©2004/2007 Starla Kaye

Ferdinand couldn’t remember ever being this bored before. This bored and restless. He bent down and snagged some grass to munch on. Ah, nothing like the sweet taste of spring grass delicately scented with fresh rain.

Hoofbeats padding in a familiar pattern across Farmer Sam’s pasture made him jerk his head up. His heart pounded. For an old bull he always felt the years fall away and the eagerness of youth return whenever he laid eyes on Blossom. Oh, he’d been with many a cow in his days, but there had never been—and would never be—a bovine as dear to his heart as his Blossom.

She spotted him while she sashayed along with several of her herd mates. For a second she tried to act prim and proper, continue along with the others toward the middle of the pasture. Then she stopped and looked in his direction.

He watched her shiver in anticipation; knew the instant she told herself “To hell with propriety!” before she hurried his way. That was his darling Blossom.

Ferdinand forced himself to munch idly on the grass in his mouth while she grew close enough to wink at him. Maintain your dignity. Don’t look overly anxious. But it was nearly impossible to remain in place.

Blossom’s big brown eyes danced with delight as if she knew how hard he struggled to remain calm.

He nodded in greeting. That black-and-white Holstein was sure a divine bovine!

She glanced toward the hole in the fence that he’d discovered earlier, and, of course, made larger so that he could get into the pasture in which he didn’t belong. To be with Blossom, he’d pull down the fence with his teeth if necessary.

Ferdinand stood his ground, with tremendous effort, as she came to him. But when she strolled right up and nuzzled her velvety nose against the side of his neck, it was his turn to shiver.

Her cute little round belly shimmied as she silently laughed at his reaction. Then the sassy gal lifted her head and nibbled his ear.

Lord a’mighty! He gulped down the grass, nearly choking.

“Come to play, did you?” she teased, stepping back, grinning in devilment.

He moved toward her, pleased when her eyes darkened. “Among other things, My Love.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Among other things.”