Mary Holder - Mckinley's Miracle

Lucy watched the young auburn-haired woman fuss over Max and Katie, who both milked the attention for all they were worth. They questioned Clayton about everything from what kind of animals he had apart from sheep, to what they might be doing all day. Clayton mentioned they had a pig that was pretty close to giving birth and Katie was in heaven. Max, on the other hand, seemed more interested in what a combine was.

“Will we get to see any cowboys?” asked Max, sipping his milk.

Shay chuckled and Clayton smiled broadly. “The blokes that work the sheep and cattle aren’t called cowboys, they’re called ringers,” he told Max.

“Except Clem,” said Shay, coming to sit beside Max. “He’s what’s known as a roustabout. He used to be a ringer but now that he’s older he has other chores.”

Katie reached for another scone. “Like what?”

“He makes certain we’ve got fresh milk every morning, he tends the chickens that give us our free-range eggs and he’s an expert at slaughtering meat for us. He also does the gardening, but he insists he doesn’t enjoy it.”

Max grinned. “Wow! You eat your own animals?”

Clayton spread preserves on a scone and looked across at him. “It’s no different to going to the supermarket and buying it in those little plastic-wrapped trays.”

Katie cast a wary glance at Lucy. “Tell me we won’t be eating any of our animals when we get the farm up and running.”

Lucy smiled. The kids were certainly going to get an education working here. “When we get the fences fixed and so forth, we’ll probably try keeping animals…but I think we’ll start off small and raise them to sell.”

Katie turned a questioned glance at Clayton. “What about the piglets when they’re born? Do you…eat them too?”

Lucy had a fair idea of where this conversation was headed. Given her way, the girl would have two of every animal sleeping in her room! Even before Lucy could intervene, Clayton preempted her.

“We have about three dozen. Some are used for meat, some are kept for breeding, but most we sell at market.”

“If I saved my money, could I buy one off you?”

“I guess you’ll have to talk it over with Lucy.”

Katie looked at her expectantly. “Can I, Lucy?”

“Maybe when we have somewhere to put it.”

Max grinned mischievously. “You’d better let her have one, Lucy, otherwise the next time she sees it, she could be eating it with eggs and toast.”

Katie looked across at Lucy. “Do boys ever stop being irritating?”

Lucy looked at Shay, who seemed amused by the question. “No,” they chorused in unison, both chuckling at the look of mock disgust Clayton sent their way.

“Max, my boy, we’d better get out of here. I’m beginning to feel like a duck in hunting season,” he said, scooping his hat off the rack. “You ready, Katie?”

She wasn’t, but in three seconds flat the glass of milk was gone and she was following behind him. He touched his hat. “I’ll be seeing you again, Lucy.”

“No doubt. You do have my kids.”

“That’s not what I was talking about and you know it.” Then he was gone.

“Good grief! Maybe I should get the hose.”

Shay’s statement caught Lucy off guard. “I beg your pardon?”

“The hose. With the look he gave you just then I’m surprised you’re not going up in flames.”

Lucy took a sip of coffee. “Really? I’m surprised I haven’t murdered him.”

“Already? It usually takes women a little longer to realize how persistent he is!”

“Well, there’s persistent and then there’s annoying.”

“When he walked out of here you looked like you didn’t know whether to kiss him or strangle him.” Shay laughed and shook her head. “He likes you.”

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