Page 205 of Giddy Up, Daddy

“What do you mean?” I thought I’d been pretty clear.

“What do I mean? You’re kidding, right? I mean there is no age limit on things that bring you joy! If you’re physically able to do it, then it doesn’t matter how old you are.”

“Well when you say it like that…” I trailed off, feeling a bit silly.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off so strong, but it's frustrating. Society tells us that if we reach a certain age, then we should just stop liking the things we like and move on? Grow up? I don’t know. It’s stupid, and one of the many reasons I appreciate the Ranch. We don’t do that here. If you’re a consenting adult, then that is the only box you have to check to live your best life here. No one here will judge you. If an eighty-seven-year-old man wanted to live out his dreams in the Littles’ Wing, then he would be allowed to do that, and he would be welcomed with open arms. That’s part of the Magic of Rawhide. The other part… well… you’ll see. I can already tell it’s fixin’ to change your life.”

I listened as Wren talked and we walked toward another barn with a big sign that read, ‘Reese’s Perfectly Imperfect Petting Zoo’. I really zeroed in on the last part of her mini rant, though.

“Change my life? How do you know that?”

Wren shrugged her shoulders. “Seen it a million times since I been here. We’ve all got our own journey to happiness, and the Rawhide Magic just helps us get there faster in ways we never even considered before. And yes, I say ‘we’, because I am included in that. So is Reese. Right, Reese?” She raised her voice so the adorable woman in the muck boots and overalls standing amongst a flock of gobbling turkeys could hear her.

Reese lifted her head and smiled and waved in our direction.

“Right what? What are we talking about?” She met us at the gate and carefully let herself out without letting any of the turkeys escape. A feat that took skill and practice, I was sure.

“Rawhide Magic.” Wren didn’t elaborate, but apparently she didn’t have to.

“Ohh yeah. That’s totally a thing. Did it get you? Reese, by the way.” She waved again. “I’d offer a hug or a handshake, but… well… I need to clean up a bit first.”

“No worries. I’m Ripley.” I waved back.

“Nice to meet you, and welcome to Rawhide, where the magic will bite you in the ass in all the best ways possible.”

Reese and Wren both giggled.

“Find Daddy!” A huge gray parrot flew over and landed on Reese’s shoulder. “Where’s Daddy?” the bird squawked.

“Daddy is in the barn, P,” Reese explained, rubbing the bird’s ruffled tummy feathers.

“Find Daddy. Go to the barn,” the bird repeated.

Reese sighed. “He sent you out here to get me, didn’t he?” Rolling her eyes, she looked toward the barn, then back at us. “Who needs a messaging service when you have an African Grey around? I have to go see what he needs, but I’ll be back in a few. Wren, your friends need to be fed if you’re so inclined.”

“We’ll take care of them.” Wren nodded as Reese hurried away.

“Friends?” I asked in confusion.

“Yeah, see?” Wren pointed to a sign that said ‘Friends not Feast’. “I rescued these turkeys from being slaughtered for Thanksgiving. There was a protest, we made signs, it was a whole thing.” She waved her hands around. “Before the petting zoo existed, they kinda just wandered, but they’re much happier now. They have a big fancy coop and everything. Also, I named them after the characters on Friends.”

She pointed to each one and told me their names. I really didn’t know how she told them apart, but the story about how they came to be at the zoo and earn their names was hilarious and endearing, and I kinda wished I could have witnessed it happening in real time.

“Stuff like that happens around here constantly. I’m kinda in an unspoken prank war with the owner’s wife… well, it's not really a war… per se… because sometimes we work together to create the chaos. That’s when the real magic happens.” Wren giggled like she was recalling memories of said ‘magic’.

“Is that the Rawhide Magic you keep talking about? Am I about to be part of some elaborate prank?”

“Well… I mean… it’s not really the kind of magic I was talking about, but now that you mention it… we could probably put our heads together to figure out how to get that man of yours to, well, Daddy up.”

“I don’t know if I like the sound of that.” I shook my head. I’d never been much of a prankster, and I didn’t really want to have to trick Cade into wanting me.

“Don’t worry. I’m a pro. We’ll come up with something.” Wren waved off my concern and continued feeding the turkeys. “Have you met Sadie yet?”

I sighed in resignation for the time being as she changed the subject.

“Briefly last night when we got in. They were on their way out for the night.”

“Any of the other Littles?”

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