"If conversation is all you have in mind, why don't we go in and talk over a cup of coffee - maybe play a game or two with Katie."

He looked disappointed. "That sounds fine to me."

Maybe conversation wasn't all he had in mind. If so, she didn't give him time to pursue anything else for the next three days. As the weather improved, the goats began kidding in earnest. Still, no mater how early she got up, the stove was always burning and Alex preceded her to the dairy. One thing became obvious. Alex should have stayed in college. He had a way with animals, winning Brutus' love and respect, and the trust of the entire dairy herd as well.

Yet his help was troubling enough to make her look forward to his departure. With his organization, the barn would never be the same again. It was obvious he was used to running things, but his help often became an attempt to take over the barn. Why did men always seem to confuse helping out with assuming command?

Still, Alex couldn't work miracles. He caught her in the dairy one day and gently informed her that the hen had passed away.

She heaved a warm bucket of water from the sink and suppressed a smile as she met his concerned gaze. If he was expecting tears, he was going to be surprised.

"It's all right," she consoled him. "I didn't expect her to live. She was two years old - ready for the pot, anyway."

He frowned. "If you felt that way, why didn't you let the fox have it?"

Obviously he felt his efforts to save the hen were not appreciated. Actually, she hadn't given much thought to his motive for working on the hen, assuming it was merely something to pass the time. She was ransacking her brain for a good save when he reached down and grabbed the bucket.

"Women." He ground out, shaking his head in disgust. "If I live to be a thousand years old I'll never understand them. One minute they're all sweet and caring and the next they stab you in the back."

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She stared after him as he strode away from her. What was that all about? And whom was she stabbing in the back - the chicken, the fox or Alex? She followed him to one of the stalls, trying to remember the circumstances of his rejected love.

The girl had been poor, beautiful and with the voice of a dove. That much she remembered Katie saying. Apparently he had given her a car, bought clothes for her and generally made a fool out of himself over her. He had even footed the bill for their almost wedding. From there on the details were sketchy. Apparently the girl had hocked the ring and run off with a Nashville agent, leaving Alex at the alter to explain everything to the guests.




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