Cowboys and Critters
Chapter 5: Heart of a Shepherd
Crane wandered the paved paths of the small petting zoo. He was much too old to be the targeted audience and he had no children with him. He didn't want to be kicked out so he steered clear of the other patrons. Kids were everywhere. Jumping in the hay, riding the ponies. feeding and petting the animals. His heart squeezed in his chest; he missed his brothers.
He'd flipped through a phonebook to find the closest public farm location in the city.
He settled in a semi-secluded area, folding his arms over the top of the fence. He blinked back moisture in his eyes. He just wanted to go home. He'd never been away from his brothers for more than a few nights before leaving for college. The semester had only started a month ago and already he felt lost and inadequate. He'd always done well in school, but he'd always had familial support. He didn't know if he could finish school. If his heart could take the loneliness.
Brian had never wanted to go to school but Adam had given up his full-ride for them. He felt ungrateful for even struggling when Adam didn't even get to go. He was one of the oldest; he was supposed to set an example for the younger boys. How would they learn the importance of getting an education if Crane quit now?
He lowered his head into his arms and just breathed deep like his daddy had taught him so many years ago. He'd always been prone to overthinking. He wished his father was there to help him talk through his problems. Or Adam. He needed a sounding board to untangle his problems in his own mind.
The distressed bawling of an animal had him over the fence before he consciously thought to do it. His instinct took over. The little lamb had found a weak spot in the fencing and had tried to escape its enclosure. The hole was large enough to squeeze into but small enough that it couldn't get out. The animal's thrashing had made escape more difficult as it became more entangled in the wire.
He squatted next to the trapped creature. He placed a hand on its wooly head and lowered his voice into a soothing tone. The thrashing lessened but the pitiful cries continued. He surveyed the predicament the little one had gotten itself into. He wished he had his work gloves as his calloused fingers worked to bend back the wire, widening the hole. He ignored the metal occasionally biting into his skin as he worked.
He pulled the wooly fluffball into his arms, once freed. The thick wool acted as a shield against the wire. He found no broken skin on its little body. No longer stuck the lamb was content in his hold. It sucked at his scruff-covered chin looking for food. It was clearly a bottle baby. At least no protective mama would be after his hide. He remembered many cows that tried. Brian would always get between the boys and her wrath. He'd take down the enraged heifer with the flick of his wrist that sent his rope flying.
"You have the gentle heart of a shepherd." Crane jumped at the voice. He forgot he wasn't home. He was on someone else's land, handling their animals, not his own.
He turned with the lamb still in his arms, "I'm a cattleman."
An old man pushed back his hat, "By birth maybe."
"I'm sorry I had to widen the hole to get him out." Crane set the animal down, "I can fix it."
The man just nodded handing him the tools to fix the fence. Crane felt awkward under the man's scrutiny. He soon fell into the familiar rhythm of repairing a fence. The work went fast as the little lamb played at his feet. He finished the job with a sense of satisfaction he hadn't felt since he left for school.
"How would you like to earn a little extra cash?"
"I'm in school."
"The hours are flexible."
"What's the job?"
"I'm not as young as I used to be," The old man rubbed at his back dramatically, "I could use a hand around the place; lifting, mucking, and such."
"I can do that."
"I don't doubt that," The man smiled as they shook hands sealing their deal.
The little lamb butted at the younger man's leg, looking for his next meal. Crane laughed picking the pushy baby back up into his arms. He accepted the warm bottle handed to him. He was going to be away from home for a time, but nothing said he couldn't experience a little piece of home while he was gone.
When he finally got home he'd have new stories to share with his brothers. About the things he learned and who he'd met along the way while he was away.