Andi's Goat Catastrophe. Part Two: "Trouble on Four Hooves"

 By Hope

 Part TWO

-1-

January, 1890

    “Mamaaa!”

   Andi’s head whipped up from where she was crouched next to her goat, Rosie. The zing-zing-zing of milk into the pail ceased. “In here, Jared.”

  A minute or two later, Jared waddled in, his eyes huge. He was silent except for the dripping on egg yolk onto the floor.

  Andi gasped. Somehow, egg yolks were landing in a splat onto the barn’s dirt floor. Egg shells littered his blonde hair. He whimpered.

  Fighting a smile, she guided him back to the house. As Andi had guessed, the egg basked lay in a heap on the wooden floor. She sighed. 

  After she cleaned him up, she headed back outside to finish milking until she saw the stanchion. The goat was gone. 

  Groaning, Andi called for her. Where on earth could she be? It was just five– maybe ten– minutes ago that she left her. The grain pail was on the floor and licked clean. Frowning, she started the search. 

   It wasn't until exactly 5 minutes later that she found Rosie in the feed room, stuffing herself on… horror of horrors! She gasped. Not the grain!

  Andi rushed over and tried shoving her away. This goat was like steel, connected to the grain bag. Tears sprang to her eyes as the nasty goat stepped on her foot and kept stuffing herself on the precious grain. Finally, she managed to yank her away only for her to step on her toes, smashing them.

  She slammed the stall door shut, took off her boot, and massaged her sore toes. This was not turning out to be a good day.

><><><><><><><><  

   Three days later, Andi walked outside with a pail, whistling. As she stepped into the barn to milk the nanny, she set the pail on the stanchion and leaned over the stall door to greet her goats. The empty stall. Frowning, Andi looked around the stall. Somehow, the goats had tossed a bucket near the door, climbed onto the bucket, and hopped over the half-door. She cringed. How smart were these goats? 

   As Andi searched around the yard, she couldn’t help thinking of the words she had said to Riley when she got the goats. “I won’t make the same mistake twice.” She shoved aside her irritation and focused on finding them. A few minutes later, the mother goat was secured in the stall with a bit of hay. The kids, on the other hand, were a bit trickier. They zipped and darted around her, climbing all over the hay bales in the hay barn.

   Andi was fast, but not fast enough. She eventually corralled them into the barn, where they reunited with their mother. She snatched the bucket from the stall and slammed the door shut. What a disaster!

  Later that day, Andi let them out into their pen. She knew it was secure. No goat could jump that fence. Or go under it, Andi thought. But after today, she wouldn’t doubt if the goats dug a hole and slipped under the fence!

   Her worries were made clear the next morning. The two kids had squeezed through a space that was smaller than both her hands put together. She couldn’t believe it. The poor mama goat stood inside the pen, bleating for her babies. 

   Andi huffed and went on the search for the missing kids. She peeked into the hay barn, but it was silent. The tack room and barn aisle showed the same results. She looked between sheds, under the porch, and behind the barn. No sign of them.

   Frowning, Andi plopped down on the porch stairs and put her chin in her hands to think. If I were a goat, where would I be? A moment later, a sharp cry pierced the yard, making Andi leap from her seat. Another frantic cry carried to Andi’s ears as she raced toward the unfortunate sound. When she reached the tool shed, the sight took her breath away.

   One of the two kids, whose name was Daisy, had her two front legs tangled in fishing wire. She was on the ground, trying to get out of it. The other kid, Clover, was bleating on top of the shed roof, because he couldn’t get down. How he got up there, Andi would never guess. 

   Retrieving a scissor from the house, Andi started cutting away the wire that entangled poor Daisy. The instant the last strand was cut, she leaped away, but not before Andi caught her and held her while she helped Clover down from the roof. A goat in each arm, she lugged them to the pen, patched up the hole in the fence, and did a thorough survey to the other parts of the fence. It was clear that the hole was the only one. Andi watched the group for a few minutes, then went inside.

