Unexpected Inheritance

27

"I like playing in the barn," Meadow giggled

"You know your mom really loves you because she does not spend too much time in here with the animals," Ben joked

Junebug looked up at his father's voice, his little face lighting up as he lifted his arms.

"Hey son" Ben said, crouching down and holding out his hands. "You want up?"

But instead of waiting for his dad to pick him up, Junebug planted his hands on the ground, rocked forward onto his knees, and then, to everyone's surprise, pushed himself up onto his feet.

Miranda turned just in time to see it. "Oh—"

Meadow gasped. "Mama. Look.Look"

He took another step, and then another before his legs gave out and he plopped down onto the hay-covered ground. He blinked in surprise, as if trying to figure out what had just happened, then let out a tiny, triumphant laugh.

Ben scooped him up, laughing. "Well, look at you. Walkin' already."

Meadow bounced on her heels. "He did it, Mama. He walked"

Miranda shook her head, smiling. "Of all places... his first steps in the barn."

Ben lifted their son high in the air, making him giggle. "Guess that means he's officially a barn baby."

Meadow threw her hands up. "Does this mean I get to teach him how to ride next?"

Miranda laughed, taking their son from her husband and kissing his chubby cheek. "Let's get him walking straight first, sweetheart."

Ben draped an arm around Miranda's shoulder, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Looks like we got a little cowboy on our hands."

Miranda sighed playfully. "Lord help me."

And if there was any doubts about Junebug being a little cowboy after his first steps in the barn, his first words confirmed it. He had been babbling for months, mixing nonsense sounds with the occasional "mama" or "dada." But he finally said something with real intent.

It happened one morning when Miranda was getting Meadow ready for the day while Ben took Junebug outside for some fresh air. The little boy, now growing more confident on his feet, toddled around the yard with Ben close behind, making sure he didn't take a tumble.

They ended up by the fence, where the horses were grazing in the field. Junebug gripped the wooden rails, his chubby fingers curling around the worn wood as he stared in fascination at the big animals.

Ben crouched beside him, pointing toward his favorite horse, who had wandered closer. "This is Daddy's horse. We been through some times together. That one of over there was mine too but I let your brother ride him now. One day I'll get you and your sister your own horses."

Junebug blinked up at him, then turned his attention back to the towering animal in front of him. He let out a little huff, bouncing on his feet.

"Hohhss"

Ben's mouth fell open. "What'd you just say, Junebug?"

"Hohhss"

Ben let out a laugh, scooping his son up and tossing him in the air. "Well, I'll be damned."

Hearing the commotion, Miranda stepped outside with Meadow "What's goin' on?"

"Come here and listen to what your son just said."

"Alright, let's hear it."

Ben pointed to the horse again. "What's that, buddy?"

Junebug wiggled in his dad's arms, grinning. "Hohhss"

Meadow gasped. "He talked"

Miranda's lips parted, realization setting in. "Did he just say—?"

"Horse," Ben nodded "His first word was horse,"

"Out of all the words in the world, you just had to make your first one about horses."

Ben grinned. "Well, he did take his first steps in the barn."

"You really are your daddy's boy, huh?"

Junebug just giggled, clapping his hands.

Meadow leaned in close, grinning. "Say Meadow next"

He looked at her, all wide-eyed and curious... then turned back to the horses. "Hohhss"

Ben laughed so hard he nearly doubled over, while Miranda sighed, shaking her head. "Well, it's confirmed he's a little cowboy"

A few weeks later, Ben pulled up to the house with a trailer hitched to his truck. Miranda was on the porch with Junebug in her lap, watching as Meadow ran around with Tuck, playing some made-up game that involved a lot of yelling and dramatic falls into the grass.

Ben hopped out of the truck, grinning. "Got a surprise."

Miranda arched a brow. "Oh Lord, what now?"

He walked to the back of the trailer, unlatched the door, and led out a beautiful mare, her golden coat gleaming in the sunlight.

Miranda sighed. "Ben."

He smirked, giving the mare a gentle pat. "She's for you."

Miranda shot him a flat look. "Now, why would you waste money on an animal when you know I don't do animals?"

Ben chuckled, looping the lead rope around his hand. "Alright, alright, she's not really for you. She's for Meadow."

That got their daughter's attention. Meadow stopped mid-chase "For me" she screamed

Ben nodded, barely getting a response in before Meadow was barreling toward him. She skidded to a stop in front of the horse, eyes wide with wonder. "She's so pretty."

Ben grinned. "Figured you're gettin' big enough to have your own."

Meadow reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing against the mare's soft nose. "What's her name?"

"I figured we'd let you name her."

Meadow turned to her mother. "Mommy.What should we name her?"

 "I know a lot about a lot but not naming a horse"

Junebug clapped his hands from Miranda's lap and, in his babbling way, shouted "Hohhss"

Tuck burst out laughing. "Well, that there's a suggestion"

Meadow giggled but shook her head. "No, not just horse. She needs a real name." She tapped her chin, thinking hard, before her face lit up. "Goldie"

Ben nodded approvingly. "Goldie it is."

Meadow turned back to her new horse, practically bouncing in place. "Goldie, I'm gonna love you forever."

Ben shot Miranda a look, smirking. "See? Worth it."

"As long as I'm not responsible for that thing, you won't hear a peep out of me."

"Wouldn't dream of it, darlin'."