Chapter 27

Colten’s arm on my shoulder brought me out of an intense study of one of the cows.

“You recognize her?”

“Lassie?” I said, focusing on the image. Before, I’d been staring, but seeing something far away.

“That’s her. I missed her dearly when she passed. Cows only live about twenty years, you know.”

“How long ago did you lose her?”

“Two years this winter.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugged. “These things happen. She was my first one. Got her when I was five.”

“That’s a long time to have a pet.”

“Pet? She was more a sister.”

I mentally cursed myself. A lot of people saw animals as family members. Even Rick was beginning to turn. I’d never been able to experience a bond with any animal. Even my human relations were seldom deep.

“I didn’t mean it as an insult.”

He looked at me and his face softened. “I know. But, she was much more than a cow. We all had a hard time losing her. Laura wouldn’t come out of her room for a week.”