  ><><><><><><><><

 

   Over the next few days, Andi was relieved to see that the goats did not escape anymore. Riley properly fixed the hole where the kids got out, and everyone seemed happy. Until a particular rainy and cold winter day. 

   The town was buzzing with disappointment because this winter appeared to be “record-breaking low temperatures” , says one bystander, as Andi walked along the sidewalk. She wore her thick, woolen coat and stockings, but she could see her breath go as vapor in the cold, still air. Jared whimpered. 

   She went back to the buggy and clucked to the horses. They shifted nervously and trotted along the road. Andi felt sorry for them. As they made the turn to their house, small flecks of white fluttered around them. Snow! 

   As a child, Andi was always excited on the rare occasions that it snowed. She and Melinda would have snowball fights, build snowmen, and make snow angels. They would sit around the cozy fire and watch the snow fall out the window. More often than not, though, the snow would not be enough to do anything but tell her that it was cold outside.

    This was not a laughing matter for her now, though. Snow meant colder temperatures, colder house, colder stove. Andi slapped the reins on the horses and they broke into a fast trot. 

   As she rode into the yard, she knew the temperature had dropped by at least ten degrees from the time she got in the buggy and went into the yard an hour later. A storm was coming, and it was coming fast.

   Andi carried Jared inside, then came back out and unhitched the horses. She tossed them some hay and headed inside, numb with cold. The wind was starting to blow outside, and the ground was already covered in a thin layer of white dusting. She fumbled with the stove, which decided to welcome her with a cheery flame. Andi choked back a sob of thanks and shut the stove door. 

   Andi wrapped Jared in a woolen blanket and watched out the window to where the snow was falling on the ground. She shivered.

    An hour later, a gush of wind followed Riley as he stumbled through the door. Shaking the snow from his boots, he shook his head. “This is going to be a bad one.”

   Nodding, Andi dished him a plate of supper and joined him at the table. “How is everything out there?”

   Riley smiled faintly at her. “As far as I know, fine. I put the horses in the barn. Did you happen to check the goats today?”

   Andi shook her head. “It was so cold, I was focused on Jared and the horses.” Andi assumed they would be fine in the warm, cozy barn. 

   “How long do you think it will last?” Andi said in a worried voice. 

   “A few hours, or overnight at the most. Shouldn’t be too long before it slows down.” He gave Andi a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about your goats. I’ll be sure to check on them in the morning.”

   Andi let out a breath. “Thank you.” 

   It will end soon. Andi told herself. But she couldn’t stop thinking that out there, somewhere, something was about to go wrong.

2

 

   The next morning, Andi fixed herself a cup of coffee before heading outside into the gloom. At least it wasn’t snowing anymore. But the ground was covered in a couple inches of white fluff. “All of this in one night?” Andi shook her head and bundled herself in her thick, woolen coat and stockings. Andi took a deep breath as she stepped outside.

   It wasn’t as cold as she feared. But as she took the first step off the porch, her book sunk up to her ankle in snow. The walk to the barn was even worse. Crunching her way along, Andi opened the barn doors and stepped into the warm barn. Shasta nickered when he saw her, and so did a few other horses. They looked unhappy.

    Andi walked up the aisle to the far end and stopped in front of her goat’s stall. Leaning over the door, Andi’s eyes met with two pairs of eyes looking up at her. Andi’s heart skipped a beat. Rosie and Daisy were chewing their cuds. Clover was missing.

   Turning away, Andi looked around the barn for the lost kid. After a thorough search, Andi concluded that the kid had escaped outside. She sucked in a breath. How long ago?

   Andi stepped outside and shut the door to keep the warm air in the barn. She walked around outside the barn, then near the bunkhouse. She called for him and searched everywhere. He was nowhere to be seen. After a good half hour, Andi admitted defeat. Perhaps the goat had found a cozy place to hide, somewhere Andi hadn’t looked. Wherever he was, Andi couldn’t find him without help. Heading inside, Andi shook her head sadly. Goats.

