Page 48 of Mother Clucker

She smiled. “It’s a little overwhelming the first day. I know.”

“Yeah. Lots of barking and meowing. I’m not used to that.”

“No pets at home?” she asked.

I laughed. “Not even a houseplant. But I’m willing to learn.”

She smiled. “Honestly, if you do nothing other than keep up doing what you already are I’ll be perfectly happy.” She held up a trifold brochure in her hand. “That’s what I was saying to you. The mailman just delivered a box of these. They look incredible.”

My eyes widened. “They’re here already? I ordered them this week. I didn’t expect them to get here so fast.”

“They’re here. And thank you. Please, give me a receipt and I’ll get you reimbursed for whatever they cost.”

I waved her off. “No. Please. Consider it a donation. I had a fifty percent off coupon and this place online is really reasonable to begin with.”

“Well, thank you. We appreciate it. And that picture you put up on Instapost when you first got here this morning is getting a ton of interaction. You’re just amazing.”

I wished I got this much praise at work where I did a hell of a lot more and way harder stuff than a quick trifold brochure and a single Instapost. “I’m happy to help.”

“I could use some help.”

I didn’t even need to turn around to know it was David who’d spoken. After last night, the deep timbre of his voice was achingly familiar.

When I turned, seeing David was no surprise, but seeing Rowdy in his hands was.

“Mr. Strickland. Nice to see you again.” Emily beamed with a smile and I felt my first stab of jealousy hit. “And you brought your rooster, I see.”

“Heather’s rooster, actually. I’m just his chauffeur for the day.”

I smiled.

He’d brought me my rooster for a visit. That had to mean something.

I took a step forward and ran my hand over Rowdy’s colorful feathers. “Thank you. But I don’t know how much time I’ll have to spend with him.”

“Oh, he’s not here to see you. He has a play date.” David grinned.

“With?” I asked.

“That goat he took a shine to.”

“Trixie?” I laughed. “How did this play date happen?”

“No big deal.” He lifted a shoulder. “I called Anna this morning. She and Charlie are bringing Trixie over.”

It was a big deal. A very big deal. I was turning this man into a chicken lover.

“Thank you.” I would have kissed him, then and there, if we’d been alone.

We weren’t.

I was reminded of that when Emily said, “Looks like the whole Barker family is just arriving.”

I took a step back from where I’d been standing too close to David to look casual.

It was like the man had his own gravitational pull and I’d gotten caught in it last night, twice, and once again this morning. Needless to say, we’d used up all three of those condoms.

Clearing my throat, I said, “Good. I wanted to thank Anna personally for that video she shot for me yesterday.

---