4 #6
It means Louane has left the "beautiful Italian’s" fleece for her to shear, which will likely allow Nolwenn to discover an adorable Italian "sex."
When Nolwenn comes back up from the barn, her task finished, she accepts the coffee Louane has prepared.
The two young women go over their checklist to mark off everything that needs verifying ahead of Morgane and Yann’s visit that evening.
They want everything to be perfect, fully aware that the slightest detail could derail the deal.
Just as with Quentin and Ma?lle, herd care and milking will be done a bit earlier than usual to free the two women up to welcome the couple, who are due to arrive at 7:00 PM.
Morgane and Yann aren't early like Quentin and Ma?lle were, but it is only 7:05 PM when their car pulls to a stop in the courtyard.
Nolwenn welcomes them and introduces Louane and Gwendal, who have also come out to greet them.
Since the late-season weather is still beautiful, they have drinks on the terrace overlooking the pastures.
The young couple seems reassured to find people their own age in Louane and Gwendal.
The farming couple is struck by Morgane—not only is she a beautiful woman, but she also has magnificent, slightly curly red hair, just like Abbie’s.
Louane: "Forgive us for staring, Morgane, but the resemblance to Abbie is astonishing."
Yann: "Yes, I have to admit, it took us by surprise too; it just feels so right to both Morgane and me."
Gwendal pours the cider—a drink that suits everyone—and then raises his glass to the couple’s future calf.
Nolwenn explains to Gwendal and Louane that she has only met with Morgane and Yann once, and that they likely have a number of questions.
Morgane: "I admit we’re very excited, but this process has indeed raised a few questions for Yann and me. Some of them are a bit delicate."
Louane: "Please, don’t hold back with us; Gwendal, Nolwenn, and I are here to answer all your questions, without exception. Feel free to ask anything—in our experience, there’s no such thing as a bad question."
Yann: "I’ll go ahead and start, so I don’t leave it to Morgane alone to bring up the conversations we had after our first meeting with you, Nolwenn. The first question we had was whether Abbie had ever had a calf before, and how long she’s been at the barn."
Louane: "Abbie is a recent arrival; she came to the barn just over a month ago. She’s never had a calf, but she has been with a bull before joining us—which is normal for her age."
Morgane: "Thanks for that answer; the next question is about how long she’ll be staying at the barn." Louane is somewhat surprised by this question, so she asks the couple to clarify what they mean.
Yann: "I come from a large family; I have four siblings. When we got married, even though we were aware of Morgane’s health issues, we had planned to have at least three children—maybe four. If we can have a calf thanks to Abbie, we would certainly like to use the same cow for subsequent calves."
Morgane: "We realize, of course, that this request might place a significant burden on your farm, but ideally, we would like exclusive rights to this cow so she can produce calves for us on the schedule we prefer."
Nolwenn: "You are already guaranteed to be the first in line for a calf from Abbie. She has just joined the herd; she is young, and there is no reason for her to be culled for many years. She is a good milker who will certainly produce beautiful calves.
But she will almost certainly be in high demand, too."
Louane: "We will soon be welcoming a Kerry—another red Irish cow. That will give us an option for clients interested in this breed, allowing us to consider keeping Abbie exclusively for your future calves. It will also depend on the recovery time between pregnancies."
Yann: "We were thinking, of course, of an additional monthly boarding fee for Abbie’s upkeep—one that would also cover the lost income from pregnancies she wouldn't be carrying for other couples between our calves."
Louane: "We’ll put together a proposal along those lines, but you certainly have our agreement in principle. For now, though, let’s focus on this first calf. I imagine you’re eager to see Abbie and her surroundings. Please, follow us to the barn."
The couple accompanies Louane and Gwendal, with Nolwenn leading the way to Abbie’s stall.
Morgane and Yann are genuinely impressed when they finally see this magnificent cow.
Seeing Abbie and Morgane side by side is striking; the resemblance between them is unmistakable.
Morgane agrees to help change Abbie’s diaper, but sensing that this isn’t really Yann’s thing, Gwendal suggests they go look at the meadow and the wide variety of plant species making up its hedges instead.
Morgane is a dancer; her gait reveals a fit, toned young woman who holds her head high.
When Nolwenn places Abbie on the changing table and frees her legs from her onesie, Morgane is more interested in the cow’s thighs, knees, calves, and ankles than in the diaper she is wearing.
Morgane: "She’s an athletic cow—you can tell, and I like that."