“Yes. Since I’ve been here, my ladies enjoy afternoon tea followed by a lie-down in the barn. It refreshes them for dinner. They’re fancy.”
The tiniest flicker of a smile tugged at his mouth before it vanished into the void.
“You know they’re not babies, right?”
“Of course not, silly. If they wereactualbabies, their outfits would be even more adorable.”
At some point during our bickering, the girls had stopped running and were now standing in a clump, watching us like we were the entertainment. Good. Maybe they’d learn something.
“Loretta doesn’t do sparkle,” I added, “but the rest of them love it. She’s a practical girl.”
I’d found the perfect collars—rhinestones for most, woven leather for Loretta.
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“Oh, you don’t need to say anything. Just help me and we’ll call it even, cowboy.”
I added a shooing motion for emphasis. With a resigned sigh, Hank let out a piercing whistle.
From nowhere, a black-and-white dog launched into the field.
“Oh! Who’s this cutie patootie?”
“Mac. And he’s not cute. He’s working.”
Mac ignored me completely and locked eyes with Hank like he was waiting for divine instruction. One whistle and a head jerk later, the dog was off, rounding up my scattered babies with professional ease.
“How did you do that?”
“Training. And a smart dog.”
Without any fanfare, Hank headed toward my property while Mac guided the girls back. He unlatched the gate without a problem—because of course he did—and Mac herded the goats inside like it was nothing.
“Ladies,” I scolded gently as I jogged behind, “you gotta stay on our side of the fence. The neighbor doesn’t want you in his field.”
“Pasture,” Hank repeated.
“In his pasture,” I echoed sweetly.
“Keep them fenced, or the coyotes will get themselves a snack.” His voice softened just slightly. If I didn’t know better, I might’ve thought he was actually concerned about my girls, who were now happily nose-deep in clover.
“Thanks for the advice, cowboy,” I said with a wink and a smile. Hank flushed again.
My work here was done.
Vaughn
How’s it going down there?
Jasper
I’m still here, so that’s a win.
Gage
I give it a week tops.
Jasper
