Three
Bart
“I’m so happy to see you. I know this is all new to you but I’m hoping you enjoy it. The girls are always happy to see anyone new,” Asa said as he hurried into the barn with me trailing behind him.
“It’s great to see you. But I have to admit I’m a bit confused as to why you wrote to me.”
He turned then to face me. “You’re the last one, Bart. If we’re going to carry on with the family dairy I need to find someone to pass it on to. Your father has his own business, and I know you work there, but I hoped you’d enjoy working here.”
“Are you sure I’m the only one left? There must be another relative out there that’s more qualified than me.
I mean I know you need help, but I’m not sure it’s something I want to do permanently,” I said and tried not to sound as horrified as I was.
I knew this was what he wanted, but hearing it terrified me.
“I don’t know anything about cows, or milking them, or anything about them. ”
“It’s okay. I know this is all new and different to what you’re used to.
But I would appreciate the chance to show you what it’s like this weekend then you can decide if it’s a life you’d be interested in.
If not . . . well, I suppose I’ll look into leasing the property out to someone else or selling.
” His eyes held so much sadness as he spoke and something in me shifted. I couldn’t let him down.
“Show me how it all works. But don’t be shocked at how little I know. The biggest animal I’ve been around is the family dog.”
“We’ve got a few of them around here to help move the cows. Some cats too.” He led me to a series of chutes where the cows were seemingly lining up on their own. “Now, Clara, be patient,” he said as he patted the black and white cow that stood ready to be milked.
“They’re huge,” I said. She turned her head enough to meet my eyes, and I was surprised at both the intelligence and the lack of aggression I saw.
“They’re like big puppies. Ain’t that right, girl,” he said and patted her side again before washing her underside with what he said was a disinfectant and sticking a device on her that would collect the milk.
A few more cows lined up and were milked. Each one had a name, and it was obvious they all knew him. “Need me to take over, boss?”
“Noah, this is my nephew, Bart Martin. Noah’s my hired hand.
Without him I would have quit years ago,” Asa said with a fond look at the man who now stood behind us.
He wasn’t what I’d consider tall, but he had a solid build that showed how much farm labor he’d done through the years.
His blue eyes held mine and didn’t look away as he held out his leather-gloved hand.
“Pleasure,” he said with a firm shake.
“Nice to meet you. I have no clue what I’m doing,” I said. He crossed his arms and chuckled.
“None of us do at first. You’ll get it.”
“Why don’t you take a turn with Florence, and I’ll go make sure Keith is set up,” Asa said to Noah.
“Sure thing, boss,” Noah said and took his place next to me.
“He wants me to do it?” I whispered.
“Sounds like. Go ahead, I’ll stop you if you do anything wrong,” Noah said and continued to stand with his arms crossed while I attempted to wash off the business end before sticking the milker on poor Florence who looked back several times as I tried but failed to get it to stick to her.
“Why isn’t it sticking?” I asked and tried again.
“It’s suction. You need to make sure you get her in there right,” he said and showed me exactly the way Asa had done it. “Try again.”
I did it exactly as he demonstrated and this time it worked. Florence turned back again with a lazy chew, and I would swear she rolled her eyes. “I did it.”
“You did, and don’t mind Florence, she’s a little judgy,” Noah said.
“Oh my god, I thought I was imaging the side-eye.”
He chuckled as he ushered the next cow into the chute. “You’ll find they all have a unique personality. Cows are not dumb creatures.”
“I guess I never thought about it before. These are the first cows I’ve been this close to.”
“Well, after today you’ll be very acquainted with most of the girls.”
“What’s this one’s name?” I asked as he pulled off the milker and sent Florence on her way just in time for the next one to step up.
“This is Georgia, she’s sweet.” The cow seemed to understand or maybe she really was that sweet because when she turned to look at me her eyes were full of kindness. I repeated what he’d taught me and noticed some movement to the right.
“Hey, Keith, did you need help with the cows?” Noah asked as he looked past me toward the opening. I didn’t have to look to know I’d see the big stern man who had brought me here.
“No, Asa got me all situated outside. Just want to make sure there’s nothing I need to look for before I get started,” Keith said. His eyes met mine as soon as I turned because, of course, I couldn’t stop myself from looking.
“I know we had two that were having trouble the past week, but we put them in the medical stall.”
“You have a medical stall?” I asked.
“It’s where we put any of the girls that need a little extra care, and if we notice them having trouble walking before Keith gets here, we try to separate them.”
“What does he do?” I whispered.
“He’s a hoof trimmer,” Noah said like it was something I should know.
“Come on out and I’ll show you,” Keith said.
“Go, you’ll need to learn about this too,” Noah said and moved into position as soon as I stepped away.
Keith stood with his giant arms folded and an amused grin on his face as he watched me reluctantly walk his way. “I have no clue what I’m doing,” I reminded him and forced myself to ignore his bright blue eyes that stood out even more against his tanned skin and dark hair.
“Yeah, but you’re kinda cute when you’re trying.” He turned around and walked back outside leaving me wide-eyed and wondering what else could happen today.