Page 102 of Giddy Up, Daddy

By the time she’d visited every stall, the vibe in the barn was more relaxed. Some of the heads had started to droop as they drifted toward sleep. Charlie stopped at the office and turned the radio on. Slow, old tunes trickled through the speakers and would help to keep the horses calm if there was any more noise outside.

She made one more circuit of the stalls, and then ducked out the door quietly and headed around the side. When she got close, she could hear Sam and Nick talking and her name came up. Feeling nosey, she stopped to listen.

“Yeah, we sorted it out. I think you were right, and I was overthinking everything,” Sam said.

“See? Told you.” Nick laughed. “My recipe for marriage success: talk things out, blister her ass as needed, add plenty of hot sex and you’re good to go.”

Charlie rolled her eyes and wondered what Katie would have to say about Nick dispensing marital advice. Though, from what she’d seen, they did have a pretty perfect marriage, so maybe Nickdidknow what he was talking about.

“Well, I took care of all that. And then we were enjoying a nice deep sleep when suddenly my foreman called, ranting some insanity about armored cows.” Sam sounded more amused than irritated.

“Well? How the fuck would you describe it?”

There was silence. Sam laughed. “Probably about the same. It sure fits. Battle Bessy the Armored Cow.” Then after another pause. “Fuck. What a way to start the day, huh?”

“Tell me about it. Appreciate the coffee though. I didn’t take time to do more than throw on clothes. Wasn’t sure what the hell was going on at the time.”

“Had a feeling we’d need it.” Then in a louder tone, “Hey, Charlie, you going to stand there eavesdropping, or come get some of this coffee?” Sam called.

She jerked, startled as a sudden heat rushed to her cheeks.Oops, caught in the act. “I’m not eavesdropping.” She lied. “I just finished settling the horses.” She picked up her steps and hurried to join them.

“Uh-huh.” Nick chuckled. “Your fault, Boss. Can’t mention a lady’s name and not expect her to get nosey, Sam.”

Before Sam could say anything, Charlie decided to change the subject. She held up the bucket she’d brought from the barn. “I have an idea.”

Nick tilted his head. “Ain’t those the winter horse treats you made?”

“Yep. Big help getting everyone settled inside, which made me wonder… if maybe a bribe might get ‘Bessy’ to stay still while you get her loose.”

Sam and Nick exchanged looks. Beef cattle didn’t get a lot of treats, but they weren’t immune to the concept of bribery. “It can’t hurt,” Sam said, as he passed Charlie the steaming thermos lid, filled with hot sweet coffee. “You’re shivering. Drink this.”

She hadn’t noticed, but she set the bucket down and took the coffee gratefully. The heat in the metal cup soaked in through her gloves. The barn had been warm, stepping back out into the cold had somehow made it feel more bitter. “Thanks.”

The coffee revitalized them all and once it was gone, they surrounded the cow. Charlie stationed herself at the front with the bucket of treats. “Hey there, pretty girl. Hungry?” She used the same crooning voice that worked so well with the horses.

It didn’t have the same calming effect. The cows were less socialized, but once this one got a whiff of the food, she perked right up, and immediately snuffled at Charlie’s hand for a taste. The first one was a freebie.

The second came at a cost. As soon as she was lipping at the ball of sweet oats, Sam caught her around the neck. “Got her.”

It quickly became clear that he’d been overly optimistic. The cow bucked and yanked out of his grip. The metal feeder hit a fence post with a clang that rang in the early morning silence. It startled the penned cattle, and they all raced to the other side of the corral. Inside the barn there were several horsey squeals of outrage.

Nick hissed and shook out his hand. It had taken a hit from the swinging metal. “Let’s try that again, Boss, and this timeactuallyhold onto her.” The suggestion came through gritted teeth and Sam winced.

“Sorry, she’s slippery,” he said, by way of apology.

“It’s okay, girl. Look, here’s another sweet for you. You want this, don’t you?” Charlie held her palm flat while offering more oats.

The cow was suspicious now. It took more coaxing in that calm, gentle voice, before she was willing to stretch out her neck to reach the treat. This time she snatched it and tried to pull back, instead of lipping at it—but she wasn’t fast enough.

Sam threw both arms around her neck and held her head in place while Nick wrestled with the bars, but even with that help it seemed impossible. There was a lot more noise, and frustrated cursing from both men just added to it.

“Okay stop. I’ve got an idea.” She’d been watching the cow, and how she deliberately seemed to twist in the wrong direction every time they tried to get her loose. “Sam, Let go of her and grab the bars instead.”

Nick’s eyebrows shot up. He was already holding the feeder though, so he just shrugged and moved over to make room for Sam.

“Like this?” Sam asked. He didn’t sound confident about whatever she was planning, but it was clear he’d try anything at this point.

She shook her head. “Hold the front side up so it’s not balancing on her neck. So it’s loose in the air.”

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