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“A bowl. And something to marinate the chicken in. Otherwise, I think I got it covered.” He pulled out the fresh green beans. “Rowdy ever snapped beans?”
Poppy took the bag. “It’s time he learned. I’m hoping to put in a garden.”
“Soil’s good for it,” he agreed.
“I need to read up on what grows best here, but I’m hoping beans, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, some squash... Guess I’m rambling.” She broke off.
He glanced at her, shaking the bottle of his uncle’s homemade barbecue sauce. “Are you?” He liked listening to her talk, and knowing she had plans for this place made him...happy.
“You want to hear me talking about my gardening plans?” she asked, rolling her eyes.
“Why not?” he asked. “Uncle Teddy has a big garden. Well, it was Aunt Mag’s. When she passed, we all sort of pitched in to keep it going. Now a couple of the people that work at the Lodge—the bed-and-breakfast on the ranch—have taken over. It’s impressive, all sorts of vegetables and herbs. It’s where I got some of our dinner.” He looked at her. “I’ll show you when you come out.”
She put the beans on the counter. “Renata stopped by the shop today.”
He grinned. “And?”
“She says you have a sister?” She paused. “A twin?”
His grin grew. “I do. I haven’t told you about Tandy? Still not sure if I’m coming or going.”
“I... There’s still a lot we don’t know about each other,” she said.
He looked at her, nodding. “I’m hoping we can change that?”
Her brown eyes were intense, searching his face. “I’d like that.” She blew out a slow breath, her voice high and tight. “For Rowdy.”
“What about me?” Rowdy asked. “You gonna change, Ma?”
“I’m going.” Poppy nodded. “I’ll be back.”
“Were you talking about getting me a dog?” Rowdy asked.
She laughed. “No, we were not talking about getting you a dog.” She shook her head, walking down the hallway to her room.
“You want a dog?” Toben asked.
“Uncle Bob said we were awful far away from town, with no alarm or protection.” Rowdy shrugged. “A dog would fix that. Or two.”
Toben nodded, not liking the truth in Bob’s words. They were alone, a good fifteen minutes from town. Almost forty minutes from Boone Ranch. Pretty damn isolated for a woman and small boy. Not that Poppy couldn’t handle things—she could. But...a dog was a good idea. And soon. “It would. Your ma’s not keen on the idea?”
“Not yet.” Rowdy poked the bag. “Green beans?”
“Not a fan?” Toben asked, chuckling at the face his son made.
The boy shook his head.
“That’s okay.” Toben bent and whispered, “I’ve got a secret way to make them taste good.”
Rowdy didn’t believe him. “Green beans? Taste good?”
Toben chuckled again. “Yes sirree. I’ll show you how to snap off the ends first.”
Five minutes later, Rowdy was at the table, throwing the snapped beans in a colander and the ends in a bag. While Rowdy was working on the beans, Toben started boiling macaroni and chopped up some bacon and onions to sauté.
“You cook?” Poppy asked, returning to the kitchen in jeans and a pink T-shirt hugging all-too-perfect curves. Her hair was loose and wet, thick curls hanging down her back.
He shrugged. “A bit.”
