is Mrs. Santora. She’s the one I’m worried about the most. She’s just not herself lately.”
Verity nodded and looked into Mrs. Santora’s brown eyes. “You are a beauty, aren’t you?”
The giraffe stared back, then took a step forward. The barn went silent. Anticipation crackled in the air. Renee desperately hoped her mother would be able to—
“Oh! That was very clear.” Verity smiled at Carol. “Who is Dave?”
“Our male giraffe. I left him outside. He can be a little bit of an attention hog.”
“Mrs. Santora doesn’t like him at all. She wishes you’d stop putting them out together. She finds him annoying and just wants to be with her friends.”
Carol’s mouth dropped open. “No way! I was thinking of taking her off birth control so she and Dave could mate but first I wanted to see how they got along. That’s why she’s been acting so weird.” She looked at Mrs. Santora. “Is that what it is? I’m sorry. I won’t make you hang out with him if you don’t want to.”
“Well, I’ll be,” Ed muttered. “That’s amazing.”
“It is,” Carol said, leading Verity to the second giraffe. “This is Ida. She and Mrs. Santora came together. They’re Millie’s girlfriends, her herd. I just want them to be happy.”
Verity nodded, then stared at Ida. Once again the barn went silent. Renee watched her mother and saw her lips twitch, as if she were trying to hold in laughter. Verity listened for nearly a minute before looking at Carol.
“Ida doesn’t have many concerns, except she would like you and the man I’m assuming is your husband to stop having sex in the savanna. She finds it upsetting and not anything she wants to see. You should stay in your own barn for that sort of thing.”
Carol flushed. “Oh. I didn’t know they could—Um, well, that’s interesting. Let’s go meet Millie. She was our original giraffe. We did some fund-raising to get her a herd so she could have friends.”
As Carol approached Millie, the giraffe lowered her head over the gate. Carol rubbed her face while Millie nibbled her fingers.
“You’re a beautiful girl, aren’t you,” Verity said, smiling at Millie. The giraffe looked at her.
This time there was no laughter. Verity’s expression was intense and their conversation went on for a long time. Finally Verity looked at Carol.
“Millie is very worried that you’re going to get distracted by your husband and baby and won’t have time for her anymore.”
“Oh, that would never happen.” Carol looked at Millie. “You’ll always be my girl. You have to know that.”
Carol stared at the giraffe. Ed walked over and hugged his daughter.
“Did you hear that?” he asked. “Millie’s pregnant.” He looked at Verity. “We were hoping, but with a giraffe, it’s difficult to tell. Plus the gestation is so long.” He grinned. “We’re going to have a baby.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Renee felt as if she couldn’t keep up. There was too much information coming at them too fast. Not liking Dave, Millie worrying about being abandoned, a new giraffe baby.
She squeezed her mother’s hand. “You’re doing great, Mom.”
“Yes, it’s fantastic.” Carol hugged her. “Thank you so much. This means the world to me. I’ve been so worried and now I know what to do.”
“You’re welcome. I’m happy to help. Shall we go see what Dave has to say?”
“Let’s.”
Carol paused to give Millie one last pat before taking them outside where Dave stood in a large pen, dining on leaves. Several massive branches had been hoisted up and hooked onto a pole that was just the right height for him. As they approached his pen, he glanced at them before strolling over.
“He’s quite the handsome man,” Verity said.
Carol laughed. “Dave has some attitude, that’s for sure. I’m curious as to what he’s concerned about. He doesn’t seem to have any problems in his life.”
“Men are simple creatures,” Ed said with a laugh. “I’ll be the first to admit it.”
Verity and Dave established eye contact. It was only for a couple of seconds, then Dave turned and walked away.
Carol glanced at Verity. “Anything?”
“He would like more of something called a leafeater treat. That was it. He was fairly insistent.”
Carol laughed. “They’re like giraffe cookies and Dave loves them. I’m not surprised he wants more.” She spun in a circle. “I’m so relieved. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“You were incredible,” Ed said. “This has been a big help. If I promise not to make you talk to any other residents, would you like to take a