Read Online Baby's First Homecoming by Cathy McDavid - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Cathy McDavid
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“Not happening, Clay Duvall. You hear me?”
How did she know he’d already contacted one of his livestock dealers about any ponies for sale?
“Not until he’s older,” she stated.
“How old?”
“Six, at least.”
“I had my first pony at three.”
“Three! Are you crazy?”
“If I don’t buy him a pony, your dad or brothers will.”
“No one is buying Jamie a pony.”
Clay dropped the subject. For now. They’d compromise eventually. Clay was more concerned about Jamie living here with him.
And Sierra.
Taking both boy and dog with them, they toured the rest of the house. When they were done, they left for the arena. Oreo remained behind in the kitchen, to Jamie’s acute disappointment. He wailed at being parted from his new best friend and didn’t stop.
Clay hoisted Jamie into his arms, and the boy instantly quieted.
“That’s better, pal.”
Sierra pushed the empty stroller. “We can put him back now.”
“He’s fine.”
She crinkled her brow. “You can’t carry him all the way to the rodeo arena.”
“Sure I can.”
The horse operation was only about a hundred and fifty yards from the house. Close enough for Clay to keep watch on everything and far enough to afford him a modicum of privacy.
Sierra said nothing.
Jamie did. He would point to something that caught his attention, a horse and rider, a truck and trailer, one of the wranglers, and blurt a string of nonsense syllables as if he were commenting on what he saw.
Clay enjoyed every second and responded with “What do you think of that?” or “I know, it is big.”
He observed the people they passed. Some openly stared. Clay waved or nodded, not minding the attention. He was proud to be a father. It was a feeling he treasured and, he glanced at Sierra, one he’d fight for if necessary.
“Most of the bulls, horses and calves are kept in pastures or paddocks over there.” He indicated the acres and acres of open land behind the rodeo arena. “We transport them to the holding pens for practices and jackpot events. The maternity pastures are to the east.”
“Maternity pastures?” Sierra asked showing the first hint of interest.
“Leasing livestock to rodeos is a large part of my business. Occasionally, I purchase livestock. Most often calves. For the larger stock, horses in particular, I’ve started breeding my own, which was one of the reasons I went into business with Gavin. I’m hoping Prince will produce quality bucking stock,” he said, referring to the wild mustang he and Sierra’s brothers had captured last fall. “I’ve bred him to three of my best mares.”
“Hmm.” Sierra’s response was noncommittal but the spark remained in her eyes.
They watched the wranglers herd a new batch of bucking broncs to the holding pens. A few of the men were on foot, most on horseback, Ethan among them. When he was done and the bucking horses secured, he trotted over to Clay and Sierra and dismounted.
“Hey, buckeroo.” Ethan poked Jamie on the nose. “Which of these bad boys are you going to ride tonight?”
Still in Clay’s arms, Jamie grabbed for Ethan’s horse. The big gelding was less enthused with the attention than Oreo had been and jerked back.
“He’s not getting anywhere near a horse.” Sierra planted herself between Clay and her brother, glaring at them both.
They exchanged glances and dutifully replied, “Yes, ma’am.”
She harrumphed as if she didn’t quite believe them.
While Clay and Ethan discussed the upcoming rodeo, Sierra kept watch on Jamie, ready to seize him from Clay if the horse got even one inch closer.
He decided to give her a break and handed Jamie over to her. Shoulders sagging with relief, she returned him to the stroller. Jamie objected loudly and pushed at the restraining bar.
“Cute kid,” Ethan said to Clay. His manner had gone from lighthearted to serious.
“Yep, he is.”
“Sissy told us about you wanting her and Jamie to move into the casita.”
“I
How did she know he’d already contacted one of his livestock dealers about any ponies for sale?
“Not until he’s older,” she stated.
“How old?”
“Six, at least.”
“I had my first pony at three.”
“Three! Are you crazy?”
“If I don’t buy him a pony, your dad or brothers will.”
“No one is buying Jamie a pony.”
Clay dropped the subject. For now. They’d compromise eventually. Clay was more concerned about Jamie living here with him.
And Sierra.
Taking both boy and dog with them, they toured the rest of the house. When they were done, they left for the arena. Oreo remained behind in the kitchen, to Jamie’s acute disappointment. He wailed at being parted from his new best friend and didn’t stop.
Clay hoisted Jamie into his arms, and the boy instantly quieted.
“That’s better, pal.”
Sierra pushed the empty stroller. “We can put him back now.”
“He’s fine.”
She crinkled her brow. “You can’t carry him all the way to the rodeo arena.”
“Sure I can.”
The horse operation was only about a hundred and fifty yards from the house. Close enough for Clay to keep watch on everything and far enough to afford him a modicum of privacy.
Sierra said nothing.
Jamie did. He would point to something that caught his attention, a horse and rider, a truck and trailer, one of the wranglers, and blurt a string of nonsense syllables as if he were commenting on what he saw.
Clay enjoyed every second and responded with “What do you think of that?” or “I know, it is big.”
He observed the people they passed. Some openly stared. Clay waved or nodded, not minding the attention. He was proud to be a father. It was a feeling he treasured and, he glanced at Sierra, one he’d fight for if necessary.
“Most of the bulls, horses and calves are kept in pastures or paddocks over there.” He indicated the acres and acres of open land behind the rodeo arena. “We transport them to the holding pens for practices and jackpot events. The maternity pastures are to the east.”
“Maternity pastures?” Sierra asked showing the first hint of interest.
“Leasing livestock to rodeos is a large part of my business. Occasionally, I purchase livestock. Most often calves. For the larger stock, horses in particular, I’ve started breeding my own, which was one of the reasons I went into business with Gavin. I’m hoping Prince will produce quality bucking stock,” he said, referring to the wild mustang he and Sierra’s brothers had captured last fall. “I’ve bred him to three of my best mares.”
“Hmm.” Sierra’s response was noncommittal but the spark remained in her eyes.
They watched the wranglers herd a new batch of bucking broncs to the holding pens. A few of the men were on foot, most on horseback, Ethan among them. When he was done and the bucking horses secured, he trotted over to Clay and Sierra and dismounted.
“Hey, buckeroo.” Ethan poked Jamie on the nose. “Which of these bad boys are you going to ride tonight?”
Still in Clay’s arms, Jamie grabbed for Ethan’s horse. The big gelding was less enthused with the attention than Oreo had been and jerked back.
“He’s not getting anywhere near a horse.” Sierra planted herself between Clay and her brother, glaring at them both.
They exchanged glances and dutifully replied, “Yes, ma’am.”
She harrumphed as if she didn’t quite believe them.
While Clay and Ethan discussed the upcoming rodeo, Sierra kept watch on Jamie, ready to seize him from Clay if the horse got even one inch closer.
He decided to give her a break and handed Jamie over to her. Shoulders sagging with relief, she returned him to the stroller. Jamie objected loudly and pushed at the restraining bar.
“Cute kid,” Ethan said to Clay. His manner had gone from lighthearted to serious.
“Yep, he is.”
“Sissy told us about you wanting her and Jamie to move into the casita.”
“I
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