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“Nope. Last time was… let me see”—Drew placed a finger to her chin, pretending to think—“ten days ago.”
Maisie swallowed, looking like she might be sick.
Drew wagged a finger at her, snickering. There was nothing funnier than a person who had no experience with country living. They would fall for anything.
Maisie stuck out her tongue. “Don’t be a jerk.”
“Ranch humor. You’ll get the hang of it.” Drew plucked at the black hoodie she was wearing. “As for the clothes, the reason I wear the same thing every day is cows aren’t so great at seeing faces, but they recognize colors and scents. They know I’m the black hoodie lady, the one who brings them hay all winter. When you come along with me wearing the same thing and having a scent they trust, they’ll be less likely to feel threatened.”
“What about coats?”
“The hoodie’s fleece-lined, and I wear layers underneath. I hardly ever need anything else unless it’s really cold or snowing. But it’s supposed to be fifty-six out today, nice for late March.”
“They won’t trample me?” Maisie still seemed uncertain.
“Not if you listen and follow directions.”
“Aye, aye, Space Captain.” Maisie saluted her.
“Pretty sure you’re mixing pirates with astronauts.”
Maisie shrugged in reply.
“Hey!” Drew exclaimed, reacting to the obvious double standard at play. “How come you can shrug to communicate, but I can’t?”
“It’s a cruel world.”
Drew rolled her eyes but thought to herself with a fair amount of pleasure that Maisie was already a natural at the other staple of ranch communication: sarcasm.
“Oh, one more thing. I found you some boots.” Drew added the brown work boots to the hoodie in Maisie’s arms. “They’re a pair Hannah outgrew. Hopefully, they fit.”
Maisie inspected the plain tan waterproof boots. “They look like the right size, although I’ll admit I was hoping for some fancy cowboy ones.”
“You’ll change your mind after you step in a few cow patties.”
“When did your sister outgrow these, anyway? She’s almost as tall as you are.”
Drew frowned at this observation. Had Hannah really grown so much? It seemed like just yesterday the kid was Maisie’s size, although it had probably been closer to two years ago.
“I think those were from third grade, just right for you,” Drew teased. “Ranch rule number one: let no opportunity to poke fun at someone go by untaken.”
“Filing that rule away for later,” Maisie promised, tapping the side of her head with a finger.
“You ready?” Drew asked once Maisie had put on the hoodie and boots. “Let’s get started with this tour you’re so keen on so I can get back to work before the sun goes down.”
Maisie didn’t bother to respond to Drew’s over-the-top grumpiness with more than a slight eye roll, proving yet again how quickly she was settling into the rhythm of life on the ranch. From all the click-clacking that came from the woman’s bedroom at all hours, it seemed her online research into the cattle industry was progressing nicely. It had started to feel like the woman belonged on the Lazy C, a little too much at times. Drew had nearly forgotten it had been less than a week since Maisie’s arrival. While she wouldn’t admit it outright, she felt bad this was the first chance she’d had to show Maisie around.
Actually, it was more that she felt excited for the opportunity to share the ranch with Maisie now. More excited than was proper. It was almost like Drew craved the admiration Maisie was sure to offer.
It’s not like that at all,Drew told herself. She decided to take the assertion at face value, even though she didn’t have a shred of evidence to support the claim.
Outside, they headed toward the main barn where several fat black cats and one scrawny orange tabby came rushing to meet them.
“How adorable!” Maisie immediately knelt down and made kissing noises to draw the cats to her, with mixed results.
“They’re not house cats, and they don’t want much attention, but this is their feeding time. Even the nastiest of barn cats comes out for wet food.” Drew opened a couple of tins. The cats were digging in before the food hit the ground.
Maisie wore a look of concern. “Don’t you put the food in a bowl?”
