Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity by Beth Roose (smart ebook reader TXT) 📗

“Honey, what happened?” Travis asked as he ran to her. She dropped the wheelbarrow and ran to Travis.

“It is all my fault. I left the barn door open. They killed all the rabbits and it looks like Lola was scratched on her neck. That poor horse most have been so afraid watching what happened to all the rabbits.” Travis walked into the barn with Bev. He was aghast at the amount of blood and destruction he saw. “What on earth happened here?”

“I am so stupid, Travis. I left the barn open overnight. When you came, I was obviously overwhelmed with your lovely proposal. I never gave it a second thought. My thoughts were only of you. Now, just look I lost all the rabbits. And Travis, it was one of the Hairy Tribe that did this. I think it was Vue or Tas or both. One of them stepped into the blood, and over there is the print. I called the Peninsula Police. Still waiting for them to come.

“OK, now, why don’t you go in and have some coffee? I will take care of this. Go, my pretty princess. This farm boy has this unfortunate task all but done.”

Bev smiled at Travis and went back to the house. She found Freda in a position like she was sitting on a nest. “Freda, where is Hazel?”

Freda responded, “I am keeping her warm and protected. They will have to go through her Momma to get to her.” She stood up and she showed Bev that Hazel was fast asleep. Freda had pulled a pillow from the sofa in the living room and then pulled a hand towel from the kitchen counter and laid it on top of the pillow. She then tenderly laid Hazel on top and covered her with part of the towel. Last, she used that as a nest for her to sit on and keep her warm and protected. “Surprisingly good, don’t you think, Bev?”

“Brilliant, Freda. However, I think we should move you to the attic where there is the portico you can use to come in and out, or I can just bring you fish to eat so you can stay with Hazel.

“I need to feed her every two hours, and it is just about time to do that. We are doing good as Mommies. Freda, you have the love of 5 mothers for little Hazel.”

Freda smiled and said, “Let’s feed her and get her moved to the attic before Travis comes back. Please do not tell Travis about this or that I am staying here, Bev.”

“OK, Freda whatever you think. Just till we understand who did this and why,” Bev agreed. “We should not involve Travis in this. I do not want him to get spooked over this. Heck, he just asked me to be his wife. LOL. I don’t want a runaway husband.” Bev turned to the refrigerator and pulled out the formula and poured some into a bowl to warm in the microwave.

“Freda, I don’t know what I would do without you.” The microwave bell went off. Bev turned around and pulled the bowl of warm formula out. “OK, Freda, let’s feed the little munchkin.”

Freda cradled Hazel in a feeding position. Bev tried to hurry the feeding because she knew that Travis would not be good to go for a couple hours. “ think we should head up to the attic now.” Bev took the lead and up to the attic they went. Freda was surprised at what humans keep. Bev grabbed an old sofa cushion and an old quilt. She asked Freda if this would work for her. She was unsure, so Bev laid it out for a trial run. Freda felt wobbly on the sofa cushion at first because it was so soft. Once she settled in, she was fine. She rose and asked Bev to slide Hazel in the middle and to keep the quilt smooth, so her feathers did not pinch Hazel. It took Freda a few minutes to situate herself. Bev asked her if she was comfortable. Freda laughed and said it was the best nest she ever sat on. Both laughed. Bev snapped her fingers and said, “Let me go get you a pitcher of water to drink from - or would a bucket work better? I think the bucket is wide and deep.” Bev took off running and was back in what seemed like seconds. She placed the water right beside Freda. “OK, try not to make a sound until you hear and see Travis leave in the car. Does that sound OK to you?”

“Yes, anything to keep little Hazel safe.”

Bev heard the kitchen door open and slam closed. She ran down the steps to greet Travis.  “Bev, I buried the rabbits and cleaned up the pens and the floor. You would never know anything happened.”

“Travis, you didn’t clean up that footprint, did you?”

“Of course. Why would you want that as a reminder?”

Bev stood there with her head down and told Travis he was right. However, in the back of her mind she felt a red flag. He was too calm and non-emotional about the whole situation. It was like she was seeing a side of him she did not know.

“Come on, honey. How about we go to lunch. The Winking Lizard Pub should be open.”

She smiled and told him, “No, Travis. I am far too upset to eat.”

Travis took her hands in his. “Bev, I have good news.”

“Really? I am so ready for good news. What is it, Travis?”

“Well, honey, I got our marriage license today.”

“You did? Wow, that is amazing,” said Bev.

“I think so too,” said Travis. “In fact, I just can't wait. I have to marry you now. I love you so much that I can’t stand another moment without you.” Bev smiled warmly to Travis. “Honey, I made an appointment with Judge Mahoney to marry us on Friday at 1pm. Please say you will.”

Bev was stunned. “Travis, I don’t have a dress, or flowers,