As if in response to their conversation, the donkey brayed at Kimi again, making her laugh.
They walked to the next corral, and a pair of peacocks strolled along the path ahead of them. Kimi pointed. “Pretty and Awesome. They free-range on the farm. Most animals prefer a designated space, which makes them feel safe. A few like to be free.”
“Terry Fox. Terry Fox.”
Mara whirled around at the shriek that seemed to be right behind her. A bright parrot sat on a fence post staring at them. She smiled at the bird. “Hello, there.”
“Michael J. Fox. Michael J. Fox.”
“Is that your name? Or are you Terry Fox?”
The parrot repeated both names. Kimi smoothed the feathers on his head. “This is Canuck. He showed up last year and has stayed since. He only speaks in Canadian celebrities. He knows a lot of them.”
“I think I’m in Wonderland.”
Seth grinned and nodded. “Agreed. This is amazing.”
They followed the dogs through a gate into an enormous field filled with horses and ponies. The sign read Shaggy’s Place.
Seth huffed out a breath. “She’d like this place, Scooby. She’d be so impressed with what you’ve created here.”
Eyes misty, Garrett nodded. “She would. Shaggy was my K-9 dog overseas, Mara. She died during a mission, saving a school full of kids. She was special.”
The largest of the dogs, a black and white pit bull named Olaf, leaned into Garrett’s legs. “She would have liked you, too, buddy.”
They watched a dozen horses play and graze while Kimi and Garrett told stories about the animals, leaving Mara grateful there were people like these new friends who saved animals in need.
More corrals held sheep, cows, and different goats. Kimi explained that some animals were recuperating from injuries; others lived there.
She pointed to the back. “Rheas are playing in the corral over here. They’re a friendly bunch. And then there’s the chicken coop that you came to see.”
The rheas resembled small ostriches and zoomed around the pen in a group. She’d never seen anything like them.
Beyond the chicken coop, large pigs rooted around the ground and watched both sets of birds.
Garrett grinned. “The pigs like watching the birds. They don’t share a pen because pigs will eat most anything, but their curiosity about each other keeps them all happy.”
Mara looked at Seth. “I don’t think we’re up to adding pigs.” The pigs had to weigh two hundred pounds each.
Seth shook his head. “Chickens are more than enough. We’re hoping for fresh eggs without much work. Amber thinks the guests would enjoy seeing the chickens, but I don’t want the coop too close to the inn either.”
Kimi nodded. “They can be noisy. They’re comfortable with people and other animals, though. A coop and a covered run to keep them safe from predators would be the best way to go.”
They talked about coops, the best chicken breeds for Vermont, and how to keep them safe and healthy. Kimi echoed what Mara had read, but added details no article had mentioned.
Kimi asked for their phone numbers and put them in her contacts. “I’ll ask around to see who has chickens that would work best for you. Once you have the coop and run all set up, we’ll get them to you.”
The timer on Seth’s phone beeped. “Thanks so much. I’ve got to get the turkey out, but this has been great. We’ll talk it over with Claus and Amber, then get back to you.”
Mara was glad they were returning to the farm. Seth didn’t give much away, but she knew him well enough now to recognize that he was in pain. There was a slight hitch in his step, and whenever they stood for a few minutes, he took an extra second to push off and get his leg moving.
They said their goodbyes and promised to return to see the rest. They hadn’t gone inside either of the barns. It was a fascinating place, and she’d love to visit again.
Mara debated her offer, but decided it made sense to speak up. “How about I drive back?”
His head whipped to her, and he frowned. “I’m good.”
His stiff body and frown belied his words, but she didn’t argue. It was his vehicle, and it wasn’t like she could force him to let her take the wheel. She also trusted him to know his own limits.
