“Where’s Dad?” he asked.
Her heart thudded. She didn’t mind hearing Rowdy call Toben Dad. She liked it. “He went to work.” And she’d forgotten to thank him for the work he’d done in the barn. But then, she’d been a little distracted.
“He eat? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” he said, yawning widely.
“No, I cooked all this food but I didn’t let him eat a bite,” she teased, tickling him until he was gasping for breath—nearly falling out of her lap.
“I love you, Ma,” Rowdy said. “I’m glad we’re here. I’m glad we found Dad.”
She kissed his cheek, replaying the morning and Toben’s parting words. Maybe he was right. This had been a very good morning. “I love you, too.”
* * *
“I NEED YOU to go to El Paso.” Archer didn’t look up from the spreadsheet on his desk.
Toben blew out a slow breath. The last thing he wanted was a road trip, not when things were going so well with Rowdy—and Poppy.
“Got two pregnant mares. One is stuck and the other won’t leave. They’re mustangs—the herd was auctioned off earlier this week but they were missed somehow. I’d go anticipating a struggle.” Archer sat back, running a hand over his face. “I’ve tried to get John Georgesson and Hildie Evans to go, but they’re not free. I know this isn’t the best time for you, but these animals need our help.”
Archer never offered more information than was necessary. So his concession for Toben’s situation meant a great deal. “I’ll go,” he agreed. He might not want to go, but it was what responsible adults did—their job.
“I appreciate it,” Archer said. “Might be good to take another set of hands. See if Deacon’s up for it.”
“Be back soon.” Toben saw Archer’s nod and knew that was all the acknowledgment he’d get. He left the refuge administration offices, smiling at Archer’s pretty wife coming down the path with their daughters.
“Toben.” Archer’s daughter Ivy waved, lifting a basket. “We brought Daddy some muffins I made.”
Toben crouched, sniffing the basket. “Mm, smells good, Ivy. I’m sure he’ll eat them up.”
“Looks like a storm coming in. Hope whatever you’re up to keeps you close to home,” Eden said, nodding at the clouds gathering on the horizon.
“Heading to El Paso. With any luck, I’ll miss it.” He tipped his hat at them, lightly tapped little Lily on her button nose and set off in search of Deacon. After walking the length of the sheds, through the paddock toward the walker wheels and past the new barn containing the rehabilitation pool, he found him. Deacon sat on a bale of hay, watching two horses. “Is that Fester?” Toben asked, sitting by his cousin.
“Watching him reminds me that anything’s possible. Look at him. He’s a different horse.” Deacon shook his head, watching how carefully he treated the little paint.
Toben remembered all too well how mean-spirited Fester had been—he’d been the recipient of one too many bites. But once they’d put Fester and Miss Kitty together, he’d calmed. Archer thought it was because the big stallion liked taking care of other animals. Eden thought Fester just needed Miss Kitty. Whatever it was, the black horse made sure the blind paint horse was never alone.
“Gotta run?” Deacon asked.
“El Paso. I know you’re champing to get on the road, but think you could take a detour with me first?” Toben stretched his arms over his head, eyeing the skies again. “Better get these two into the barn before that hits.”
Miss Kitty didn’t like storms. Which meant Fester didn’t like storms.
After Toben and Deacon had the horses secured, they loaded up one of the Boone trucks with provisions and attached a horse trailer. Deacon checked the tire pressure, Toben checked the engine fluid levels and they piled into the truck.
“You drive. I know Archer doesn’t trust me,” Toben said.
Deacon shot him a look. “Normally that’d be enough to make you want to drive.”
Toben smiled, pulling his phone from his pocket. He selected Poppy’s number and held the phone up to his ear.
“Don’t tell me you’re calling her?”
“No point in looking back, Deacon,” he explained. “I want to move forward with Rowdy in my life. Poppy’s a part of that.”
The phone rang and rang, but she didn’t answer. When her voice message popped up, he cleared his throat. “Hey, Poppy, I wanted to let Rowdy know I’m going to El Paso to pick up some horses for work. If we drive through, I’ll be back for Thursday-night dinner. I’ll pick you up around five. If you need me, call me...” He hesitated, wanting to say more but having no idea what that might be. “Bye.”
“You didn’t come home last night,” Deacon said, eyeing him.