Vetted Further

by K'Anne Meinel

  “I called to tell you I’m pregnant.”

  “You are?” she sounded astonished. “How?” Then, realizing how that might sound, she quickly added, “Congratulations.” She wondered exactly how they had accomplished that but didn’t want to seem rude by asking. She could feel another contraction coming on and started panting. “I can’t really talk right now. I’ll call when I’m done with this,” she promised, hanging up on her sister before she could say more.

  Allyssa stared at the phone in consternation, realizing how weird that was.

  “What? She wasn’t happy for you?” Fey asked, prepared to be angry with Carmen if she said something to upset Allyssa.

  “Yes,” she said, nodding. “She said congratulations, but she had to go. She’s in labor!”

  “She is?”

  “Yes,” she answered, nodding some more. “Isn’t that weird timing?”

  “I bet that’s why no one answered at your mom’s. Do you have her cell phone?”

  “No, it’s a new number, but I’m sure Carmen will tell her, if she remembers. She’s kinda busy.”

  Keith was thrilled for his daughter when he heard the news. He was going to be a grandfather! He made the mistake of telling Rosemary and she mocked him for his foolishness. “That baby is not related to you in any way. It isn’t your grandchild at all!” He regretted saying anything to her but told the kids about their new nephew or niece. He was pleased with how happy they were about the news. Traci asked if they could go to the ranch for Christmas. “They are going caroling on horses and I want to go,” she told him, whining, and proving she was keeping in contact with the two women or at least reading the blogs.

  “Yeah, and Allyssa said she would maybe let me help her drive the wagon for those who can’t ride on horses,” Sean put in, sounding as excited as Traci. “I bet she can’t ride anymore either,” he said and Traci nodded. “Maybe we can have two wagons!”

  Not certain if his children were happier about their sister’s pregnancy or about the Christmas carolers, he made no promises. He knew Rosemary’s answer already and didn’t even bother discussing with her the possibility of their kids going out to the ranch for Christmas.

  “Are you happy about it?” Allyssa’s father asked when she finally reached him.

  “Of course, I am,” she told him. She wondered if he realized how that sounded. Having a baby was a choice for a lesbian couple, never an accident.

  “Then, I’m happy for you,” he answered, almost sounding sincere. They hadn’t spoken much in the last year and a half, especially since he had missed their housewarming. Still, he had sent a present and hoped she liked it. Her thank you note hadn’t offered much more than the standard ‘thank you for your present.’ He noted she had signed it Doctor and Allyssa Herriot.

  Allyssa didn’t stay on the phone long with her father; their talks were often awkward.

  Now, they could announce their pregnancy to their clients and they did so in a funny way. Fiona had t-shirts made up. One read I’M PREGNANT, and the other read I’M NOT THE FATHER. The two of them donned the shirts and took several pictures. Allyssa posted the best picture on her blogs and the websites. The well wishes poured in after their humorous announcement. The comments about Allyssa’s delighted look and Fiona’s odd, almost startled look were mostly supportive and equally humorous. Allyssa deleted anything rude or negative from the comments, even blocking or banning a few people.

  * * * * *

  Carmen called the next day, very happy for them and herself. She announced she’d had a baby girl and was going to name her Melody. “Will you be her godmother?” she asked Allyssa.

  “Absolutely!” she answered immediately, pleased to be asked.

  “Well, I’ll let you know when we arrange the baptism, so you can plan on attending,” she gushed, not aware of the silence on the other end of the line as she went on talking about her new daughter and how perfect she was.

  Allyssa was wondering how to tell her sister she couldn’t attend the baptism. Denver was too far to drive, and she couldn’t be away from the ranch for any length of time. Still, she considered it because she knew she would have to be away in January for the exams in Portland. She had to discuss it with Fiona, so they could work out a plan. And if they decided she could go, making plans for saving up the airfare and where she was going to stay would take some time.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “I’ve got a colt with heterochromia,” Fiona announced as she prepared to go out on rounds.

