By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition Read Online Free PDF Page B

eggs?”
    Sondra giggled quietly. “On a warm day like today, a gal wears a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.” She wrinkled her nose. “Course, the chickens just might be offended if you don’t match.”
    Feigning hurt, Victoria rested her hands on her hips. “Are you making fun of me?”
    “Yes. Now hurry before the kids wake up, and I’ll show you around the ranch.”
    Victoria grinned and shut the door. She unzipped her suitcase and rummaged for a pair of casual shorts. “Note to self,” she murmured as she tossed one article after the other onto the bed, “I must unpack first thing after breakfast.” She picked up a silk shirt and wrinkled her nose. “And find some ranch-appropriate items.” Sighing, she decided on a pair of jean shorts and a designer button-down shirt.
At least I have some old tennis shoes
. After scooping them up from the closet floor, she put them on, tied her shoelaces, and hopped off the bed.
    The thought of being around live, squawking chickens made her stomach churn, but she had determined to make the best of it. In truth, part of her was excited about learning the life of a country girl. Walking to the window, she glanced once more at the chunk of nature that lay all around her. She spotted the pigsty and its enormous inhabitants and snarled.
It’s a small part of me, that’s for sure
.
    Victoria walked out of her bedroom and down the hall. Too tempted to just pass by, she peeked into Matt’s room. Her precious nephew lay in his toddler bed holding a small, flannel-squared blanket close to his face.
Kenny had a favorite shirt that color
. She touched the corner of her mouth.
I wonder …
    Tiptoeing closer to Matt, she noted how his small blanket had been hand-stitched and not store bought. Softly brushing his cheek, she whispered, “I’ll have to ask your mommy.” She sighed at how peaceful he appeared. Quietly closing the door, Victoria tiptoed down the hall and out the front door.
    A warm breeze whipped her hair, escorting with it the strong odor of cattle grazing nearby. Victoria frowned and covered her nose.
    “The smell actually starts to grow on you.” Sondra came from behind her.
    “You scared the life out of me.” Victoria placed her hand on her chest to calm her now fast beating heart.
    “Sorry.” Sondra handed Victoria an empty basket and then hefted her own higher onto her forearm. “I hated the smell out here at first. Believe it or not, now I actually look forward to it when I’m coming home from town or wherever.”
    Victoria wrinkled her nose. “Really?”
    Sondra nodded. “Yeah. It’s a funny thing what living in the country will do for you after a while.”
    Victoria didn’t respond, and Sondra turned and headed toward what Victoria assumed was a chicken coop. In actuality, it looked like a rather fun, oversized playhouse. Sporting a door and latticed windows in the front, the entire building was painted white and trimmed in country blue. Sondra walked around the back and pointed to the wire-fenced “yard” for the chickens. A small ramp connected the ground and the opening of the building. Several chickens squawked around the yard.
    “We have a lot of chickens.” Sondra said. “I love to take the baby chicks to Lawton Group Home to let children hold them.”
    “That’s wonderful.” Victoria tried to count the chickens but soon had to give up due to their scurrying around. Walking back around the building, Sondra opened the door and went inside. Victoria braced herself for an attack of white-feathered beasts. To her surprise, nothing happened.
    “Come on in. There’s plenty of room,” Sondra called.
    “Actually, I have a question about Matt.” Victoria grasped her basket. There was no way she intended to go inside that little building with all those creatures. Visions of chickens pecking her feet and pulling at her shoelaces filled her mind.
Can chickens fly?
Victoria shuddered as she imagined them flying around her and plucking at her