The first hint of dawn was seeping through the windows of the barn, painting the room in soft shades of morning, when a tiny weight on Lilly's chest jostled her from sleep. Blinking away remnants of dreams, she squinted at the small figure perched on her chest, a burst of delighted surprise jerking her fully awake.
The little creature looking back at her was a goat, barely larger than a kitten. Its wide, curious eyes twinkled with a precocious light, even as it stomped a small hoof on her chest, demanding attention. Smiling, Lilly reached up and gently stroked the tiny head, marveling at the smoothness of the newborn coat, the softness of its baby nuzzle against her palm.
As she showered the little creature with affection, memories of the previous night flooded back. Astra, her magical, levitating goat, had gone into labor. Suddenly, her mysterious disappearance had made sense. She must have met a goat on another farm. The question was, where did Astra go? She would have to figure out a way to track her wily goat in case she took off again in the future.
It had been a harrowing night, fraught with worry and anxiety. Never before had Lilly helped birth a farm animal; and she remembered the fear and helpless dread as Astra struggled and the desperate prayers she had whispered into the stillness of the barn.
But the long hours of uncertainty had eventually given way to relief, then joy, when the small, lively kid finally emerged. Astra, exhausted but triumphant, had looked at Lilly with grateful eyes.
Lilly cradled the small life she had helped bring into the world. The exhaustion from the previous night seemed insignificant compared to the sense of fulfillment coursing through her. She had birthed a farm animal, she realized, a small thrill of pride stirring within her. With the new day came new life and a renewed sense of wonder at the magic of her farm.
The sun was high in the sky by the time Lilly finished tending to her farm. She wiped the sweat off her brow, taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful sight of her well-watered and fed magical animals grazing or playing around the verdant meadows. The farm was alive with activity, every creature, plant, and even the elements themselves humming with life and energy.
She made her way back to her farmhouse, stripping off her dirty clothes and stepping into a much-needed hot shower. The warm water cascaded down her body, washing away the sweat and grime from a hard day's work. Refreshed, she changed into a set of clean clothes and prepared for her next task.
Settling into her car, she steered it toward the alpaca farm. The young couple she and Yorik had seen the night before seemed surprised to see her but welcomed her warmly.
“Hello, ma’am. What can we help you with today?”
Lilly stuck out her hand to shake both of their hands. “Hi, my name is Lilly. I run a farm a few miles from here and thought I would introduce myself.”
The woman spoke first. “Isn’t that sweet! My name is Lorraine, and this is my husband, Peter. We just moved here a few weeks ago to run this rainbow alpaca farm.”
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Raising her right eyebrow, Lilly cautiously asked, “So, this alpaca farm belongs to you then?”
Peter spoke first. "Actually, we run it for our employer, Ignatius Timber. Ignatius sure has an eye for money, but he's fair in his dealings. He bought this farm off old Mrs. Higgins at a good price, giving her the means to move closer to her son. We're grateful for the opportunity he gave us."
Lorraine chimed in, her voice soft but passionate, "We never could've afforded a farm like this, Lilly.”
“How do you like working on this farm?” Lilly asked, even though what she really wanted to say was, “Will you treat Aura well?”
Apparently, Lorraine was the more talkative of the two because she continued. “It's been a learning curve, but we are so grateful. Although, we did lose a cria recently. It was so heartbreaking, and we searched everywhere. But at this point, we’re pretty sure a predator got her."
As Lorraine described the missing cria, Lilly felt a knot form in her stomach. The description matched Aura perfectly. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she broke the news. "I think I have your missing cria," she confessed, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Shock flashed across Peter and Lorraine's faces. Lilly went on to explain the circumstances of how Aura came to be on her farm and assured them of the care she had provided. “I’ve taken good care of her, but you can come pick her up whenever you want. She’s yours, after all.”
Lilly's heart felt heavy as she took one last look around Aura’s home before heading back to her own. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she extended her hand toward the couple. "I'm glad we could clear this up. I'll be waiting for you at my farm to pick up Aura."
Peter took her hand first, his grasp firm yet grateful. "Thank you, Lilly. We really appreciate it." He paused, glancing over at his wife before adding, "And...we're sorry. We had no idea what had happened to our cria."
Lorraine nodded, a mixture of relief and sadness reflecting in her eyes. "Yes, thank you, Lilly. We know how hard it must be to let her go. You've cared for her this long."
Lilly offered them a bittersweet smile, reassuring them one more time, "She's yours. And I just want what's best for her." She began outlining the practicalities, organizing a time that would give her enough space to bid her little friend a proper goodbye.
As she walked away from their farmhouse, Lilly couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. She had been a part of Aura's life, and now she had to let go. But in her heart, she knew it was the right thing to do, even if it was going to be one of the hardest things she ever had to face.
Lilly’s heart was already heavy as she navigated the winding country roads back to her farm. She planned the farewell in her mind, deciding to send Aura back with the last of the dried starclover, her favorite treat. The thought coaxed a small smile onto Lilly's face; it was something, at least—a way to show she still cared, even when the cria was far away.
However, as she turned the last corner and her farm came into view, her heart dropped. A collection of uniformed figures stood around Tom, their uniforms a stark contrast against the familiar backdrop of her farm. They were members of the magical police, and their presence was an unwelcome sight.
Her hands tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as she guided the vehicle into the farmyard. She came to a slow stop, parking the car a safe distance from the officers and Tom. Her mind raced, trying to understand what could have possibly happened in the short time she was gone.
Stepping out of the car, she straightened her back and composed herself. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she made her way toward the officers, her mind racing with thoughts and worries. She had taken such care to make sure that Tom felt listened to and understood to try and keep him from turning to aggressive means to protect himself. What could have possibly gone wrong?