  “What’s that again?” Allyssa asked as she wracked her brain. It sounded familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on the term.

  “It’s where there is a difference in coloration. In this case, the foal’s irises are two different colors. I think the rancher bred too closely and it’s a genetic mutation.”

  “Does it affect the foal?”

  “No, although it might make it less valuable to some potential buyers. I think I will recommend he never breed those two again.”

  “Can he breed the foal?”

  “Not to any related horse for sure, but I would also recommend against it completely. Some people would destroy this foal. Still, he’s a cute, little guy,” she confided. “Maybe he will just cut him,” she mentioned, indicating castration.

  “I hope the rancher doesn’t consider him floor fodder,” Allyssa said cryptically, referring to the garbage they threw out of stalls. Some ranchers and farmers didn’t consider the life of the animal, just the value they could get out of it and it still irritated her despite all her time in the business. She smiled. She’d just opened a congratulatory note from their old clinic about their baby announcement. She laughed when she read about ‘how’ the doctor had knocked her up…if they only knew. She showed the card to the doctor in question, who laughed along with her.

  “I think he will keep the colt,” she added as she wrote her visits down before heading out.

  “Didn’t you forget something?” Allyssa called and watched as her wife stopped, thought through her mental list, and slowly began to shake her head. Looking up at her wife on the porch, she considered, then smiled as she remembered, returned, and gave her wife a passionate kiss goodbye.

  “I’ll see you tonight,” she promised, glad she had been stopped. She hoped the passion she’d felt being returned meant her wife was finally past the hormones that had made her ill and uninterested in sex. There had been a few times Allyssa had pleased her, but when Fey attempted to return the favor, she had been turned down. It frustrated her to no end.

  “I have the 4-Hers this evening,” she warned, so Fey wouldn’t be surprised.

  “Ah, yes. Are they getting the horses used to riding together while they practice their singing?” It wasn’t even Halloween, but the kids were enthusiastic. She’d already seen some of their Christmas costume ideas for the horses and wondered how they would get the horses used to felt antlers and Santa hats. one harness even had a red nose. They also had to get the horses accustomed to the outfits the carolers would be wearing. Since it would be December and they all expected cold and snow, the children’s costumes had to fit over outdoor clothing and even hide it in most cases. She’d heard about the clever moms and dads who helped design the costumes. There would be elves, plenty of Santas and Santas’ wives, a few Scrooges, and of course, cowgirls and cowboys. The bonus for many of the kids was these projects, the sewing, and the pictures, could all be entered in the fair next year as their 4-H projects.

  “Yep, that’s the idea. Some can’t sing of course, but their enthusiasm is entertaining.”

  “Why don’t you plan to do something for Halloween too?”

  “We discussed that. We are going to have a hay wagon one of the farms is donating, and the 4-Hers in our troop will be able to ride in it as we go around town.”

  “Yeah, getting on and off horses to go trick-or-treating would be a pain, especially in costume.”

  “Exactly,” she said as she waved her wife on her way. Smiling,
Allyssa turned back to her work, rubbing her arms as she realized it was already getting cold this high up.

  Allyssa was really enjoying helping the children in the 4-H club. She had never joined as a child…who would have done such a thing in the Regal Crest Gardens neighborhood she had grown up in? But it wasn’t just for farm or ranch kids. There were townies from all over, but this club was centered on the animal projects. It had amazed her when she stopped in at the fair with Fiona last August and they had seen all the projects these kids entered. She admired the dedication of the moms and dads who helped with baking, sewing, and many other projects. She patted her own belly, wondering if she would do that with their child someday.

  “Mrs. Herriot?” Allyssa looked up from where she had been concentrating on her studies and even Rex was embarrassed. Neither of them had seen or heard the truck that drove into their yard. Allyssa turned down the music as the large shepherd lunged off the floor with a huffing growl, just doing his duty but also partly embarrassed. “Whoa,” the man stopped and put his arms out as Allyssa rose just as quickly and placed her hand on her gun.

