5. Ava

Igot my first close-up with a horse. What I didn't expect was the smell. It's quite strong, which makes sense. They do live outside and poop wherever they happen to be, after all.

I get over the scent because Mia's love for Shadow–and all of the horses–radiates from her. It's amazing. I've never seen anything like it. But now I get the whole "horse person" thing. Unfortunately, I am not a horse person.

I think Shadow likes me. Mia wants me to pet her, but I'll save that for tomorrow. Seeing a horse this close up is enough of an experience for me for one day.

Mia walks me around and introduces me to all of the horses. She shows me around the stable and then takes me to the other side, where they have chickens and goats. It's impressive that a 13-year-old girl can have such confidence leading me around a farm. It's like she belongs here.

"Oh no! Tulip! What's wrong, sweetie?" Mia kneeled next to what looked like a pile of fur. I couldn't see what it was. "Manny! Come here, quick!"

"What's going on?" Manny comes running over.

"Something is wrong with Tulip. Look."

"Tulip, girl. What's going on? I thought she was acting weird earlier, but she didn't seem hurt or anything." Manny kneeled next to Mia and Tulip. "Well, I'll be darned. I think she's having a baby!"

"What?! A baby! A baby goat! This is so exciting!"

"Yeah, but she wasn't supposed to get pregnant again, not after what happened to her last time. Her last kid nearly killed her. Let me go call your dad."

"What's going on?" I ask Mia quietly.

"Tulip is having a baby! We're going to have a baby goat!"

Oh, Tulip is a goat. That makes more sense.

"Wow. That's exciting!" I say, but really, I mean terrifying. I'm not sure that I'm ready to watch an animal give birth–but it looks like I may not have a choice.

"Quick! Help me move her over there. She'll be more comfortable."

"Um, ok," I say, trying not to freak out.

"Mia! Mia! Are you ok? Where's Mia!!!" Travis is screaming as the golf cart speeds over to us.

"I'm right here, Dad! I'm fine. Tulip is having a baby!"

"Tulip is having a baby? She wasn't supposed to get pregnant this time."

"Yeah, that's why I called you," Manny says as he unloads everything from the golf cart. "I wonder if we should get the vet on standby."

"Probably. I'll give her a call right now."

"Ok, Mia, here, wrap her up in this towel. And let's give her some of this warm water. We need to keep her hydrated."

They seem to have it all under control, so I step back and watch. This is the craziest thing I've ever seen in my life. There's a lot of yelling and screaming by both Mia and the goat. Moments later, a tiny little thing is delivered. It's wet and gross looking, but Mia and Travis are captivated—they're looking at it like it's a precious gem. I take a few pictures with my phone. I should have asked Ryder for a photographer—or at least taken one of the good cameras to use for the story.

Just when I think things are settling down, there are more screams. Another little ball of goo falls out of the goat! This is the craziest night I've had in a while.

"Twins! Dad, it's twins!" Mia yells, with tears in her eyes.

"I see that." Travis is kneeling next to Mia and Manny, looking as stunned as I'm feeling.

They get the new little goat family situated for the night, and then we all ride back to the house together. Travis sends Mia upstairs to finish her homework, which Mia is not happy about. "That was a lot of excitement for one night," I say, trying to act cool.

"Sure was. Don't expect this level of excitement every night. How about a nightcap?" Travis asks.

"Sure."

"Have a seat. I'll be right back."

I sit in one of the rocking chairs on the porch and look out over the sprawling meadow. It is a beautiful sight. I take a deep breath in, and my nose is filled with the scent of sweet grass, dirt, and freshness. The air has a quality to it that we don't get in the city. I see what people mean about country air.

"Here you are." Travis hands me a small glass full of an amber-colored liquid. "Whiskey. I hope you don't mind. It's just what we do out here on the ranch."

"Thanks."

"Cheers." Travis holds his glass up, and I tap mine to his. I take a sip and feel it burn all the way from my throat down to my stomach. The aftertaste left on my tongue was delicious. I never would have thought it, but maybe I'm a whiskey girl.

"So what do you think?"

"Not bad!" I take another sip. "Actually, kind of good."

"I meant about tonight." A deep, grunty chuckle comes from Travis' throat. "First dinner, then you watched a goat give birth to twins."

"Oh, yeah. That."

"Ha! That. Still a bit shell-shocked, huh?" Travis playfully hits my shoulder.

Touch me again, please!

"Yes, please—err–I mean, yeah. Wasn't what I was expecting for tonight."

"Living with animals is a wild ride, that's for sure."

"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"Breakfast is at 8 for the guests. Mia, the workers, and I eat much earlier. I usually make an appearance at the guests' breakfast. I'm not sure if I will tomorrow or not. Mia goes to school just after 7."

"Wow. That's early."

"Sure is–but she's used to it. Growing up on a ranch means waking with the sun."

"She seems like a really great kid. You must be proud."

"She is. And I am. I'm in awe of her every day."

"Well, I'd better get back to my place. I'm beat and want to get some work done tonight." I go to stand up, but I don't quite make it. I'm sure it's because getting out of rocking chairs is hard.

"Woah, there, killer. You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Except I'm going to die of embarrassment.

"Not a whiskey drinker, huh?" Travis holds out his hand and pulls me up.

"Not quite."

"Yeah, it'll go straight to your head if you're not used to it. Come on, let me drive you back to your cottage."

"No, it's fine. I can walk."

"I know you can walk, but I insist. Your brother would kill me if he thought I was letting you roam around here alone in the dark."

"Fine." I give in. I am exhausted. And I'm kind of freaked out at the thought of walking back to my cottage in the dark. It is DARK out here.

I sit in the passenger seat of the golf cart, and Travis goes to the driver's seat. He lets his legs spread ever so slightly while he drives, so his leg brushes against mine. Normally, I'd move my leg away, but for some reason, I stayed put. I kind of like the feel of his leg touching mine.

We immediately noticed the front door was wide open when we pulled up to my cottage.

"Didn't you close the door?"

"Yes! I did!" I'm alarmed. I know I closed the door.

"Did you make sure it latched?"

"Yes! I think so!"

"Let me go in there and check it out. Stay here for a minute."

He doesn't have to tell me twice. I don't want to be the first person to go in there. What if there's someone in there just waiting to get me alone? What if this is what Ryder was talking about? What if I just sent Travis straight into a murderer? Then Mia will be an orphan! What was I thinking?!

I'm freaking out now. I decided I had to go in and check on him. I tip-toed through the front door and walked right into the intruder. I scream bloody murder.