Waiting for You

by Heather Huffman

  When she at last managed to get the door open, they burst through like water through a dam, knocking her on her backside. Goats clambered over her, vying for position once they reached the trough.

  “You are all terrible, horrible beasts,” she informed them. The goats didn’t look up. Karise was pretty sure at least one of the “maaahs” she got was a snarky response. She didn’t care if she was covered in barn filth, she was starving. The goats were fed; it was time to feed herself.

  Zoe had finished her meal and was running around the yard playing with Bonnie by the time Karise sank onto her seat at the picnic table. Her hot sandwich had become soggy and cold, so she gave most of it to Clyde after picking at it for a few minutes. He inhaled it whole, which reminded her she hadn’t fed the dogs yet. Karise hung her head and sighed, wondering how on earth Aidan did it. Mustering energy she didn’t know she had, she pushed herself away from the table and went in search of dog food.

  They came barreling up at the sound of food. Aidan’s note said to feed them inside, but Bonnie was filthy and stunk to high heaven, so Karise opted for feeding them on the porch. She’d deal with cleaning the dog later. Maybe she’d get lucky and discover they were self-cleaning.

  The chickens caught wind of the fact that there was food on the porch and were soon flocking around, trying to swipe a few pieces for themselves. The dogs were having none of it, and the porch exploded into a kerfuffle of snarling and squawking. Karise swore under her breath and tossed a scoopful of food out in the yard for the chickens. Aidan didn’t need to know she’d fed his chickens dog food. Of course, with her luck, it would kill them or something. That, too, was a problem for another day. With the dogs happily scarfing down their kibble, Karise turned her attention back to Zoe, who was now covered head to toe in mud.

  “How did that happen?” Karise tried to keep the desperation out of her voice.

  Zoe shrugged. “I fell.”

  “Did you maybe roll around a little after falling? And what did you fall in? Is there a mud pit hidden around here somewhere?”

  “It’s not mud.”

  Karise opened her mouth to ask what it was but thought better of it. “Well, I guess we should get you cleaned up.”

  “We have to get Missy first.”

  “Who’s Missy?” Karise really didn’t want to know the answer to that.

  “My doll.”

  “Okay. Where is Missy?”

  Karise looked in the direction Zoe pointed. “Is she in the barn?”

  “No, the fertilizer pile behind the barn.” Zoe didn’t blink as she made this pronouncement.

  Karise, on the other hand, thought something like that was worth a little extra emotion. Fertilizer on a goat farm could only mean one thing. Even she knew that much. “How did your doll wind up in a pile of poop?”

  “Bonnie was playing with her.”

  “Ah.” Of course she was. “Alright, let’s go get your doll.” Aidan was going to owe her for this one. She followed Zoe to the spot in question, only to decide fertilizer mountain might be a more appropriate descriptor. “Where exactly is the doll?”

  Once again, Zoe pointed. Karise could see the pile had been freshly turned in one spot. She didn’t give herself time to think about it, she just took a deep breath and stuck her hand in. When that didn’t produce the doll, she waded in a little further. By the time she emerged victoriously with her prize, she was every bit as filthy as Zoe.

  The little girl squealed and clapped before hugging Karise’s waist. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  “You’re welcome.” Karise placed a hand on Zoe’s head, pride swelling in her chest. She’d done at least one thing right today. She could sleep better knowing that. Well, once she stopped smelling like goat poop she could, anyway. “Now we’ve just got to figure out how to get us all cleaned up.”

  “We could use the hose.”

  “It’s a little cold for that.”

  “There’s a hose in the barn.”

  “Really?” Karise thought that idea had merit.

  “I’ll show you.” Zoe took Karise by the fingers and led her into the barn, pointing to a stall all by itself at the front. Sure enough, there was a hose, and it even had hot water running to it. “Daddy says this used to be a horse farm. He left the bathing stall because it comes in handy.”

