The noise was coming from outside the barn, and it set her nerves on edge. Who or what could it be?

Her heart pounding, Lilly armed herself with a pitchfork from the corner of the barn. She edged toward the barn door, her every sense on high alert. She slowly cracked open the door, pitchfork angled down defensively.

Without warning, a furry body hurtled through the upper half of the barn door, sending Lilly sprawling onto the straw-littered floor. She let out a startled yelp, dropping the pitchfork as she fell. But then, she felt a familiar nuzzling at her side, and a delighted laughter bubbled up from her throat. It was Astra—wet from the rain and a little disheveled but otherwise unharmed.

Relief washed over Lilly like a warm blanket. "Astra, you silly goat!" she said, pulling the goat into a tight hug. "You had me worried sick!"

As the barn settled down once again, Lilly let out a sigh of relief. Her adventurous, levitating goat was back where she belonged. After checking on all the animals one last time, Lilly headed into the house, exhausted. She barely changed her clothes before falling into bed and immediately falling asleep.

***

Lilly was awakened the next morning by a tomato splattering against her window. She looked out just as another one followed behind, the tomato juice leaving streaks down the window pane. What was Tom doing? That’s when she noticed Astra happily chewing away on her vegetables, not waiting to get back into mischief.

Lilly opened her window. "Astra!" Lilly called out, her voice bouncing off the farm's quaint buildings. Astra ignored her, but a tomato splatted right in her face. Wiping her face with her nightgown, Lilly shut the window and rushed outside to stop the goat before she caused any real damage. Normally, she nibbled at the edges of the garden; but today, the levitating goat had developed an insatiable appetite for the crisp, sun-kissed vegetables in her garden. She was right in the middle of her vegetables, and she wasn’t stopping.

Lilly’s well-worn boots, splattered with dabs of mud, crunched against the gravel path, her breath misting in the cool morning air. Her call echoed off the barn walls, as she called Astra’s name again, rushing toward the four-legged mischief-maker. She was surrounded by burst tomatoes as if Tom had tried to dissuade Astra from coming into the garden before awakening Lilly. Unfortunately, it hadn’t worked.

With Tom’s tomato-throwing help, Lilly managed to herd Astra back to her paddock with promises of alfalfa when she spotted Snow frolicking about in her pasture. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the unicorn, his majestic form glinting in the early light.

"No, Snow!" His recovering leg was still wrapped in a bandage, a dirty white against her pearlescent and slightly mud-spattered coat. Snow was keen to gallop, his primal instinct to run free clashing with the need for his injury to heal.

Lilly was able to settle down Astra and Snow and then went to check on Aura. The young alpaca was a vibrant splash of color against the farm's earthy palette, her playful spirit a constant source of both joy and mild exasperation for Lilly.

"Aura, those aren't food!" she cried as the cria walked over and picked up a rock in her mouth.

She rushed over and was in the process of trying to force the cria’s mouth open to retrieve the rock when she heard someone clearing their throat.

“Ahem. Do you need some help in there?” Lilly turned her head to see Yorik leaning against the fence, watching her intently. Before she had a chance to answer, he climbed a few rungs of the fence and swung his leg over, hopping down into the pasture. He walked over and fished an apple out of his pocket. Immediately, Aura opened her mouth to grab for the apple, and Lilly was able to sweep the rock out of her mouth—thankfully, without being bitten.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Lilly let the alpaca go and stood, very conscious that she was covered in mud in nothing but her nightgown and boots in front of her handsome neighbor.

Yorik licked a finger and wiped at her forehead. “Are those tomato seeds all through your hair? I knew you were dedicated to gardening; but, Lilly, this might be taking it a bit too far.”

Lilly laughed. “What can I say? I do love my plants.” She looked up at him, and her smile faltered slightly. “This morning has been very chaotic. I’m afraid I’m a bit in over my head with all of these magical farm animals. But guess what? Astra came back!”

A broad smile crossed Yorik’s face. “I’m mighty glad to hear that. She was a good one. I came over to ask if you…well, never mind. How about I give you a hand for an hour or two to get you back on your feet? Are the chickens I gave you still laying well for you?”

Lilly let out a deep sigh. “I couldn’t ask that of you. I know you have a lot going on at your own farm. You have how many flying pigs? About a dozen? And I’m having trouble keeping up with three right now.”

Shrugging, Yorik looked around. “Actually, it’s thirteen. I just had another litter a few days ago, but that’s not the point. I have my systems set up for a single kind of animal. That makes it easier. You are trying to figure out how to care for several different kinds of animals that all have…special needs.”

Lilly took Yorik’s hands and looked him in the eye. “Thank you, Yorik. Let me get dressed, and I’ll meet you in the barn. I would appreciate a second set of experienced eyes on Snow’s leg, if you don’t mind taking a look.”

Yorik nodded, and Lilly couldn’t help but blush as she caught his eye take in her nightgown. “I’ll see you there.”

***

A few days later, Lilly watched with a mixture of joy and relief as Snow took her first tentative steps on her healed leg. Lilly’s determination had finally paid off; the unicorn's progress had been slow but steady.

"Come on, Snow," Lilly encouraged gently. "Just a little further."

With each step, Snow's confidence grew; and Lilly could see the spark of life return to her eyes. It was a sight that filled Lilly's heart with warmth and pride; she had done it—against all odds, she had healed the injured unicorn.

"See? I knew you could do it!" She beamed, clapping her hands; and Snow nickered in response, her silvery tail swishing with excitement.

"Th-th-thank you, Lilly," whispered a gentle voice behind her, causing Lilly to turn abruptly, startled.

"John?" she gasped, wiping her tears. "What are you doing here? I didn’t hear you drive up."

"I came to check on Snow," he replied, stepping closer. "And to thank you, of course. You have d-d-done more than I ever could have hoped for."

"Snow is a fighter," Lilly said with a modest smile, her eyes flickering back to the unicorn gingerly exploring the pasture. "I'm just glad she's finally on the road to recovery."

“Lilly,” John began, “I’ve been thinking…”

Lilly looked up away from the pastures. "Yes, John?"

“I- I can't take Snow back to the city," he said, keeping his gaze fixed on the unicorn. “Sh-she needs space to roam and heal. The city...it’s no place for her, especially now that she’s been injured.”

Lilly nodded, understanding the sentiment but wondering where he was going with this.

"I’d like for you to keep her, Lilly. If you w-w-want her, that is," he finally blurted out, the words tumbling over themselves in his haste.

Lilly looked at John in surprise, her eyes wide. “John, I...that’s… Snow is too much of a gift. I can’t accept.”

John shook his head, his expression serious. “It’s not a gift, Lilly. It’s a f-favor. I’ve seen how you care for your animals. They’re not just livestock to you. They’re family. I know Snow would be in good hands here. I…I just want to know she’s safe and well-cared for."

Lilly was silent for a moment, considering his words. It was a huge responsibility, taking in another magical creature, especially one that still had a long recovery from her injured. But looking down at Snow, already growing stronger under her care, Lilly knew she couldn't say no.

“All right, John,” she finally agreed, meeting his relieved gaze. "I'll take good care of Snow."

As John drove away, there was an abrupt cacophony of squawks and bleats from the barn, followed by a sudden commotion among the animals in the pasture. Lilly's heart lurched.

"Something's wrong," she murmured, her determination giving way to concern as she dashed toward the barn.

As Lilly’s eyes scanned the pasture, a movement in the shadow of the barn caught her attention. A wave of dread washed over her. A dark figure stood in the shadows, its intent unmistakable—something had come for her magical creatures, and it wouldn't leave without a fight.