Page 12 of A Farmer’s Guide To Gamers

Shit, maybe I needed to check the calendar.

Dropping the bag of fertilizer in my hands I rushed inside, heading right for my office. The oversized calendar on the wall was decorated with a rainbow of flowers and vines. Right there among the wildflowers was a big red note to call my doctor and schedule the next shot of birth control and suppressants.

I let out a breath of relief and grabbed a sticky note, jotting a reminder and popping it right on my computer screen to call them. That was a later problem. Not now while I was tracking dirt and manure through the house.

Before I could even make it to the back door my phone was ringing. I knew it was Sabrina because she was the only one who called me out of the blue; everyone else would text.

“Hey, bestie,” I sang out as I answered.

“My bestie spider-senses were tingling. What’s wrong?” she demanded. I pulled the phone away and stared at it like the answers would appear.

“You’re so strange, Sabrina,” I huffed as I put it back to my ear and walked outside. “I’m fine.”

“Lies,” she grumbled. “Spill.”

“It’s nothing big,” I tried to brush it off. “What are you⁠—?”

“If you don’t answer the question, Tills, I’m going to come over there right now and steal Earl from you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” I shout back at her empty threat, snagging my one-eyed, three-legged gray tabby cat. He let out a grumpy meow and scrunched up his face before using his claws to climb up and settle on my shoulders.

“Then talk to me or I really will drive over there and get answers.”

I knew there was no getting out of spilling the beans with Sabrina. Plus, she really would come over and get those answers from me if I didn’t tell them now. I truly loved my crazy best friend.

“I met this alpha.”

A loud squeal filled the phone line and it was loud enough that Earl let out a grouchy huff and jumped off my shoulders to make his way to a comfortable, sunny spot.

“Details! Now! I would come over and get them in person but I need to help my mom and dads get ready for our family dinner tonight. Oh, and you should come, too.”

“I wouldn’t want to intrude…”

“Oh shut up, I’ll tell them to make another plate.” Muffled words and then Sabrina came back up. “Dad and Pops said they expect to see you here.”

There was a yell in the background, her mom calling out her name and Sabrina sighed.

“Sorry, Tills. Mom needs help with something. You know how she gets before company, even when the company is family. How about I come get you in a few hours for some girl time before dinner. Boba and thrifting?”

“That sounds perfect,” I admitted. I would need more than an interrupted phone call to explain and maybe that would be enough time for me to get my feelings on it figured out.

“Can’t wait! Gotta go, bye!” she yelled out.

“Bye!” I yelled back before she had to hang up the phone. Her mom wasn’t a patient woman when she was in full prep mode.

I laughed as I slipped my phone into my back pocket. Time to get back to it and finish the planting I was doing before the panic of a heat interrupted my focus.

The moment the sunshine hit my face I tilted my head back and breathed in deep. My farm was truly my favorite place in the world. The sounds of animals, scent of wildflowers and fresh air, and the pride that I could pull it all off always settled my soul in a way nothing else could.

Spring planting wasn’t easy but I kept my flower fields and garden just big enough that I could manage. Once summer hit, local photographers would pay to come out and use my fields and farm to take photos, so I always made sure it was full and thriving.

It only took another hour before the seeds were properly planted. That also meant I had to rush to get ready because Sabrina would be pulling in any minute and my bestie was anything but patient.

After my shower, I pulled on a floral maxi skirt and a cute, cream-colored, crocheted crop top.

I’d just managed to pull on my boots when I heard the telltale sound of Sabrina’s car horn and her shouting.

“I’m here, get your cute ass out here!” Then her music turned on, the chorus of “Bounce” by System of a Down blasting loud enough the neighbors acres away could likely hear. It was a good thing my animals were used to her.