Read Online Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas - Free Book Online Page A

his grandmother, as well. She stood at the rail and reached in to pat the cow on the neck. The animal turned soulful eyes on them, and Henry suspected his grandmother had just fallen in love.
    A man and a child stood nearby, watching them.
    “She’s an easy milker,” the man said. “Gentle as they come. Stacy here can lead her around by a ribbon tied to her halter.”
    “She your cow?” Henry asked.
    “Yup, she’s four, ripe with her second calf. She ought to freshen around April. I always did like to birth spring calves.”
    “How come you’re letting her go?”
    “Her first calf has come up into about the best milk cow I’ve ever seen. We hate to let Bertie go, but we don’t need two cows, and we do need the cash.” He patted the cow on her haunch. “It’d set my mind at ease if I knew she was going to some good folks.”
    “Oh, we’d take good care of her,” Grandma said.
    “Mind if I take a closer look?” Henry asked.
    The man unhooked the gate, and Henry stepped inside the pen. Bertie shifted slightly to make room and looked at him over her shoulder.
    “She ever kick or step in the bucket?”
    “Nary a time.” The man grinned. “She’s practically a pet.”
    Henry ran his hands over the cow’s sides, feeling the swell of the calf. He crouched down and felt her udder—no lumps, cuts, or scars.
    “See that? She’ll let you handle her even without feed. Gentle as can be.”
    “Seems like a good ’un,” Henry agreed. “How’s her production?”
    “More than enough for my family of five plus some to sell to the neighbors. Good butterfat, too.”
    Emily clapped her hands. “I’m so looking forward to making butter again.”
    “Well, calves from Guernseys don’t sell like Holsteins, but then again, Holsteins can be a little more difficult, and they produce way more milk than we could ever use.” Henry smiled at the man and child. “If we can afford her, I think Bertie may have just found a new home.”
    An hour later Emily completed the purchase of Bertie and arranged to have her delivered Monday morning.
    “You think you can have the cowshed fit for her by then?” she asked Henry.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Henry tried not to let his enthusiasm show too much, but he was itching to get back to the farm and make a few adjustments to the shed. It was little more than a roof held up by three walls with the fourth side open. There was a manger with a stanchion in one corner for holding the cow while she was milked, though it seemed like Bertie wouldn’t need it. Henry wanted to put up a partial wall on the fourth side of the shed to give thecow—and whoever was milking her—added protection from the elements. A corner of the tin roof also needed to be tacked down, and he would spread fresh straw on the dirt floor. And they’d need supplies. . . .
    “Henry?” His grandmother tugged at his sleeve as they walked toward his truck. “Henry, are you listening?”
    “Sorry, what did you say?”
    “I said we need to swing by Southern States to pick up some supplies.” She ticked items off on her fingers. “I’d like a new bucket—one with a lid, some sweet feed, better get a tin of bag balm, and whatever medicines we might need. Have you learned that sort of thing yet at college?”
    “Sure thing. Plus I helped in the dairy once a week, so I have a pretty good idea.”
    “Excellent.” Emily beamed. “I’m so lucky to have you along.” She hugged Henry tight, and even though he felt self-conscious about the men at the stockyards seeing such a show of affection, he allowed it.

7
    M ARGARET GAVE M AYFAIR HER MORNING SHOT before they sat down to breakfast Saturday. They were both looking forward to heading out to Emily’s and hurried to finish eating. Lenore entered the room as Mayfair spooned up her last bite of oatmeal.
    “Mayfair, you need to stay at home today. It’s enough that Margaret hires herself out to do menial labor. I want something better for one of you.”
    Mayfair