Page 28 of Right in Front of You

Mr. Kagen’s brows narrowed in question, but the moment passed, and he waved his hand, dismissing Carter’s comment. “I have a feeling I don’t want to know. Why don’t we meet up by Mrs. Gladstone’s farm? I have a couple of errands to run before heading home.”

“That’s perfect. Mac can say hello to Tank.”

I’d heard that Carter had become close to the young bull that had been calved the same day Mackenzie was born. Apparently, Tank had become one of her favorite animals to pet.

We walked side by side as Mackenzie slept; that is, until we reached Mrs. Gladstone’s farm gate and Tank let out a loud moo. Mackenzie shot up in her stroller, eyes wide open, screaming “Tank!” It was one of the few words she knew.

“Tank, Tank, Tank.” She pointed, her gaze flying from Carter to Tank and back. She gave me a questioning look, probably wondering who I was. She’d seen me before, but I guessed a three-month-old baby wouldn’t remember being christened.

“Yes, it’s Tank. Wanna pet him?” Carter asked, and she stretched her hands to be picked up.

Jesus, was there a sexier sight than a handsome man with a young toddler? My heart was beating so fast, I could barely take it all in. A slight pinch shocked me in my lower stomach, as if my ovaries wanted to remind me of something.

“A kiss for Uncle Carter first.” He pointed to his cheek, where she hurriedly smacked her heart-shaped lips.

Swoon.

Carter opened the gate, and we crossed onto the field. Tank was already at our side, looking for something in Carter’s pocket while Betsy, Tank’s mother, grazed along the grass, lazily making her way toward us. Carter reached into his pocket and pulled out a cupcake.

“You wanna give it to him?” he asked Mackenzie. She grasped the cupcake in her tiny hand and reached it out toward Tank’s muzzle. He swept the treat off her hand with his tongue, straight into his mouth, and Mackenzie giggled. Betsy picked up her pace, as if she could sense that Carter had another one is his pocket. He took this one out and handed it to the cow.

“She loves me,” he said with pride.

“Tank!” Mackenzie screamed.

“Yes, Tank loves you too.”

“Tank!”

“I don’t think she’ll stop until she rides him. What do you say, Mac? Wanna ride Tank?”

“Tank!”

“Carter, I’m not sure Jo would approve. It’s not safe.” I was pretty sure that Tank, being a bull, had a temper not everybody could handle.

“Well, I approve. I’m not going to let anything happen to Mac.”

He stepped up beside the young bull and, holding onto Mackenzie, patted Tank on his back. “Now you be gentle, boy. Otherwise, we’ll be having young steak for dinner.”

“That’s cruel,” I laughed.

Carter turned around, whispering, “It’s an empty threat.”

My sides were aching from laughter.

Carter held onto Mackenzie, who couldn’t stop giggling, as he walked beside Tank. He was so good with her. His arms bunched up, all flexed as he bent them to keep his good grip. As we ventured further out onto the field, I had to concentrate more not to step in one of the cow pies. I noted that Carter was having trouble avoiding them as well and jumped over a few near misses.

“So, will I finally get my dinner date this summer?” he asked.

“That depends. It looks to me like I have some competition here.”

“You’re gorgeous and all, Molly, but yeah, I’m afraid this little one will hold onto my heart forever.”

“You’re going to be a great father one day, Carter.”

He stopped for a moment, and so did Tank. His smile faded, and I covered my mouth with my hand right after whispering, “I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sure whether he heard me. How dumb could I have been to remind him that he could have had a little boy or a little girl already, who would have probably been as cute as Mackenzie?

“It’s okay, Molly. Really. I won’t ever forget, but it’s not always easy realizing what you’re missing out on.”

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