Page 10 of Daddy's Little Farmer

She patted the thing’s back. “This is Melly. She’s my milk cow.”

His eyes widened. “It gives you milk?”

She grinned. “Yes. That’s where most milk comes from.”

“Most?” he asked.

“Yes, we can get milk from goats and buffalo, as far as I know. I know there are more animals, but I can’t think of them.”

He looked at the cow. “You actually drink the milk?”

“Yes. It’s not pasteurized, so I don’t drink much, but I do make butter and cream for my coffee. It’s the only way I’ll drink it. The rest I give to the cats.”

He had so many questions, but she was already moving on. She lifted the chain on one of the gates and let him through before closing it behind her. Rafael felt the ground vibrate and turned to see the monster from the other day trotting their way. He almost jumped back over the fence, but it stopped beside Mara and nuzzled her.

“This is Charlie. You’ve already met him, but he needs to meet you now.”

“How?”

“Give me your hand.”

He was apprehensive but did what she asked. When she held it up to the horse’s mouth, he almost jerked it back.

“It’s okay. He won’t hurt you.”

Yeah, right. One kick from the thing, and he’d have a broken bone or even be killed. He tensed when the horse sniffed his hand for a minute and then moved his lips on his palm, making it tickle.

“See. He’s very sweet, and he likes you.”

“How can you tell?”

“When a horse nuzzles your palm, they’re saying they like you.”

“That’s good to know.”

She smiled and moved on. “Let me introduce you to the rest.” They moved to the next paddock. Here she had three more horses.

“These are some horses I rescued from bad owners or the slaughterhouse. I wish I could take them all, but it’s impossible for one person.”

“I can’t imagine.” He was tired already, and he’d only been there a few hours and hadn’t done anything but follow her around and watch her feed them.

The sun was setting when she finally called it a day. She turned on the light in the kitchen and jumped. He walked around her to see a woman that looked vaguely like Mara sitting at the table drinking something. The woman stiffened when she saw him.

“Who the hell are you?” she asked.

Rafael put his hand on Mara’s shoulder. “Don’t tell me this is the bitchy sister, baby.”

Mara’s mouth dropped open before she covered it with her hands. He heard her try to hold back a giggle.

“Yes. Judith, I’d like you to meet Rafael. He’s my…” She looked up at him.

“Man,” Rafael said.

Mara turned red but kept her mouth shut.

“Where did she find you?” Judith asked.

He almost choked when the sister tried to come on to him. He wrapped an arm around Mara’s shoulders. “We’ve known each other for some time, and I couldn’t stay away. I just had to see her in person.” Everything he was telling her was the truth. It was up to her to take it the way she wanted.

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