by Nancy Naigle
“Yes.” Zoe held the phone up so Allie could talk without taking her hands off the wheel.
“Hey, Henry.”
“Doc! Buttercup is in labor.”
“No. I told you she’s not due for another week.”
“But she’s mooing like crazy…”
“Really?” Didn’t we just go through this?
“Oh yeah, and loud.” Worry hung in each word.
“All right. Well, I’m actually headed back into town right now.”
“You’re coming back?”
“No. Not exactly. It’s a long story. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
“Bye,” she said, and then whispered to Zoe, “You can hang it up.” Allie straightened at the wheel. “Well, guys, I’m afraid we’re going to have to take a little detour.”
Ryan looked at her like he was wondering what in the world he’d gotten them into, but she had a feeling Zoe would enjoy the side trip.
A few miles up the road, Allie turned off to the right and headed for the countryside. She pointed across the way. “About a mile down that road is the Christmas tree farm my grandpa always took me to. Best one in Vermont.”
Zoe pressed her face against the glass, amazed by the perfect grid of Christmas trees in all sizes. “Dad, we should get ours there.”
“It’s a long way to go for a tree,” he pointed out.
“Every year, my grandpa would let me pick out our tree. I’ve always had a soft spot for the runt of the litter, so I’d pick the smallest, neediest-looking thing on the farm.”
Ryan smiled gently. “That’s actually kind of noble.”
“My mother never thought so. She’d just sigh at the tangle of branches we’d drag in. I’m confident in saying that if it had been Dad’s dad instead of hers taking me shopping for that tree, she would never have allowed those little scrawny trees in the door.”
“So you were looking out for the underdog. And still are,” he said.
“Dog? Veterinarian?” Allie shook her head, pointing a wise-guy finger in his direction. “I see what you did there. Nicely done.” He laughed at his own corny joke.
Zoe clapped her hands wildly. “Wow, Dad! Look at all the cows. And horses.”
“This is beautiful country,” he said.
“Here we are,” Allie announced. She took the familiar path back to the old barn.
“This is quite an operation,” Ryan remarked.
“Henry’s family has owned this property for generations.” She followed the road to the barn, and then parked. “Come along. You’ll love Henry. And you’re not going to want to miss this.”
Zoe tumbled out of the truck behind Allie, who slipped on her work coat. “This way to the stalls.”
“Hey, Henry.”
“Thanks so much for coming, Doc.”
“You’re welcome. Meet Zoe and Ryan while I look at what we’ve got here.” The three of them made quick friends as she checked Buttercup. Her udder was full, and had been for days, but now her teats had lost that Coke-bottle shape and were extended. She placed her hand on Buttercup’s left side, feeling for movement.
Buttercup mooed, and Allie felt the contraction, then put on her gloves and did a quick check. Sure enough, she was fully dilated, and the good news was the calf’s nose and hooves were right there where they were supposed to be. “Yeah. Henry, you were right. She’s in labor.”
Henry stood with his arms folded. “Told you I knew their moos.”
Ryan sprang into action. “What can I do to help?”
“Henry, you go get me a big bucket of hot water. And Ryan, bring me my bag.”
“You got it,” he said, heading for the truck.
“What can I do to help?” Zoe asked.
“You can take apart a bale of hay, because we’re going to make a little nest for the baby.”
Buttercup mooed, seeming to agree with the plan.
“You got it.” Zoe ran over to a stack of hay bales in the alleyway. One was already open, and she carried a whopping armful back into the stall and then went back for more. Then she proceeded to arrange it for their new arrival. “How big will the baby cow be?”
“As big as you.”
Zoe pulled her lips into a tight line. “Wow. Then I’d better make this bed a little bigger.” She went back to work, fluffing the hay.
Ryan came back with Allie’s bag. He looked so proud of his daughter, who was taking her job very seriously.
It warmed Allie’s heart to be able to share a moment like this with them. She sidled up closer to Ryan. “You know, Buttercup will do all the work if all goes according to plan. I just wanted Zoe to feel like a part of it.” She remembered the first time she’d ever seen a calf born. She’d been helping her Grandpa that day, riding along on his farm visits, when they’d gotten called for an emergency. That visit had been chaotic and they’d almost lost the cow, but it had a happy ending and had been such a special day to her. She still remembered it like it was yesterday, right down to what she’d been wearing. Her grandpa had earned superhero of her heart that day.
“I know. Thank you, Allie.”
“It’ll be a wait-and-see for a while,” she said. “You sure you don’t mind hanging around? I could get someone to take you over to Barbara’s if you’d rather.”
“Are you kidding?” he laughed. “Zoe would never forgive me if I let her miss this.”
They stepped out of the stall to give Buttercup some privacy as she mooed her way through the contractions.
“Allie! Allie!” Zoe climbed over the stall and slid to a stop next to her. “She had the baby!”
Ryan, Zoe, and Henry watched in proud amazement at the wobbling black-and-white calf making gentle sounds with its mother. Allie checked out the newborn calf with Henry standing close by. She examined the calf, made sure her airways were clear, and then dipped her navel in iodine to ward off infection.
