I watched Rosie's hands move in a steady rhythm, the milk streaming into the bucket in soft pulses. Her shoulders had relaxed, that tight set of anxiety easing as Snickers cooperated.
“There we go,” she murmured to the goat. “See? That wasn't so bad.”
Snickers bleated, sounding almost smug.
Rosie gave the goat one final pat before standing, bucket in hand. “All done, you menace.”
I opened the gate, and Snickers trotted out, immediately heading for Sugar and Chip, who were lounging in the shade.
Rosie stepped through, and I took the bucket from her hands without thinking.
“I can carry it.”
“I know.”
She gave me a look but let go. I set the bucket down by the fence post, then turned back to her.
“Hold still.”
She blinked. “What?”
I reached out and wiped the smear of dirt from her cheek with my thumb. Her expression softened, caught off guard by the small gesture.
“All better.” I kissed the tip of her nose.
Her smile broke wide open. The kind that crinkled the corners of her eyes.
I picked the bucket back up, and we walked toward the farmhouse together. She slipped her hand around my arm, tucking herself close to my side. Her shoulder pressed warm against my arm with every step.
“So, what's on your agenda today?” She tilted her head to look up at me. “Besides rescuing me from stubborn goats.”
“Paperwork, mostly. But it can wait.”
“Just boring stuff?” Her fingers traced absent patterns on my forearm. “No emergencies? No little puppy that needs rescuing?”
“Not today.” I stopped at the top of the porch, setting the bucket down.
“Well.” She turned to face me, backing up until she was leaning against the railing. Her hands found my waist, pulling me closer. “I thought maybe you could stick around. If you want to. I've got to strain this milk, make some cheese, work on the garden...” She wrinkled her nose. “I know it's not exactly thrilling.”
I stepped between her legs, hands settling on either side of her hips against the railing. “Sounds perfect.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up. “You want to spend your day off making cheese with me?”
“I want to spend the day with you.” I brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Whatever you're doing.”
Her smile turned soft. “You're really good at saying the right thing, you know that?”
“It's the truth.” I traced my thumb along her jaw. “Besides, this week's going to be busy. Farm calls stacked up, appointments every day, couple surgeries scheduled. I might not have time to?—”
“Then stay.” She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down until our foreheads touched. “I want all the time I can get with you.”
My chest tightened in that way that was becoming familiar. That feeling of wanting something so badly it scared me.
She kissed me, soft and sweet.
“Plus, I need someone to tell me if my cheese tastes weird,” Rosie added.
“That's the real reason you want me around.”
