That time Beau smiled. “I appreciate that, Derek.”
“I’ve heard wonderful things about Palmer. Miss Samantha said she’s branching out and making friends.”
Beau nodded. “Making friends. Accepting praise. Learning about farm animals.”
“Farm animals?”
“Yeah.” Beau chuckled. “She stepped in goose poop yesterday. Compared it to hell.”
Derek laughed loudly. “That tracks.”
“It was a whole ordeal,” Beau said. “There was screaming. A lot of screaming.”
“I would’ve paid money to see that,” Derek answered, still laughing.
Beau slung his bag over his shoulder. “I’m glad you stopped by. I did have a question.”
“Yes?” Derek asked, immediately more serious.
“Well, it’s a legen…dairyrequest.”
Derek raised his eyebrows.
“Mon-moo-mental even.”
That time Derek pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I really wanted to seize themoo-ment.”
Derek’s face blanched. “I feel like I need to sit down for this.”
Beau nodded, solemnly. “Probably.”
“Okay, lay it on me,” Derek said after he’d sat down on the closest desk.
“There is a blind highland cow who needs a new home. Palmer is rather drawn to her. I think she can relate to her because the cow needs a family?—”
“And she did too until she came to Rawhide,” Derek finished.
Beau nodded.
“I’ll reach out to Reese and see how we should go about purchasing.”
“Yeah, don’t have a cow. I already did all that. I have the cashier’s check ready, I just need your permission to board her here until I can make other arrangements. I figured I’dmilkyour love for Palmer for all it’s worth.”
Derek shook his head. “I’m surrounded by brats.” Grinning, he added, “Gotta go, I haveudderthings to do.”
Beau spotted Palmer almost immediately when he arrived at the preschool door. She stood near the teacher, bouncing slightly on her toes, Allysa tucked under her arm. The moment she saw Beau, her whole face lit up. Beau didn’t think he’d ever get tired of that.
“Daddy!”
She ran across the classroom and Beau stepped in, right in time to catch her in a hug.
“Hey, pretty baby,” he said fondly.
Palmer squeezed him tight.
“I had a good day!”
