Page 17 of Not Just Gal Pals

“I’ll throw in some free cinnamon donuts and hot cider,” I offered, a pleading edge to my voice.

“Will you throw in an apple fritter as well?” Jenny asked, grinning.

The twins started to throw rotting apples at each other, screaming with laughter. Walter sensibly took shelter behind a hay bale.

“Oh no!” I sprinted over to stop them, pulling them away from the apples and coming back a minute later with a twin in each hand, out of breath and slightly desperate. “I’ll buy you all the damn apple fritters you can eat.”

Jenny looked at me, her eyes twinkling, and my heart bounced. “It’s a deal.”

Thank god. “So, what’s the next photoshoot location on the list? We’ve only run around the pumpkin patch shrieking so far, so we’re happy to follow your itinerary.”

“Well, I was thinking the hayride, the corn maze or—”

“Ponies, ponies, ponies,” Liam began chanting, and Ava joined in, tugging at the bottom of my flannel top. “You promised us ponies, Auntie Blake.”

I leaned toward Jenny and lowered my voice. “Sorry, I did say we could do a pony ride. Do you mind if we go there first to get it out of their system?”

“It does seem easier to concede to the demands of these little tyrants, rather than deny them ponies,” Jenny whispered, smiling. “But first, I might just quickly change, if that’s okay.” I looked at her, confused.

“I brought a few changes of clothes, so it didn’t look like I took all the footage on the same day,” Jenny explained before running into the barn with her backpack, emerging a minute later, her miniskirt replaced with jeans and brown boots.

I clapped my hands. “Okay, kiddos, let’s go see some ponies!”

Ave and Liam sprinted to the petting zoo, Jenny and I breaking into a slow jog to keep up with them. Dogs weren’t allowed in, so Jenny tied Walter to a post next to a water bowl and then joined us inside.

Once I’d handed over some cash, the kids were given helmets with cowboy hats stuck on them, lifted onto the ponies, and walked around in a circle. Five laps of the yard later, the twins’ feet were back on the ground. But then some baby goats caught their attention, and they rushed over to them squealing.

“Sorry, we’ll get to your photos soon, I swear,” I said, looking at Jenny apologetically. “And the donuts and cider too. I haven’t forgotten the terms of our pact.”

“And fritters. Don’t forget about all those damn fritters,” Jenny said, teasing. “But seriously, no rush. They seem to be having a great time.” She gestured at the twins, who were now cuddling rabbits, one of whom kept trying to climb on Ava’s head, causing her to scream with laughter.

A farm employee, a young woman in baggy jeans and a warm wool sweater, crouched down next to Ava. “For some reason, Donna always likes to climb on people’s heads.”

“Maybe ‘cause she can see lots from up there,” Ava hypothesized. Liam nodded solemnly in agreement.

I elbowed Jenny and nodded my head toward Ava and Donna. “That could be a good photo.”

“What?” She looked at me, confused.

“You and Donna…sitting on your head.” Before Jenny had a chance to process my suggestion, I turned to the woman next to Ava and gestured at Jenny. “Do you think Donna would sit on my friend’s head for a photo?”

“I’m sure Donna would like nothing better. Just sit down here, and we’ll get her set up.” She pointed to the ground.

“I’m not sure about . . .” Jenny started to protest, but I put a firm hand on her back and steered her toward Donna, taking her phone out of her hand.

Jenny reluctantly sat cross-legged on the dirt and examined Donna closely. She was white and fluffy with long, floppy ears. Jenny gave her a tentative pat. “She’s very cute, but are you sure she likes this? And how sharp are her claws?”

“They’re paws, not claws. And don’t worry, we keep her nails well-trimmed, and she loves it, I’m telling you. Now, if you just sit still, I’ll arrange Donna,” the farm employee said very matter-of-factly, placing Donna’s back feet on her shoulders and gently positioning the rest of her over Jenny’s head, Donna’s front paws on Jenny’s forehead.

“There you go, Donna!” The farm employee looked at us with satisfaction, while Ava and Liam clapped their hands in delight. Donna did look surprisingly relaxed lying on Jenny’s head.

I cleared my throat, trying not to laugh. I bit back an inappropriate joke about face-sitting. “Okay, Jenny, look up at me!”

Jenny plastered a smile on her face and carefully looked up at me, clearly concerned any sudden movement might dislodge Donna. Her smile faltered. “Does…errr…does Donna pee or poop much?”

I snorted, and the farm employee smiled. “You’d be very unlucky if she decided to go while she was sitting on you. And her poops are small and round, so they’d just roll down your back.”

The farm employee’s response clearly didn’t fill Jenny with confidence as her smile transformed into a wide-eyed grimace, but Ava and Liam were very taken by the idea and began chanting, “Poop, poop, poop.”