><><><><><><><>< 

    As soon as Riley stepped through the door, Andi cornered him. “Clover’s missing, and I’ve looked everywhere.” Her head pounded with worry. She hoped it wasn’t the same fate that Jasper, her lamb, had succumbed to all those months ago. 

   Riley looked at her. “Are you sure?”

   Andi nodded. When she had fed and watered the goats earlier that afternoon, he was still missing.

    “I’ll look for him before the sun goes down.” Riley grabbed his hat and headed back out the door.

><><><><><><><>< 

   Thirty minutes later, Riley returned with a cold, unhappy buckling. He put him with the others, but Andi didn’t understand how he got out in the first place “The stall’s locked tight.”

  RIley shrugged. “I suppose we should have checked every crack and hole in there.” He sighed. “I don’t know about these goats, Andi.”

   Andi’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?” 

   Riley shook his head. “It’s too much work for you, Andi.” He eyed her. “This is different from Jasper. He was a sheep. But these goats need milking, feeding, and constant watching so they don’t escape, which is all too much for you and Jared.”

   “The ranch hands can milk them if you’re that worried.”

   “True, but that isn’t my only concern.”

   Silent, Andi faced the window. She really liked her goats. But to say she loved them, she couldn’t. She admitted that sometimes they were annoying, but still… “You were the one who gave them to me. Remember?”

   Riley nodded. “But I should have known better. Sheep and goats are too much for one person to handle. I should have learned from Jasper. Do you understand?”

   Andi looked away. Rosie and the babies were so perfect at first, but as the weeks came by, they did horrible things. Once, the trio escaped yet again and chewed up a good portion of the wooden fences in the south paddock. Another time, they jumped all over the good saddles in the tack room and ruined a couple of the good ones with their muddy hooves. Nothing a good scrubbing couldn’t fix, but still… “I don’t know, Riley.”

   “Remember what happened in the cookhouse?”

   Andi cringed. Of course she remembered. Daisy had eaten a good portion of the stash of cornmeal in the cookhouse. Carlos had complained for a full day about spoiling what was left. 

   Andi sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

   Riley stood. “I’ll see to it that they are advertised as soon as possible.” He smiled at Andi. “Thank you for not getting upset.”

  Andi just shrugged. 

3

   

   “Andi, come here for a minute.” Riley waved her over. Church had barely gotten out, and Riley was talking to a young woman who had two small children. Andi hurried over.

   He introduced her to them. “Mrs. Hill is interested in your goats.”

   Andi smiled. “Is that so?”

   The woman smiled faintly. “It is. I have been looking for quite a while now, but it seems like nobody was selling milk producers. Well, until now.” 

   “Let’s discuss it, shall we?”

><><><><><><><>< 

   The next day, Mrs. Hill came by to see the goats. “I dare say they are the best looking ones I have seen,” she said, smiling. “I’ve decided I would like to buy them.”

   “I’m sure we can arrange that. When would you like to pick them up?” said Riley.

   “Is tomorrow too soon?” 

   “Not at all.” 

   As they walked back to Mrs. Hill’s buggy, a slight commotion turned them around. 

   “Mamaaaa!!” A sharp wailing erupted from the barn. 

   Andi took off running and stopped short when she reached the barn. The baby goats had slipped through the door crack and were jumping on Jared, muddy hooves and all. How they got muddy Andi couldn’t guess. “Jared!”

   Andi hurried over and plucked Jared from under the goats. He sobbed, dirty tears streaking his face. When Riley saw the situation, his jaw dropped. Silently, Andi walked out of the barn.

   “What happened, my dear?” An apologetic Mrs. Hill stood near her buggy.

   “I… well… I must have left the door open, and the goats got out. They… ah…” Andi broke off, seeing the woman had caught on. Her eyes opened wide when she saw Jared. “Well I’ll be…” 

   Andi shifted and replied quickly. “I’m sorry if you aren’t interested anymore, I understand. I’m sure someone else…” She trailed off when the woman waved at her. 

