“Yes, Jake.”
“Thank you. Now, after you.”
His mother scurried out the door and then pulled herself up and walked sedately out to the driveway where Ryder helped Ebony out of her seat belt.
“Love your truck, Ryder. Did you ship it over from the States when you came?” She ran a hand over the highly polished black paint. Ryder looked tiny beside it but it suited her—the larger than life beast of a machine and the dark haired pixie woman who was anything but frail. According to her boss in America, she could be ice cold and focused in a tight spot where it counted. There was a lot to discover about this lady, and he intended to do just that.
“Hello, Alice, Jake. No, left hand drive and too many hassles getting it changed. I brought this one in Sydney. So used to a big vehicle I couldn’t stand the thought of a little sedan. Might be overkill but it suits us.” Ebony climbed down and walked over to Jake, looking up at him with eyes the same as her mothers.
“Can you show me the puppies please?” She slipped her hand in his and gazed up at him, making his heart melt and do ridiculous thumps in his chest. The spitting image of her mother, down to the thin slices of the palest blue that stared straight through him. This little girl would have him wrapped around her little finger before he knew what happened; he could see it clear as day.
A cough from behind him made Jake glance at his mother. She stood with a funny crooked smile on her face and a knowing look in her eyes.
“Excuse us please, ladies. We’ll be back for coffee once I show this young lady the litter as promised.”
“Are you sure, Jake? I can come and help if you…” Ryder seemed lost for words and confused.
“They’ll be fine, Ryder. Come in with me and we’ll make coffee so it’s ready when they get back. Then we can show you the farm and try and sort out some tack for that old horse of yours.” Alice guided her through the gate and toward the house while Jake led Ebony down to the barn.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Ryder watching him as she was pushed through the back door into the house. Ebony tugged on his hand and he realized she was talking to him. “Sorry, Eb, what was that again?”
“How many girls and boys does Jessie have? You see, I have to work out what my kittens are because we can’t have too many girls and no boys. It wouldn’t be fair, would it?” She looked up at him with saucer wide eyes and he marvelled at the logic.
“No, that wouldn’t be fair. I agree.”
She continued to chatter until they reached the end pen where Jessie lay feeding her babies. The black and white dog jumped up and dislodged the pups when Jake spoke to her. “Hey girl. Look who I brought to visit you.”
Jessie walked out of the pen and sniffed the hand Ebony held out to her, licking the tiny fingers before sitting in front of Jake and holding up her paw. “Good girl.” He patted her, ruffling her neck in the way she loved. “Going to have a look at your babies, Jessie. Don’t go getting upset now.”
“Will she bite me if I touch her babies? Mummy said some dogs bite and you have to ask first before you touch them.”
“That’s a very good idea but no, she won’t bite you. The pups have very sharp teeth though, so be careful they don’t grab hold of your fingers.” He opened the door further and beckoned her in. “Come on in and meet the crowd.”
Ebony walked in, her eyes wide in awe as the black and white pups raced around her, falling over each other as they explored the visitor’s feet. “They’re so cute and fluffy.”
“Well, good morning, Ebony.” Flynn walked in, leaned on the rail, and looked at the little girl squealing with delight as the pups jumped all over her. “Which one do you like the best?”
She looked at Jake, shrugging her shoulders. “I dunno. They’re all lovely.” A shadow crept over her eyes. “We might not get one but I could look anyway. It wouldn’t be fair to have it locked up all day if we’re not home.” Her bottom lip jutted out and Jake shared a glance with his father.
“Told you it might not happen.”
“Hey, Eb, how about a cup of tea and then you can feed the lambs? Would you like that?” Flynn opened the door helped her up from the bed of straw.
“Yes. Mummy said I can help you, but they have to stay here too. I have kittens at home I have to, um sort out first.”
“That’s great. Let’s go then before you Mum comes looking for you. When we’ve had a snack, we can come down and make some bottles for the lambs while your mum looks at saddles for her horse.” Together they walked up to the house just as Ryder emerged out the back door.
“Oh. I was just coming to look for her. Thought she might have talked your ear off and refused to leave the pups.” She ruffled her daughter’s hair. “On the way we discussed what would happen if we ended up with a game of stand off, didn’t we, Eb?”
“Yes Mummy. I can’t come and feed the lambs next time.”
“That’s right.” She looked at the two men. “We’re at the age where we have to bargain our way out of things or have the biggest all out war you’ve ever seen. It doesn’t end well for either of us so we come to a mutual agreement. Isn’t that right, Eb?”
“Yep. Can I have tea and cake now so I can
