Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“You’re sure it doesn’t hurt them?” Nell sat on a camp chair ten feet away from them, her hand on her belly.
She looked like she probably should have had that kid a couple of weeks ago, but everyone swore she still had some time.
What would Brooke look like? Did she want kids? How many? They would be lovely, like their momma.
He would love them. Whether they were biologically his or not, he would be their dad and he would never, ever leave them or make them think for a moment they weren’t loved and welcome. He would never treat them like trash someone left behind.
Yeah, he had some issues to work out.
“It doesn’t bother them at all,” Noah replied. “But then it didn’t bother Poppy either, did it, big girl? Doc Caleb said you were a champ.”
Poppy stood with her father, petting the goats. She’d been calm and patient with all of them, and even the nastiest of the group seemed to chill out around the girl.
Maybe she could talk to them. He could believe it. After all, it was Bliss, and weird shit happened here.
“It hurt, but the doctor told me it was like a little sting. It was a big sting,” Poppy replied and wound her arms around the goat’s neck as though she could protect him.
Nell stood and made her way to Poppy, putting a hand on her child but looking Noah’s way. “Are you sure this is necessary? I’ve been thinking about vaccines…”
Henry cleared his throat, and his gaze narrowed.
Nell sighed. “I do believe in science, but is it necessary since the goats are all adults? How can we know they need this?”
“Because all goats need to be vaccinated for tetanus and Clostridium,” Noah said as he handed Henry the syringe. “It’s safe, Nell. I know you don’t like to think about putting chemicals into the animals, but there’s a reason we no longer lose whole herds. It’s not going to hurt him. It’s going to ensure he has a good long life.”
“But what if he’s already had it?” Nell asked with uncertainty.
Shane held the goat as Henry carefully cleaned the spot he was going to use the needle on. “Ma’am, these goats were all neglected. The owner didn’t feed them. I seriously doubt they kept to a careful vaccination schedule. They didn’t love these goats like you obviously love Poppy there.”
Nell’s eyes filled with tears, and he worried he’d said something wrong. Then she nodded and leaned over. “What did you say the dosage was, Noah?”
Noah started talking to her while Henry expertly filled the syringe. Poppy and her mom were suddenly invested in the lesson, while Henry got on with the job.
“Thank you.” Henry pinched the skin and slid the needle in, administering the dose. The goat barely moved. “That was exactly the right thing to say to her. My wife is a loving woman, and sometimes she worries she’s doing it wrong. Sometimes she needs to be reminded that love is the most important part, and she does that spectacularly.”
“She’s a kind woman.” From what he could tell Nell tried to help everyone she could.
“She is.” Henry petted the goat and nodded at Shane to let him go. The little thing happily ran into the meadow. “Brooke seems to be settling in at the G. I saw her yesterday with Beth and the kids.”
The Flanders family was spending a lot of time out at the G while they were setting up their sanctuary. “She seems to like it, but it’s only temporary. She’s looking for a new job.”
It was a lie, but one he kind of needed to tell himself. She wasn’t looking, from what he could tell. For days she’d seemed perfectly happy to go to the theater and work with Cleo and her group and come home and work a bit more before she started dinner. She read while they cleaned the kitchen, and then they went to bed. For hours.
It was heaven.
It wasn’t going to last.
“Do you think so?” Henry mused as he looked over to where Noah was showing Nell how to measure the dosage.
“I mean she’s not going to stay. She needs to work, and the theater is only open in the summer. Besides, I can’t see her staying. Sometimes I wonder how she grew up in this place.”
Henry looked at him, the glasses making the man seem very intellectual. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. She’s very…what’s the word…chic. I see her in fancy hotels. Not here.”
Henry seemed to think about that. “Are you sure you’re seeing the real her? Because I assure you Brooke Harper has vaccinated some horses in her time. She used to work the farm on her summers off and on the weekends. I know she worked the sheriff’s dispatch when she was younger and Callie needed time off. She’s also taken her turn on alien watches and worked many festivals with me and Nell, selling organic cider and crafts. You think she doesn’t fit in here?”