  “That sounds like your daddy. And he’s right. It’s a godsend today.” Karise put the doll in a bucket of warm water to soak, then turned her mind to the bigger problem: how to clean the people. “I think we need to soak our clothes out here, too. Let me see if I can find us some towels to wrap up in or something for the trip back to the house.”

  Zoe didn’t wait; she stripped down to her underwear and gladly dove under the stream coming from the hose. She giggled and did a little dance, twirling under the cascading water. When the worst of it was off, Karise stripped her own outer layer and rinsed herself off as efficiently as possible. She didn’t want Zoe to catch a cold waiting for her. They put their filthy clothes in buckets to soak beside the doll.

  Karise took Zoe’s hand and the pair darted across the lawn to the house, giggling all the way. By the time they reached the door, Karise’s sides hurt from laughing. “Okay, kiddo, let’s get you cleaned up for real.”

  She helped herself to a flannel shirt she found hanging in the laundry room, figuring it was enough covering to make her decent while she got Zoe squared away. She sent the girl to find some pajamas while Karise went to draw a warm bath. Fifteen minutes later, Zoe was squeaky clean and cozy on the couch with popcorn and a movie. There was still a faint goat scent clinging to the girl, but it was now balanced by watermelon.

  Karise debated going to get the clothes and doll from the barn. But with the sun nearly gone, she figured her chance of running into creatures outside was greatly increasing. A shadowy figure moved past the front door, catching Karise’s eye. She froze, waiting to see if it was a figment of her imagination. There was a scratching sound. Heart hammering, Karise crept toward the front door to get a better look.

  She moved the curtain back to peer out the window and was greeted by the face of a goat. She screamed and jumped before it registered what she’d seen.

  Zoe looked up from her movie. “What is it?”

  Karise held her hand over her heart, willing it to slow down. “A goat. There is a goat on the front porch.”

  “Goats aren’t scary, Karise.”

  “They are if you aren’t expecting to see their face pressed up against the window. Why is there a goat on the front porch?”

  “Did you close their stall?”

  “Yes.” Karise was offended by the implication.

  “Did you lock it or just latch it?” Zoe persisted.

  “They can open latches?”

  “Goats can do lots of things.”

  Karise took a deep breath and blew it back out. She had a sinking feeling this day was never going to end. She slid on Aidan’s muck boots and went outside, telling Zoe to stay put on the couch. Sure enough, the yard was overrun with goats. Big goats, little goats, goats with horns and goats with no horns. Some were contentedly munching on Aidan’s garden. One was using her car as a jungle gym. She decided to go for that one first.

  When she was close enough to snag its collar, it leapt sideways, did a little twist and darted off. She could almost hear it laughing at her as it kicked up its heels again. Next she snuck up on a spotted animal happily munching on the roses. That one she was able to grab by the collar before it noticed her presence. She tugged gently on the collar, trying to lead the animal toward the barn. It gave her a look that clearly said, “You’re kidding, right?” as it dug in its heels. For such a little animal, it had an amazing ability to sandbag. Tug as hard as she may, it wasn’t budging. After several tries and several curse words, she gave up in search of a more pliable animal. As soon as she let go of the collar, the goat went back to snacking on the roses.

  Around and around the yard she went, either snaggin
g an animal that wasn’t going anywhere or getting close to one only to have it twist and leap and pirouette out of her grasp. She would have been impressed if she wasn’t so furious. When a pair of headlights illuminated the now- dark yard, Karise wasn’t sure if she was filled with hope the cavalry had arrived or mortified that someone had just caught her chasing goats around the yard in her underwear, a flannel shirt and muck boots that were several sizes too large. It briefly crossed her mind to be scared, but at this point, an axe murderer would be a welcome change from goats.

  It turned out to be the cavalry, albeit a very amused one.

  “Hey Karise, how’s it going?” Gavin asked, laughter breaking through his words.

  “Great, great. Just spending a little time getting to know the goats. We’re bonding.”

  “Is that what this is?”

  “Yep.”

  “Because it looks a little like you might have forgotten to lock a gate.”