   “No need. I’ll take them.” The woman’s eyes twinkled. “I can already see they are being too much of a hassle for you. ‘Shouldn’t have to wait another day or two. How much do you want?”

   Andi’s eyes opened wide. “Are you sure?”

   The woman smiled. “I’ve raised enough goats in my days to know that they will do what they want, no matter what you say. Don’t take it to heart. Now, shall we discuss it?”

   An hour later, the buggy rolled off down the driveway, with the goat and kids tied securely behind. The woman had insisted on payment, no matter what Andi nor Riley had said. Thankfully, now, it was over.

   “Riley?”

   RIley turned. “Hmm?”

   “Did we do the right thing? I mean, selling them and all?”

   RIley pushed back his hat. “It depends on the way you look at it. But yes, I suppose you did.”

   “Me?”

   “You were the one who decided to sell them after all, right? I was only the one who simply suggested it.”

   Andi grinned. “I suppose you're right. At least it's over now. No more escapes.”

   “No more lost goat kids.”

   “No more goats, period.”

   Riley laughed. “Sure.”

THE END

   “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every 

purpose under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Searching for Forgiveness (Daniel Carter's POV story)

 by Annabelle J.C. 

Daniel Carter sighed inwardly. He was tired of listening to his cousin, Andrea’s, brothers ramble on about horses, cattle, and other ranch business. He also sensed that his relatives were still feeling a bit uneasy about his presence. He hurried to finish his dessert and then stood. “I’d better be going. I have some work to finish up.” He turned to Andrea’s husband, Riely, whom he had been working for the past week. “With your say-so, boss?” he asked.

                Riely nodded and Daniel turned to leave.

                The ride to Memory Creek ranch didn’t last long. After unsaddling his horse, Daniel lit a lantern and sat on the barn floor to write. He had been writing journal entries since the start of his trip out west and he planned for this to be his last. Before leaving Memory Creek, he hoped to give his entries to Andrea as a gift and as proof of how sorry he felt over the wrongs he’d committed to her in the past. (this entry used by permission from Susan K. Marlow. Yosemite at Last: Pages 206-207.)

April 22, 1887. I’m writing this last entry in your barn by the light of what must be the worst lantern in California. It sputters and hisses, but the feeble light will not dissuade me from sharing my final thoughts. After tonight, I don’t intend to keep writing, for I will have said everything I wished to say. I arrived at Memory Creek less than a week ago, and just as I suspected, you acted suspicious. I don’t blame you, all things considered. I did remember when you said, “I forgive you” at the station that day, but I had no ears to hear it then. Worse, I had no words to thank you. I was too wrapped up in my own misery to care if you forgave me or not. 

Now, I realize how special your gift of forgiveness was. Let it be known, as God is my witness, that you and Riley will not regret giving me this chance to make things up to you. I aim to work hard and pull my weight so I can show you I’ve truly changed.

Whether you end up believing in my sincerity or not, I will be satisfied, for I know my sins have been washed away by Jesus’s blood. The old Daniel is gone. I’m a new creation. Forgiven. Cleansed. I have peace, Andrea. May His will be done regarding our relationship.

P.S. The rest of these entries were written during my trip out West and the first few days I have been on Memory Creek. When I leave your ranch, I intend to hand over this entire bundle. You will learn a lot about my journey over the past three years (and you’ll hear about the terrible food Sheriff Tate served during my six-month incarceration in the Fresno jail). I hope my writings give you insight and an occasional laugh. Your cousin, Daniel. 

                It didn’t take Daniel long to finish writing. He tucked the stationary he’d most recently used into a small metal box along with his other notes to Andrea. Giving a little sigh, Daniel stood up and paced around the barn, deep in thought. He reached his hand out to pet one of the horses, unaware of the lantern which he’d accidentally kicked over after getting up.

