Page 164 of Huckleberry Hill
“And it’s still on your family’s land, which means you get to see your family as often as you want.”
“There is that.”
“So in the meantime, we just have to trip over each other’s stuff? And sleep in a bed too small for two people and a goat?”
“I don’t see another solution at this point, Declan. Do you?”
“No, I guess I don’t.”
My hand snaked out to touch his chest. He immediately covered my hand with his.
“It’s an adventure, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Oh yeah. You can definitely say that.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Ranch
* * *
The rain persisted and it went from a pleasant sprinkle to downright pouring. It was two days of slogging to the barn with wet boots, damp socks and scalding showers in the evenings in an attempt to get warm.
“We haven’t had this much rain at this time of year in five years,” Dad said, worry crossing his brow. “And we had a long winter with a lot of snow.”
Muddy took a sip of her coffee. “You’re thinking what I’m thinking . . .”
Dad nodded. “The southeast corner of the ranch is going to flood bad. I’ve been doing this long enough to recognize what’s coming. The rain hasn’t let up and the snowpack is warming faster than the land can handle the water that’s coming down from the mountains. The grazing land is a giant mud pit right now and the creek is swollen and getting deeper by the minute. We’ve got to get the cattle to higher ground and move them to the northwest side of the ranch. And we need to move fast. All hands on deck. It can’t wait any longer.”
I finished the last bit of my coffee and set my cup down. “Just tell me where to be.”
Declan nodded. “Goldie and Merlin are bonded at this point. I’ll ride with Hadley so the horses stay calm. Just put us where you want us.”
“Declan, I need you to get the boys together. We need a plan. We have way too many cattle for the number of hands, and conditions are already bad,” Dad said. “We can only cross at the rocky portion of the creek without losing cattle. If we try to cross too far up stream where it’s deep and muddy they’ll get stuck in the muck and freeze and drown. I’ll call Clint and Max and ask for their help. If they can come we just might be able to move the whole herd at once. And I need to call Jane and her team and let them know we’re forcing the cattle across the creek.”
I wisely held my tongue when he mentioned calling Jane. Yes, she was a vet and we needed a vet in case the animals were stressed or injured, but I wondered if he wanted to have a personal reason to call her.
“I’ll get changed,” I said. “I just hope I can find my waterproof clothes.”
“I’ll help you piece an outfit together,” Muddy said. “And I’ll get the walkie-talkies and make sure they all work.”
“Thanks,” Dad said. “And you’ll?—”
“Hold down the fort here,” she said.
I looked at Declan. “Tempest. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Bring her here,” Muddy said. “She can keep me company.”
“If that goat pisses in this house, you’re cleaning it up,” Dad warned me.
“She’s slept the last two nights on the bed without a problem,” Declan announced. “She’s smart.”
Dad looked at Declan and then to me.
“What?” I demanded. “You got me a pet goat. Was I not supposed to potty train her?”
“Fair enough. Declan, let’s get the boys together and make this plan.”
