Lilli, wearing Daddy’s cowboy hat, scampered ahead of Bo and Nora as they headed to the stables after breakfast. After observing her jumping on and off every rock and stump and fence she encountered, Bo shook his head.
“I don’t know how you keep up with her. She’s a ball of unharnessed energy!”
“She takes after her Daddy. You’re pretty ‘unharnessed’ yourself when the mood strikes you,” she replied giving him a flirtatious glance and squeezing his hand.
He grinned at her. “If you’re referring to my ardent behaviour this morning, I couldn’t help myself...I’ve been missing you.”
“And I’ve been missing you too,” she said leaning her head against his arm as they walked hand-in-hand. “So what are we going to do about that? This dawn-to-dusk work schedule of yours has been going on for over a month now. Last night was the first time in a week or more that you were home before Lilli was tucked in.”
“I know. I’m sorry, honey. I really am. Asa has been telling me he’s going to hire some new ranch hands. Once he does, I’ll be able to work more regular hours. Then I’ll be home more in the evenings.”
At that point, Lilli started climbing the fence slats on the bull’s corral.
“Lilli!” Bo shouted. “Stay away from that fence!”
She twirled around but stayed on the fence. “Why?”
He hurried ahead and scooped her into his arms. “I’ll show you why. See that big animal way over there?” he asked pointing into the distance. “That’s Samson. He’s a bull, and bulls are mean. Never ever climb on Samson’s fence. You hear me?”
Lilli looked at the huge bull in the distance. “K,” she murmured quietly staring at the brute.
“Okay. Good. Now, come on. Daddy will show you the baby horse.”
Nora, with Bo carrying Lilli, entered the cool stable. They were greeted with soft whinnies and the sweet smell of hay. They looked into Daisy’s stall.
“There’s the Mommy,” said Bo quietly. “And there…” he began…
“It’s the baby!” Lilli squealed excitedly. “I see him, Daddy! I see him! I wanna pet him! Can I? Can I pet him?!”
“Shhh...listen,” Bo said quietly grinning at her enthusiasm. “I’m going to take you in to see the baby, but you have to be quiet. If you aren’t quiet, you will make the mommy nervous and she won’t want us close to the baby…”
Nora interrupted, “Bo, are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked uncertainly.
“It will be fine, honey. Daisy has had foals before and she’s always been alright with us handling them. She’s very gentle. It will be fine. Come on.”
Bo opened the door to Daisy’s stall and let them in. He spoke softly to Daisy as he made his way closer.
“Hey, Daisy girl, you have company. Ahhh...pretty girl,” he crooned as he began petting her forehead and shoulders.
Lilli’s blue eyes were wide as she looked at the horse.
“Do you want to pet her?” Bo asked quietly. “She’s nice like Hickory.”
Lilli nodded and reached out her tiny hand. Bo guided her hand to Daisy’s forehead where it was safe to pet her. Lilli smiled under the big brim of her Daddy’s hat.
Bo continued to talk softly to Daisy as he slowly approached the colt. He heard her snort and whinny, but soothed her. As he got closer to the colt, he stooped low with Lilli beside him. Bo gently caressed the star on the colt’s forehead and then helped Lilli do the same.
She grinned at the colt. Bo grinned at her. Nora watched from just inside the stall.
“Do you like him?” Bo asked quietly watching her eyes glow.
“Mmhmm,” she said softly. “He’s nice.”
“Yes, he is. What do you think we should name him?” he asked her. When Lilli didn’t reply, he asked Nora.
“Well...he has a star marking on his forehead, but ‘Star’ is too common a name. How about...‘Comet’?” she suggested.
“That’s a good name,” he agreed. “Comet it is then.”
After a few more moments he said, “Time to tell Comet goodbye, Lilli. We have to go now. Daddy needs to work.”
“Bye,” Lilli said quietly waving at the colt.
As they were leaving the stables, Bo noticed an unfamiliar truck backing up with a load of baled straw. The driver shut down the engine and two men jumped out.
Upon seeing Bo, the driver shouted, “Mornin’!”
Bo didn’t recognize the man who proceeded to introduce himself.
“Name’s Chet Palmer. I’m one of the new hands hired by Mr. Buchanan. This is my brother, Tate.”
“Chet, Tate,” Bo nodded. “It’s good to meet you both,” he said extending his hand. “I’m Bo Buchanan, Asa Buchanan’s son. This is Mrs. Buchanan, and this is our daughter, Lilli.”
“Good to meet ya’ll,” said Chet shaking Bo’s hand. He removed his hat before nodding at Nora. Then, “Hi little lady,” he said to Lilli who greeted him with a stare. Tate shook Bo’s hand and quietly nodded.
Bo showed them both around the stables familiarizing them with where supplies were kept and indicating where the straw should be stacked before he returned to Nora.
As they started unloading the straw, Chet saw Bo tousle Lilli’s hair and give Nora a lingering kiss. She ran her hand along his cheek and said something; Chet couldn’t tell what, but he could tell she was teasing him by the look in her eyes and the way he ran his hand around her hips and leaned in for another kiss. Then Nora took Lilli by the hand and headed back toward the house with the child half skipping beside her.
There was something about Nora Buchanan that seemed familiar to Chet. He couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but he enjoyed the view as he watched them depart.
Lol. You're always suspicious of my male characters. I remember how you (and several others) disliked my Kyle from a previous story, and he was a perfectly nice guy! haha