                It was only a few seconds before Daniel noticed smell of smoke in the air. He spun around and gasped. The hay on the floor had already caught on fire and was quickly spreading. Daniel hurried around the room in panic, looking for something, anything, he could use to put out the flames. He soon found a bucket of dirty rainwater, but it didn’t help much. He realized there was no way he could put out such a large fire on his own.

                Where are Riely’s other ranch hands? Daniel wondered. Surely, they would have smelled the smoke by now.

                Determined to do something to help in his situation, Daniel decided to begin freeing the horses, starting with Andrea’s horse, Shasta. He hurried to her stall where she loudly whinnied and paced about. Daniel reached for the door of Shasta’s stall but froze when he heard a crackling noise above him. He glanced upward just in time to see a burning rafter fall above him. Daniel yelped and hurried to get away, but it was too late. The last thing Daniel felt was the searing pain in his back as the bright flames engulfed him, and the last thing he saw was the horse he longed to free, Shasta.

◈◈◈

            As Andi read the last words Daniel had ever written, a sob caught in her throat. The leopard had changed its spots. Andi forgave Daniel more now than ever before, and she was eager for the day when she would tell him so in heaven.

            If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.

Andi's Goat Catastrophe. Part One: "The Goat Proposition"

By Hope R.

PART ONE

November 1, 1889

   Andrea Prescott stepped onto the boardwalk of Fresno’s most popular general store, Goodwins Mercantile. I never thought Fresno could be this busy, she mused, especially if it's going to rain.

  But in spite of the damp air, the dusty streets of her beloved town were crowded with wagons, horses, and pedestrians.

  Beside her, Jared whimpered. Andi quickly grasped his hand and guided him away from the hustle and bustle of the town as she made her way to the mercantile. 

  Stepping inside the store, Andi smelled the familiar smell of fresh coffee, new fabrics, and paint. She smiled as the shopkeeper greeted her from behind the counter.

  “Hello Andi! It’s good to see you. How’s the little man?” Mr. Goodwin said, smiling at Jared.

  “Good as gold.” Andi replied. She handed him the list she had written down for groceries. 

  “I saw you sister a little while ago. She wanted to know if you were in town.” Mr. Goodwin commented as he wrapped brown paper around the items. 

 Andi’s eyebrows rose. “I didn't see her. I must have just missed her.”

   Mr Goodwin stepped around the counter and handed Jared a peppermint stick. Jared squealed in joy.

  Andi smiled at her son and turned back to the shopkeeper. “I might visit her this afternoon.” Her gaze flicked to the window, where a sudden dark cloud was settling over the town. Her spirits drooped. “Unless it is going to start raining again.” 

  Mr. Goodwin chuckled at Andi’s face and handed her the groceries. “Be glad you have a little time before it starts. Do you need any help bringing these out?’

  Andi nodded gratefully. “Thank you.” She made her way out to the buggy, and settled Jared on the buggy seat. Thankfully, it had a cover. 

  After Mr. Goodwin set the last package in the buggy, the sky broke and water came down in sheets. Andi thanked him and quickly climbed into the buggy and turned to Jared. “Jared, how would you like to see Aunt Melinda?” 

  Jared’s face lit up, sticky peppermint all over his face. He clapped his hands together. “Aunt Mewinda!” 

  Andi grinned and urged the horse towards Melinda’s house. She hadn’t seen her sister since last Sunday's dinner. It would be more fun than driving a whole hour in the rain back to her home. Besides, she thought, I'm sure Melinda would appreciate it too. She couldn’t think of anyone who would want to be stuck indoors in this gloom.

  A rumble of thunder sounded overhead. Andi shivered. It had turned cold faster than usual. She clucked to the horse, and it broke into a fast trot. Jared squealed in delight. 

  A few minutes later Andi pulled up to a neat and tidy home where her sister lived. Thankfully, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, and she walked around puddles up to the door. With Jared in her arms, she knocked on the door. 

