“This quiche is delicious,” Em commented from across the table. “Your crust is so flaky. You’ll have to show me your secret sometime, Anna.”
I was grateful for her effort to include me in the conversation. “I’d be happy to,” I said with a shy smile.
Zach took a bite of a biscuit. “You should get this recipe for The Dogtrot,” Zach commented around his mouthful.
Emalee sighed and shook her head. “Like father, like son,” she mumbled.
“Uncle Chase, can we feed the goats after breakfast?” Iain asked, bouncing in his seat.
Chase grinned. “Speaking of the goats, I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?” he and Lexi chorused with wide eyes.
“Well, in a couple of months, there’s going to be another goat.”
“You bought another one? Cool!” Lexi exclaimed.
Chase chuckled. “Well, not exactly. Turns out Dolly is going to be a mama.”
The kids erupted into cheers while Cam stared at her brother in confusion. “How did that happen?”
Zach shot her a wicked grin. “Well, you see, when a girl goat and a boy goat like each other?—”
He ducked when Cam threw her biscuit at him. Then he picked it up from where it landed on the table and took a bite of it.
“I mean, you have two females, and last time I checked, that doesn’t work,” Cam continued.
Chase laughed. “It’s Zach’s fault.”
A collective “ewws” sounded from the adults, while the kids looked puzzled.
Mac hooted. “That’s desperate, man. Em throw you out of the house or something?”
Even Trey chuckled.
Zach glared at him. “Get your head out of the gutter,” he said. “Someone dropped off a goat at the clinic. It needed a new home. Chase took it. End of story.”
Lexi squealed. “You got a new goat? What’s his name?”
“George,” Chase replied.
“And they’re gonna have a baby?” Iain asked with wide eyes. “How did that happen?”
Em groaned and rubbed her temples. She was going to give herself a headache from rolling her eyes so many times.
“We arenothaving that conversation at the breakfast table.”
I couldn’t help it—I burst out laughing.
Even Cam cracked a smile.
Lexi leaned toward Iain. “I think it means Dollyreallylikes George. But shouldn’t it be Martha who’s having the baby? I mean, those are the names that go together.” She seemed a little mystified.
That set off another round of laughter before Bristol cleared her throat. She glanced at Reid, who gave her a nod and slipped an arm around her shoulders.
Bristol cleared her throat. “Well, speaking of new additions, we have some news.”
Everyone’s fork dropped to their plate as they looked over with expectant eyes.
