“Momma said you take care of all of them,” she stated.
He nodded, glancing back at Eden following several steps behind. Her gaze was fixed on the stone path under their feet.
“You a horsey doctor?” Ivy asked.
“A veterinarian,” he agreed. “An animal doctor.”
“All animals?” she asked.
“Yes.” He stopped. “This is River.”
Ivy stared up at the red dun he favored. The horse lowered his head, sniffing Ivy’s curls.
Ivy clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling her giggle. “What’s he doing?”
“Saying hello,” Archer answered, loving the sound of her giggle.
Eden’s soft laugh reached his ears, drawing his attention. But as quickly as their gaze met, she looked away.
“He’s big,” Ivy said. “You sit high up.”
He nodded, glancing at Eden. “Mind if I put her in the saddle?”
Eden shook her head. “Hold on, Ivy.”
Archer sat Ivy in the saddle and swung up behind her. “How’s that?” he asked.
“High up,” Ivy said, her voice high and thin.
Eden smiled. “You’re taller than me, Ivy.”
“I am,” Ivy agreed, excited again.
It was hard to look away from Eden. She was smiling at her daughter, the sort of smile Archer wanted for himself. He wanted to make her smile. To make her laugh. He cleared his throat. “Going on the hayride?” he asked Eden.
Eden looked at him, shaking her head. “Lily’s too fussy to go.”
He nodded, disappointed.
“I’ll stay here,” Clara volunteered. “You haven’t had much fun, Eden. You should go.”
“Since you and Renata are going with them, son, I’ll stay here and make some coffee and cocoa for after,” his father offered. “Let’s get you and your momma into the wagons, okay, Ivy?”
Archer nudged River forward with his knees and Ivy squeaked. “We’re moving,” she whispered, loudly.
Archer laughed.
“You’re riding a horse,” Eden said.
“I am.” Ivy nodded. “Can I ride in the wagon, too, Momma?”
When Eden and Ivy were in the wagon, Archer stayed in the saddle, River patiently waiting at the side of the wagon. Ivy asked him questions about horses, what they ate, why they have hooves, how often they need their hair brushed and when their bedtime was. He answered them all, watching Eden’s cool demeanor slip further and further away.
“Do they like marshmallows?” Ivy asked.
“Nope.” Archer shook his head. “It’d give them a tummy ache.”
“Poor River,” Ivy said.