  “To the untrained eye it might.” Karise refused to admit defeat.

  “Ah. Well, whenever you’re finished bonding, I’d be happy to help you put them back where they go.”

  “If you want. I mean, I’d hate to deprive a friend of the joy of goats.”

  “Now you know why I raise grapes and not goats,” he said.

  “Wise choice.”

  “Come on, let’s get some grain. Thankfully, it looks like only one herd got loose, so it’ll be a snap to put them back.”

  Karise wondered what magic wand he was going to wave to make putting these devil-beasts up a simple matter.

  “Make sure the other gate is locked or they’ll bust loose, too, once they hear the food,” Gavin warned. Karise went to do as she was told. Sure enough, as soon as the scoop hit the grain, every goat came charging his direction. The ones who were loose made a beeline for their trough while the ones who weren’t clambered at their own gate. Once everyone was back in place and the gates and feed bin were locked up tight, Gavin turned to Karise with a knowing grin. “Goats are slaves to their stomachs. You can always catch them with food. I know that much from helping Aidan out. He’s a goat-whisperer; he can catch them without food. But the rest of us mortals are best off using the tried and true methods.”

  “Thank you.” Karise gave him a grateful hug. All teasing aside, she’d have probably been out there at midnight still trying to catch goats if he hadn’t shown up, and they both knew it.

  “No worries.”

  “Do you want to come in a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  “Hey, grab a bucket, will you?” Karise figured she was out here anyway – she might as well grab their clothes to get them cleaned up tonight.

  “So this is where your clothes got off to.”

  “Bonnie buried Zoe’s doll in the fertilizer pile.” Knowing her shame was complete, there was no use keeping anything back now.

  “You are a very dedicated woman. I’m afraid I’d have declared the doll a lost cause.”

  Karise shook her head. “Nope. I promised Aidan I could take care of his home and daughter, that he didn’t have to worry. I can do this.”

  “Are you convincing me or yourself?”

  “Both.”

  “Fair enough.” He held the door open for her.

  “Hey, Zoe, look who I found!”

  “Hi, Gavin!” She beamed up at him. “Wanna watch a movie with me?”

  “I’d love to,” he assured Zoe before turning to Karise. “Maybe Zoe and I can spend a little quality time while you grab a shower. You could probably use a bit of time to yourself by now.”

  “I could,” she admitted. “And as grateful as I am for your presence, I have to wonder – did you come to check up on us?”

  “Aidan got worried when you didn’t answer your phone. I told him I’d come check it out.”

  “Oh.” Karise felt bad for making him worry. She felt even worse for dragging Gavin away from his family. “Sorry.”

  “No worries. The amusement provided is more than ample payment for any trouble I’ve been out.”

  “That’s comforting. Any chance of Aidan not hearing all the details?”

  “Not a one.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  KARISE WAS TEMPTED to soak in a warm bath, but after the San Francisco bathing debacle, she didn’t trust herself to stay awake. She also had no desire to soak in goat poop. Instead, she opted for a nice hot shower. Maybe it was in vain, but she held a vague hope the hot water would sanitize her skin.

  Her choices of soap were Zoe’s watermelon splash or Aidan’s distinctly masculine concoction. Her reasoning for picking Aidan’s was twofold: It probably had more experience removing goat odor, and she wasn’t completely opposed to curling up with his pillow and dreaming about him. Watermelon splash probably wouldn’t do much for the kind of dreams she was hoping for.

  She felt like a new person by the time she reappeared downstairs, freshly scrubbed and in her pajamas, her hair piled on top of her head. She didn’t want to think about cleaning their clothes or Zoe’s doll. She just wanted to curl up with the little girl on the couch to watch the rest of her cartoon with her.

  “You look like a new woman,” Gavin proclaimed.

  “Thanks.” Karise gave him an appreciative smile.

  “I got to talk to Daddy!”

  “Really? How is he?” Karise slid next to Zoe on the couch.

  “Super good. He wants you to call him later.”

