Page 88 of Unraveling Rain
Mia offers a vague smile, her expression unreadable—probably embarrassed that her flirting attempt fell flat.
“Oh,thatfarm,” Rain says coolly.
And just like that, her entire posture shifts. Gone is the friendly stance and easy warmth. Her body stiffens beside me, shoulders squared.
“Yeah… is something wrong with that farm?” Carly asks, a flicker of concern in her honey-brown eyes.
“We own the orchard next door,” Rain says, her voice strong. “Let’s just say the MacAllisters and the McCollumns have never seen eye to eye.”
She raises an eyebrow pointedly, and Carly lets out a small laugh. “I can see that. They’ve been nice, but they’re… intense. I’m the new vet, and my sister is working as their farrier.”
I nod, noting Carly’s effort to reassure Rain they’re not like the family that owns the place. It seems sincere.
Dr. Gutierrez and Dylan drift over, joining our conversation, and the tension eases. We chat about the town, where to eat, and local events worth checking out.
At the far end of the barn, the goat handlers start herding the goats toward the exit. Daisy claps her hands.
“Everyone! Before the goats go, let’s get a group picture.”
Rain doesn’t hesitate; she grabs the goat that never left her side during class.
“Oh, Misty, I’m going to miss you. You’re such a good girl, yes you are,” she coos, kissing the top of the goat’s head.
I already know: our first goat is going to be named Misty.
We line up for a few group shots, and Daisy calls out, “Is it okay if I use this for social media promo?”
Everyone nods, and Daisy does a little happy dance.
“Wait—before you take the goats, can Xander and I get a picture with Misty?” Rain asks.
The handlers give a thumbs-up, and I look to Rain, waiting for my marching orders.
“Okay, so let’s stand over here,” she says, guiding us in front of our mats. “We’ll do tree pose while holding Misty together.”
I wait for her to lift one leg into the pose, then mirror her. I flip my cap backward, slide one arm beneath Misty, and wrap my other arm around Rain’s waist.
“One, two, three!” Daisy calls out.
I lean in just as Rain looks up at me. I close my eyes and kiss her softly, feeling my girl melt against me. I’m not thinking, just soaking in this overwhelming love I feel for Rain when I feel warm water on my right foot.
What the hell?
I glance down.
Sprinkle is taking a piss. Right on my bare foot.
The entire barn erupts into laughter. Sprinkle keeps going, entirely unfazed. No wonder they named her Sprinkle.
Rain’s doubled-over, barely holding Misty anymore, tears running down her cheeks as she gasps for air between cackles. I lose it too, unable to keep my laughter in.
Vanessa, Dr. Gutierrez—even Mia and Carly are all recording the moment like it’s the county fair’s grand finale.
This is the kind of story Rain and I are going to laugh about and share with our kids one day.
“Sorry, man,” one of the goat caretakers says, biting back a laugh. “These things happen. Luckily, she didn’t take a dump on you.”
I wave him off. “Thank fuck for small mercies,” I mutter, still laughing.