  “Andi! I was hoping you would stop by when you had the chance.” Melinda beamed as she opened the door and invited them inside. “I admit I haven’t seen you very much. I was so busy with the baby that I never really got the chance to come and visit.” 

  Andi grinned. “It’s alright. I was just stopping by to pick up some groceries, and Mr. Goodwin said that you wanted to see me. I decided it was better than riding back home in the rain.” 

  Melinda gestured her two guests into the parlor, talking the whole way. “I am so glad that you stopped by. With Peter gone and everything, I was missing seeing the family. Peter wasn’t sure if he wanted to leave us alone, but I assured him we would be fine.” Melinda invited her to sit, and Andi set Jared down on the carpet. He rolled around and smiled at his aunt and mama.

  Then Melinda turned hostess. “Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Milk? Sugar?”

  “Just a splash.”

  Melinda looked at her with a twinkle in her eye as she poured the milk into the tea. 

  “Whats wrong?” Andi said.

  “Oh, nothing! Here is your tea.” Melinda handed her the cup.

  Andi peered into the teacup. What was wrong? It looked like normal tea.

  Melinda laughed. “Nothing's wrong with the tea, Andi. Taste it.”

  Andi took a sip. It tasted like normal tea, with a small aftertaste. “What is it?”

  Melinda smiled. “Goat’s milk.”

  Andi blinked in surprise. “Goat’s milk? Where did you get it?”

  “Peter and I had been talking about getting a goat for a few weeks. I heard of the benefits of goat’s milk,” Melinda explained. “Goat’s milk is easier on the stomach for most people, and especially for babies and toddlers. We decided that it would be a good thing for baby William. And we decided it would be a better idea than cow’s milk because one goat would only yield about a half a gallon a day, so there would be less waste.”

  Andi was so surprised she didn’t speak. Melinda? Milking a goat? She opened her mouth to speak, but Melinda kept talking.

“ . . .  Last week Peter went to a friend of his who had goats. He generously offered us one of his best milk producers. Best of all, she has more baby goats on the way, so she will be producing milk all year long.”

  Andi gaped at Melinda. “You never told me you had a goat. I thought they were just as annoying as sheep.” She did not forget her lamb, Jasper, who was just as irritating as fun.

  Melinda laughed again. “Oh Andi, they are a lot easier to milk than cows. And way quieter. All you need to do is get a pail and start milking. They take a lot less time than cows too. Easier on the hands.” She eyed her. “Would you like to see?”

  Nodding, Andi rose from the settee. After assuring herself that Jared was asleep, she followed her out the back door into her yard, and a sturdy fence complete with a gate fenced off a portion of the yard, a brown doe stood chewing her cud. Two frisky kids jumped around her.

  Andi’s eyebrows rose. Melinda had really meant what she said. She knew she wasn’t lying, but it was still hard to believe. She followed Melinda as she unlatched the gate and stepped inside the pen.

   Melinda pointed to the brown doe, who stood chewing her cud. “That’s Nutmeg.”

  Andi reached her hand out towards the doe. Nutmeg sniffed it and resumed chewing her cud. “Melinda, I never thought you would actually do something like own a goat. I thought . . .” She trailed off.

  “Thought that I was too ladylike for it?” Melinda finished her sentence.

  Andi nodded, cheeks burning.

  Melinda sighed. “I thought so too, but I realized that owning a goat doesn’t make me ‘unladylike’, it just opens new opportunities for William, because I want him to grow healthy and strong. Besides,” she said, smiling, “he would love to play with the baby goats. They really are cute!” 

  At that, they both went back in the house. As they said their goodbyes. Andi couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a goat. No, she mused, Riley would never agree. But still, the thought crept over her the whole ride home.

2

Andi’s Idea

 Later that day….

  Andi slid the heavy pot of stew away from the fire and stirred it. A delicious aroma wafted up, and Andi smiled. She took a plate from the cupboard and dished up a heaping plate of the beef stew for Riley.  Wouldn’t he be pleased!

