Poppy’s side ached just thinking about balancing the heavy flagpole while riding.
“Will you, Ma?” Rowdy asked. “Stormy would love that.”
“You want me to?” she asked, his answer written all over his face.
“You don’t have to let me know right away.” Renata smiled at Rowdy. “You planning on rodeoing?”
Rowdy shrugged, standing a little straighter as he admitted, “I’ve won a couple of belt buckles mutton-busting.”
“Sounds like you’ve already started.” Renata held her hand out. “Like your mom and your dad. Toben’s my cousin, so that makes us cousins, too. We haven’t officially met. I’m Renata Boone.”
“Hi.” Poppy saw his eyes go wide, a smile on his face. “You’re a lot nicer than my other cousins,” he said, shaking her hand. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you.”
Renata laughed. “You, too, Rowdy. Toben’s always talking about you.”
His smile grew ever bigger.
Poppy nudged her boy. “You can tell Rowdy’s not at all pleased to hear that.” She did her best to shove aside the constant doubt his excitement caused.
“I’m really glad you decided to settle here,” Renata said. “The Boones are going to welcome you with wide-open arms. Fair warning, there’s a passel of us. And we’re all about family.”
“That’s all right. Me and Ma won’t be lonely now.” Rowdy nudged his mother back, all dimples and bright eyes.
Her heart thumped.
“You’ll have that,” Renata assured him. “And then some. Hope you’ll come to the next family get-together? The both of you?”
Poppy stared at the woman. Her blue eyes waited, no hint of teasing or judgment clouding her pretty face. The woman was serious...and it made Poppy think. Just because Toben might not stick around didn’t mean his family would bail on Rowdy. For the first time, Poppy saw the Boones as potential allies for her son—people who would be there for him regardless of his father’s actions. And she was overwhelmingly relieved by that possibility.
“He tried to bring us before,” Rowdy said, his cheeks flaming red. “But I chickened out.”
Renata nodded. “Understandable. Just know we’re not strangers—we’re family, so there’s nothing to worry over.” She smiled at Poppy. “One thing I love about being a Boone—we’ve got each other’s backs, through thick and thin.” Renata wasn’t just talking to her son. “I should be heading out. It’s been a long day and I’m stopping off to visit Tandy on my way home. Have you met Tandy yet? She’s Toben’s twin sister.”
“Dad has a twin?” Rowdy asked.
“Guess that’s a no. Your aunt is one of the sweetest gals ever, a real brain, too. She’s studying to be a veterinarian over at the university. I bet she’d love to take you on a tour, show you all the animals. She’s going to be tickled pink to meet you.” Renata touched his cheek.
Rowdy nodded. “I’d like that. Ma and I are thinking about getting us a dog or two.”
Poppy laughed. “Oh, we are?”
Rowdy’s grin was triumphant. “A boy needs a dog, Ma. And you should have one, too, so they don’t get lonely when we’re not home.”
“Or they could come to the shop,” Renata said. “The ladies at the hair salon have a few cats that sit in the customers’ laps while they’re getting their hair done. It’s a hoot.”
“Huh?” Rowdy shook his head. “A cat’s fine, I guess, but I think we need dogs.”
“I’ll keep my ears open for you,” Renata offered.
Poppy knew they’d end up with a dog or two before the summer was out. Now that it was just her and Rowdy, he was bound to get lonely. And, as he pointed out, a boy should have a dog. As long as Cheeto didn’t mind too much.
“I’m off,” Renata said.
“It was nice chatting with you, Renata,” Poppy said, meaning it.
“You, too.” The woman waved and turned, then stopped. “Oh, wait, I almost forgot. We have a big scavenger hunt out on the ranch on Fourth of July weekend, too—a fund-raiser for the refuge my brother Archer runs. On horseback, of course. You and Rowdy could form a team, if you want, or join one.”
Rowdy stared up at her. “That sounds like fun.”