Page 2 of Daddy's Little Farmer

Tony had opened the gate as the horse came forward. He was worried when the girls got too close, but their men seemed calm but watchful.

The woman slid off the horse’s back, and he was amazed at how small she really was next to the horse. She wasn’t any bigger than the girls standing by her. He wondered why the thing didn’t run off. It just followed the woman out of the paddock and stood patiently beside her.

Mara reached out for Larkin’s hand. “It’s okay. Come a little closer.”

Rafael watched Larkin timidly walk to the widow. The woman took her hand, and they petted it together.

“Oh, he’s softer than I thought he’d be,” Larkin said.

Mara grinned. “He is. Isn’t he handsome?”

Tony snorted. “And we wonder why he and the others are so spoiled.”

Mara giggled. She stood with her hand on the halter as all three girls petted and talked to the horse.

“Can I sit on him?” Brylee asked.

“No, baby. Not today,” Gage said.

The girls walked back to their daddies.

“What do you need, Tony?” Mara asked.

“You know I worry about you, girl. You can’t take care of the whole farm by yourself.”

Rafael looked around. He couldn’t see the whole area, but it looked pretty large. “How many animals do you have here?”

The first time the girl faced him and looked him in the eyes, he felt like someone had kicked him in the chest. She had the face of an angel with her long-blonde hair and bright-blue innocent eyes. When she smiled, he saw the two dimples on her cheeks, which made her seem even younger and sweeter.

“I have a cow, four horses, one donkey, three goats, ten chickens, twelve cats, and my dog, Tiny.”

Jesus. “How old are you?” Rafael asked. He looked around and had yet to see a dog.

The woman looked surprised. “I’m twenty-three. How old are you?”

Tony snorted.

“I’m thirty-five.”

“Okay.” Mara smiled and turned back to Tony. “I think I’m doing pretty good.”

“You are, but how long can you keep this up?” Tony asked.

She shrugged, and Rafael saw something close to despair before she turned away. Now, what was that about?

“I don’t think we should talk about it in front of the visitors,” Mara said as her attention was on the horse that stood by her.

Tony sighed. “Do you want me to bring dinner by later?”

She shook her head. “No, thank you. I do need your advice, though.”

Tony scowled. “Is your sister or Franklin bothering you again?”

Mara nodded.

“I’ll come back as soon as I drop these guys off.”

“Okay, thank you.” She turned to the girls. “I’m glad you could stop by today. The only visitors I get are Tony and a few others. I like meeting new people.”

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