Page 76 of Daddy's Little Farmer

Porter’s eyes widened. “For who?”

“Mara has an older couple who cared for her after her father died. They have no family but us, and I want to bring them closer.”

Porter grinned. “Does Mara or they know?”

“Not yet. I don’t want her to know until it’s a done deal. I’m going to call Tony and discuss this with him. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

“Do you want me in charge of the builders?”

“That’s up to you. You’ve got a lot on your hands already,” Rafael said.

“I can do it. I’ll hire some of my nephews to help with the animals and grounds.”

“Do whatever you have to.”

“She’s going to be pleased.”

Rafael nodded. “I hope so. I’m also planning to take her to the animal rescue place outside of town, so you’ll have more on your plate because you know she’ll come home with something.”

Porter laughed. “I think we should plan on more than one.”

Rafael smiled. “You’re right. I’m going to leave her down here while I make a few calls.”

“I’ll watch over her.”

He patted Porter’s shoulder. “I know you will.”

Rafael walked over to Mara as she brushed one of the horses. He wrapped an arm around her waist from behind and nuzzled her neck. “Is it okay if I make some calls and then come back down to get you?”

She smiled over her shoulder. “If you have to go to work…”

“No. That’s changing. My hours at the office uptown will be cut back drastically. I’ll do my work here at home to be with you.”

She turned. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I’m very serious. It’s something I should have done in the beginning, but as Alex said, I was a pussy.”

Mara laughed. “He’s so funny.”

“Yeah, he’s just hilarious,” he said sarcastically. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Mara giggled and hugged him.

The first thing he did when he got to his office was call an architect friend and ask for three different designs of houses. He gave him the information on the two and told him to consider their ages. He was going to let Tony and Betty decide which one.

He was a little nervous about the next call. “Hi, Tony.”

“Hi. How’s our girl?”

“She’s good. We’ve discussed everything and the changes I’m going to make for her. I’m working from home now, so I’m here. Everywhere I go, she goes. I’m also taking her to animal rescue places around the state to find animals since we have enough room and she has help.”

“That will win her heart,” Tony said. “I’m glad everything worked out. I have to apologize to you…”

Rafael grinned. “No, you don’t. Everything you said was the truth.”

“I know. I could have been gentler about it.”

“No. You did just right. I’ve got an idea that I want to run past you and Betty.”

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