Page 7 of Whispered Promises

“Okay, okay. Blame the delay on sleepyhead, not me. I was here on time,” I chime in, grabbing the bucket and shaking some of the food into the feeder, then add the rest into the large clean bowls placed around the area.

Making my way out of their gate, I head back to the feed barn, and a smile spreads across my face as I see a fluffy tabby cat waiting by the door.

“Good morning, Daisy. How has your week been?” I greet, crouching.

She runs towards me, her white-covered paws a blur. Leaping up onto my lap, she butts her face against mine in greeting.

“It was that good? Mine wasn’t too bad either. I’ll tell you all about it whilst we feed everyone.”

She jumps down and leads me back inside, ready to supervise my every move.

Once I’ve finished getting the remaining feeds made up, I grab the buckets and load them into the empty barrow. Turning towards the sassy feline, I say, “Do you want to ride shotgun or with me this morning?”

Her whiskers twitch as if in thought. Her head tips back slightly as she lets out a loud meow, stands up, then tip-taps her front paws back and forth.

“With me it is then.” I chuckle at her obvious demand and step over to the perch she’s on, bending slightly so that my shoulders dip down enough for her to leap up onto them. She settles neatly across them, her furry body warming my neck, as a tail curls around my throat lazily and I reach up and scratch her chin lightly, inciting a low purr. With a grin, I make my way back over to the barrow, pick up the handles, and push it out of the barn, making my way over to the first field.

“Do you remember me telling you about the cute neighbour I met a while ago? The one with the smile and messy hair?”

She chirps, and her whiskers tickle my ear.

“Of course you do. You never forget anything, Miss Daisy. Well, I talked to his flatmate this week. He goes to my gym. This time he just walked up to me and started a conversation. I was a bumbling mess, as per usual. But what do you expect? Honestly, if you’d have seen this tall, muscled man striding towards you, you’d have felt the same.”

She chirps again, slightly indignant this time.

“No? That’s true; you’re too sassy for that. You should see him, though. All scowls, veined arms, and wide shoulders. Plus, he has the whole dark eyes, buzzed dark hair look going for him too. He’s hot and gives off the ‘I don’t give a shit’ vibe.”

A sharp whinny startles me. I’ve reached the gate but have been keeping the animals waiting in my trance. I apologise quickly, grab the three buckets and spread them out, and the ponies, Jerry, Mabel, and Gilly, eagerly consume their breakfast.

Heading back through the gate, I call, “I’ll come back in a bit, Jerry. You need some more exercise today. We need to work harder on that diet of yours!”

Scooping up the barrow, I push it to the next field where the two Highland cows, Buttercup and Iris, are standing with Squid. The sweet black-and-white Holstein male was rescued from being slaughtered, and he fits right in with the girls and is such a funny character.

Once they’ve been given their breakfast, I push the barrow to the fenced area opposite, and lean over to empty the contents of a bucket into a trough. Both pigs dive in happily, their snuffles loud in approval.

“He might’ve also given me his number…” I trail off, still unsure what to do about it. A tail slaps against my face, and I splutter, trying to avoid inhaling the long fur.

“I can’t just message him. Not everyone’s as forward as you, Daisy,” I huff at her, then shuffle into the paddock, placing the buckets down so I can swat her tail away. Separating the feeds, I dish them out for the three goats, Harry, Matilda, and Mavis; they immediately dive in, scoffing down their meals.

Lifting the handles of the empty barrow, I head back towards the barn. “If I tell you that the cute one, Max, might have mentioned visiting you tomorrow, will you promise not to attempt to stuff your tail in my mouth again?”

Her claws dig into my shoulder briefly, then she leaps off and dashes through the wooden doors in front of me.

“What? I only found out this morning. I wasn’t keeping it from you,” I mutter and huff at her reaction. Following her inside, I smile widely. It may mainly be me on my own all day here, but it’s hard to feel lonely when you’re hounded by a feline with that much personality.

FOUR

MAX & NATE

Max

Watching Rosy bend over and lean into the car this morning had some serious fantasies flying through my mind; having to walk away took way more willpower than I thought I had. But the knowledge that I get to see her again tomorrow keeps a pep in my step as I get into my car.

Whilst we haven’t had a chance to have many conversations, every encounter we’ve had is imprinted in my mind. She’s definitely not the type of woman I’m used to. She’s much more reserved, and her emotions are so transparent on her face, not hidden behind fake smiles and pretty words.

Genuine, that’s what she feels like.

I’m sure I’ve seen moments of interest flicker across her face in response to my flirting, but her body language has been more No than Yes, so I’ve not pursued anything. She also seems more like a committed relationship person, and I don’t have anything more than casual to offer her.