Page 23 of The Unbuttoned Ranger
Once he was away from the table, Piper said,“You’ll have to give the kid some freedom. He’s an explorer, I can tell.”
Biting her tongue, CaDee pushed her partially full bowl away.“Maybe now would be a good time for you to tell me what the job duties are.”
“Things are on schedule around here. Not yours or mine, but the animals rule. The cows, pigs, goats, and chickens get fed in the morning before the heat of the day. And in the evening after dinner. The boy might like to help with those chores. He seemed awfully fond of the goats. They need milked for the cheese I sell at the farmer’s market on the weekends. The grass needs mowed weekly. Fences maintained. I’ll have you do the shopping and the cooking. Keep things neat and tidy. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. It doesn’t pay much, but you get free room and board. Tomorrow morning Sharp will show you how things work around here.” She pushed back her chair and stood.
“Wait. Why Sharp? Can you show me around?”
Piper looked tired.“My ride will be here to take me to an appointment in the city. I won’t be back until late. I need my animals to be fed. Will that be a problem?”
“Not at all.” Now wouldn’t be the time to make waves.
“I’m heading upstairs to get the rollaway bed. You do the dishes.”
CaDee responded only with a nod, reminding herself that she needed the job.
After cleaning the kitchen, CaDee stepped outside with a plastic dish of stew for Milo. He ate hungrily.“I’ll get you some food, but for now roadkill stew it is.”
“Hi, Mommy!” Carsen swung on a tire swing.
“Hi, Carsen.”
Movement in the distance caught her attention. Sharp was unloading the back of his truck of fence material. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up high on his corded biceps and the front was open. His hat shaded his face. He must have sensed she was watching because he stopped and looked at her across the land. Neither waved nor acknowledged each other outside of that heated stare. He went back to unloading and she went back inside to prepare herself for the morning.
Chapter Ten
Although he had things to keep himself busy that morning, he found that he’d jumped out of bed feeling pretty damn good. He was even glad to see that CaDee wore proper foot attire. He surmised the muck boots belonged to Piper. The jeans had to be CaDee’s because they fit her perfectly. She wasn’t as skinny as he first thought.
“So where are we starting?” she asked.
“Those are chickens,” Sharp said. He received a non-humorous glare from CaDee.“Most importantly, these are the goats. They are Piper’s pride and joy. One turns up hurt or dead you might be next.” He had to turn to hide his smile because he had a feeling CaDee thought he was being serious.
“Carsen seems particularly fond of the black and white one. Does it have a name?”
“Dee”
“Really?”
“No. They’re not pets, unless you’re Piper. These are all Saanens. It’s the widest recognized milk producing goat breed.” He stepped over and opened the gate.“Ladies first.” He let her pass and caught a whiff of her scent.“You don’t want to do that.”
“Do what?” she asked.
“Wear perfumes or strong scented lotions. The animals don’t like it.”
“It’s not perfume. Piper gave me some of her homemade lotion.” She sniffed her skin. “She said it keeps the bug’s away.”
He closed and locked the gate.“First rule on a farm. Closed gates always stay closed. Open gates always stay open. Got it?”
“I think I can remember.”
The goats followed them into the barn and he showed her how to place them, five at a time, inside the milking stations. He then poured warm water and sanitizing solution into a clean bucket, grabbing up towels from the container on his way back to her. He tossed her two pairs of gloves and one towel. The latex gloves are for milking. The work gloves are for everything else. Do you need help putting them on?” he said after he watched her examine them like they were a two-headed snake.
“Where do I put the work gloves so I don’t lose them?”
“You have two back pockets for a reason.” He moved the bucket to the first goat.
“She shoved the work gloves into her pocket and pulled on the clean pair of latex gloves. “I’m ready.” She held up her gloved hands and wiggled her fingers as if she were proud of the small accomplishment.
He pulled over the stool.“It’s a simple process. You clean the udders thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly. Front to back. Not back to front. Have a seat and get comfortable. If you’re not comfy the goat won’t be. The best milk production comes from a happy goat. You start washing and I’ll get the milking machine prepared.”
