One of the cows even mooed as they approached. Tilly flapped her hands. “Are they saying hi?”
Nora waved to them. “I think so?”
“Yeah!” Tilly ran to the fence’s side. “Hi cows!”
Dust and the sharp smell of manure was in the air. The cows were not the only ones waiting. Once they entered the front gate, Tatertot was right inside, his white and orange fur sprawled on a nest of towels.
“Are you in charge?” Anna scratched under his white chin. “Is this your spot now?”
Tatertot purred louder. It seemed right. Nora had the barn. Anna had the warehouse. And Tatertot had enough of an ego to claim the entire milking barn. The cat leaned into her touch as she kept rubbing, scratching all the way under his chin. “You are happier here too, huh.”
Tilly jumped on the concrete. “Cows, cows, cows!”
“They’ve been waiting for you.” Anna rested her aching head against the cool siding. “Is Simon going to join us? I thought he was already here?”
Nora switched out her shoes for rubber boots she’d found in a storage shed. “There’s a cow about to give birth in another field. He went to go look and help.”
The storm had blown itself out over the night, leaving puddles and a heavy atmosphere in its wake. The cloudy skies matched her mood. Anna pushed on her side and grumbled. “Lucky cow. I’m ready now. Once the baby is out I can help more.”
The boots Nora put on left prints in the mud. “These boots fit just right.”
Anna nodded, her aching head still pressed on the siding.
“Hmm.” Nora put her hands on her hips. “You’re in the dumps this morning, huh?”
“Oh.” Immediately Anna pushed from the wall, forcing a smile. “I’m trying not to be.”
“Did you talk with Atlas? Tell him what’s happening?”
“Yes.”
Nora made exaggerated steps toward her. “Andddd?”
“He wanted to rush in and be a hero.” Anna said. “But I told him no.”
“. . . So he isn’t going to do anything?”
“He is going to talk with everyone.” Anna made slow, careful circles on her temple with her fingers. “How did dinner go?”
Nora sighed. “Well, I also tried talking with everyone last night.”
“What did they say?”
She stomped down hard on her rubber soles. “Nothing! They just listened and Stella passed the peas.”
Anna stopped rubbing. She could feel the edge of irritation, but instead closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “Well. That’s a shame.”
“That’s it?” Nora frowned. “That’s a shame?”
“I can’t get upset about it, Nora. The androids don’t care as long as they get their data.” She shook herself. “Nevermind. We still got the better deal. Anyway, look at those cows waiting. Let’s go get them in.”
“But, Anna!”
Anna joined Tilly at the milking barn doors. Tilly already had a tote bag filled with brushes and combs by her side, and her feet were already covered in mud. She picked up a brush. “You have the magic touch, Tilly. The cows like you.”
“Yeah! I think they like that they all got names now.” Tilly scratched under one’s chin. “Don’t you, Buttercup?”
Anna also scratched under the cow’s chin as she leashed the first one up. She looked up to see Nora, hands on her hips, still scowling. “Don’t be mad, please. It helps when I keep busy, okay Nora?”
