“What do you mean?” Ryder asked. Everyone else was watching. Jack didn’t normally speak up or have much to say but today he seemed to be coming out of his shell. Ryder was doing his best to encourage the young wolf.
“You know block them off from the other animals but keep them in the barn. Build the coop so it’s part of the barn but with the opening into their yard from the side of the barn.” Jack bit his bottom lip.
“That’s a great idea.” Harper patted his shoulder and ended her attempt at calling Sidney. Ryder heard it go to voicemail. “They’ll be warmer that way and maybe if they are warmer we will still get eggs in winter.” Jack nodded and smiled. “I think we should raise rabbits, goats, and sheep too. Oh and maybe a couple of cows for milk.”
“No goats, they’re weird.” Eric said.
“He hates their eyes.” Evan laughed.
“Taste weird too.” Eric said and Harper laughed. “Their milk tastes weird and they eat everything. No goats.”
“No goats.” Ryder laughed. “Got anything to say about lamb?”
“I like it with mint jelly.” Eric smiled. I was something he rarely did and his twin laughed loudly.
“How about rabbits?” Ryder prodded.
“Hard little bastards to catch.” Eric crossed his arms over his chest.
“Not if they’re penned.” Harper shook her head. “So Jack, we need a barn big enough to house all of those, I think the rabbit hutch should be the same idea as the chickens. We need stalls for the cows and a place to keep sheep. I think the barn should have an upstairs for feed and stuff, maybe an office.”
“Put feed upstairs and the goats will climb up and eat it.” Eric said quietly. Harper laughed and Ryder shook his head.
“There will be no goats, chill man.” Eric grunted and his twin laughed again.
“They’re just goats, dude.” Evan giggled.
“Don’t care, I hate them.” He scowled.
“Got it.” Ryder chuckled. “No damn goats, I promise.”
“Why do animals need an office?” Lucy asked tugging at Harpers shirt. Harper squatted.
“We need one to keep records of the animals, when they get shots, have babies, and stuff like that.” Lucy’s mouth made a small ‘o’ and Harper winked at her. “You get to feed the bunnies and chickens, how’s that?” Harper stood with Lucy in her arms.
“Can I play with the bunnies?” Lucy’s smile was wide. She needed a pet.
“As long as you understand that they are food.” Lucy thought about it for a while then wiggled to get down without answering. She was still pondering the fact that they would eat the bunnies. Her phone rang shrilly then. Ryder stepped away from her.
“Change that ringtone.” Ryder said then came back and kissed her cheek.
***
“I will right after. Hey Sid!” She left the kitchen and went into the living room away from the pack. “What are you up to today? Are you at work?”
“Girl, I just got off and I’m headed inside to climb into a hot bubble bath.” Curtis growled beside her then and Harper jumped a little then laughed.
“I got the details on Curtis for you if you’re still interested.” His eyes were amber and Harper patted his arm.
“Who just growled Harper was that him? Is he standing there with you?”
“Yeah, he kind of followed me.”
“Can I talk to him? Girl that growl was…let me talk to him.” Harper handed Curtis the phone. He took it and sat on the couch. Someone had covered it with a quilt. They needed new furniture. This looked like it was here at the turn of the last century.
“What’s going on up there?” Ryder was at her side tapping her head softly.
“I was thinking we need furniture.”
“Got some in a trailer behind the barn. We wanted to paint first and refinish the floors.” She nodded.
“Makes sense. Can I do it? I can paint and keep an eye on the kitchen.” She whispered.
“Of course you can. What color are you thinking?” Harper stood there staring up at the ceiling tapping her finger to her lip.
“Can we paint it green?” Lucy tugged on her shirt. “With a white ceiling?” Harper grinned.
“Of course we can. Go find your mommy and ask her if she wants to come with us to pick out paint and varnish.” Lucy disappeared.
“I’ll come with you to do the heavy lifting.” He winked and pulled her into his arms. She melted into him. He was a champion hugger. Lucy came back seconds later dragging Cindy.
“I’m going to paint in here. Lucy picked green and white. Would you like to join us at the paint store while she chooses a color?”