Page 57 of No Bones About It

Kimi waved, and Nina headed in her direction. She grinned when she took in the situation. Animosh, having learned from experience, stayed on the outside of the paddock. “Is Snoops wondering why this one isn’t running away?”

Kimi nodded. “I think so. He doesn’t seem to know how to react to her.”

“That’s weird. He’s used to Popcorn being in here.”

Nina stroked the tiny goat’s head. “Are you being brave for such a little one? Small but mighty. Do you like Snoops?”

The goat butted Nina’s hand for more pats and then walked toward Kimi and the donkey. Nina followed. “Did you name her yet?”

Kimi laughed. “Not my department.”

Nina grinned and walked with the goat. “She’s got that pretty reddish coat. How about Merida from the movie Brave?”

“I haven’t seen that one yet but I trust your judgment. Merida it is.”

Nina grinned and spoke to Snoops. “Hey, Snoops. Your new friend here is Merida. I think she’s going to want to hang out with you. Would you like that?”

Snoops wasn’t too sure but he didn’t back away when the goat neared.

Kimi moved closer to Merida. She and Nina knew enough to stay on the safe side of the donkey, but the goat might need a rescue.

Merida didn’t agree. She looked at the donkey and bleated. When Snoops didn’t answer, she tilted her head and bleated again.

Undeterred by the lack of reaction, she bounced right up to the donkey. For a long minute, the two studied each other. Then Snoops dropped his head.

He didn’t have the gleam he usually had when about to nip someone, but she and Nina tensed anyway.

When Merida didn’t back away, Snoops lightly butted his head against her.

Nina laughed. “He likes her.”

Kimi nodded. It was a definite sign of affection from the Snoops. “Okay. I guess we can leave her here without worries.”

As they approached the barn, Animosh rejoined them, and Nina lowered her voice. “Can I help you with the setup?”

Kimi nodded. “Garrett is working with the horses in the backfield today. That should keep him busy until showtime.”

Fiona brought in the deliveries from her and Ginny. Rachel and Owen Kerins arrived with their new puppy, Flups.

Nina bounced. “Dad’s bringing Garrett and Olaf over. He said everyone else is pulling in now.”

Sure enough, her office was full when Heath walked in with Garrett. His eyebrows shot up when he saw the crowd. His gaze locked on her as the crowd shouted, “Happy Gotcha Day!”

With not a hint of sadness in his eyes, Garrett crouched down and patted Olaf’s head. The pit bull had stopped at the cheer but wasn’t afraid. He knew these people, and knew nothing bad would happen to him while Garrett was at his side.

Happy tears misted her eyes. Again. Before Garrett had arrived in town, she wasn’t sure she’d shed a single tear, happy or otherwise, in years. Maybe decades. Now, she was constantly battling to contain her emotions.

Of course, Garrett knew. He appeared and swept her into a hug. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Always.” Which was true. His arrival had changed her world. Changed her. All for the better.

He chuckled in her ear. “Me, too.”

Owen’s excited voice had them turning. “Hey, Flups. It’s your Gotcha Day. We’re going to get our picture taken. And we’re going to be on the Gotcha Wall Of Fame. We’re going to be famous.”

Chuckles rumbled through the room but no one disabused the boy of his concept of fame.

Kimi set up Owen and Flups on the stool beneath the Gotcha Day sign and snapped a few pictures. The boy and his dog were adorable, and she hoped the photos captured the joy.

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