#debukefarmhold

Both eyebrows go up. "That is far too likely, you are right. I will let her know."

"The reason I know is because I tried it once..." Clem says sheepishly

A chuckle. "As did I, when I was very young."

That makes Clem laugh "you tried to smuggle a critter when you were young? A horse? Or was it something else?"

"A calf." She sips. "It was veal season, you see."

The amusement fades. "But...that is farm life."

Clem smiles sadly "Well, truth to some of that. Though we dont' have veal here . Steak yes? veal..not so much. " Memories "There was this lamb .. I tried to shove it into my overalls and skeedaddle"

A nod. "I suspect you did not get far."

"Barely ten steps and then a lecture, and I think 8 of those steps were considered a courtesy" Clem feels retoractive embarrasment but also a bit of nostalgia "To this day I won't eat lamb. Mutton, sure but ... " appropriately, she looks sheepish "A farmer who won't eat lamb. Bit silly K now"

Brekke nods again. "I understand. And I do not think it is silly. Our stories make us. Yours includes a story about a lamb." She finishes her coffee.

"A little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow" Clem says wryly "Boy when my cousins found out about that grand theft lamb attempt? it was one LOOONG spring of that tune let me tell you. Sally Mae used to sing it whenever I walked by."

A chuckle. "Childlings. One wonders what each of them has been caught at."

"Oh I could tell you what each one has been caught at but you might want to get home tonight" A smile, then "Chieftain, if I may? "

"Mm?"

"I'd like to show you something before you go? I know you're busy, but I think you mght like"

"Oh? Lead on." Curious.

Her own coffee done, Clem shows her out and heads towards one barn and area of a field "We don't have many cows here, we're farmers not ranchers" She explains

Brekke nods and follows.

"But, of course, nature will have her way..." A smile "And good for us that she does. So... ah, here were are. Thought you might not have seen her."

Clem gestures "Behold, one of our newest arrivals... would you do us the honor of naming her?"

"Ahhh..." Brekke grins. "Oh, Clem, she is a fine one. Hello, little one." She goes up and offers a hand to sniff.

Blue hand, not silver.

Sniff and ..possibly a test to see if Brekke's big blue thumb produces milk

A chuckle, and she retrieves her thumb to give the little one a careful scritch between the ears. "I think Audhumla may be too big a name for her, but if you do not have one by that name already....?"

"We do not," Clem says "But now we do. Oh, Chief? might amuse you to know that in Audhumla's line? She's part Norwegian Red"

Audhumla is an affectionate little calf, who is not used to being scratched but she likesit

"Ha! Of coufse she is. Well, little Aud...get fresh air and sunshine, and grow strong and healthy." She keeps up the well-received scritches.

And Brekke gets to stroke, pet, play and watch the little calf happily for a time until she realizes she's been doing so for at least a half hour!

When she does eventually realize this, she makes her apologies to the calf and to Clem, for she must return to the Lodge.

"Understood," Clem says "If you ever want to drop by, count calves... you're welcome to do so by the by. Audhumla seems to like you and...well, might do HEr some good to get a little affection now and then. We'd be obliged."

"Now, Chieftain, you cannot tell me that none of your own childlings are willing to come and be affectionate with a calf. Thank you for your concern, but I will be fine." A slight return of gruffness...but not the overwhelming weight that she'd arrived with in the first place, and she heads back to the bridge seeming a bit more optimistic, or at least a bit less pessimistic.

"Offer stands regardless." Clem shrugs and restrains her smile, "Just looking out for the calf." bit of a lie but one meant to show respect rather than detract. "Warm regards to you and yours" She waves.

And Brekke crosses that bridge feeling a bit recharged

(END scene)