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She got ready for bed in a few minutes, and once she hit the mattress, she was asleep almost immediately.
A rooster’s crowing woke her the next morning, and she bolted upright when she heard the noise. Realized immediately that it was Maurice, and flopped back onto the bed. The crowing went on for way too long, and finally she dragged herself out of bed and headed into the bathroom.
When she’d showered and dressed, she headed downstairs. There were no lights on, and no signs of Cody. Huh. How could he sleep through the racket that rooster made?
She found the coffee and started a pot. Then she searched the cupboards until she found peanut butter and bread, toasted the bread, then spread a thick layer of peanut butter over it. She ran upstairs for her computer, then opened it on the table as she ate breakfast.
Shelley had sent her Janet’s files from her meeting with David Streuven, and Sierra read them over. Made some notes, then forwarded them to Alex.
She read her emails, and replied when necessary. By the time she heard Cody’s feet on the stairs, she’d finished eating, closed her computer and poured herself a second cup of coffee.
He stopped when he saw her in the kitchen. “Why’d you get up so early?”
“Your pet rooster woke me up. And he wouldn’t shut up, so I couldn’t go back to sleep.” She smiled at him. “I understand now why he’s your sworn enemy.”
“I’mhissworn enemy,” Cody said, pouring himself a cup of coffee and sliding onto a chair. “He hasn’t liked me from the first time I tried to feed the chickens. Laila told me I needed to sweet-talk him. But I don’t waste sweet talk on nasty, smelly roosters.”
“Clearly, he senses your attitude,” Sierra said, struggling to suppress her laugh. “Maybe I should feed the chickens today. I’ll give Maurice some love.”
“You’re not getting anywhere near that bird,” Cody said. “I’m supposed to protect you, remember? I would be failing as your bodyguard if I let you go into that chicken enclosure.”
“Fine. I’ll just watch you battle him.”
“Feeding the pigs will be your job. That’s a lot safer.”
“Got it.” She watched as Cody grabbed some yogurt and almonds. Cut up some strawberries and mixed it all together in a bowl. He checked his phone as he ate it, then rinsed out his bowl and put it in the dishwasher. Then he turned to her.
“You want to feed the animals and get the chores done early? Then you’ll have the day to work.”
“Sounds good,” she said. She reached for her running shoes, but Cody shook his head. “Don’t wear those. Laila’s boots will probably fit you. They’re at the back door. There’ll be some mud around the pig sty. That’s why we wear boots when taking care of the animals.”
“Okay.” She put on the same tan jacket she’d worn the previous night and found a tall pair of green boots by the back door. A little small, but they’d be fine for a short time.
Cody walked her to the barn and showed her where the pig food was. The pellets were in a big bag, with a scoop inside. “They get four scoops. Try to spread it evenly over the entire trough so they all have access. You can pour it into the trough from the back of the sty.”
“Easy enough,” she said, nodding. “I can handle this.”
“Good. I’ll give the cows some hay, then I’ll take care of the chickens.”
He disappeared into the barn, and Sierra filled the scoop with the pellets. She poured it into the trough, and the pigs all rushed over. “Hey, guys, there’s more coming. Cool your jets.”
The pigs stared at her for a moment, then went back to jostling for a place at the trough.
She delivered two more scoops, then went back for the fourth. But she couldn’t quite reach around the post at the end of the trough, so she hurried around to the front of the pen. She unlatched the gate, being careful to close it and latch it behind her. Then she began walking through the pigs to get to the trough.
She was almost there when she heard Cody yell. “Sierra! Out of that sty! Now!”
She turned to see where he was and stumbled over one of the pigs who’d come up behind her. Cody threw himself over the fence. He snatched her up and tossed her out of the sty, then vaulted over the fence.
She’d stumbled when she landed, and as she steadied herself, she stared at Cody. What was wrong with him?
“What the hell, Baker?” He grabbed her shoulders. Scanned her carefully. “What were you doing in that fucking pen? I told you to feed them from outside. What were you thinking? Do you have a death wish?”
Chapter 7
Cody took a deep breath. Another. He stared at Sierra’s puzzled expression and realized he was gripping her upper arms hard enough to leave bruises.
Smoothing his hands down her arms, trying to soothe the places he’d bruised, he let her go and shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her again. Counted to ten. Finally, when he could speak without completely losing his shit, he asked, “Why did you go into the pen?”
