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There's a human-sized door at the back of the first kennel house and we peek inside as Clover sets Barley down on his feet. The interior has a concrete floor, but lots of natural light from windows high in the structure. There's plenty of space for a little goat to run and Barley explores the space slowly, then races around it in ever-decreasing circles that make me dizzy just to watch.
When Barley slows, Clover points him in the direction of a small doggie-door that leads out into the open-air kennel. We go out the human-size door and around to the front to watch Barley explore.
He's just as excited about the outside as the inside.
"Looks like he likes it," Jaxon says, walking up to stand next to us. "I've already ordered a doggy bed for him and I've figuredout where to get hay and food from a feed store two counties over. I figure I'll head out there today."
"Good idea," Clover says. "I've got some food in my trunk to get him started."
"Great," Jaxon says. "From what I read, goats love to climb. I want to build a playset for him, but I'm crap with building stuff. I was hoping…" He looks at me expectantly.
"Don't look at me," I say. "I failed shop class."
Clover crosses her arms over her chest and glares at both of us. "Why do you just assume the guy will be the one with building experience?"
Jaxon turns to her hopefully. "Do you know how to build?"
Clover drops her arms. "No. I was just pointing out that it's sexist."
Jaxon sighs. "Maybe between the three of us we could figure something out?"
"Happy to try, man," I say.
"You know," Clover says. "My cousin Keating will be here in a few weeks for our annual spring break family games tournament. He's amazing with construction projects. If you don't mind me letting him know—"
"Nope." Jaxon holds up his hands. "I'm already freaking out a little about you two knowing about me. I'm not interested in bringing more people into this secret."
Clover chews on her lip and my gaze and attention zeroes in. I am a starving man and she is the only sustenance I want. "You're probably right. Keating would tell his wife and then one of his six kids would probably overhear and then everyone would know." She lifts her chin. "We'll figure it out ourselves. How hard can it be?"
Jaxon grins. "I'll pick up some wood today when I'm out."
"Or old pallets," I say. "It doesn't have to be expensive or complex."
Jaxon stares at me. "I'm a rock star, Asher. My goat is going to have a playground fit for a rock star." He looks around. "Think we could connect these other kennels together so he'd have more space?"
The three of us stare at the kennels. "That's above my pay grade," Clover says. "You'd better ask someone who knows what they're doing, like Goldy's boyfriend, Henry Cooper."
Jaxon's expression dips. "I bet we could just snip some wires and zip tie things together and fix it right up."
Clover looks dubious.
"I can see it," I say. "You really just need goat-sized holes to connect them."
"Yes." Jaxon raises a hand in the air and makes devil horns. "This is going to be amazing."
"Henry's not a gossip," Clover says. "I'm sure we could trust him—"
"Nope," Jaxon says. "This will be good for me. I need a physical project to get my creative juices flowing so I can write more songs."
We stand out there for a few minutes watching Barley hop around and play in his new home. He looks thoroughly pleased with the space, until he gets bored and starts looking for a way out.
Jaxon lets him out and cuddles him in his arms for as long as Barley allows himself to be held. "You're a smart little goat aren't you," Jaxon says as he sets Barley on the ground. "You're going to keep me busy entertaining you." Jaxon looks positively ecstatic about it. He claps his hands. "How about some lunch? I've got all the fixings for just about every kind of sandwich you can imagine and three different desserts."
"I have to get back to work," I say. "But I've got a day off coming up."
"I've got a class to teach in an hour," Clover says. "I'll take a rain check too."
"Right, right," Jaxon says, his cheery smile looking more forced. "I'll get this little guy settled in. Just let me know when you're free."