  Rex thoroughly sniffed at the man, his body tense. Allyssa watched the dog’s body language. She knew he wouldn’t hurt the man unless he made some move that alerted him. She trusted her dog implicitly, and as he wasn’t giving off any signs she should be afraid, she answered the man. “Yes, can I help you?”

  “Hi. I’m Blake Dalden from Conservation Cellular,” he began, holding his hands out, so the big dog could smell them, and she could see he wasn’t holding anything. His paperwork was under his arm and he clamped that to his side, so it wouldn’t fall.

  “Didn’t you call me?” she asked, her eyes squinting as she tried to remember.

  “Yes, several times, but you hung up on me,” he said with a friendly grin. “I’m not a salesman,” he quickly added. “At least, not the kind that you think I am.”

  “You must really want our cellular service,” she commented wryly, watching the dog, who was quickly losing interest in the man and relaxing.

  “We do, but not the way you are thinking,” he grinned as he quipped cryptically. “May I come in and sit down? Is your wife here?”

  Suspicious, she wondered what kind of salesman he was. She had seen cellular trucks around the county occasionally, but they weren’t quite like the one she could see parked outside. She nodded and gestured. “Can I get you anything? Juice? Water?”

  “I’d love some juice, if you have some,” he answered, pleased with her offer as he carefully entered the office. He had been surprised to see the office door open. It was cold outside but inside, with the windows and the glass on the cabinets, he could feel how warm and cozy it was. Then, he saw the fireplace and understood why.

  Seeing him glance at fire burning in the fireplace, she said, “Sorry, I’m hot and cold by turns; it’s a contradiction. Apple or orange?” she asked as pulled one of each from the fridge.

  “Apple, please,” he answered and took the glass she handed to him. “Thanks.” He watched as she opened the orange juice and took a sip. She sat down across from him.

  “What can I do for you? I can’t imagine you are being this persistent about our crappy cellular service?”

  “Well, sort of. I’m trying to improve your crappy cellular service. I’d like you to be happy about that and maybe leave off the crappy part,” he smiled to show he didn’t take offense at her wording. “I’m not on the phones side of things. I’m with development. I’d like you and your wife’s permission to erect a tower on your land. It will expand our service exponentially, and we’ll be able to service people in this valley as well as…” he elaborated on how the service would improve. “We want to erect towers here, here, and here,” he said, getting out a map and showing her where they were planning to expand.

  “Who owns the tower if we let you on our land?” she asked astutely, narrowing her eyes as she listened to his sales pitch.

  “Legally, we do, but technically, since it’s on your land, you do.”

  “And if we don’t want you on our land?” She asked all the right questions as she thought quickly. He explained their company would build and service the tower and the Herriots would own it after their five-year contract was up. He mentioned how much they would be paid per year to allow the tower to stand on their land. When the five-year contract was up, they would renegotiate.

  “So, we could use other service providers on the tower after the contract expired?” Allyssa loved the idea of the income and the fact they would not be responsible for maintenance of the tower. They would simply get a yearly check for allowing the tower on their land and giving the company access.

  He gulped. She had caught on much sooner than he would have liked, and he nodded reluctantly. He went on to explain about the contract. “If you have an attorney, you will want to review this with them and any changes can be sent to our offices at…” he continued. Her phone rang from time to time as they spoke, but Allyssa let it go to the answering machine.

  “Well, if that’s it, you can prepare the contract and send it to me and my wife. We’ll discuss it with our attorney and get back to you, Mr. Dalden,” Allyssa said dismissively as their conversation wound down. She glanced at the map, wishing she knew where the other towers were being placed, so they could buy that land and collect that rent too. She knew it was too much to hope they’d put two on their ranch. It was a good-sized ranch but not big enough that the cell company would put two towers so close together.

