Chapter One #2
I jump back from the shock with a gasp and grab at my chest. “What in Jesus, Mary, and Joseph…” I mumble to myself as I study the full-size goat devouring my flowers, those same flowers that are supposed to save my business from an embarrassing shortfall.
Little shit.
Now that the shock has worn off a little, annoyance starts creeping in. So, in a loud, shrill voice, I assert myself. “Hey! Drop that David Austin rose right now, Billy, or I swear to God—”
The goat’s eyes bug out of its face so much I think its head is going to explode, its legs stiffen, and before I can say anything else, the little shit topples over. Then plonks as stiff as a board onto the truck bed.
My heart leaps into my throat as I stare at it. My hand flies to my mouth while I hold my breath, waiting for it to take a breath.
Nothing.
“Oh God, I’ve killed it. I killed a goat in the back of my truck, with evidence everywhere…” I pace back and forth, panic flowing through me. “Maybe the gods will think of it as a sacrifice?” I groan, looking back at it. “Don’t be stupid,” I mumble under my breath.
Damn, it’s cute with spots like a cow. It really is adorable.
“Oh man. I can’t let it die…” Taking in its lifeless body once more, anxiety ripples through me as I decide what I need to do.
I quickly tie back my wavy blonde hair, taking in a deep breath.
“I got you, little guy. I’m coming. Hold on.
” I pull myself up and into the back of the truck, kicking the half-eaten flowers out of the way.
I have to do something.
So, I prepare to perform some sort of goat CPR.
I have no freaking clue what the hell I’m doing.
Pulling in a deep breath, I smell the foul odor emanating from its mouth.
Nope, doesn’t matter. I purse my lips, ready to press them to the goat’s.
Then, I close my eyes, lean down, and I am about to blow into its mouth to give it some air when suddenly, a wet sandpaper tongue slides up the side of my face.
Slobber and the foulest-smelling I-have-no-idea-what smacks me right in the face.
I pull back so dramatically, I fall flat on my ass.
My eyes shoot wide open, the goat now awake and staring at me like it’s smiling.
Its big doe eyes glisten like this is the happiest it has ever been.
“What the hell, Billy?” I groan as it continues to smile. “You fucker! You scared the shit out of me.”
Baa, it replies, like nothing’s happened.
I move my hand out cautiously, gradually, and gently petting its head.
It nuzzles into me like it’s enjoying my touch.
Got to admit, I love the playful attitude this little thing has.
I have no idea if the little shit was messing with me or if it has some sort of medical issue.
So, I look it over. That’s when I notice around its neck there’s a collar and a name tag.
Grabbing at the piece of metal, I read the inscription.
“Doughnut… ha. You’re a girl, huh, girl?
Well, you’re obviously someone’s pet. Guessing you hopped into the back of my truck at Gino’s, so I’d better give him a call to check you’re not his goat first, right? ”
Baa.
“That’s what I thought,” I reply as I pull out my cell and dial Gino.
He answers quickly. “Bella, is everything all right with your order?”
Baa.
I glance at the goat who’s nuzzling into the side of my head. “Ahh… not exactly.”
Gino’s silent for a moment, but then quickly responds like he’s defending himself, “I gave you only the best quality. I assure you—”
“No, no, Gino, it’s nothing like that. I know you give me the best…” I pause, trying to piece together some words. “It’s just, I, ah… I picked up a stowaway when I left.”
He chuckles. “A stowaway? What do you mean?”
“There’s a goat in my truck.”
He lets out a booming laugh, but I don’t say anything as Doughnut answers for me. Baa.
“Well, shit! I just heard that. Is it really a goat?”
I try to hide my smirk. “Yeah. And I think she has a heart condition or something. I thought I’d killed her because she toppled over when I scared her. I tried to give her mouth-to-mouth, but luckily she woke up before I had to do that. Eeek!”
Gino lets out another chuckle as I sit back, rubbing behind Doughnut’s ear.
Oh, she seems to like that.
“I don’t know what to tell you, bella. I definitely don’t have a goat. It must have walked off the street and jumped in while we were processing your payment.”
“Okay, thanks, Gino. I’ll figure something out.”
“If you need to, bring it back here, and I’ll make good use of it.”
I know exactly what that means.
Gino’s a wholesaler. Not just of flowers, but grocery and meat products too.
No way Doughnut’s going back there any time soon.
“Thanks for the flowers, Gino. Gotta go.”
“Ciao, bella.” He ends the call.
I glance back at the goat. How in the world am I going to find out anything about your owners, Doughnut? The thing is, I have the Art Festival to contend with. And, worse than that, I’m back to my initial problem, a distinct lack of flowers.
Great job, Doughnut.
Finding Doughnut’s owners will have to take a back seat.
With a quick sigh, I stand, loop my fingers through Doughnut’s collar, and she comes willingly, as I lead her to the edge of the truck.
She’s actually super tame and easy to work with.
I know whoever’s misplaced their goat is going to be upset and missing her.
I’ve known her for all of five minutes, and I can already feel myself becoming attached.
“C’mon, miss, let’s get you out the back.
” I walk with her in tow around the rear of Love and Lavender.
She’s a little wobbly, almost like she’s drunk, and I wonder if she’s going to pass out again.
I can’t tell if she’s blind, or maybe she’s blind drunk on the flowers she’s eaten.
But then again, if she were blind, how would she have gotten up into the truck to begin with?
Maybe it was the scent of the flowers she’s now had for breakfast.
Luckily, the shop is based out of an old townhouse, so it has a nice big backyard where I can store Doughnut until I can figure out what to do. In the meantime, she can roam around and not have to worry about bumping into much out there if she is blind.
I open the tall wooden gate and walk us through onto the grassy patch.
While I find a bucket to fill with water, I let her roam free for the moment.
Leaning over, I grab one of the larger ones from yesterday’s deliveries, empty the leaf debris, rinse it out thoroughly, then fill it with fresh, clean water.
I call Doughnut over and splash the surface, showing her the liquid.
She dips her head in immediately, lapping up some droplets.
It makes me feel better knowing she understands.
Maybe she isn’t blind after all?
“Okay, little Doughnut, I gotta go to work. But you stay out here. Don’t you go anywhere, okay?”
Baa.
“Good girl. I’ll come get you after work, and we’ll find your owners.”
Baa.
“Okay, deal,” I agree, petting her on her cute little head.
The back door is open, and Rory’s standing there with a big, toothy grin on her face.
She’s wearing her Hufflepuff-inspired striped, tight-fitting sweater and tartan skirt, and her makeup is done to perfection.
She’s a walking contradiction. Total nerd, yet glam squad queen at the same time.
I have no idea how she pulls off that look, but she always does.
Her short, black bob frames her thin, pale face as she stares at me, oozing curiosity.
“So, I send you out for flowers, but you come back with a goat?” she quips.
I groan. “Oh, wait till I tell you what just happened to me!”