Page 25
“Something like that,” I offer, unsure how to explain why I’m here. I assume everyone in this small town knows Hank, and I don’t know if he wants me announcing to people that he has a daughter. Small town talk and all that.
Lanie strides back toward us, this time with my order. She glances ominously between Poppy and I, like we’re plotting world domination. She drops off my food, then scurries toward the register and behind the wall.
Poppy shakes her head and eats a spoonful of her broccoli cheese soup. “So, where are you from?”
“Northern California,” I answer. “Right outside of Napa Valley.”
“Nice. And what do you do?”
A weird feeling curls through my body at the question. I used to be so proud to announce that I was a show jumper. But something about it feels empty lately. I don’t feel that passion for it I used to. “I’m an equestrian show jumper,” I finally answer.
Her eyes light up, and she sets her spoon down. “No way, that’s so cool. My brother does rodeo!”
“Very cool.” I chuckle at her enthusiasm. “And what do you do?”
She screws her lips to the side, something strange moving across her face. “I do the bookkeeping for my family’s farm, and I’m also working on my nursing degree.”
A smile lifts the corners of my mouth. I can picture her rushing around a hospital, helping patients.
“I have a five-year-old son who keeps me busy, too.” Her eyes light up when she mentions her son.
“You have a full schedule.” I raise my eyebrows. “That sounds like a lot of hard work.”
She nods with her eyes wide, which makes me chuckle.
“What’s your son’s name?” I ask.
“Tripp,” she answers, picking up her bread and tearing off a chunk.
“Cute!” I’m picturing a little boy who probably wears a cowboy hat.
We eat our food in between asking each other questions. When we’re finished, we both sit there for a moment. I don’t want to stop talking, and I don’t think she does, either.
“I have to get back to the farm, but would you want to come over for dinner tonight?” she asks. “I mean, if you don’t have other plans. My brothers won’t be home, so it’ll just be me and my son. I can’t remember the last time I had a girls’ night.” She laughs.
“I would love that,” I answer honestly. “How close are you to Whispering Pines Ranch?”
Poppy arches a brow. “We’re right down the road, actually.”
She opens her mouth to say more but I interrupt, not ready to answer questions about why I’m staying at the ranch. “Give me your number and I’ll text you if I can’t use the pickup tonight. I don’t have my own vehicle here.”
A look of confusion passes over her pretty features, but she says nothing besides rattling off her number.
I add her contact to my phone and shoot her a text, so she has my info.
“I’ll see you around six?” she asks, standing and taking a step toward the door.
“See you then,” I reply.
I watch out the café windows as she eyes the Whispering Pines pickup with a curious expression.
CHAPTER 10
Lincoln
After a long ass day helping Hank and Otto with vaccinations and medical checkups, I can’t wait to shower and change. I’m exhausted and contemplating skipping dinner with Owen and Jackson, but they’ll never let me hear the end of it if I do that.
I also want to check on Poppy and Tripp before I head into town, since Wayne is out for his weekly poker night. I hate that Poppy doesn’t have many friends. She’s always home alone—well, alone with a five-year-old, anyway.
