Chapter 57

“Let’s get you out of this pen for a while,” Lance said to Gilbert, who watched him with hopeful eyes from the other side of the fence. She bounded out, kicked her rear feet high in the air, and tried to romp with her owner. But Lance was preoccupied. Gilbert gave up and strolled toward the house, looking around as she went.

“She’s not here.”

The words meant nothing to the goat and she wandered around the cabin peering in the windows. Soon she was back at Lance’s side.

“I don’t know if you miss her,” he said as he patted the goat on the neck, “but I sure do. I feel like half of me has been ripped away. You’ll have to be patient with me, girl. It might take me awhile to get back my stride.”

Gilbert nuzzled his pocket, looking for a treat, but Lance never noticed as he stared up at the sky above Mt.Hazel.

“I can’t believe I let her go, Gilbert.” He closed his eyes for a long moment. “Just drove her to town and let her get on that damn bus. I didn’t even try to stop her. I must have been out of my mind.”

Lance looked down into Gilbert’s uncomprehending gaze.

“Why am I telling you? You’re a goat.”

Lance took a deep breath and turned to his chores with heaviness in his soul while Gilbert followed him hoping only for a treat.