  As she set it down on the table, a familiar call echoed through the house. “Andi, I’m home!” 

Andi grinned. Just in time! She dished up a plate for herself and sat down just as Riley shook his hands from the pump. He sat down and said the blessing.

   “So, what did you do today?”

  Andi smiled. “I had to go into town for groceries, but it started raining. So I went over to Melinda’s and visited with her the rest of the afternoon.”

  Riley took a bite of stew. “How is she doing? I heard Peter’s gone off to San Francisco.”

  Andi nodded. “But she is doing just fine. And she appreciates all the help everyone has been giving her,” she grinned. “especially with the new goats she has.”

  Riley nearly choked on his stew. “The what?” He wiped his mouth and looked at Andi. “I haven’t heard of any farm animals she acquired. But, I suppose I haven’t seen her in a while.”

  Andi’s eyes sparkled. “They are the cutest things I have ever seen! The kids, I mean. That's what you call a baby goat. A kid.” She held her breath. Perhaps Riley would consider getting one. Just one.

  Riley looked at her carefully. “Don’t get any ideas, Andi. Remember what happened last time?” 

  Andi rolled her eyes. “For pity’s sake Riley, that was a lamb. A goat is not a sheep. Melinda told me that goats are very neat and tidy. And they don’t stink.”

  “I heard from reliable sources that goats are mischievous, demanding, and that they escape out of nearly every fence that is put up.”

  True, but still….

  Riley shook his head. “I will not make the same mistake twice. And neither will you.”

  “Riley –”

  “No, Andi.” His voice was firm.

  Andi sighed. So much for her great idea.  

3

Another Visit to Melinda

A few weeks later….

  “Riley, Melinda offered for us to come out to her place this afternoon. She said she feels lonely and would love to have us over.”

  Riley clucked to the horse. It broke into a bouncy trot. “I’m sure that can be arranged. What time did she say was fine with her?” 

  “Any time, but she prefers around 3 o’clock.” 

  “Then three it is.”

                                                      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  “Andi, Riley, it's so good to see you again!” Melinda opened the door and welcomed them in. 

  Andi smiled. “How is William?”

  “I just put him down for his nap.” Melinda ushered her visitors into the parlor and offered them tea. Riley took off his hat politely, and Andi set Jared down beside him.

  After a few minutes of chatting, Andi spoke up. “I am sure Riley would love to see your new additions to the family, wouldn’t you, Riley?”

  Riley gave her a I-know-what-your-doing look and smiled at Melinda. “I suppose I would. I heard you got a few goats.”

  Melinda’s eyes lit up. “It was Peter’s idea, really.” She rose and led them toward the familiar backyard and showed them the animals.

  Riley seemed impressed and asked a few questions about them. “So, do they require a lot of care? It must be hard to care for them and your William.”

  Melinda shook her head. “Not at all! They just eat the backyard grass. They trim grass so well, ranchers often used them to eat all of the weeds, too.”

  “Really!” He scratched his chin. 

  She laughed and stroked her goat. “Yep!”

  After a few more minutes, they decided it was time to leave and said their goodbyes. Riley was quiet on the way home. 

  “What’s eating you?”

  RIley smiled at her. “I might just be rethinking my words from a few weeks ago.”

  Andi gasped. “Oh, really?”

  Riley chuckled. “If all she said about goats is true, I might be thinking of a new addition to the ranch,” he said. 

  Andi squealed then put a hand over her mouth not to wake Jared. Inside she bubbled up. 

   Riley smiled again at her excitement and clucked to the horse. “A couple of the pastures are overgrown.  It might be good to get an animal like that can eat them down without doing it by hand.”

   Andi grinned. “Do you suppose we should get one with a kid? Jared would love it.”

   Riley nodded. “I will be on the lookout.”

   Andi smiled happily and gazed out at the scenery along the road. She couldn’t help daydreaming about goats the whole way home.

