Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“I look forward to introducing you to my horses, so you can have some new stories.”
“Are there any small horses? Maybe Sally-sized?” The greyhound wagged her tail when I reached over and patted her neck.
“No, but all of them are smaller than Barbie. Speaking of the big guy, I need to get him cleaned up. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll come find you.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen. I haven’t had any coffee yet.”
“I’m flattered that you prioritized me over caffeine. Sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up, by the way. I have my hands full, because my ranch hand had a family event in Tulsa this weekend. But he’ll be back on Monday, and he agreed to work some extra hours during the week, so I’ll have more time with you.”
“It’s totally fine. I know you have a lot to do around here.” I grinned and added, “Besides, Frank took your spot in bed this morning, so I didn’t even know you were gone at first.”
Ryder chuckled at that. “Sorry he got up there. I moved the little staircase that the shorter dogs use to get up on the bed, but one of them must have pushed it back in place.”
“That’s awfully smart.”
“It was probably Deogee’s doing. He’s usually the brains of any covert operation.” I glanced at the brown mutt, who was currently licking himself, and found that hard to believe.
I told Ryder I’d see him soon and began to make my way back to the house. Pretty soon, two extremely fluffy white chickens and a second small goat joined the parade. Cujo was right under foot again and possibly trying to trip me, but this time he dodged my hand when I tried to pick him up.
Since the chihuahua was such a distraction, I didn’t see the icky snake slithering across the ground until I was almost right on top of it. I let loose with a scream worthy of a murder victim in a horror movie and leapt back, which caused the animals to scatter in a flurry of fur and feathers—all except the goats. I blurted, “Oh, no,” when both of them keeled over with their little legs sticking straight out.
Ryder heard my scream and came running as he shouted, “What’s wrong?”
“I saw a snake, and both of your goats had a heart attack when I screamed. I’m so sorry, Ryder. I think they’re dead!”
He looked around, and then, unbelievably, he ran after the snake and actually picked it up with his bare hand. As I recoiled in horror, he asked, “You mean this snake?”
“Yes. Put it down before it bites you!” Ryder bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing, and I blurted, “What’s funny? You’re about to be killed by snake venom, and your goats are dead, and—”
Just then, one of the goats started to twitch a little. Ryder looked far too amused as he explained, “They’re fine. They’re called fainting goats, and that’s what happens when they get startled.”
I muttered, “What the ever-loving fuck?”
“And this guy is perfectly harmless,” he continued, holding up the serpent as he asked, “You’re not really afraid of a tiny garter snake, are you? He’s barely a foot long, and skinnier than my little finger.”
“It’s a snake. Of course I’m scared of it.”
“Look how cute he is, though.”
He took a step toward me, and I took a step back. “How is that cute? It’s like a slimy little death tube with fangs.”
“Snakes aren’t slimy. They actually feel really smooth. Why don’t you touch it and see for yourself?”
The thing had loosely wrapped itself around Ryder’s hand, and it was staring at me with its beady black eyes. “Why would I touch that thing?”
“Because it’s a new experience, and a learning opportunity.”
I glanced at Ryder before returning my gaze to the snake. “Okay. But if you lunge at me or pretend to throw it at me, I’ll never forgive you.”
“I won’t. I promise. Touch his back, not his head. He’s not venomous, but all wild animals can bite. That’s why I’m holding him like this.” He was gently gripping it right behind its head.
I hesitated before approaching Ryder and the snake, and again before running my fingertip down an inch of its back. “You’re right, it’s not slimy at all. And I actually like the pattern on it. I’ve seen snakeskin-patterned fabric before, but this is a lot prettier.” A tan stripe ran down its length, and its glossy dark body was accented with symmetrical, cream-colored markings.
“He must have just shed his skin. That’s why his colors are so vibrant.” He walked over to the base of the big oak tree and gently put the skinny little creature on the ground. The moment he let go of it, the snake darted off with a quick back-and-forth motion.