The next thing I know, this massive form is moving toward me and I feel myself backing up. “He’s not in a stall?”
“They all have free rein of the place. When I finished the barn, I built individual stalls but Bolt kicked down the wall separating him from Star. Since then, I usually leave the back doors open so they can come and go as they please. Star enjoys being outside whether it’s snowing or pouring rain. Bolt however, heads straight for the barn whenever the weather shifts. Rebel stays in his stall a lot, but they all tend to mingle together through the night. I’m not sure if it’s for warmth or just for company.”
Before I realize it, I’ve backed up to the point where I can feel the barn door behind my back, looking up at the massive horse that is only a few feet away. Reaching my hand out, I wait for him to smell my hand before rubbing his nose gently. “My goodness, you are quite handsome, aren’t you?” Bolts jerks his head up and down, whinnying loudly and we both laugh.
“Yes, he is and he knows it. I have been approached several times by other farmers wanting to use him to breed their mares, but I’ve never agreed. He’s rather attached to Star, and I don’t want to mess up their harmony. Here, give him this and he will love you for life.”
Grant slides a small sugar cube into my palm and I hold it out for Bolt. His gentle lips quickly snatch it up before he steps forward, his nose pressing into my hand looking for more. Hearing us talk to Bolt must have gotten the other two’s attention, as I can hear their hooves moving toward us.
“Come on Bolt, let’s get you all fed.” Bolt turns around like a well-trained puppy, following behind Grant faithfully. I stand back, watching the way he interacts with each of them as he gets their feed from several buckets. When he walks outside the barn with a couple of water buckets in his hand, Star gives me the side eye. I can tell she’s not sure of me yet, and it’s going to take more than a sugar cube to win her over.
While he feeds and cares for the horses, I decide to make myself useful and head to the chicken coop. Grant’s large rooster meets me at the gate, squawking and clucking angrily. “My goodness, what a fuss you’re causing. Give me a minute to get this gate open and you can go play while I clean out your pen.”
I half expect him to charge me but the moment the gate is open, he struts out, circling around as the hens follow along. Grabbingthe dirt rake that was leaning up against the fence, I quickly scrape up all the droppings before lifting the sides of the coop to gather the eggs in a small basket sitting inside, checking that the straw doesn’t need changing. Afterward, I fill their water only to turn and find Blue sitting on the post, face-to-face with me.
“Look at you showing off for the girls,” I coo at him as he tilts his head one way then another. Before I can duck out of the way, he launches himself at me, only to land on my shoulder. Leaning my face away, I instantly start to put my hands up to protect my eyes when he rubs his beak against the side of my head, gently picking at my hair. Giggling, I reach up slowly, rubbing my hand down his feathers.
“Pretty Blue isn’t mean … he’s a little sweetie, isn’t he? Blue just wants some lovins.”
He chirps lowly, pushing his head against my own. The hens cluck and preen around my feet, wanting attention as well. Gathering my skirt up, I lean down, expecting Blue to jump off, only for one of the hens to climb up in my lap. This is how Grant finds me when he comes out of the barn.
“Well, I never,” I hear him say as he walks my way. “Do you need saving? I think they’ve officially adopted you.”
“I will say, I wasn’t prepared for them to be this friendly, especially the way you talked about my darling little Blue here.”
“Darling my ass, that damn rooster’s a menace!”
The moment Grant steps inside the coop, Blue launches himself off my shoulder, crowing and strutting around, pecking at Grant’s boots aggressively.
“You ungrateful … woman stealing, major annoyance. You are going to taste great with dumplings. Just keep it up.”
My laughter can be heard all around the farm as this huge man squares off with a pint-sized chicken. “Blue, my little darling, come here. I’ll save you from the mean old human.” I click my tongue and he turns away from Grant, walking right up to my side.
“Good thing I’m not a betting man, because I would have lost dearly. I ran out of the barn when I heard the chickens getting all riled up, thinking Blue had cornered or hurt you. Never dreamed he would be grooming you while the others lay content in your lap.”
“Blue doesn’t see me as a threat. You on the other hand, are large and intimidating.”
He reaches his hand down to help me up. “Before we start the dreaded dishes, I want you to see where I spend most of my time: at the mine.”
Dusting my skirt off, we walk out of the coop and head up the hill, only for the chickens to follow behind. Rebel paces inside the corral, watching us like he’s worried we’re going somewhere without him.
“Lauren, it seems like you have wound all the animals up this morning.”
“I’m just a new person in their space. It’s just been them and you for so long that me showing up is an oddity in their world.” The hill isn’t that steep, but my ribs start aching before we reach the top. I don’t realize I’m holding my sides until Grant growls.
“Damn my inconsiderate hide, I didn’t think about your ribs, Lauren. Forgive me. Do you want to turn back?”
“No, just give me a second to catch my breath. They sure delight in reminding me every time I forget about them.” Before I can say another word, I find myself being lifted off the ground. My arm instantly wraps around Grant’s neck, his massive arms holding me effortlessly against his chest as he continues to walk up the hill like I weigh nothing.
“I didn’t mean to complain. You can put me down now, I’ll be fine.”
“Is it bothering you that I’m holding you?”
“Well … no.”
“Then enjoy the ride. And before you say it, you are not a bother or too heavy. Any other worries?”
I shake my head no and bite my lip to keep from smiling. For a rumored beast, he does growl a lot, but all his actions so far have been nothing but gentle and caring. Looking around at all the baby leaves on the trees and the bright blue sky above, I allow myself a moment to relax. His long steps quickly eat up the distance, and before long, I feel a cool breeze, and the smell of creosote seems to permeate the area.
