Unexpected Inheritance

27

Miranda smirked, adjusting the brim of her hat as she let out a laugh. "Enough to drive someone mad."

Ben chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Good thing we're already a little crazy, huh?"

She nudged him playfully but couldn't help smiling as she watched their children.

The photographer called out, "Alright, everybody smile"

After the pictures were done, Tuck took Meadow by the hand, leading her toward the stables. She practically bounced with excitement, already chattering about which horse she wanted to ride.

As they headed off toward the stables, Ben adjusted Junebug's little baby carrier against his chest, making sure his son was snug and secure. "Alright, little man," he murmured, patting the baby's back. "Time for your first ride."

"You both be careful with my babies." Miranda eyed them

Tuck turned back and grinned. "You act like we don't know what we're doin', Mom."

Ben, mounting his horse, adjusted his reins with one hand while steadying Junebug with the other. "She's just sayin' it so if something happens, she can say 'I told you so.'"

Miranda huffed but smiled, watching as Tuck helped Meadow onto the horse, making sure she was settled before swinging up behind her. Meanwhile, Ben trotted out slowly, his hold on the reins steady and controlled, the baby nestled securely against him.

Junebug made a soft cooing noise, his chubby fingers grabbing at Ben's shirt, his big eyes taking in the world from this new height.

"Look at you, Junebug. Already a little cowboy."

From across the field, Meadow giggled as she and Tuck rode alongside them.

After the calm ride, Meadow hopped off with Tuck's help and ran straight to the porch, her curls bouncing as she climbed onto Miranda's lap. Junebug was nestled in Miranda's arms, lazily sucking on his fingers.

"Did you have fun?"

"Yep. Tuck let me hold the reins for a little bit."

"Did he now?"

"Just for a little. He said I'm a natural."

"I'll have to have a word with him about that."

Meadow leaned against her mother, watching as Ben and Tuck remained in the open field with the horses.

Out in the open field, Ben and Tuck were on horseback, taking turns practicing their rope tricks. Tuck tossed his lasso up and around, expertly catching a wooden post they used for training. Ben followed with his own, his movements effortless and smooth.

"Daddy's good at that," Meadow said, eyes wide with admiration.

"He's been doing it a long time."

Meadow sat up, eyes wide with admiration. "I wanna do that one day"

Miranda kissed the top of her head. "I don't doubt it, baby."

Ben, catching sight of them watching, tipped his hat with a grin before throwing the lasso again, looping it neatly around the post. Tuck gave an exaggerated bow from the saddle, making Meadow giggle.

They were country through and through. Even little Junebug proved himself to be a country boy the day he took his first steps.

It had been a usual afternoon, with Ben tending to the horses while Miranda sat on a hay bale, watching Meadow play nearby. Junebug, who had been crawling and pulling himself up on furniture for weeks, was standing with his hands on the side of a wooden stall, bouncing on his little legs.