"Why do you say that?" Austin calls back.
"And why are we shoutin' at each other? Do you want us to come there?" Charlie yells.
“This is ridiculous,” Red grumbles. “I’m comin’ to you.”
I bite my lip and try not to laugh as Miss Piggy grunts and moves every which way, thwarting Red's attempts to get off the porch.
“Pig, so help me. If you don’t move that rump of yours, it won’t be turkey we have for Thanksgivin’ this year. It’ll be all the different dishes we can make frompork!”
The hog oinks loudly in response, seemingly understanding Red's threat—likely in protest—and shuffles aside, taking her time while doing it. Finally, she allows Red to make his way down the stairs, which he does with a deep scowl.
"Finally," he mutters, joining us by the truck. Bruno hops down and dutifully sits as close to Red’s booted feet as possible. Another uncharacteristic move. Nelly Nosey Parker appears unphased by the drama and stays sentry in position, blocking the path to the barn.
"What the hell is goin' on? It’s like the animals have all lost their damn minds." Red surveys the scene, shaking his head.
“I’m not sure, but I suspect they’re all up to somethin’,” Austin replies.
Red shoots him a ‘you think?’ look before a startled quack in the distance grabs our attention.
“I vote we follow the duck calls,” I suggest. “Whenever there’s trouble around this mountain, there’s always one duck in the middle of it.”
“You’re right. Let’s go,” Red responds before walking toward the path that Nelly isstillardently trying to block.
“Baaaaa.”
“Nelly, darlin’. C’mere, sweetheart,” Charlie coos, stopping in front of Landry's gorgeous orphaned goat and bending down to pet her.
“Baaaaaa?”
“Yes, honey. You’re OK. You’re the good girl out of the bunch, aren’t you." Charlie continues to rub behind her ears.
“Baaaaaaaaaa,” Nelly bleats, leaning into my daughter’s touch.
“Now, you’re goin’ to let us pass so we can find out what Doofus is up to?"
“Baaaaaa! Baaaaaa!” But instead of stepping aside, she turns around and walks ahead, leading us toward the barn and in the direction of the delinquent duck.Good goat.
Red falls in step next to me. “Sorry ‘bout the detour. We should all be back to normal programmin’ once we find everyone elseandmy keys.”
My eyes snap to his. “Your keys?”
“Yep. They’re missin’. I’m hopin’ Wy has them otherwise…”
“Oh,hewon’t have them. I’m bettin’ the animals do,” I tell him.
Red’s brow lifts. “You think?”
"It's mighty suspicious thatallof the animals on the ranch who—by the way—already think they’re humans, are not only all together in the one place, but also seem to be in the moodto disrupt well-laid plans. C’mon, Red. I know you’re a smart man…”
He looks to the mountain’s twin peaks before huffing out a breath. “Dammit.”
His exasperation makes me giggle. I turn backward to find Bruno and Miss Piggy trotting along behind us, confirming my gut feeling. It’s quite funny that today, of all days, they decide to try and stop one of us from leaving the ranch.
“This has the mountain spirit’s name written all over it,” I murmur to myself.
Red casts a sideways glance at me, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "You reckon we're in for some sort of surprise?"
“I’d bet my last dollar on it,” I say just as we reach the barn.