4

The Visitor

December 23, 1889

   “Andi! I’m home.” Riley said as he burst through the doorway of his home. All was still.

   Frowning, he looked around and saw a hastily scribbled note on the kitchen table. “Went to town for groceries. I’ll be back soon. Love, Andi.” He read. Nearby, a fresh slice of bread was on a plate on the table. A slab of butter sat on top of it. Thanks, Andi.

  RIley smiled and sat down. Just as he started eating, he heard the rumble of a wagon up the road. That isn’t the sound of our wagon, he mused. Riley stood and brushed aside the curtain. A man was coming up the driveway. 

  Riley opened the door. “Howdy! Can I help you?”

  The man exited the wagon and took off his hat. “Is this the Prescotts’ place?”

  Riley stepped off the porch. “It is,” he said, “And you are…” He waited for a reply.

  The man smiled. “Elisha Brown.” He shifted his weight. “I heard you were looking for a nanny goat with a few kids. Am I correct?”

  Riley nodded. “We’ve been looking for a few weeks. Why?”

  Elisha grinned again. “I might just be having what you want.” He waved Riley to the back of his wagon, where a nice-looking goat tied next to two spotted kids. 

  “I heard… Well, I’ll get straight to it. I’m selling this quality milk-producer. My wife doesn't have a use for them, as she is getting on in years and can’t milk the nanny every day.”

  “How did you find out about us?”

   Elisha smiled. “A man by the name of… Peter Wilson I believe. Are you a friend of his?”

   Riley nodded again. “He is my wife’s brother-in-law.” He gazed thoughtfully at the goats. Andi would really love them. “How old are the kids?”

  “About three weeks now.”

   Riley frowned, deep in thought. “How much?”

   Elisha scratched his chin. “Well… I was originally aimin’ for 20 bucks, but since you seem like a nice fella…” He paused. “I’ll sell the bunch for 15, cash on hand if you will.”

  Riley shook hands with him. “It’s a deal.” 

5

Christmas Day

December 25, 1889

  “Andi, I have something to show you.”

  Andi looked up from where she was cleaning up the last of the paper gift wrappings from Jared. It had been a busy Christmas morning with squeals and shouts of joy as Jared opened his gifts. She smiled thinking about it. “What is it?”

  Riley chuckled. “It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?”

  Curious, Andi followed him out the back door into the yard. Her curiosity rose when he strolled into the barn and stopped in front of the last stall. “Look inside.”

  Andi peeked over the half door and gasped. Inside was a goat and two kids! “Oh, Riley!” She opened the door and rushed inside. The nanny goat appeared healthy and well taken care of. The two kids frollicked around the stall. She reached out a hand. The mother goat sniffed it and chewed her cud, just as Melinda’s goat had done. She turned toward Riley, bewildered.    

  “Where did you –” 

    Riley laughed and held up a hand. “Hold your horses. I know you have a lot of questions.” He gestured to the family. “A man came over a couple of days ago. He offered us this family. I thought it might make a good Christmas present,” He paused. “Has it?”

  Andi leaped up and flew her arms around Riley. “Oh, yes! The best Christmas present ever.” She untangled her arms and smiled. “Thank you!”

  Riley grinned and leaned against the stall’s half-door. “I don’t think I had you completely fooled, though.” 

  Andi grinned as she remembered being so curious of why Riley was in the barn so much the past two days. Nor did she miss the elaborate hammering she clearly heard behind the barn, but she was too tired to check it out. Now she knew. “So that's why you were in the barn so much.”

  Riley nodded. “I had to make sure they kept quiet so as to not ruin the surprise. Besides, who wouldn’t love to watch those two babies run around all day?” 

  Andi smiled. “I’ll go get Jared to see the kids. He will adore them!” As she crossed the short path to go up to the house from the barn, she couldn’t help wondering what she would name them. No, I’ll let Jared decide.

End of Part One

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