Next Door Daddy by Debra Clopton Page A

going?” Lacy whispered when the song leader stood and gave them the hymnal page.
    â€œGood,” Polly whispered back. “We’re settling in.”
    â€œYou’re going to come out to the house for lunch when the service is over.”
    It wasn’t a question, Polly realized. Lacy winked. “I’ve made my special berry cobbler and Clint has a brisket in the slow cooker as we speak. So it’s a done deal. I’ll invite some others and we’ll have a good ol’ time.”
    Polly nodded, then joined in the singing.
    Norma Sue and Esther Mae were in the front row of the choir, and they were both grinning at her as they sang full out. Esther Mae had on a hat that was overflowing with red poppies. They shook and shimmied with every note she sang.
    Smiling at the sight, Polly joined in the singing and promised herself that if she just gave it time one day, she wouldn’t feel like the odd person out. One day she’d belong again.
    Â 
    On Wednesday afternoon, Nate found three packages on his porch addressed to Pollyanna. Since she was busy getting the bed-and-breakfast ready, he figured whatever was in the packages might be important, so he loaded them into his truck to drop off on his way past her house. He was hauling cattle to auction in Ranger, and they bawled loudly as he drove.
    â€œHang on, boys,” he said, and turned onto Pollyanna’s drive. “Let’s see what disaster awaits us.” Life at the McDonald house was not boring. That was for certain. Before he even came to a halt, Pollyanna came out onto the porch. She was holding a phone book.
    â€œHi,” she called as he climbed out and grabbed the first package.
    â€œHi. I’ve got some packages meant for you. Three of them.”
    â€œIt’s my bedding for the B and B!” she exclaimed, and got so excited she tried to snatch the box from him before he could set in on the porch. They almost bumped heads but missed by a small margin, though his hat tumbled to the ground.
    â€œSo, I figure this makes you happy?”
    She grimaced, dropped the phone book onto the box and scooped up the hat. “The boxes make me happy. Not attacking your hat. Sorry.” She held it out to him.
    â€œNot a problem.” Their hands brushed as he took the hat, and he felt a hum of electricity. Unsettled by it, he pulled back and stuck the hat on his head. “There’s two more. I’ll get them.” He strode back down the path, but she followed. “You must really need this stuff,” he said.
    â€œI do. But right now I need a vet more. I was just looking up phone numbers when I saw you drive up.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he handed her a box, careful not to touch her, and took one himself. The cows knocked around in the trailer and Pollyanna jumped, then laughed nervously. “Sorry, the boys are a rowdy bunch,” he said, moving away from her and heading to the house. He needed to get on the road.
    â€œOne of Bogie’s stitches is puffy and I wanted to take him into the nearest vet and get him checked out. I should have already found one around here, but I haven’t had the chance. I’m thinking he might need a round of antibiotics or something.”
    He opened the screen door and set the boxes down one at a time inside. Pollyanna had picked up the phone book and was studying it. Nate glanced at the trailerload of cattle and back at her. “I could take you into Ranger. The vet’s office is just down the street from where I’m headed.”
    â€œOh, I couldn’t ask you to do that. Just give me his name and I’ll take care of it. I have to pick Gil up today anyway. Max had a dentist appointment, so Rose picked him up early.”
    Miss Independent. He wasn’t too happy about the impromptu invitation he’d tossed out there, either. For more than one reason. First, he still wasn’t comfortable spending time around Pollyanna,