Read Online Next Door Daddy by Debra Clopton - Free Book Online Page B

more than one reason, she thought. “Yes. Like I said the other night, I also want a cow I can name Betsy and plenty of chickens. My last name is McDonald.” She smiled, feeling relaxed, despite her earlier worries. Marc had always teased her that she had the heart of “Old McDonald” and needed to live in the country. “I want to give my boarders the whole country effect. Fresh eggs and fresh milk and cream from a cow. Of course, I’ll need to learn—”
    â€œI’m not drinkin’ no milk out-uv-a cow!” Gil grunted from the backseat. He had his arm around Bogie and his expression was as full of disgust as his voice.
    Nate chuckled. “It all comes out of a cow, pardner.”
    â€œUgh. I’ll pretend it didn’t. I mean, I want a cow and a baby calf. But I really want a goat. I heard they eat anything. Back home, Bobby Jackson said his grandpa’s goat ate a tire. A whole tire!”
    â€œThat would be pretty neat.” Nate met Polly’s gaze with a slight smile. Polly’s stomach tilted.
    He drove into the parking lot of the vet clinic and parked in front of the brick building. Nate held the door open for them as they all entered. Polly was brushing past him when she bumped into Bogie. She would have gone down if Nate hadn’t reached out and grasp her elbow.
    â€œWhoa, there,” he said gently.
    Looking up, Polly’s legs felt boneless. “Thank you,” she managed to say.
    â€œNate, how in the world are you?”
    The squeal drew Polly’s attention to the woman sitting behind the desk. She was in her mid to late fifties and she was holding both hands outstretched, a diet soda in one hand and a pen with a flower stuck on the end of it in the other. She slammed the can down on the counter and rammed the flowering pen behind her ear as she came around the counter and gave Nate a hug. Nate’s expression was comical as he found himself with his arms trapped against his side while being lifted off the floor by the rail-thin woman.
    â€œAin’t he just the cutest thing you ever saw?” she said, setting him down. Grinning, she goosed him in the sides before turning to Polly. Nate was as pink as Pollyanna’s great aunt Merna’s rouge!
    The brazen woman winked and scrunched her face. “That’s a perk of my job, getting to hug all the cute cowboys. Gotta tell you, though, this one here…” She clucked her tongue as she zipped back around the counter. “He’s special. It was a shame when the good Lord left him a widower. Just don’t know what He’s thinking sometimes.”
    The words, so plainspoken, might have been almost irreverent, except that there was kindness in her eyes and Polly saw that it was evident that Beth, as Nate introduced her, just spoke what was in her heart. Polly liked her instantly, no tiptoeing around for this one.
    â€œIt’s nice to see things moving forward,” Beth continued, looking from Pollyanna to Nate, her meaning obvious. Okay some tiptoeing might be nice, Polly thought as her gaze shot to Nate. She knew her consternation mirrored his own.
    â€œNate says you can get me a goat,” Gil piped up, drawing Beth’s attention.
    Polly breathed a sigh of relief at the sudden subject shift.
    â€œLike I told Nate when he called, my parents would love to give you a goat,” Beth said. “They’re actually getting out of the business because they want to travel more and the goats tie them down too much.”
    â€œWe need a goat that likes to eat,” Gil said, scooting up to the counter. “One that likes tires. They got one of them?”
    Beth chuckled, the silk flower tucked at her ear jiggling. “Well, honey, this is your lucky day. I know just the goat for you. I’ll call them right now.”
    Polly was smiling at Gil when the door from the examining room opened and a striking woman with a glistening blond ponytail stepped