  He thanked her for her time, leaving her with some of the paperwork they had discussed, his card, and a promise to send the contract. “If everyone agrees, we’d like to get it up this fall,” he left her with that last tidbit.

  Allyssa watched as he left the yard, looking after his truck thoughtfully. As she glanced about the yard, she saw the coyote, who had been trying to get into the chicken coop, slinking off. That it would come around in broad daylight surprised her. Coyotes weren’t stupid. In fact, they were amazingly smart, and Fey had warned her about them. Seeing it in daylight surprised her. Coyotes were nocturnal creatures and usually tried for the chickens in the evening or early morning. Still, the chicken shed was well built, and they’d not gotten in, only managed to dig at the edges.

  Allyssa called Henry Lemoore and left a message for him. She was excited about this additional income. They could relax a bit if this went through and the cell company didn’t change their mind. But she wasn’t going to count on it until the tower was built and they got their first check. Still, she knew Fiona worried about providing for their growing family, and she absentmindedly rubbed her stomach as she thought about it before returning to her studies.

  * * * * *

  “Hey, Mrs. Herriot!” one of the kids called, showing her that he was riding with no hands. The mare he was riding was plodding along without a care in the world.

  “That’s nice, Brent, but what if she spooks or takes off,” she pointed out as another parent chimed in, “Hold on to those reins!”

  They were practicing walking the horses around two, three, and four abreast, so they could later practice on the road. There was plenty of space for the kids to practice on the ranch, and the parents who brought their children out were grateful to Allyssa for providing them the opportunity. Some of the kids were going to ride their own horses but there were many who didn’t have horses of their own.

  “Hey, Allyssa,” Fiona said as she walked up to watch the kids.

  “Hey, babe,” she replied, turning to give her a peck on the mouth in greeting as she always did. She ignored the stares coming from disapproving or surprised adults. Most others smiled at the easy affection the two women shared. and she knew the kids didn’t care. “How was your day?” She’d heard the truck come into the yard. Despite being diesel, it was relatively quiet, and she appreciated that Fiona remembered they were practicing with the kids and left it parked at the other end of the yard to avoid spooking the horses.

  “Good. I h
ave someone coming over shortly for you to meet.”

  “Oh?”

  “Later,” she mouthed as she greeted some of the other parents, who were clients. She had an amazing memory for her patients and could talk about their pets and their livestock with ease.

  The kids practiced for two hours, which also constituted a 4-H meeting. Allyssa had hot chocolate waiting for them all in the ranch house. It got crowded in their living room, but she relished the interaction. One by one, people left until only one couple she hadn’t seen before remained.

  “Allyssa, this is Woody Franklin and Rhonda Blecher. They are therapy horse trainers, and they are looking for a new place to roost.”

  Allyssa came forward and shook their hands. Woody was a big, bluff man, who was dark and needed a shave but was very friendly. Rhonda was slight, very thin, and looked like a wisp of wind would blow her away. “How do you do?” she greeted them both.

  “I thought they could look around at our rescues and see what they think of our place,” Fiona explained.

  “Were you involved with the Greater Oregon Second Chance Horse Rescue?” she asked, confused and curious.

  Rhonda shook her head. “No, we were going to try and hook up with them, but they ran out of space, ran out of funds, and then, lost their lease before we could get anything going. We’ve been freelancing, which isn’t ideal.”

  “Yes, we need a centralized location for our therapy horses and the people they will benefit. We need them to come to us,” Woody put in as they all sat down in the living room to talk.

  “So, what’s the idea?” Allyssa addressed them, including Fiona since she hadn’t had much warning, although they had talked about it a few times.

  The plan was to bring these two and their ten horses to the ranch, then begin advertising the therapy sessions. They trained horses and helped people with special needs to use the horses. “We can start to work with some of the horses as you are doing with the kids,” Rhonda said admiringly of Allyssa. She’d read up on the rescue blog that Allyssa wrote. She’d also seen her with the 4-Hers that day and knew she would be a good person to be around.