  Karise shuddered inwardly, casting a glance at Gavin, who refused to look her in the eye. “I bet he does.”

  “Zoe, my love, I leave you in capable hands.” He patted the girl’s foot and rose from the couch.

  “Night, Gavin.” She held her arms out for a hug. He responded with an embrace that nearly lifted her off the couch.

  “Goodnight, Gavin. Thanks again for everything.” Karise meant it; he really had saved the day.

  “Anytime. How about you and Zoe swing by tomorrow night for dinner?”

  “Is it that painfully obvious?”

  “I might have noticed some takeout containers on my way in.” He held his hands up. “Not judging, just observing.”

  “That sounds good, thanks.” Karise didn’t bother disputing. It was probably best for all involved if she owned her limitations.

  Once they were alone, Karise decided cleaning their mess could wait. She didn’t have many opportunities to snuggle a squeaky clean kiddo on a comfy couch. There was such peace to the moment that it almost made the hell of the day worthwhile. Zoe sighed and wiggled closer to Karise. Karise couldn’t fathom why any woman would walk away from such an amazing man and darling child. Both had so much to offer; Aidan’s ex-wife must have been so very broken inside to not want them.

  It would have been easy to fall asleep on the couch with Zoe. If Karise hadn’t needed to call Aidan still, she might have done just that, but she reluctantly extracted herself from the sleeping Zoe, lest Aidan send someone else to check on them. Karise was tempted to leave Zoe on the couch, but she worried the girl would wake up scared in the middle of the night, so she carried her to bed and tucked her in.

  As Karise dialed Aidan’s number, she poured herself a glass of sweet red wine and tried to ignore the mess around her. Zoe had preschool in the morning. Karise had every intention of dropping her off, checking in at work, and then coming straight back here to regain order before anyone was the wiser. Anyone other than Gavin, that is.

  “You, my darling, are my new hero,” Aidan greeted her.

  Karise could feel a blush creeping across her cheeks. “That wasn’t the hello I was expecting.”

  “Did you think I’d laugh at you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Okay, maybe I did laugh a little. And I really wish I’d been the one to find you chasing goats in my shirt and little else…” He cleared his throat. “But mostly I just admire the hell outta you.”

  “Wow. We need to find you better role models. I mostly bungled things up today. If anything, I
have a whole new admiration for you. I have no idea how you keep up with your life.”

  “Lots of friendly neighbors and a couple of really good employees.”

  Karise almost asked where the friendly neighbors and good employees where when she needed them, but since Gavin had come to her rescue, she wasn’t exactly in a position to complain. “Speaking of, I’d reprimand you for worrying about me and sending Gavin over, but considering the state he found me in, I guess I’ll say thanks instead.”

  “Goats can be jerks.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “They can also be quite charming, I promise.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Karise was skeptical. “Hey, how did your day go? Anything eventful?”

  “It was pretty quiet, actually. I’m not sure if I should admit that, though.”

  “That’s okay; you’ve earned a quiet day. Are you excited about tomorrow?”

  “A little nervous. Mostly just ready to come home.”

  “You just left,” she reminded him.

  “But I hate being gone. I’ve been away from Zoe more in the past three months than ever before, and I hate it.”

  “She mentioned that, too.”

  “Did she?” He sounded interested.

  Karise decided now was as good a time as any to recount their earlier conversation to him. “She’s not crazy about how much you’re gone, and she’s even less thrilled about the changes to the house.”

  “I can’t believe that didn’t occur to me.”

  “You just got a little excited about the project. I’ve promised her to work on a compromise.”

  “Did you? What do you have in mind?”Aidan asked.

  “I have no clue – yet. I’ll come up with something.”

  “You sound confident.”

  Karise topped off her wine and started making the rounds, checking door locks and flipping off lights. “I have to be. Have you tried to say no to that kid?”

  “It comes easier with practice.”

  “We’ll have to disagree on that one, too.”

  “What else are we disagreeing on?” He seemed amused.