He wouldn't. And honestly? I didn't want him to.
This was my chance. My fresh start.
The farm stretched around me—thirty-five acres of possibility and terror. Vegetables that needed tending, flowers for market bouquets, an orchard I'd somehow have to manage come harvest time. Animals depending on me to keep them alive. Equipment that spoke a language I was still learning.
September. I had until September to make this work.
I could do this. I'd spent ten summers here. I knew this place.
Except I'd been a kid then, collecting eggs and helping at the farmers market, not actually responsible for keeping everything alive and functional.
Okay, Rosie. Deep breath. You've got this.
I turned toward the barn. Snickers was eating the corner of a feed sack from a bin I'ddefinitelylatched last night.
“Are you kidding me right now?”
She looked up, chaff sticking to her beard, completely unbothered.
Sugar trotted over, hopeful eyes fixed on my empty hands. Chip headbutted my leg, just for fun.
Day one. This is fine. Everything's fine.
“Right,” I said to nobody. “Let's see what else can go wrong before lunch.”
I'd made it exactly three steps toward the barn when my phone rang.
Walt's name lit up the screen.
Of course.
“Miss me already?” I answered, watching Snickers try to drag the feed sack out of the bin.
“Just passed the vet clinic in town.”
I waited. “And?”
“Doc Sterling's coming Tuesday. Buddy's annual checkup.”
“You made it to town and you'restillgiving me instructions?”
“Just keep an eye out for him. He'll probably show up around ten, maybe eleven. Hard to pin him down on exact times since he covers half the county.”
“Noted. So I just—what, have Buddy ready? Does he need to be in the barn? Groomed? Should I bake cookies?”
Walt laughed. “Just have him where Cal can find him. Barn's fine. Doc's used to working with him.”
“Anything else I should know?”
“Cal's good at his job. Knows his stuff, doesn't waste time.” Walt paused. “Bit rough around the edges, but don't take it personal. He's got a lot on his plate.”
Rough around the edges. Great.
“Define rough.”
“Just don't expect small talk. He'll check Buddy, tell you what needs doing, and be on his way.”
Just great. Another man who would definitely think I'm too much.I'd had my fill of that particular hobby back in Seattle.
