“How about the mornings I’m not feeling well, I’ll text you. I prefer being here myself to take care of Ginny, but I’ve been going out on jobs with Matthew and Isaac. That way, those days I’m scheduled to go with them, I don’t have to call out to them.”

Alanna smiled at the couple. “Works for me.”

“Since you’re feeling better, Ginny, I’m going to take off.” Matthew reached out toward Freddy. “See you later, sprout. Gavin, I’ll see you at the shop when you’re ready.”

Alanna flushed, not missing the way Matthew pulled his hand away from touching Freddy while she was holding him.

After Matthew left, she was aware of Gavin and Ginny staring at her curiously.

Ginny broke the uncomfortable silence. “Gavin, if you watch Freddy, I can take Alanna to teach her how to milk the goats and show her the rest of the houses that Matthew didn’t.”

Alanna relinquished Freddy to his mother’s hold.

“No problem. They don’t need me until three. Take your time.”

Attempting to get back on even footing by reminding herself that she couldn’t be friends with them, she had to tell herself that their diminished friendliness was a plus.

“I’m excited about learning how to milk a goat.”

Gavin gave her a mocking glance. “Have you been around goats before?”

“No, sadly. I’ve never had the opportunity to be around many animals.”

“Then buckle up. You’re in for a treat.”

Alanna frowned after Gavin when he left without another word, leaving her alone with Ginny.

Seeing she was staring after Gavin curiously, Ginny shrugged. “Gavin has had issues with the goats.”

She frowned. “What issues?”

Ginny grinned. “He’s a man.”

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Alanna took one look in the mirror when she arrived back in the trailer and burst into tears. The Benadryl she had been given hadn’t eased the swollen distortion of her eyes, nose, and lips. How had she not known she was allergic to some types of animal fur?

Everything had been going well when Ginny had taken her back to the paddock and Silas had brought the herd of goats. They were still chomping on the twigs that they had carried from the land they were clearing. Silas hadn’t stayed long.

One glance, and she had fallen in love with the smaller goats trotting behind their mothers. For the fifteen minutes Ginny had shown her how to separate a particular goat from the herd then load it into a protective chute, everything went well. It was only when they were loading the third goat into the chute that she had become aware of Ginny staring at her strangely.

“Alanna, I don’t want to alarm you, but I think you’re having an allergic reaction.”

She was reaching over her shoulder, scratching, when she turned to Ginny, who couldn’t hide her aghast expression.