“In there, feasting on the curtains.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “Just be prepared for the cutest things you’ve seen today. It’s hard to be mad at them.”

Marco gave her a dimpled smile. “I guarantee they won’t be the cutest thing I’ve seen today.”

Ash stiffened at Marco’s obvious flirting. Ash looked to Kincaid to see her reaction.

She was all charm and aw-shucks smiles. She hooked her arm with Marco’s. “Well, let me prove you wrong. They’re this way.”

The two left Ash in their wake, and he tried not to let the snap of jealousy nip at his heels as he followed. He didn’t do jealousy. Especially not over someone he wasn’t even dating.

Marco barked a big, full laugh when he stepped into the kitchen, and Kincaid released his arm. Both goats bleated loudly as if sensing a worthy opponent in their midst. “All right, you two,” Marco said with a firm yet amused voice. “Buffet is closing for the day. You’re coming with me.”

The male goat made a louder, protesting bleat. Ash assumed it was goat-speak for Go fuck yourself, doc.

Kincaid frowned and put her hand on Marco’s bicep. “What are you going to do with them? I want to bring them back to the property once it’s up and running.”

Marco gave her a reassuring look and patted her hand. “Nothing bad. I need to check them over, make sure they don’t have any obvious health problems. I called a friend on the way. He has space to pen and take care of them while you’re renovating. If you want to keep them, you’ll just have to pay a small fee for the care and feeding until you can move them back onto the property. Then, if you want, I can teach you how to care for them.”

Kincaid smiled. “Ooh, Goat Parenting 101 with Dr. Marco. Sounds perfect. Thank you.”

“No problem. They can be great to have around,” Marco said, eyeing the two interlopers. “But also cause a lot of havoc.”

“You don’t say?” Ash said wryly. “Maybe you should think that through, KC. You’re already going to have a lot going on starting a B and B.”

Kincaid frowned. “That’s true.”

Marco turned his back to the goats and spared Ash a glance. “She’ll be fine. I’ll teach her what she needs to know, and they’ll have a good home. Plus, she’ll have a vet on speed dial if anything comes up.”

Kincaid’s smile returned.

Ash’s teeth clenched. “Right.”

“I’ll make sure they’re happy here,” Kincaid said, oblivious to the silent pissing contest. “But how do we get them out of the kitchen?”

Marco opened his mouth to reply, but Beula the counter-climbing goat had other plans. She put her cloven hooves on Marco’s shoulders, bleated in victory, and then chomped down on a mouthful of Marco’s hair.

“Hey!” Marco ducked and cursed.

Ash burst out laughing as the goat refused to let go and tugged harder.

Beula was his new spirit animal.