Page 24 of Cabins Cows Critics
I hand over my phone and lean against the pool fence, waiting and trying not to make it too obvious that I’m trying to memorize every curve of his muscles.
Connor laughs down the line.
“Yeah, well, he’s either the fucking Houdini of llamas or you didn’t close the gate properly, again.”
There is a pause, and I can hear Skye on the other end, but not clear enough to make out his reply.
“I’ll get him roped and out of the pool by the time you get here. Thanks, Skye. See you in a minute.”
He clicks the phone off and goes to hand it back but pauses when he sees the lock screen. I’ve saved a quote by Bruce Lee that says, “In order to control myself, I must first accept myself by going with and not against my nature,” on it as a reminder to help me manage my stress and anxiety.
“Your favorite quote?” he asks, handing it back.
“More like a gentle reminder from the great Bruce Lee.”
“To accept who you are?”
“Pretty much,” I say as he loops the rope around the llama’s neck and starts to pull. The thing is stubborn, though, and thrashes its head in the other direction, nearly pulling him off balance and back into the water.
“When things change abruptly, and I’m not given time to prepare, I start to over-control the things I do have power over.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“I thought it was. I spent a good chunk of money on therapy to understand that it doesn’t have to be. It’s no use running from yourself because you’ll be running in circles, and when you finally stop, you’ll still be in the same place you started.”
“I should save that as a quote on my phone. If it ever turns on again.” He chuckles and gives Chewie another yank with the rope. “I’ll give you my number, and you can text it to me.”
“Sure,” I reply as he tries again to pull the llama out of the water.
“Maybe Bruce can help us in this situation, too,” I say, walking around to the edge of the water where the pool depth decreases in a slope to make walking in and out easier. I crouch down.
“Hey, Chewie,” I call to him softly. “Aren’t you a good boy?” I try to channel Connor and the way he talks to the cows. Soothing. Calming tones.
“He is a fucking shit, is what he is,” Connor says, and I shake my head.
“Shhh, don’t listen to him, Chewie. I know you’re a good boy, aren’t you? Come on out now so we can get you all dry,” I say, keeping my focus on the llama and my voice low and soft. “Let the rope go slack,” I say without taking my eye off Chewie. The second he does, Chewie’s attention shifts from Connor to me.
“That’s it, come on, good boy, come here,” I coax, and he takes a step toward me. My pulse doubles. Okay. Keep this going. Calm, mellow, just like Connor. “You’ll get a chill staying in there all night. Come on, let’s go get you warmed up.” He takes another step, his big dark eyes locked on me. I reach out with one hand toward him.
“Come on, let’s get you a snack. Do you want a snack, maybe some carrots?” I say, and he walks over slowly and steadily. As he steps up the sloped exit, I stand to meet him until he nudges my outstretched hand with his head. His fur is soft, and my fingers slip through, scratching behind one ear.
“Good boy, come on, let’s get you dry,” I say, standing and walking back toward the pool fence. Connor is still holding theother end of the rope, but it’s hanging slack, and he follows behind Chewie and me as we make our way out of the pool area.
“Who’s the Chewie whisperer?” someone asks, and I turn and find Skye, the young farmhand, standing there wearing bright blue flannelette pajamas with sloths printed all over them, and he’s holding a bunch of carrots in one hand. Cool, I picked the right snack for a cheeky llama.
Connor closes the pool gate with a clang that echoes through the open air.
“This is Hayden. He’s staying in cabin twelve,” Connor replies, a notable chatter in his voice.
“Good thing he was out for a walk then, or I might have had to pull both of you out.” Skye laughs, holding up the carrots. The second Chewie spots them, his interest in me fades, and he makes a start toward Skye.
“That llama is a menace,” Connor replies, handing Skye the end of the rope. He starts walking backwards, teasing Chewie with the carrots in the air to keep his focus on him and moving the way he wants.
“Then he fits right in here, doesn’t he?” Skye replies. “Thanks for the assist, Hayden. I’ll get this guy dry and put away; you two can get back to whatever it was you were doing.”
My face immediately warms.
“Lock the gate properly this time,” Connor replies, not even acknowledging Skye’s comment.
