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Betty. Iris. Gladys. Ethel. Leona.
Some of them look so similar, I’m not sure how he can tell the difference, but I was able to tell between our emus, so I know it comes with knowing them well.
And the goats that run over to greet us are Jupiter and Moonbeam, but Irene stands guard near Callum, not wanting to share him. He tells her to be nice again and she looks up at him likedo I have to?
“Yes, I’m talking to you,” he says, and I laugh because he reminds me of myself communicating with my emus.
I feel a pang of homesickness, not for Utah, but for all the sweet birds I left behind. Mom and Dad had been threatening to sell the farm for a long time, and I’d been resisting them…I hadn’t dreamed they’d sell the land along with it.
“They’re beautiful,” I say softly. “And spectacular names.”
He chuckles and there must be ear pheromones too because hearing his laugh does this weird thing to my insides.
“If you want to introduce Dolly to them, I’d start with Irene and then Delphine,” he says. “I can be there for it, and once they check her out, they should be fine with her out of the stall…as long as she’s okay withthem.”
“Oh, you don’t mind her being out of her stall? I can take her outside the gate, if that’s better. She sticks close to me when she’s out of her element.”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with,” he says. “If she’s going to be here for the day, she may as well get a good run in.”
I’m glad he’s so open to having an emu around even if only for the day, but all I can think about now is what are we going to do about tonight? And tomorrow?
I should’ve thought all of this through more carefully before setting off across the country without a plan. My life has completely turned upside down in the span of a day.
CHAPTER SIX
FAMILY MATTERS
CALLUM
I’ve seen Ruby flinch several times this morning and that fall in the snow couldn’t have been great with her landing on the burns, but when I’ve asked if she’s okay, she acts like it’s no big deal. If I hadn’t seen the pain on her face more than once today, I’d assume she’s fine.
Wyatt calls as we’re going to Dolly’s stall, and I excuse myself and point Ruby toward the direction she needs to go. “Let me know when you want me to bringDelphine and Irene in.”
“Okay, I’ll just feed Dolly and spend some time with her first.”
I nod and answer the call. “Wyatt.”
“Didn’t anyone ever teach you to say hello?”
“It’s unnecessary.”
“To you maybe. But it always feels a little ominous to hear my name barked at me when I’m expecting a hello.”
“I don’t bark.”
“Uh, check again, brother.”
“What do you want?” I groan.
“Emma asked me about yourfriendthis morning and I told her you don’t have friends.”
“Har-har.”
He laughs and I absentmindedly pet Irene. We already talked about his engagement last night when I checked in with him, but I still feel bad that I missed most of the party.
“Any wedding dates I should know about?”
“Nah, still basking in the glow. Honestly, I’m just relieved she said yes.” He laughs again and it’s still surreal to hear him so happy. The guy fell hard when he met Marlow and her little girl Dakota. “If I can talk her into marrying me tomorrow, I’ll let you know, but I have a feeling she’s leaning toward something a little farther out.”
