When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,23

the thing about freedom, too much of it can make you a wanderer, drifting around aimlessly. If you have some limits and boundaries, you become more focused. Things are clearer.

It’d be like us trying to get to the orchard by heading toward the chicken coop. It would take us three times as long because we’d have to follow the trail all the way around the cow paddock and then the sheep paddock. But if we know where all the paths lead, we can choose the one that’s most efficient.”

“All you have to do is walk faster. I bet if I went the long way around and you guys took the efficient route, we’d get there at the same time.”

“Want to bet?”

“Sure. What’re the odds?”

“Loser has to do the winners’ chores tomorrow morning.”

“Brad, that’s not fair. You know our way is shorter,” Court said.

“Jacob’s the one who wants to prove a point. Let’s see if he can beat us.”

“No walking faster than you are right now,” Jacob said.

“Deal.” Brad and Jacob shook hands.

Jacob took off running.

“Wait! You can’t run!” Courtney cried.

“Let him run. He’ll never beat us. The gazebo’s right over there.” Brad pointed to the white structure in the middle of the apple orchard.

They kept their pace steady, making sure not to slow down or speed up so the bet would be fair. When they passed by the cow paddock, String and Jessica were standing over five downed cows.

“Something wrong?” Alex asked.

“Something’s wrong all right, but we have no idea what. They look lethargic and their eyes are glazing over. The calves are having trouble breathing,” Jessica said.

“First it was just one, but as time passed, all of ‘em seem to have caught something,” String said.

“It won’t affect humans, right?” Purity ran a hand over her belly.

“You’re probably fine, but just to be sure, I wouldn’t get too close. And, don’t work the cow paddock, even if you get assigned to it. Not until we find out what’s goin’ on here.”

They continued on the path to the orchard.

“They were fine this morning,” Courtney said. “Whatever it was acted fast. That’s weird. And scary.”

When they reached the gazebo steps, Brad scanned the area for signs of Jacob. “Guess I’m not doin’ chores tomorrow mornin’. Think I’ll sleep in.”

“I’m waking you up anyway. If I’m up, you’re up,” Court said.

“I think I’ll be the one sleepin’ in.” Jacob rolled out from under a bench inside the gazebo. “What took you guys so long? I was about to send out a search party.”

“How’d you get here so fast?” Meg asked.

“Did you cheat?” Bobby said.

“I didn’t cheat.” He turned to Brad. “You assumed I’d stay on the path because that’s what you were doing, but there were little connecting trails all over the place. I took those. And, I walked through the sheep paddock. That saved a lot of steps.”

“Very clever. My hat’s off to you,” Brad said.

Courtney leaned over and whapped the back of his cowboy hat so it fell of his head. “Now you’re hat’s off to him.”

Brad chuckled as he bent to retrieve it. “Look for a woman like Courtney, Jacob. Your life will not be boring.” He grabbed her around the waist, picked her up into the air and spun her around in circles as she squealed with surprise and delight.

Bobby got a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Don’t you dare, Bobby Zyetta.”

That was all the invitation Bob needed as he mimicked Brad’s motions until Meg was laughing and declaring if he didn’t stop she’d end up losing her breakfast.

Alex held Purity’s hand as he led her up the gazebo steps. When she was seated, he lifted her feet into his lap and removed her shoes and socks. He rubbed her feet gently as she leaned her head against the wooden backrest.

“You’re so beautiful.”

“I am not. I haven’t even had a shower yet. My hair’s a mess. I’ve got no make-up on. And, in about four seconds, I think the top button on my pants is going to go flying across the orchard.”

Alex smiled warmly. “You’re beautiful.”

“I see how he gets the women now,” Bobby said as he and Meg joined them on an opposite bench. “He woos them with compliments and rubs their toes.”

“You can woo me and rub my toes,” Meg said.

“But I already have you.”

“If you want to keep me, you’ll woo and rub.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bobby tipped his hat, then removed Meg’s shoes and socks.

“I want some of this action,” Court said. “Except I hate when someone touches