Page 42 of Till The Cows Come Home
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Sage
Two Weeks Later
I t had been a few days since Dad had been released from the hospital, and while a bit weak, he was lucky.
Aside from a few extra meds added to his regimen and physical therapy for a couple of months, he got away relatively unscathed.
And with him back, my focus could shift ever so slightly to my girls that were finally scheduled to come home tomorrow.
I’d set up a lot of my new classroom, and with Miles’ constant reassurance I’d planned out the curriculum. Ruby surprised me with custom informational pamphlets, outlining the offerings of each program along with tentative dates, which we planned to drop off at every public space that’d let us.
The end of the day was nearing, though, which meant it was time to knead my worries into food.
I always welcomed the solace that came along with preparing the evening meal.
Throughout the weeks, I’d cooked along what seemed like most of the community, whether it be the crew's wives, Jane, Beth, or kids that had stopped to watch as the structure came to life.
With today being the last full day of labor, I’d invited them all, urging anyone in the community to attend.
I’d brined an insane amount of chicken and expected my favorite group of women to arrive any moment with sides to share.
Some of the crew’s wives insisted on contributing, and although I never asked them to, they always showed up with something unique and delicious that paired perfectly with whatever we were having.
As I peeked out of the newly resurrected classroom door, Ruby and my mother waved to me from the porch.
“I was just about to come crash your party,” Ruby called.
“I’ll preheat the grills,” Miles interjected from behind me, eliciting some choice words as I jumped from my boots at his surprise presence. “Sorry.” He chuckled. “Why don’t you show Ruby your space? Mom and I will hold down the fort, won’t we, Gale?”
I rolled my eyes at my mother, but his words weren’t lost on me. Not your mom, not Gale, just mom . I’d never fallen for something so hard in my life. Even my love for farming was gradual, but the way I was falling for this man was reckless.
Ruby bounded off the steps, skipping a few until she reached Miles, pausing to slap him on the back.
“Thanks, big guy. I promise we won't leave you with old Galer for too long.”
Miles tipped his head back and laughed.
“Take your time.”
Ruby looped her arm in mine, guiding us into the door I’d just exited, inhaling a breath of anticipation as we entered the nearly completed room.
“It’s everything we always talked about,” she squealed.
“You were just here days ago, Rub.” I giggled.
“There weren’t these tiny little desks days ago! ”
“Miles made them.”
“I fucking love him.”
“Me too.” I sighed.
“Did you order incubators?”
“I did, and we also ordered a few dozen little flashlights for them to candle their eggs.”
“Oh my god, they’re going to lose their shit when the chicks start breaking through.”
“I know, right? I’m so excited for them to be so excited.”
My gaze was trained on the papers scattered along my desk, my mind flicking through all the scenarios this program would bring, kids’ laughter and awe constantly radiating through the room.
Ruby’s sudden contact jolted me from my thoughts, her arms squeezing around me until I was gasping for a breath.
“You’re going to do amazing. I feel blessed knowing Asher is going to be able to experience something so great because of his Auntie Sage.”
“Let's go save Miles from my mother before I start crying again,” I mumbled, giving her a squeeze before releasing her.
As we exited, the porch occupancy had quadrupled and I could feel the familiar buzz that accompanied good company.
Miles was talking to my mother by the grill, focusing intently on each word while he mindlessly flipped chicken.
He had a way of making you feel like there was no one else in the room and I could see that now as he spoke with my mother, nodding along with animation that couldn’t be faked.
“Hello again, you two. What else needs to be done?”
“I’m just about to pull the last of these off. If you pull the lids from all the salads, we’ll be up before you’re done.”
Ruby and I nodded, climbing the steps of the porch to join the commotion.
Picnic tables had become permanent ornaments on the property, consuming the deck and eventually spilling into the yard as our helpers grew.
Our small task took seconds, and Miles arrived behind me, setting the tray of chicken amongst the various sides on the buffet before clearing his throat.
“Hi everyone,” his voice boomed through the chatter, “I don’t mean to get emotional on you, but I think our last official day together deserves some thanks.”
The air quieted as he motioned towards our crew before continuing.
“Gerry, Axel, Bobby, Grant, I can’t even begin to thank you and your crews for all the labor you put into this project.
Not to mention the love and support your wives brought along with it.
Without you, we wouldn’t have even laid the foundation yet and I could say thank you a million times without coming close to what you deserve. ”
The men waved Miles off, mumbled about how it wasn’t a problem, but Miles continued on, turning to face my parents.
“Stu and Gale, your love and support is an inspiration to this community. I’m honored to have had a chance to get to know you over the last few months. Your selflessness to guide someone you could have let sink will stay with me forever. ”
Tears streamed down my mother’s face as she listened along, her hand in my father’s. Dad had protested his limitations every day since he’d gotten home, but when I looked at him today, he looked content. Proud even.
“Which leads me to the town. They say it takes a village, and our village showed up. The community support has lifted us up on the darkest days. Thank you all for picking us up and dusting us off when we fell.”
There was some clapping and cheers until Miles finally turned to me.
“Last but not least, my Sage. Words will never convey what you mean to me. You truly are the light that brightens the darkest days. I love you. ”
He delivered a quick kiss to my lips before turning to address the crowd, who’d begun to swoon.
“Please enjoy,” Miles waved to the food, “You’ve more than earned it.”
I’m not sure that there was a dry eye in the crowd as the claps began, showering Miles with the love he deserved.
“Too much?” Miles asked, grinning as he took his spot next to me.
“Just right.” I sniffled, leaning my head on his shoulder as I watched the crowd dig in, soaking in the buzz of excitement as people chattered about the big day.
As I finished my meal, the sun was setting behind the new barn, illuminating it in a way even the best photographs couldn’t replicate and the jitters over the endeavor were replaced with a calmness.
That tranquility lasted until the familiar hiss of brakes stopped me mid mouthful, my senses simply unable to process what I was seeing.
It appeared that an eighteen wheeler had pulled into the lot, but my brain scrambled as I tried to understand.
The girls were supposed to arrive tomorrow, and I scoured my mind for what could possibly be delivered that would warrant the truck.
“No,” I mumbled in disbelief.
“Surprise, pretty girl.”
Before I could think, I was on my feet and I could hear Miles’ close behind me as I ran.
Mr. Chambers was opening the back, and I let out a sob as the moos of the girls echoed through the truck, bellowing their pleasantries.
The porch quickly emptied, our guests congregating as Miles opened the gate, nodding to John to let the first cow off the back.
“Come see your new home, girls.”
The first cow cleared the ramp, pausing when she got to him as if she too was waiting for confirmation that this was really happening. He scratched her forehead, whispering something to her as the rest of the truck continued to unload.
Miles made his way to my side, and as we watched the barn fill with life, he leaned down to my ear.
“Welcome to Blossom’s Creamery, Sage.”
The world ceasing to spin nor the deafening cheers erupting around me could have stopped the words from echoing in my ears.
Blossom’s Creamery .
The perfect name for a new beginning.