A Touch Of Poppy (Complete)

Sixty-Four🐄

It's been really busy at the Ranch lately. I have two sows pregnant and a mare that's really to deliver any day.

I am trying to do it all with Brennon and Hart when he helps. I am trying to keep Poppy out of it because she's been miserable lately with her back hurting and her feet swelling.

This pregnancy hasn't been as kind to her as Ryders did. My mom has been going over most days and helping her when Holland cant.

We have gone over a few names and I think we finally figured out what her name will be. Owen helped without even knowing it.

I walked into the main house at lunchtime to find Poppy and Ryder at the table. He was sitting on her lap playing with the salt shaker.

"There are my two favorite people," I said kissing both of their heads before sitting down.

"Hey been busy?" She asked.

"Yeah, you could say so. Maybe you and Ryder can go gather eggs after lunch?" I asked.

"Sure we can do that and maybe later we can go gather some apples together?" She asked.

"Sure that sounds nice." I smiled at her as Clara put turkey sub sandwiches on the table with chips and brownies.

"Oooh, brownies! Thanks, Clara!" Poppy said.

"Those are for me," Chad said.

"I'll cut your arm off if you touch them." Poppy said scooting the plate close to her.

"Wow, I would like to see that," Derrick said.

"Dang kick me while I'm down Derrick." Chad laughed.

"I wouldn't test a pregnant lady," Austin said.

"Yeah what Austin said." Emerson laughed.

"Alright you guys be good and that plate is for Poppy. I have others in another plate for you guys." She said.

Poppy was breaking off pieces of cheese and giving it to Ryder and he was smacking his lips going mmm. It was cute as it could be.

I just wonder how he's going to be with his sister. I cant wait to see how he protects her.

After lunch, I went back to check on the sows and I watched Poppy go to the chicken coop with Ryder and a basket he was holding.

I smiled and couldn't take my eyes off of them. My heart was exploding with pride and love.

I went and checked the sows and there was no change. When I came back out Poppy was letting Ryder pet on Cotton.

"Are you ready to go get apples?" I asked her.

"Sure grab Romeo because all Ryder has been saying is Ro." She laughed.

I whistled for Romeo and he runs up and Ryder started giggling. Poppy got on the side by side with him and Romeo sit at her feet.

Ryder kept reaching out and petting Romeo's fur and smiling all the way to the orchard.

We got off the side by side and Poppy and Ryder went and set under our apple tree and begin throwing apples for Romeo.

I gathered two buckets of apples and put them on the side by side before going over and sitting under the apple tree with my little family.

I leaned over and kissed Poppy. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm feeling good. We don't have much longer to go and I'm happy we decided on a name." She smiled rubbing her belly.

"Yeah, I think that name will work well with our family." I smiled at her.

Ryder was reaching for me and I took him from Poppy and held him in my arms kissing his face.

"Dada dada dada." He smiled.

"Here let daddy show you how to throw an apple," I said.

"Ball dada." He said.

"He learns new words every day," I said.

"Yeah, I hope he forgets what Uncle Chad said." She said rolling her eyes.

"It happens but I would have liked to seen you smack him." I laugh.

"He means well but he's always the one that stirs up things." She said.

"Mama ball!" Ryder said.

"Ok here throw it to Romeo!" She said.

"Ro ball!" Ryder said.

We sit under that tree for a while and let the breeze roll in before heading back to the stables.

I stopped and let Poppy and Ryder off so she could feed him and I told her I would be back for her in a little bit.

I went and fed the horses and did my evening rounds before dinner and then I headed back up to the house and picked up Poppy and Ryder and went back for dinner.

It smelled so good when we walked in. "What's cooking Clara?" I asked. her.

"A big pot of goulash with mashed potatoes and corn and garlic bread." She smiled.

"Goulash? I'm not sure I know what that is." I laughed.

"Chad and the other boys used to call it beefaroni when they were small but my momma always called it goulash." She said.

"Is that where you learned to cook so good from?" I asked her.

"Oh, my mom and grandma could cook like nobody's business." She smiled.

"Well, you cook like no one I have ever met before Clara." I smiled giving her a side hug.

"You are sweet Luke now tell me whats that little girl's name is." She laughed.

"Oh no your not getting that out of me Poppy would kill me." I laughed before taking my seat beside Poppy and Ryder.

"Pap pap pap!" He babbled as Worth walked in the door.

"There is my little man." Worth said coming over and taking him from Poppy.

Once Worth sit down Holland sit beside him and Ryder looked over at her and smiled... "GG." He said.

"Oh, he is the cutest! It's been a long while since a baby has set around this table." Roger said.

"Won't be much longer until another one is around this table, Roger." Poppy laughed.

"How much longer do we have to wait?" Emerson asked.

"Less than a month. Could be sooner Dr. Terry said since this is baby number two." Poppy said.