m Pop’s Bakery, right around the corner. Welcome to the neighborhood.” He held the box out.
The boy smiled and stepped aside so Toben could enter. “Thanks, mister. That’s real nice.”
Toben smiled back, struck with a hint of recognition. He placed the box on the counter. “There’s a lot of nice people in Stonewall Crossing. My family’s ranch is here. And they’re all good people.”
“Rowdy—” Poppy stopped.
“He brought breakfast,” the boy said.
“Oh. Thank you.” But Poppy’s posture was anything but appreciative. She looked...spitting mad.
Guess the shock of seeing him again had worn off and she’d decided to be her old prickly self. Considering last time she’d seen him they’d been tangled naked and drifting off into a well-sated sleep, he’d hoped things would be easier between them. Of course, he’d left before they’d had a chance to talk—hell, he’d left before she’d woken up. A box of welcome pastries might not be enough to wipe the slate clean, but it was a start.
“You a cowboy?” the older, sullen boy asked.
“I’d like to think so,” Toben answered.
“If you’re a cowboy, where’s your horse?” the girl asked, hands on her hips. “Don’t real cowboys ride horses?”
“Not all the time,” Toben responded. “Sometimes they drive a truck, like your aunt. She’s a real cowgirl.”
The sullen boy sighed and rolled his eyes.
“She’s the best,” the smaller boy said, smiling at Poppy. “Four-time national champion. Third-fastest barrel-racing time ever. Onetime international champion—”
“Oh my gosh, Rowdy, do we have to hear it again?” the girl asked. “We get it. She’s awesome.” But her tone was so grating and condescending that Toben bristled.
The younger boy glared at the other two. “You don’t get it. Or you’d think it’s awesome, too.”
Toben agreed. “And deserving of respect.” He leveled a hard look at both children.
Poppy placed her hand on the younger boy’s shoulder, offering Toben a small smile. “Thanks for bringing food. I’m hoping once they’re fed, they’ll be a little more civilized.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” Toben shook his head. “Don’t thank me. Carl and Lola run the bakery around the corner—Pop’s Bakery. It’s from them. Also wanted me to tell you the town goes big for Fourth of July. Floats, tubing races and a rodeo—”
“Can we go?” Rowdy asked, excited.
“We’ll just have to see.” Poppy’s hand stroked the boy’s cheek. “But I’ll do my best.”
“There’s a table in the back room, Aunt Poppy,” the girl said. “I’ll put the food in there.”
“Thank you, Dot.”
“I can’t wait for them to go home.” Rowdy sighed after the other two had left the room.
“You get to stay longer?” Toben asked.
Poppy shot him a look, her jaw clenched and her posture rigid. What had he said now?
“Nah, we live here now. I’m not going anywhere.” The boy grinned up at her. “Well...maybe I’ll go get something to eat. Okay, Ma?”
Poppy was a mom? The kid was cute enough to have her genes, that was for sure. But then, Poppy was one of the prettiest women he’d ever seen. He’d heard she was engaged, so maybe she was married now? Or was she raising her son on her own? Surprisingly, he wanted to know.
Poppy grinned at the boy. “Better hurry before they eat it all.”
“Thanks again, mister.”
Toben tipped his hat at the boy. “No problem.”