Page 26 of Herds and Hooves

After wiping his hands on his apron, he shook my hand. “Welcome, Bart, and thanks for stopping in today.”

“Keith said you had the best bakery in town, so we had to stop by.”

“Well, I think we might be the only bakery but thank you. I hope you enjoy it.” He moved on to the next person while Keith picked up the coffee carrier, and I took the bag of goodies.

“Let’s get you back to your car so we can go feed Asa while it’s still warm,” Keith said. I was so tempted to just leave my car in town, but I knew I’d regret that decision, so we walked back to his truck, and he drove us to where I’d parked and pulled in next to me.

“Thanks again for last night,” he said before leaning across the seat to kiss me.

“You’re not getting away that easy. Come on, let’s go see what Asa’s got going for today,” I said, not wanting to end on a low note. It had been a great night, and I hoped the day would continue to be good.

Twenty-Two

Keith

The truck was filled with the smell of warm burritos and coffee, and the lingering scent of Bart. I brushed my thumb across my lips and checked my rearview mirror as he followed me back to the dairy. I wondered what Asa would think, but then I remembered Bart said he’d told Asa we were going out so apparently it wasn’t a shock for him.

“Maybe Bart told him he was just going out for a beer?” Fuck I was going to drive myself nuts overthinking it all. I decided right then and there I’d take Bart’s lead and if he didn’t care that Asa knew about us then I wouldn’t care either. It was about time I stopped worrying about what the assholes in this town thought about me anyway. With a firm nod, I turned down the road that led to the dairy.

Bart smiled and waved from where he was still behind me and parked next to me when I pulled up to the house. “Hurry up, let’s get this inside while it’s still hot,” he said and picked up both bags out of my truck before turning back to kiss me. “Thank you again.”

“Anytime,” I said with a stupid grin plastered on my face that I was hopeless to control.

“Oh, good, Noah’s still here,” he said as he held the screen door open for me and hurried across the porch and inside the house. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Whatcha got?” Noah asked as we set the bags down on the table where Asa was already sitting.

“Breakfast burritos and pastries,” Bart said and passed out the coffee. “Have a seat, Keith.” He pulled out a chair for me across from Asa and next to where he then sat.

“Mornin’, Keith, have a good night?” Asa asked with a sly grin as he took his first sip of coffee.

“Can’t complain, how about you?”

“Well, we got the girls milked and fed so we’re doing pretty good, and no JW sighting today.”

“Day’s still young,” I said.

“That it is.” Asa picked up the burrito and took a big bite.

“Careful, it’s a little spicey,” I said.

“Don’t worry about me. I love it a little hot,” he said.

“Even though he’s ancient he can eat hotter food than I can handle,” Noah said and took a tentative bite then a bigger one when he realized it wasn’t too much for him.

“Puts hair on your chest,” Asa said making us all laugh.

“What’s on the agenda today?” Bart asked.

“Well, I think today is the day that Georgia gives birth,” Asa said like a proud father.

“Really? Should we be out there helping her?” Bart said, and I was reminded this was all still new for him.

“No, not unless she needs help. Believe me when I say she’ll be happier if we leave her alone to take care of business,” Asa said.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t go check on her?”

Asa chewed the bite he’d taken and took his time answering. “When we finish eating, we’ll all go out and see if we can find her. I’m sure she’s found a nice spot to hide from everyone while she delivers that new baby. Don’t worry, we’ll find her and they’ll both be fine.”