“Well, this was a lovely diversion. Are you done?” I asked.
“I am, shall we pay the bill and go get chickens?”
“Sounds good to me.” Especially because I was so curious whatgetting chickenswas code for.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Grace
We entered the feed store. I couldn’t find a hardware store close to us that sold chickens, but this was just as good.
Taking Brennan’s hand, we wandered around until we found the chicks, which were in big galvanized tubs with heat lamps. While sure, I could probably buy some really fancy chickens, I just wanted hardware store chickens.
“I didn’t think we were actually getting chickens.” Brennan peered at the tub.
“Yes. They put out the new chicks today.” I looked at the cards on the tubs listing the different breeds. Some of the breeds were a little different here, but I'd done my research.
“Where are we going to put the chickens? Are we allowed to have chickens? Oh, they’re so tiny,” he gushed.
“I know, right? We can have six hens. Spencer got me a chicken coop. It’s not here yet, but we’ll need to keep them in a brooder for a bit, anyway.” I got my phone out and showed Brennan the picture of my custom coop.
Brennan blinked. “It’s a tiny version of our guest house.”
“Since you thought coops weren’t attractive, Spencer got one to match the house.”
“Oh. That’s very thoughtful. I’m not against chickens, I’ve just never had them. But if they make you happy, why not? So do we just… pick them?” He put his hands behind his back like he was afraid to touch them.
“We will. But you know, we should look at brooders first.” Taking his hand, I pulled him along, grabbing a cart, and noting things I also might want to get.
I eyed all the cute seedlings. “Can I have a little garden?”
“That sounds nice. Chickens. Who will take care of them when we’re gone?” Brennan asked me.
“A company called Chicken Tenders. They’ll take care of Spencer’s hedgehog, too. But we haven’t gotten him yet.” I studied small portable heated homes for the chicks to live in while they were too small for the main coop.
Brennan laughed. “That is an amazing idea. Chicken Tenders. Ha! Wait, Spencer’s getting a hedgehog?”
“It’s my present to him. Do you want a dog? You want a dog, right? You like big dogs who need lots of exercise, right?” Picking a brooder, I put it in the cart, Brennan helping me.
It came with bulbs, but we needed bedding and food.
“We could never have pets. Though for a bit Katie had fish that she won at the school carnival,” he shared.
“Oh.” I hugged him. “If you want a dog, we’ll get you one for your birthday.”
“Let’s start with chickens and hedgehogs. I might want some bunnies,” he replied.
Hmmm. Could the chicken coop place make us a matching bunny hutch? Jett mentioned bunnies, too. I could get them each a bunny.
I found the bedding and food and put it in the cart along with some other things, then headed back to the chickens.
“Um, Little Butterfly?” Brennan said softly as we watched the chicks.
“Yes, Bren?” Hmmm, did I want all six of the same breed, or two each of the three different breeds? I took some videos and sent them to Riley so that she could help choose.
“How are we going to get all this back on your motorcycle?” Brennan’s arm slid around my waist.
My heart fell. “Oh. I was originally going to take my truck, but then I decided to bring you and thought my motorcycle would be more fun and forgot that even though I joke about it, it’s probably not safe to bring chickens on a motorcycle. Well, maybe one in your jacket around the block so she can have a ride but not taking a whole box any distance.”
