“Does it hurt?”
“No. I might have some slight ringing sometimes but no pain.”
“And I can’t do anything to aggravate it. Can I?” she asks and I appreciate the genuine concern in her sweet tone.
“The damage has already been done,” I assure her, then change the subject. “Is there a hardware store in town? I need to pick up the things I need to start this.”
“Yeah, Richard’s Hardware. Do you have a list? I can pick up the items,” she says and I hold in my laugh.
“You at the store? Do you remember what I said last night? The wire I said you needed last night?” I ask, already knowing she doesn’t.
“Um…something MB. MIB?” she guesses, proving the point I’m trying to make.
“Men in Black? Oh, okay. I’m going to the hardware store. You won’t have a clue what to get.”
“Well, I’m taking you but I need to feed my chicks and goats first,” she says.
“Is there feed and water in the coop and pen?” I ask.
“Yeah why?”
“I need you to unload your milk. I got to kill the power in here when we get back,” I say and she frowns a little.
“Today?”
“Yes. I can’t risk electrocuting myself; I’m already half deaf,” I say and grin. “I don’t want to be too fucked up for you.”
“That’s not funny,” she says while trying not to smile. “And you’re not fucked up.”
“Good to know. Do you have room in the house freezer for your milk?”
“No,” she sighs. “It’s a lot. I guess I’m going to ha?—”
“Wait,” I say, unintentionally interrupting her. “On the back porch I thought I saw an outlet. We can temporarily move the freezer there while I work.”
“Oh, thank you ’cause I was about to crash out thinking I was going to lose my milk.”
“I got you but do you have a hand truck around here?”
“Yeah, in the shed by the coop. I’ll get it.”
“I know you’re used to handling all this on your own, but while I’m here, let me. I slept good last night and ate even better this morning thanks to you. I’m returning the favor, so let me do what I do. I can get it.”
“I don’t think it’s any favor. You are literally about to rewire this entire barn. I looked up what that costs up while taking Amara to school and I’m pretty sure I owe you three meals a day and a damn back rub,” she says half teasingly, but the shit sounds good to me.
“I mean; I won’t say no to any of that,” I say and she grins.
“I bet you won’t,” she says, still laughing and looking pretty as fuck.
Jeans, a sweater, and boots never looked so damn good.
“Follow me to the coop so you can get the hand truck from the shed.” We exit the barn and trek through the ranch toward the coop. I know the plan was for me to walk on to the shed butI’m honestly enjoying just being next to her. So when she steps toward the coop, I do too. “The shed is right over there,” she says, pointing to the small aluminum shed painted brown.
“I want to see your hens,” I tell her.
“Do you know how to collect eggs?” she asks and I just furrow my eyebrows.
She laughs and grabs the box of gloves in the little window. She hands me a pair then puts on a pair. Then we head inside.