Allie then turned and checked Buttercup’s udder. “Everything looks good.”
Zoe kneeled down next to the calf. “She’s so beautiful.”
“She is. She’s awesome.” Allie agreed. “Thanks for your help.”
“Me?” She laid her hand on the calf’s still-damp back.
“Yeah, you. I couldn’t have done this without you,” Allie said.
Henry squatted next to Zoe. “Allie has a point, Zoe. I think you should be the one to name her.”
Zoe’s mouth dropped and her eyes widened. “Okay, but this is big.” She was so serious. “I’m going to need a minute.”
Henry chuckled.
“What should I call you?” Zoe stroked the calf.
Buttercup mooed, but softly this time. The tiny calf responded with her own noises.
Ryan smiled at Allie, which made her smile even bigger. This was such a neat thing to be able to share with them, and Ryan and Zoe being here made it even more meaningful for her, too.
Ryan spoke quietly. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For…making Zoe feel so special.”
“There’s lots of special in that moment. It’s nice to spread it around.” Overcome by the experience herself, she blinked back a tear. “I’m really going to miss this,” she said with a heavy heart.
“After seeing how good you are with animals, I have a feeling that they’re going to miss you, too.” His words were tender, and then he turned back to watch his daughter with the calf.
What a nice thing to say. Ryan was something special. Kind. Gentle. Thoughtful.
“Hey, everybody. I’ve decided,” Zoe announced.
Allie and Ryan stepped closer to Henry and Zoe in the stall.
Zoe said, “The baby’s name should be…Snowflake.”
&nb
sp; Henry let out a hearty laugh. “Perfect.”
“I love it,” Allie said, and Buttercup mooed in what sounded like an approval.
“Come on. Dinner time, Snowflake.” Henry helped the calf get steady on her feet and amble toward Buttercup.
“Thanks, Doc.” Henry shook her hand. “And to you, Ryan and Zoe.”
Allie changed out of her work coat. Once the baby had nursed, everything else would happen on its own. “I think we can leave now,” she said.
“Zoe, we need to go,” Ryan said.
But Zoe didn’t even make an attempt to move. She was still stroking the calf while she tried to nurse for the first time. “But I love Snowflake!”
“I swear,” he said. “She’s going to try to smuggle that thing in her suitcase.”
Zoe reluctantly stood, then gave the newborn calf an unsteady hug before coming out of the stall and locking the door behind her. “That was amazing, Dad.” She ran up to his side.
“It sure was.” He put his arm around her shoulder.
“And look at the snow now! It’s even harder.” Zoe held out her gloved hands, catching snowflakes.
“Henry, if your herd gets any bigger, you might have to keep this old barn.”
“Or finally put that new barn to good use,” Henry said.
Allie’s phone rang. “Hold on one second.” She stepped away to take the call. “Allie Shaw. Whoa! Ezra. Calm down. I can’t understand you.”
Ezra filled her in on the recent disaster. A pipe had broken in the town hall building, flooding the entire place. It was unfortunate they didn’t have the funds for an emergency fix, since the Annual Christmas Festival was, in fact, the fundraiser for the town hall preservation fund. “It’s a mess. It’s like a skating rink in there,” Ezra said. “We’re going to have to cancel the festival.”
She turned back to Ryan and Henry. “Oh, guys. We may not be able to have the festival.”
Ezra sounded beaten down. “Well, the only way we’re going to have it this year is if we find someplace else to do it.”
“Somewhere else to do it? Where?” Allie couldn’t imagine how Michelle and Ezra felt right now. The whole town looked forward to the event.
In the background, she heard Michelle saying, “There’s no place in town with enough space.”
Allie couldn’t believe their bad luck. Wishing for an idea, she looked up…
And the answer was right in front of her. That new barn of Henry’s was in shipshape. Not a single animal had even entered the brand-new building. They’d have nothing to do except decorate.
She turned to Henry. “Henry…I think I’ve got an idea about how we can put your new barn to really good use. How would you like to host the Christmas Festival?”
“Sure thing,” Henry said without hesitation.
Chapter Thirteen
Allie gave Ezra the good news. Henry had agreed to let Evergreen use his new barn for the Christmas Festival this year. Free of charge. There was plenty of room, and plenty of parking, too.
There was even more room at the barn than there was at town hall. They’d salvage the decorations they could get out safely, and then have everyone work together to turn Henry’s barn into a winter wonderland.
Ezra and Michelle both seemed happy with the idea. Allie hung up her phone and turned to Henry. “Thanks so much, Henry. You’re an angel.”
Henry’s cheeks flushed. “You know how much I love the festival. I’m happy to help.” His face got serious. “This doesn’t mean I’ll be ineligible to win the Snowball Bash, will it? I’ve got a title to defend.”
“Not at all! You have at it,” Allie teased.
It had been a long day, but a fulfilling one, and it would be getting dark soon.
Allie, Ryan, and Zoe piled back into her truck, and Allie drove them over to Barbara’s Country Inn. She parked on the street in front of the charming house, then helped Zoe get her bag while Ryan got the rest of their things.
