Page 72 of Salty Pickle

Court pauses in the open door, looking outrageously gorgeous in nothing but loose gray shorts and a plain white T-shirt. His hair is tousled, and his beard isn’t smoothed. “She looked too forlorn out there.”

I force myself not to stare at him. “Did she poop everywhere?”

“Only twice. Luckily, it’s all tile inside.”

It’s true. It’s easy to clean. “I’ll get it.”

“Already done.” He passes me a small plate of toast spread with butter. “I was going to do goat cheese, but then I read pregnant women can’t eat unpasteurized cheese.”

I take the plate. “You were reading up?”

He shrugs. “Casual curiosity.”

“Was it?” I take a bite of toast, lifting it high to keep Matilda out of it. I don’t realize how hungry I am until I’ve gobbled the entire piece.

“Do you eat your own goat cheese?” he asks. “Like you know it’s safe, so you eat it?”

“I did before I came to New York. Matilda wasn’t around other livestock, and it was reasonable that she didn’t have listeriosis, which is what they’re worried about. But since we traveled, and then she got penned with other goats, I’ve stopped.”

“Do they make safe goat cheese? Do you miss it?”

“It’s fine. I can wait another month.”

He takes the empty plate from me. “I’ll make more. There’s some cheddar in there. Hard cheese is okay, the docs say. You want that?”

I nod. “And some fruit?”

“You got it. Do you drink coffee, or is that bad? I didn’t see it listed specifically.”

“That’s a moderation thing, but I don’t drink it. I’m more about tea.”

“Tea. Do I have any tea?”

I laugh. “Yes, you have chamomile and Earl Grey in your pantry, on the right.”

“You already know this place better than I do.” He takes off down the hall.

I hold Matilda’s cheeks and kiss her nose. “What’s up with him? Is it opposite day? Salty becomes sweet?”

Matilda licks my chin in response. Only when I rub her ears do I realize there’s something tied around her neck.

It’s a ribbon. I pull on it, and it comes undone, the bow unlacing in my hands.

The ribbon slides through the partially sealed flap of an envelope. I pull it apart, and the ribbon falls free.

Matilda noses it, ready to chomp. I tug it away. “Let’s not eat that.”

I pull out two plastic passes. I flip one over.

FARM EXPO VIP

ENTRANCE TO ALL EXHIBITS AND PRIVATE SHOWINGS

What?

I try to jump to my feet, but my belly has other ideas. I wrestle myself to standing by using the bedpost.

I hurry to the kitchen, where Court is examining an electric teakettle.

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