Once Bitten, Twice Shy

He nodded and leaned down, encircling the goat's legs with his arms. Straightening, he turned and carried the goat through the dairy. Katie glanced up as he walked through, and winked at Carmen.

"Chow down. Lots more crow where that came from."

There was no point in responding, so Carmen merely shrugged and followed Alex to one of the kidding stalls. If Alex hadn't been here, the goat would have walked. Big deal. It was probably better for her anyway. She opened the gate for Alex and he deposited the goat on the hay. Straightening, he met her gaze.

"If you don't have anything else for me to do, I'd like to stay here and watch."

If she didn't have anything else? Who asked him to do any work in the first place? She swallowed a bitter response.

"You're welcome to do as you please. You're a guest, not a hired hand."

A slow smile twisted his lips and added a twinkle to his eyes. "I'll try not to get in your way."

Her cheeks flushed hot with blood. Had Katie been blabbering again? She shrugged.

"Suit yourself. Let me know if anything goes wrong."

She turned on one heel and left the barn. It was time to feed the chickens. That was one place he wouldn't be trying to show her up.