Page 9 of Maple Mountain
Mildred yipped to get Lenni’s attention and whizzed around her ankles.
I smiled and went to join them.
“Who’s this?”Archer asked.
“This is Mildred.She’s mine.”I scooped up the dog.
“Blondes ...I can see the resemblance.”Archer grinned.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop my smile.
“Want to hold her?”I asked Lenni.
She nodded.
“Make sure you support her back.Dachshunds are known to have back issues.”
“I’ll be careful,” Lenni said as she opened her arms.
I gave Mildred over to her.
“We haven’t officially met.”He pushed up the brim of his cowboy hat before holding out his hand to me.“Archer Keel.”
“Brooks’ brother,” I added with a nod.
“Brooks’ younger, more attractive and charming brother,” Archer clarified.
“You’re a Leo, aren’t you?”
“How’d you know?”
I arched a brow at his devastatingly playful smile.“Lucky guess.”
“And you are?”he pressed.
“Not interested.”I crossed my arms over my chest and his hand dropped.“I’m Wyn.And we’re moving the hang out into the main house.Muddy’ll be here soon.”
“Who’s Muddy?”Lenni asked.
“Hadley and Salem’s grandmother,” I explained.“We all call her Muddy.Because she’s kind of everyone’s grandmother.”
“Huh,” Lenni said.
“This is actually their family ranch,” I went on.“And we’re all just living in it.”
An old red farm truck rumbled up the dirt road and parked in front of the main house.The driver was a spry septuagenarian with a long silver braid and an inner knowing that was downright spooky.
She cut the engine and then climbed out of the vehicle.A moment later, the passenger side door opened, and Poet’s grandfather appeared.
He’d moved to Huckleberry Hill not long ago to be close to Poet and his great-grandbaby.But I was starting to think that hadn’t been theonlyreason he’d relocated.
“Hi, sugar,” Muddy said as she strode toward us with a wide smile.Grampy wasn’t far behind her.She quickly enveloped me in a hug.“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
Muddy’s hazel eyes dropped to Lenni who was still holding Mildred, and then her gaze bounced to Archer for an explanation.
Archer cleared his throat.“This is Lenni.”
