This is the twenty-eighth part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII, Part XIII, Part XIX, Part XX, Part XXI, Part XXII, Part XXIII, Part XXIV, Part XXV, Part XXVI, and Part XXVII before continuing.
“Hi,” I said, plastering a smile on my face as the woman opened the front door to the farmhouse. “I’m so sorry to bother you this early in the morning, but I was hoping you could help me.”
“Of course. Come on in and I’ll get you a cup o’ coffee while you tell us what’s wrong. I’m Danielle, by the way.”
It was so far from the suspicion I was used to encountering (and arming myself with) in the city that it took me a moment to recover from the shock. I had forgotten how trusting and willing to help people are out in the country.
Then I remembered these people were stealing Uncle Phil’s cattle.
“It’s so embarrassing, but my car has run out of gas. I didn’t realize how far it is between gas stations out here. If you could just give me a ride to the nearest station, I’d really appreciate it.”
“You know what, I think we have a couple of gallons in the shed, don’t we, Chad?” The woman said as she handed me a cup of coffee.
“Sure do,” said the guy who was sitting at the kitchen table polishing off a plate of eggs. Presumably this was Chad. “Let me just let the cows out, and I’ll go get it.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet of you, but I wouldn’t want to deprive you of your spare gas. If you could just give me a ride to the nearest station and I’ll buy myself a couple of gallons and be on my way.”
“Nonsense. It’s no bother,” said Danielle.
“Besides, we keep our spare gas in the shed out by the barn,” said Chad. “It’s on my way back from letting out the cattle. Won’t take but a minute.”
“I can’t let you do that. I wouldn’t want to think how ornery cows must be when you wake them before sunrise.”
Danielle and Chad both laughed at that. “You really aren’t from around here, are you?”
“Guilty as charged,” I said. “I’m afraid I’m just another city slicker here to ruin everything that makes your town so special.”
They both laughed at that and I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief that my self-deprecating joke had had the desired effect.
“Cows never complain about getting fed early. Now tryin’ ta feed ‘em late is another matter entirely. Besides, sun’s almost up as it is.”
I started and looked out the window. Sure enough, the sky had gone from pale pink to bright blue. Maybe it was late enough that Michael and Uncle Phil had gotten what they needed and were already on their way back to Uncle Phil’s side of the fence.
Danielle followed my gaze and ushered me out the door after Chad. “Why don’t you follow Chad out to the barn and he’ll get you what you need.”
“Thanks so much,” I said, handing her the half-empty coffee cup. “I’ll be sure to bring it back full of gas.”
“You don’t have to worry ‘bout that,” said Chad as we made our way out to the barn. “Just pass it on to the next fella who needs a helpin’ hand. It might not be the way you city slickers go about things, but it’s how we do things out here.”
Again I had to remind myself that these people were stealing cattle worth thousands of dollars from Uncle Phil.
That got a lot easier when he opened the gate between the pasture and the barn. He stood on the safe side of the fence as the cattle passed him by. I saw him counting the cattle as they left the barn, and I saw him do a double take as Uncle Phil spun past him. He had his arms up over his head like a ballerina as the cows spun him against the gate on their way out to pasture.
To be continued…