Falling for the Cowboy Dad by Patricia Johns

Author:Patricia Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-11-30T19:15:36+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

THEY STOPPED AT a fast-food place, and when they’d all finished eating, Poppy seemed perfectly happy to add up lists of numbers on the back of her placemat. Grace watched in fascination. She’d started by using one of the crayons that came in a little paper cup, but the crayon wrote too big, Poppy said, so Grace dug a pen out of her purse.

“And then if there are two even numbers and one odd number all added up, the answer is odd,” Poppy went on. “And then if there are four even numbers and two odd numbers, the answer is even...”

Grace looked over at Billy and they exchanged a smile.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see her figuring out the physics of sledding,” Grace said.

“What’s physics?” Poppy asked, looking up.

“Physics is a whole other kettle of fish,” Billy said. “What you should be asking about is that sled in the back of the truck. Ready to give it a try?”

Eagle’s Rest Junior High was located at the top of a hill. There was still daylight, even though the shadows were getting long and the air temperature had begun to drop. Grace stood back as he rummaged around in the back of his truck, emerging with a red plastic sled. It was new, with the stickers still on it.

Poppy danced around in excitement, and they trudged together through the unbroken mantle of snow up the hill. Funny—it looked smaller now that she was an adult. Back then it had seemed like a mountain.

But everything back then was bigger and more impressive. They’d been so young, and their hearts so much easier to fill. It took more to fill her heart now, more to impress her and satisfy her. A handsome man wasn’t enough, nor a close friendship. Flirtation, soaring feelings...they might be fun, but they were a waste of time. No, her heart required more now—steadiness, consistency, depth.

But seeing that hill through Poppy’s wide eyes brought back all the drama from years ago, and as Poppy stared down the hill, she stilled, clasping her mittened hands together in front of her.

“Here, Poppy,” Billy said, dropping the sled onto the soft, snowy ground with a plop. “Sit here.” He scooped her up under the arms and sat her on the sled. “You ready?”

“Yes!” Poppy breathed.

“Hold on tight, okay?” Billy said, and he gave her a gentle push.

The snow being fresh, she didn’t go too fast down the hill, and they could hear her delighted laughter as she made her way down. Grace looked over at Billy and caught the glimmer of paternal pride in his eye.

“A first sled ride,” Grace said with a grin. “That’s something!”

He laughed. Poppy had just reached the bottom of the hill, and she tumbled off the sled.

“Okay, Poppy, come back up!” Billy called. “But around the side—that’s right. You need to build up a slippery path down the hill so you go faster next time!”

Poppy started up the hill, eyes shining and snow coating her mittens and hat.

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