Page 56 of Cabins Cows Critics
“See what?”
“I swear all the ranch guys just climbed into the vet van and drove away.”
“Maybe there is a vet emergency with one of the cows? Oh, I hope it isn’t Winnie.”
“Winnie would be in the other direction, and wouldn’t the vet be going with them if it was that?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Yah, probably. Umm. Do you want popcorn?”
“Yes, please, and whatever is making that delicious scent under there,” she says, pointing to the basket.
“Sure, go ahead,” I reply, and she lifts the cloth to reveal a basket full of gingerbread cookies in the shape of farm animals.
“How cute.” She beams, picking out two. As soon as the smell of them carries to the other guests, they’re all crowding around to get some, and then they’re asking for more popcorn, and it’s all so very loud.
“Here,” Greg says, taking the cup in my hand and passing it to one of Laura’s kids. “You scoop, I’ll serve.”
I nod and get to work. I swear the kids are inhaling them, given we just get through passing out popcorn to everyone when they’re back in front of us, asking for more.
“Do you all have hollow legs?” Greg asks, and they look up at him, confused. “Where are you putting all of this?”
They chuckle and take two more cups each, and Wendy hands them a couple of the cookies from the basket, just as the speakers hanging from the pop-up tent crackle to life and the opening music starts.
“Thanks for your help. I can probably handle it from here. You two should find a seat,” I tell Greg, and he links his arm with Wendy’s.
“No problem, really. Are you coming?”
“I’ll catch up with you,” I say and watch as he hugs Wen to his side, rubbing her arm to help warm her as they find a seat. Maybe I was too hard on Greg. Wen does seem happy, so I guess I should give him a proper shot.
Denver lands beside me, red-faced and out of breath.
“You okay?” I ask, handing a popcorn cup to a small boy wearing the fluffiest coat I think I’ve ever seen.
“Yeah, sorry. I got the movie on, but then the sound wouldn’t connect. I figured it out, though. All good here?”
“Popcorn is popping, and the cookies are a huge hit,” I say, nodding toward the basket. “So, any idea where the guys are?” I ask, and he shakes his head, then he nods toward the house.
“There’s Preston and Poppy.”
I hand him the stack of cups and jog their way.
“Hi, Hayden,” Poppy calls, waving as she passes me.
“Hi, Poppy,” I reply and then turn my attention to Preston. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Why? What have you heard?” he asks, his voice going all pitchy as he glances around, checking to see who is listening.
“Fuck, I hope you are a better vet than you are a liar.”
“Yeah,” he says, moving to the side further away from where people might overhear us. “I never really was any good at it. Look, I don’t know much about what’s happening. I came down to dinner, and Dean said he needed my van.”
“Why? Like if it was a sick animal you’d be going with him, right?”
“They’re not looking for a sick animal.”
“So why did they all take off then?”