As they walked up to the house, even Allie was impressed with how festive everything looked. Every gabled window, rafter, and peak on the house was lit with white lights. The front porch was decorated so beautifully. The wreath was huge and fluffy. Barbara must’ve made it herself. Every tree, and practically every shrub, sparkled too. Santa himself would want to pit stop here after a long night’s work.
What did Barbara consider “finished”? Allie may have finally met her match. Someone who loved Christmas as much as she did.
As they wheeled the luggage up the lighted sidewalk, Zoe stopped in her tracks. “Wow, Dad. Look at this. It’s beautiful!”
A wooden sign painted in forest green hung from two chains on a tall wrought iron bracket with Barbara’s Country Inn in fancy white scripted letters.
Allie was pleased Ryan and Zoe were so happy with it. “Go on. Let’s go inside.”
Zoe led the way. “Yeah! Let’s go inside.”
Barbara greeted them at the door. The smell of fresh cookies filled the front hall. “Come in! Welcome.” Barbara swept her arm wide for them to enter.
Allie hadn’t been inside since the housewarming party a couple of months ago, and that was before all of the renovations had been done. She was absolutely gobsmacked by how magnificent it looked. The inside of the inn was ready for both guests and Christmas with beautiful decorations everywhere.
Barbara led them through the lobby. “Since we’re not officially open, there’s no check-in process for you. I’m so pleased to have you here. My very first guests. Let me show you around.” She walked through a set of double doors that led to a room in a ruby jewel tone. “This is the dining room.”
Ryan put down the luggage.
“It’s like we’re in a storybook,” Zoe exclaimed.
“When did you have time to decorate?” Allie said in awe.
“Oh, I’ve been working nonstop. The only thing I haven’t been able to do is get a tree.”
“I haven’t gotten one, either,” Allie said, forgetting for a split second that she’d planned to be away for the holiday.
“Well, the inn looks beautiful, Barbara.” Ryan hugged Zoe close at his side. “Thank you so much for letting us stay here.”
“Are you kidding? I’m so happy to have you. Do you want to see the rest of the place?”
“Yes,” both Ryan and Allie said.
“Okay.” Barbara walked toward the hall with Zoe at her heels.
“You know what, why don’t you two go on ahead,” Ryan said. “We’ll catch up in a moment.”
“Okay,” Zoe said. “Bye.”
Barbara and Zoe went into the adjacent living room while Allie stayed back with Ryan.
“Listen. I just wanted to say thank you one more time for taking such good care of us today.”
“It’s my pleasure. Hopefully, the airport will be open tomorrow so you guys can be back on your way.”
“Yeah, although as far as detours go, this has been a pretty eventful one. I doubt we’ll see too many cows on the cruise.”
“Oh. A cow cruise. That sounds fun,” she teased. “So, if you don’t mind me asking…why Florida?”
“No, I…” Ryan hesitated a beat, but then he took a deep breath and dove in. “Sarah…my wife…she died last year just before Christmas. Which was really hard, you know? Every candy cane, every Christmas tree, was like a reminder. So, anyway, this year, I wanted Zoe to have sunshine and palm trees in Florida. Stay as far away from Christmas as possible.”
Allie pulled her lips to one side in kind of a grimace. “And then I brought you to the Vermont version of the North Pole.”
“North Pole adjacent. It’s like a suburb of the North Pole.”
“Yeah, like right there on the commuter line.” She rolled her eyes.
“Right there
,” he agreed with a laugh.
“Listen, if it’s any consolation, I think she’s okay. More than okay. She’s an awesome kid.”
“Thanks,” Ryan said. “I wish I could take credit for it, but that was all Sarah. Even after I pulled back from patient care, I worked so much that…”
She wanted to comfort and reassure him somehow. “I think you’re too hard on yourself. You don’t have to be Super Dad to be a good dad.”
“Well…anyway, thank you.”
“Yeah.” She’d never met anyone quite like him. She was thankful for the weather-related events that had forced their paths to cross, if even just for the great memories they’d made today. It brought her so much joy to be able to share Evergreen with them.
Barbara cleared her throat as she came back in the room with Zoe. “Careful, you two.”
Allie and Ryan spun around.
Barbara snickered and pointed above their heads. “You’re standing under the mistletoe.”
They both tilted their chins up, and then practically belly-bumped trying to get out from under it in a hurry.
“Oh! That’s…” Allie moved a giant step to the right. “I. Oh, dear.”
“Oops.” Ryan looked like a trapped rabbit.
“I…uh…I should go,” Allie rambled. “Have a good night.” She raced for the door, snagging her coat on the way…but part of her wanted to know what that kiss would have been like.
“You too,” he called after her.
Allie was thankful for the direct path to the exit. The huge wreath slapped against the heavy wooden door, sending a waft of snow drifting to the welcome mat below.
She stood there, taking in deep breaths of cold air as the snow fell around her.
What was that in there? She fanned herself. If we’d kissed under the mistletoe…No. She couldn’t allow herself to think about that. She walked carefully on the icy sidewalk back to her truck.
Just as she got behind the wheel, her phone rang.