Next Door Daddy by Debra Clopton Page A

stretch herself and really bring this huge yard to life. She could envision arbors and trailing vines and all sorts of nooks in which guests could sit. It felt good thinking about the possibilities.
    At the moment she was working on a round bed out in the center of the front yard, where she was going to place a birdbath and surround it with flowers. For now, she was just preparing the soil. Next week she’d actually do the plantings. And she was going to have plenty of advice from the ladies when they came to help. From listening to them, she could tell they knew all the plants that worked best in Mule Hollow’s dry climate. They’d also mentioned they were all going to bring her some things from their own yards. She was really looking forward to that.
    â€œHey, Mom!”
    After his riding lesson, Gil had called to see if he could check cows with Nate. She was startled to see the two of them walking from the backyard.
    â€œWe rode Taco to check the cows out there.” He waved his hand, indicating the pastures that stretched behind the house. Polly’s two acres were surrounded by land owned by Nate. There weren’t any cattle in the pasture next to the house. They were out there, somewhere beyond the trees.
    â€œIt was getting late and Gil was hungry, so I thought I’d drop him off and bring his bike over tomorrow.”
    â€œThat’s great.” Polly swiped at her nose, suddenly feeling self-conscious. She probably had dirt all over her face. A glance down at her tank top and shorts confirmed she wasn’t filthy, but close to it.
    â€œYou need any help?” Nate looked from her to the dirt she was spreading out.
    â€œNo. I’m fine. So did you have fun?” she asked Gil.
    â€œYup. Nate says I can help with a roundup one of these days.”
    â€œOh, did he now?” She cut her eyes sharply at Nate.
    Nate put his hands on his hips and looked at her reassuringly. “Not until he’s ready. But you have a natural-born horseman on your hands.”
    She’d overreacted, and she gave him a smile of apology. “Sorry. He is a natural athlete.”
    â€œIt’s okay. Looks like he takes after you.”
    Polly shook her head. “Marc was the real athletic talent in the family. I just like to ride bikes.”
    â€œI’m a chip off the old block,” Gil piped in. “That’s what Grandpa McDonald says. He’s got bunches of pictures and trophies of my dad’s. He says all mine are going to go on the shelf right beside them.”
    â€œYou keep working and you’ll be able to add some horsemanship trophies and ribbons to the mix.”
    â€œAwesome.”
    From inside the house, a mournful wail came. Polly hadn’t let Bogie out while she was working because she didn’t want him getting underfoot. “Why don’t you go clean up and eat a sandwich? I’m going to work a little longer.”
    She felt a little guilty about the sandwich for supper, but today had been a busy day.
    Nate reached for her shovel. “Why don’t you go take care of him and I’ll finish unloading this dirt?”
    Polly pulled the shovel out of his reach. “Oh, no. I can do it. Besides, Gil loves to create his own sandwiches. I keep the refrigerator stocked for him.”
    Nate grinned at her. “You are a stubborn woman, Pollyanna McDonald.”
    Her grip tightened on the shovel handle. She felt a little foolish refusing his help, especially when he was smiling like that. “I can do this.”
    â€œI didn’t say you couldn’t. I said I wanted to help.”
    â€œYou want me to bring you a soda when I come back, Nate?” Gil asked. He was grinning, too.
    â€œSure. If your mom says I can stay.”
    Polly looked from one to the other and gave up. “Fine. But get your own tool.”
    Nate chuckled. “I’ll be right back.”
    Polly watched him stride toward the back of the house like a