Misty stood up, took a few more photos, and put her phone back in her pocket. She walked back along the fence, pointing at the ground. “I’m following the holes. They’re evenly spaced, but by somebody with shorter legs than me.”
He stuck his phone in his pocket, moved out around her, and returned to the cut fence. “Where do the holes end?”
She took short steps as she followed the trail back to him. “They’re lost in the cow tracks.”
“That’d make sense, wouldn’t it?”
“Right. Tracks end where the cattle cross.”
He glanced back down the fence line, reconsidering their quick speculation about the holes in the ground. “Best not get ahead of ourselves. Those holes could’ve been made by critters. We’ve got snakes, spiders, possums, and armadillos out here. You name it, and it’s living in the pasture or nearby.”
“But holes in a long row along the fence line?”
“I know. Doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen before. But you’ve got to admit a critter makes more sense than a woman in high heels walking across my pasture to cut fence.”
“True.” Misty sighed as she pushed back her hair. “I probably got excited over nothing.”
“Not nothing. I just don’t want to jump to conclusions without more proof. We’ll keep it in mind.”
“Sounds good.” She pointed at the swimming pool. “Guess I can’t put off singing to the cows any longer.”
“Guess not.” He chuckled as he glanced at her. “Come along, lil dogie.”
“Lil dogie?” She laughed, shaking her head. “Just what I always yearned to be called.”
“It’s something like sweetheart.”
“Sure it is.”
He joined her laughter as he stepped through the open fence line. He made sure the strands couldn’t cut the cattle on their way back.
Misty followed him to the other side of the fence and held up her switch. “I’m ready to give those cows what for.”
“Got no doubt by the time you’re done they’ll know never to stray out of their pasture again.”
“And never—and I mean never ever—turn into mutant, zombie, flesh-eating, ninja cows.”
“That’d be good, too.” But he almost didn’t get the words out because he was laughing so hard his eyes were stinging with tears.
He walked side by side with Misty into the courtyard. The eight cows had been busy. They’d finished their illicit drinks, taken out a row of tasty petunias, and artistically decorated the flagstone with several greenish cow pies. They were now contentedly chewing their cuds in the shade of the gazebo.
“Whatever you do, don’t step in one of those cow patties.”
“I wasn’t born yesterday.” She gave a cow pie a closer look. “Doesn’t some Texas company guild the dry ones in gold and sell them for big bucks?”
“Yeah, I heard about that. Not sure if they’re still doing it.”
“Texas chic.” She gave him a mischievous glance. “Maybe you’re missing out on a lucrative secondary market.”
“Could be, but I think I’ll pass on it.”
“Faint of heart?”
“Faint of nose.”
She laughed as she carefully avoided a particularly large greenish splat on the cement.
“Guess we better get this show on the road.” He walked toward the peaceful cows giving him thoughtful looks with their big brown eyes.
Misty edged behind him. “I suppose that placid attitude and gentle appearance is simply a precursor to cows going all ninja on us with red glowing eyes. I bet pretty quick they’ll stand up on their back legs and give us the ole one-two with vicious hooves.”
“Might be a little active for them, but maybe not for your overactive imagination.” He tried not to laugh too loudly. He really didn’t want to spook the cattle.
“Hah! Don’t let their innocent appearance fool you.” She held out her switch and whipped it back and forth in front of her. “I’m ready for them.”
“Ladies,” Trey called. “Time to go home.” He raised the bucket of oats and shook it till the feed rattled inside.
Eight heads abruptly turned toward him. One cow stretched out her neck and lowed deep in her throat. She started a slow amble in his direction. The others followed her.
“That’s Bessie.” He shook the bucket again to make the enticing rattling sound that no cow could resist. “She’s the lead cow.”
“They’re picking up speed and heading right for us.”
“Sure they are. I’ve got the oats.” He walked across the patio toward the cut fence with Misty as his shadow.
“I’m keeping a look behind us. I’ll let you know if they start to stampede so we can get out of their way.”
He walked back into the pasture, turned toward the cattle, and shook the bucket again. Bessie picked up speed, from slow to fast amble, with the others right behind her.
“Look!” Misty pointed with her switch. “I think Bessie’s eyes are turning red.”
“Sun’s in her face.”