Page 9 of Take My Name
“Thanks, Warren. I owe ya!”
“Mhm,” I murmur.
Once he vacates my office, I finish my work and then check in with Bodie.
“Almost done?” I ask, noticing he’s cleaning out the grooming stall.
We muck the stalls every morning, so it’s rare he has to do it again in the evenings.
“Blythe took a shit right as I was cleaning her back hooves and got it all down my back and in my hair.”
It’s then I realize he’s shirtless.
“Well…shit.” I cough through a laugh, unable to hold back. “I mean, that sucks.”
“Yeah…it fuckin’ does. I had a date tonight, but instead, I’ll be showerin’ horseshit outta my pores for three hours.”
“I’m sure it ain’t that bad.”
“Come closer and smell for yourself,” he bites out. “Nicky nearly threw up when he came to help me and said I should soak in vinegar. Pretty sure that’ll have my date runnin’ for the hills.”
“Coulda been worse.” I shrug, walking toward the exit. “Coulda gotten it in your mouth!”
“That’s very reassurin’!” he calls out.
I walk backward as I shout, “Try baby shampoo!”
“Seriously?”
“Yep! There should be some travel bottles in the stock room.”
We store everything needed for the resort at The Branch Haven where the guests check in. The staff grab what they need and restock after check-out.
“Thanks!”
I wave, heading toward my truck.
It’s only a ten-minute drive to my house. Mostly because I have to drive slowly through the ranch and up into the mountains where I built my A-frame cabin, but the view from my deck is well worth it. Even better is the peace and quiet.
When I park and get out, I head toward my chickens. They cluck and swarm me as soon as I walk through the gate.
“I’m comin’, hold your feathers.”
I only have half a dozen of them and one rooster, but it’s more than enough for fresh eggs every day. My siblings usually sneak over and steal my extra ones like the freeloaders they are.
If they’re not taking my eggs, they’re helping themselves to my fridge and robbing my food they’re too lazy to go buy on their own.
I need to get better at locking my patio door on the lower level. They know if they can’t get through the front, the other one is probably unlocked.
“Who’s got some eggs for me?” I check their nests and find six fresh eggs.
In the mornings, I let them out so they can wander in the fenced-in area, then at night, I sprinkle out more food and refill their water before tucking them into bed.
Which is a fancy way of saying I lock them in their coop so they can sleep on their roosts or nesting areas.
There are too many curious animals that come around at night, so I keep them safe inside.
“One, two, three…” I count as they go in and realize I’m missing one. “Kelly Cluckson, time for bed. Where’re you?”
