Page 28 of Samuel

“Can we see them?”

He hesitated, wiping his hand on his jeans before grabbinghis hat off the ground and setting it back on his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“We don’t have to get super close. I’d just love to see them. They’ve been out grazing since I got here. I love that you let them roam the land so freely, but I’ve been dying to get my eyes on them.”

Sam ran his hand over the back of his neck. “Okay. Yeah, sure. But we’re going to stay a fair distance back from the fence. We’ll head back after we see them. I want to show you the lake we have.”

A lake? That sounded like heaven as the sun beat down on them. “Perfect.”

They worked together to clean up their small picnic. Sam insisted again on carrying her backpack, but she wasn’t about to complain. Something about the fresh air, and the distance from the office, made Sam act like a completely different person. She could see what all his friends meant when they told her he was kind, and caring.

Evie thought about peeling her socks and shoes off at the lake, taking a few minutes to cool off her feet before they went back to the barn. It would be the perfect end to her day.

“See that one right there? Off by herself in the shade of the trees?” Sam interrupted her thoughts as they neared the fence line.

“The brown one with white ears?” Evie asked.

“Yeah. She’s going to have a calf soon.”

“Really? That’s so precious.” Worry flashed in Evie’s mind. “Shouldn’t she be up in the barn, or at least close to the house in case something happens?”

“We like to let nature take its course. Truth be told, it would stress her out more being locked up with us watching over her. When we think labor might be coming on, Zeke or Derrick will come out and monitor things.”

“What’s her name?”

Sam chuckled. “She doesn’t have one.”

“She’s about to be a mom and she doesn’t even have a name? That’s not right.” Evie watched as the cow’s tail came up to swat off the flies. “I think we should name her Lemon. And her baby, when it comes, can be Lemon Drop.”

A candy name, just like she’d given her own baby. She was happy with those names. A vision of the calf sitting in bluebonnets came to her mind and she had to swallow down her laughter.

“I like those. But don’t go thinking Lemon or Lemon Drop are going to come live in the office. We can’t spoil ‘em. They’ve got a job to do here.”

“Just because they have a job to do doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to have a name.”

“You don’t name cattle, Evie. You name pets. I’m okay with it this time, as long as you understand there will come a day when we can’t keep them.”

“So, don’t fall in love with her?”

“Right.”

“And don’t fall in love with her baby?”

“Exactly.”

“Cowboy, I really hate to tell you this, but?—”

Sam laughed. The corner of his eyes crinkled and his hand went to his chest. Her heart went into overdrive. “That fast? You already fell in love with them?”

“I can’t help it,” she whined. “She’s just so cute! And then thinking about her baby. My heart…”

“I’ll let you in on a secret. She’s one of my favorites, too, and I know her calf will hold a special place in my heart.”

“Mmm,” Evie nodded.

“What?”

“You’ve got a thing for pregnant ladies. Good to know.” Evie winked and walked down the fence line a few steps, laughing at the way Sam’s mouth dropped open.

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