Niko had finished drinking and immediately lowered his head to the grass. Mal didn’t even glance at the horse, but gave a quicktug to the reins he still held. Niko immediately shook his head, but he didn’t try to eat again.
“Let’s keep going.” I pulled myself back into the saddle, Mal did the same, and off we went.
This side of the property was kept mostly natural. There were trails to ride, but it wasn’t fenced like the rest. After a bit we came up to the event barn. I pointed out the photo spots that Fern had carefully curated and explained what that side of the business did. Then we set off back toward the house.
We still had a couple of acres to go when Mal reined Niko closer to me. Our legs bumped together and I glanced over.
“Your ranch is beautiful, Crew.”
I grinned and ignored how much I liked hearing him say my name. “Thanks. We think so. Ready to get to work?”
Mal smirked. “Lead on.”
I gave Shooter his head, and he set off at a lope, beelining for the barn. Mal urged Niko to match the pace. I smiled, unable to help it. There was something special about two men riding side by side. I liked having Mal right there with me.
Chapter 7
Malachi
I’d woken up to a super enthusiastic little boy who was practically bouncing as we went through the morning routine.
He was excited abouteverything. Hanging out with Jenn, seeing Juanpablo again, reading a book to Jenn—or Juanpablo if he could—and helping Jenn in the kitchen. Yes, there was a theme in Tony’s excitement and it made me wistful as fuck. I had hoped this was the life we would’ve had at the farm. That he’d be doing this stuff with his actual grandma. Not that I wasn’t grateful as hell for Jenn, because she was clearly a great lady and I was blessed.
By the time I had dropped him off at the main house and made my way to the closest barn, I was ready to get back to work.
The Finnhorse was a surprise. I’d been fixated on different kinds of horses as a kid. I’d gotten a big book of horse breeds as a Christmas present when I was eight, and I wished I knew whereit was now, because I was pretty sure I could still remember every detail.
Niko turned out to be exactly as expected. He was about sixteen hands and not really that stocky. He did have a bit of a belly from the eating Wy had warned me about. That was fine, though.
When we slowed down to walk for the last bit on our way back, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut anymore.
“Did you know these ones are bred for several different things? And that there’s a ‘pony sized’ Finnhorse?” Without waiting for Crew’s input and my brain providing me the insight that I knew where my son got his enthusiasm for the things he liked the most, I continued, “I think Niko here is pretty average as far as they go. Maybe a bit taller than the average, but not by much. The color is spot on, though.” I patted his chestnut neck and smiled as he tossed back his lighter colored mane.
He had white markings on a couple of feet and a star in the middle of his forehead. He wasn’t anything special as far as horse colors went, but it was nice to see a horse as rare as him.
“It’s an amazingly versatile breed, though,” I murmured as I dug around in my memory. “Like even though Niko’s the average, there are like black ones and gray dapples and even palominos. And they’re all purebred too, so it’s interesting how those things go. And the fact that you can do so many things with them. Hell, some people even do their version of western riding, and that’s kind of cool. But like harness racing is a big thing over there, and they compete in dressage or show jumping as well.” I shook my head, not really registering that we were back at the barn before I got down on the ground and started to lead Niko back inside.
I also realized I’d been talking nonstop for who knew how long about the breed and to my horror, my cheeks turned red hot.
We clipped the horses into the crossties and started to untack them.
Then suddenly Crew’s walkie-talkie crackled on his hip.
A small, familiar voice hesitantly said, “Uh, Base to CH, over.”
Crew, grinning from ear to ear, unclipped the thing and made eye contact with me. “This is CH. What can I do for you, Tony?”
There was a delighted giggle that was cut off halfway, then continued when he remembered to press the button again. My heart did a thing at the clear fondness on Crew’s face. He didn’t know us at all yet, but somehow my kid was already making an impression.
“Is my daddy there?” Tony asked, and I instinctively walked closer.
Crew held down the button so I could reply. “I’m here, bud.”
“Mrs. Jenn wanted to say lunch is almost ready and asked if I can have a popsicle for dessert.”
Crew laughed silently.
“A dessert after lunch, huh?” I asked, holding back my own laughter. “We’re about done with the horses, so Crew will know if we’re free yet.”
