Chapter Ten #2
“You can’t keep the mother restricted in such a small space,” I argued.
“No…once the calf is fed we’ll let mama out into the pasture behind the barn. It will be easy to wrangle her back in for feeds and we’ll leave her indoors overnight. The larger calf can go in the weaning yard in the morning.”
I thanked Elijah and he left, saying he needed his beauty sleep which had Jensen and I laughing. Jensen sat with me while I fed the second bottle and after protesting for a few moments, the calf, realizing there would be no more, lay down on the straw and drifted off.
Jensen helped me over the hay bale and we walked back to the house hand in hand. Shortly after, I was curled into the man, my head on his chest, and asleep.
The morning sun breached the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the bedroom. I awoke to the comforting rhythm of Jensen's heartbeat beneath my ear. His eyes fluttered open, meeting mine, and he gave me a soft smile.
“Breakfast?” I asked when Jensen slid from the bed. “You always leave before I can feed you.”
“Thanks, but I have breakfast with the men so we can work out what needs doing during the day. If I don’t turn up they’ll be merciless with their comments about me being at your beck and call.”
I laughed but what Jensen said was probably true. “Do you think I should join my men? We usually have lunch together but I always have breakfast up here at the house.”
“It’s a personal choice, darlin’. I don’t have lunch with my crew so first thing is a good opportunity for us to catch up and talk about things. And, I don’t have to cook, the other men take it in turns.”
I laughed again. “I’ll ask Elijah what he thinks.”
Once Jensen had dressed, he leaned over the bed and we shared a toe-curling kiss.
"I'll see you later," Jensen whispered before giving me a heart-stopping grin and leaving.
As much as I would have liked to spend the day in bed with my man, the calf needed feeding and chores had to be started.
I showered quickly, the warm water cleansing away the remnants of sleep.
I dressed in jeans and a check shirt, tied my hair back and headed to the bunkhouse where the men would be gathered, the cool morning air invigorating my senses.
“Eiljah, did you fill the men in about the calf?” I inquired.
“Yep. I’ll bring mama up as soon as breakfast is done,” Ward advised.
“Anything I should know before I go and feed Mira.”
“Mira?” Cash asked.
“Short for miracle because it’s a miracle she was found and survived,” I explained.
“You do know Mira is going to end up on someone’s plate? Probably not a good idea to get attached,” Cash warned.
“Nope,” I shook my head.
“What do you mean…nope?” Elijah grinned.
“Mira is going to live a long, healthy life as a ranch pet.”
The men burst into laughter, Penn sending the mouthful of coffee he’d just taken all over the table.
“You can’t keep a cow as a pet, Harlyn,” Elijah said softly.
“Where is that written? Mira is going to be a pet…end of argument.” I was annoyed at being told what I could do with the baby Jensen had entrusted to me.
Elijah stepped to my side and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Honey…There are going to be a lot of orphaned calves over time, you can’t keep them all as pets.”
I turned and we met eyes. “I don’t want to keep them all…I’m keeping Mira because she’s special.”
Elijah searched my eyes, I didn’t have a clue what he expected to find but he should have been able to see my determination. I was not going to back down no matter what their advice.
“Fair enough,” Elijah conceded.
“I’m going to feed her. Call me when you bring mama up to the barn so I can be there when they’re introduced.” I directed my instructions to Ward. “Anything I need to know?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary. We’re going to start weaning around eighty calves and Penn and Ward will be busy with hand feeding and reassuring them while me and Cash move the herd to the back paddock so the babies and their mamas have plenty of separation,”Elijah confirmed.
“Thanks…Oh, another thing. Should I have breakfast here with you all so we can talk?”
The men exchanged a glance before Elijah answered. “Speaking for the men, it’s a good idea so we don’t have to wait for you to come down from the house. We’ll be able to get started on the day earlier.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
Elijah shrugged. “Assumed you weren’t keen on sitting down to a meal with the men.”
“Why the fuck not? Did my grandfather?”
“Yes, but…” Elijah’s cheeks pinked.
“But, nothing. If that was your routine it should continue and you should have said something. Is there anything else you haven’t informed me is being done differently?”
“Nope,” Elijah said with a shake of his head.
“Okay, I’m going to feed my baby.” I waved over my shoulder as I walked away.
The calf greeted me with an eager bleat when I entered the barn, and I smiled, knowing she must be hungry.
As I’d done twice during the night I prepared two bottles and fed the calf, watching her drink with enthusiasm.
She was much more alert than she’d been the night before when Jensen had first brought her over.
Once the milk had been devoured, she belched, making me laugh, and lay her head in my lap.
I stroked her soft fur while she drifted to sleep.
I could have sat with her all day which wasn’t exactly practical.
Moving her head onto the blanket covered straw.
I stood, took one last look at her, and left to get the day’s chores started.
The peaceful routine of the morning chores grounded me, and I found myself thinking about the choices ahead. The bond I'd formed with Jensen and the ranch grew stronger each day, and the decision about my future loomed ever closer.