“Then why are you smiling?” Violet asked Jenny.
“Am I?” Jenny stopped smiling, but there was a twinkle in her eye. “I wasn’t.”
“Do you surf now, Rosemary?” Gramma Dot tilted the bottle so the kid could drink every last drop.
“No, ma’am.”
“That’s good. Wouldn’t want you eaten up by a shark.” Gramma Dot nodded. “You know people die every year from shark attacks? They do. Some even in California. Don’t you start surfing.”
“I won’t.” Rosemary nodded.
“How long are you here?” Jenny had to tug to get the empty bottle away from the goat kid. Marilyn was not pleased about this new turn of events. Neither was Clark—now that the bottles were empty, the wailing began.
“Poor little things.” Gramma Dot clucked. “I bet you’re cold.” She shot a look Jenny’s way. “And don’t you try to tell me otherwise, missy. How many kids have you raised, missy? Human or goat? I’d say I know what I’m talking about.”
Jenny held up her hands in surrender and opened the plastic tub along one of the sides of the pen. “Fine. Here are their blankets. Don’t want the baby goats inside the house to freeze to death.”
“I hear you being all sassy.” Gramma Dot crossed her arms over her chest.
Jenny pressed a kiss against her grandmother’s temple. “I take after you.”
Gramma Dot burst into laughter. “I should say so.” Once the kids were tucked into their quilts, she seemed satisfied. “And they’re nice and warm.” Gramma Dot nodded her head. “See? No more crying.”
It was true; both the goat kids’ eyes drifted shut, and shortly thereafter, they drifted into sleep. Once Jenny had them on a large stuffed dog bed, she and Gramma Dot closed the gate behind them.
Once they’d tiptoed down the hall to the family room, Gramma Dot turned to her. “I didn’t get my hug from you when you got here, so come and give me a hug, Rosemary.” Her hug was surprisingly strong—like Gramma Dot.
After they’d all gotten comfortable and had doctored their tea accordingly, conversation resumed. So far, Rosemary had learned what all the Taggert siblings were up to. Grady and his wife were settled and working in Wyoming, Clayton was happy living the navy life aboard a submarine, and Everett was serving as the county parks and recreation director.
“I bet he is spitting nails over that newspaper article.” Jenny frowned. “Did you see it?”
Rosemary nodded. “The article was great.” She’d had no idea how hard he’d been working for the town—and the county. But that was Everett. When he committed to something, he did so with his whole heart.
“I don’t see what the problem is. It’s the truth. He’s doing all sorts of good things for Honey, and he’s single. That article might help him finally find a wife so he can get started on that family he’s wanted for so long.” Gramma Dot sighed. “I don’t know why he’s dragging his feet.”
“Mama, you can’t rush love.” Violet smiled at her mother-in-law. “Everett has always been a hopeless romantic. You know that.”
Rosemary grinned at that. She remembered Everett telling her that his granddad had told him, being the eldest, it was up to him to carry on the Taggert family name. Everett had taken that to heart. Even young, Everett talked about having a big loving family of his own.
“He is.” Jenny grinned, glancing at Rosemary. “True blue, too. Whoever he ends up with, she’ll have the sort of husband and partner any gal would be lucky to have.”
It was surprising someone like Everett hadn’t settled down. Jenny was right, Everett was the real deal. If he couldn’t find someone to love him, what chance did she have? It wasn’t exactly a cheery thought.
“What about you? Are you heading back to California soon?” Jenny asked, sipping her tea.
“No. I’m staying.” Rosemary peered into her teacup. “For a while, I think. I’ve missed being home.”
“Staying?” Gramma Dot’s grin was on the sly side. “Well, that’s good. Everett will be happy.”
She hoped so—assuming she ever caught up with him.
“We’re all happy you’re staying.” Jenny shot her grandmother a look—a look Rosemary wasn’t sure what to make of.
Gramma Dot glanced back and forth between them, all wide-eyed innocence. “That’s what I said.”
Rosemary sipped her tea. “What about you, Jenny? What are you up to?”
“Farming.” Jenny tapped her chin. “Goats. And farming.” She paused. “Did I mention goats?”
