Vrokjan and Jessica’s absence is felt by all of us as we go through the motions of giving blessing to the Celestials for the food and settling down to eat. I put the bowl of food in front of her, and for a moment, I’m tempted to slide a piece of fish over to her, a treat for everything she’s gone through.
Not with all these eyes watching. Besides, come breakfast tomorrow morning, they’ll know. With Vrokjan out of commission, I’m in charge. It wouldn’t look well to abuse my power. And that’s not saying what the government will do. Probably imprisonment for me and shipping Fiona back to Earth.
Definitely not ideal. It also doesn’t help knowing that me offering some fish is just my way of trying desperately to make things good between us again, to somehow lessen the gulf. It’s no use. She’ll just have to warm back up to me, I suppose.
Hunching down over my meal, we all eat in silence. For the first time in several years, there are no jokes flying across the table, no ribald retellings of tales from the milking barns. Nothing. The only sound is that of chewing. Even Fiona makes quick work with her greens and sits up, waiting for further instructions.
“You may be excused. Remove your tail and get some sleep.”
“Yes, Master.”
With a lithe, graceful air, she rises and leaves the room, drawing jealous, lustful gazes from some of the Ranch Hands. If they only knew. What they think they’re seeing is a cow in complete submission to her Master. But I know better. That’s not Fiona. That’s not my fiery little Highland.
Morning breakfast is another somber affair as I hook Fiona up to the tubes so the men can enjoy their morning meals. This time, I don’t even try to give her an orgasm as they fill up their bowls and greedily dig into their food. She lies there, allowing all of this to happen without a fuss, but I know she’s not in it. Her mind is somewhere far away.
Instead, I go through the motions of checking in with the Ranch Hands about production and numbers, which planets we’re shipping to and when. For the first time in about a day, Fiona seems to perk up. Her eyes dart back and forth as information flies across the table.
Such an odd reaction. But then, as she’s so succinctly put several times, I just don’t understand. Perhaps it’s the animation with which they relay things. Either way, she seems a bit more like herself. Maybe I just need to get her back into a normal routine.
Glancing out the large windows, I note how overcast the skies look. It doesn’t seem like rain. Not for a bit, at least. It would do Fiona some good to get out in the air and talk with the other cows. Determined to get her happy once more, I dismiss the men and help her off the table so she can eat.
After, I dress her up in all the strappings of a cow and lead her outside. “Now then, go make friends with some of the other heifers. Enjoy the beautiful day. I’ll collect you at lunch and check in on you.”
“Yes, Master,” she intones, the same sullen note back into her voice.
Hopefully, that will all soon change. Shooing her out to mix with the others, I watch, seeing if she’ll obey me. After a few moments, she settles down with a group of cows who have served us for many years. Though I can’t hear her, I see her lips moving.
“Good girl,” I whisper, even though I know she can’t hear me.
With her settled, I set out to attend to the chores. It’s something to take my mind off of her. Being out here is good for both of us.
After about a few hours of toiling in the suns, Vrokjan strides up to me, his face gaping wide with a smile. My heart pounds in my chest as he comes near. This isn’t the look of a man who’s just lost his most prized possession.
“How goes it, boss?” I hedge, unease dripping down my spine.
“First off, I apologize for leaving you to do all the work. It was a stressful chunk of time.”
“Don’t worry about it. You trained me for this very reason. But... you look happy. I don’t understand.”
“Nagán found a way to keep Jessica here. She won’t be milked like the rest of the herd, but she’ll produce enough to be my own personal cow.”
I nearly drop as relief soars through me. “Fiona will be so relieved. My pet was rather distraught at the idea of losing her best friend.”
“Trust me, my little Jessica wants to connect back up with her. But for now, I’m keeping her in my room until I know she’s strong enough to be with the rest of the cows.” For a moment, he pauses and runs his hand over his mouth. “You do realize Fiona will be the only one feeding the men, then. Does that bother you?”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “They’re not drinking straight from her tits. So no. It doesn’t bother me. I’ll be honored to keep the men of our household fed.”
Vrokjan slaps me on the shoulder. “Good man. Now then, it’s nearly lunchtime. I suppose you’d like to tell Fiona the good news?”
If this doesn’t perk her up, then I don’t know what will. Grinning from ear to ear, I head back to the barns where I last left her. Glancing about, I notice she’s not there. Again, I look over the herd, searching out that bright, coppery mane of hers, but not seeing it.
Fear crawls up my spine, nearly freezing me as I stride over to the group. Their hushed conversations stop the moment I draw near.
“You, Becky. Where is Fiona?” Her eyes widen as she looks about, her lips curling in. Resisting the urge to shout at the heifer, I sigh and shake my head. “You have permission to speak. Where is Fiona?”
“F- forgive me, Master Rancher. I cannot say. She mentioned needing some space to think. She should be back soon, though. She hasn’t had anything to drink for a while.”
I nod, giving them a show of strength, but inside, I quiver. As I scan the horizon, I see no sign of her or any cow, for that matter. How could she have gotten so far on just her hands and knees? Following the fence line, I take off into a run.