FROM CHAPTER TEN
Susan hurriedly dressed once she noticed that Jesse had started the chores without her. She headed for the goats pen and saw that he’d already milked Annabelle. When she reached the gate, she heard a commotion from the back of the shed. She entered the pen and cautiously stepped around the shed so she wouldn't slip in the mud puddles left from yesterday's rain storm. It didn't do any good after one of the goats flew by her and caused splats of dirt to splash onto her dress. Susan's eyes glued to the goat as she ran in a circle. When the goat was about to come by her again she maneuvered out of the way at the same time Jesse yelled at her.
“Susan, grab her.”
The goat sped by while Susan's gaze fixated on Jesse as he trudged toward her with a muddied rope in his hand and pants and boots equally grimed up.
She forgot about the goat and turned away to contain the laughter that wanted to burst out of her mouth.
“Why didn't you stop her?” He asked when he reached her.
Her body started to jerk.
“Go ahead, laugh. See if I help you with your goats again!”
Susan released a loud snort and then erupted in laughter. “Oh my.” She calmed down enough to glance over her shoulder. Jesse stood behind her with his hands on his hips. She shifted away from him and carried on with another bout of laughter.
Jesse took Susan by the arm and pulled her around to face him. “You find this humorous, do you?”
Susan quieted and asked, “Are you trying to rope the goat like you would a calf?” You could tell by the tense muscles of his jaw that he held back what he really wanted to say.
He let go of her arm. “Maybe I am.” His voice sounded controlled with a cool undertone.
“Do you have any experience with roping calves?” she asked in a high pitch.
“As a matter of fact I do.” He looked pleased to be able to tell her that.
He’d surprised her, but she didn’t let him know that. Instead she thought to tease him some more. “So the city boy wants to be a cowboy?”
His eyes narrowed. “Something like that.”
“Well trying to rope a goat isn’t going to work,” she informed him.
“I sort of figured that out,” he said, “but it was worth a try.”
Susan tried to be serious but when she noticed clumps of dried dirt on his face and white, crusted milk on the front of his navy blue shirt, she couldn't help but continue to taunt him. She leaned forward and sniffed his shirt. “Your shirt smells like spilled milk.”
“Don't go there,” he warned.
“I was only─”
“Making light of the situation?” He found no pleasure in her playful mood.
She sobered up quick. “How can I help?”
“Tell me how to get a hold of that damn goat so I can milk her.”
“I'll do it.”
He shook his head. “No. I started the milking today, I want to finish it.”
What a stubborn, tenacious man. She appeased him by giving up the secret. “Use a jar of grain to gain her attention. Goats will do just about anything for grain.”
“Excellent,” he said, and trailed off toward the shed.
He was angry. He hadn't smiled once the whole time they conversed. When he came back, he still hadn’t smiled. By the time he reached the gate of the pen, all six goats greeted him. Even the bucks in the opposing pen called out to him.
Susan smiled at his accomplishment. He easily led the goat into the shed while the others patiently waited by the gate for their turn.