, eyes shifting, like she’s nervous. That’s new.
I drop down next to her. Our knees brush together and I ignore the swooping feeling in my gut. Nope, not going to think about that at all.
“What do you want to talk about?”
Presley pulls her knee back, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Huh. Seems like she’s not the only one feeling things.
“I’m not going to lie, Pres. I’m pissed. Really, really pissed.” I turn to face her and she’s looking down, picking at her fingernail. “I have a daughter that I didn’t know about. It hurts.”
