A Little Bit of Charm Read Online Free Page B

grandmother had taught their mamms the same recipe.
    Sarah slid back the steel barn door. “In that case, we’ll get along just fine.” She gestured inside. “Welcome to my world.”
    Because Rachel wanted nothing better than to stay in Charm, she stepped inside a noisy barn that, despite an odd odor, was surprisingly clean and orderly. Hens clucked contentedly atop nests, keeping eggs warm until they could be collected and refrigerated. “Where’s the rooster?” she asked, surveying the area.
    â€œNot with this flock. I’m not interested in fertilized eggs. Inanother barn, where we have brooding hens, it’s a different story. Don’t worry; we’re not that high-tech. You’ll still be awakened at dawn by the crow of roosters, in case you miss home.” Sarah giggled and then explained about their egg sorting machine in detail.
    Rachel’s sinuses began to run, but she listened attentively and tried to ask appropriate questions. “When did you expand the business from organic eggs to free-to-roam chickens?”
    â€œA few years ago, when horror stories hit the newspapers and television about antibiotics, growth hormones, and whatnot in the food industry, a lot of folks became interested in natural meat, especially for their children. Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and even Somerset grocery stores started selling free-range meat. We took out a farm loan, enlarged our facilities, and never once regretted the decision.”
    Rachel sneezed.
    â€œ Gott segne dich . Let’s walk outside.” Outdoors, Sarah continued her saga. “Now restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon. I suppose if those upscale places dare to charge twenty bucks for a chicken breast with a few roasted spuds, they had better have something special to say on the menu. We can’t keep up with the demand from Louisville.” Sarah rested her hands on her hips. “I’m sorry if I sound prideful. I’ll return to my humble self tomorrow.”
    Already Rachel loved her chatty, forthright cousin. “Folks are permitted to boast during a tour. It’s expected.” However, a sharp pecking on her tennis shoe was not. She glared down at an irate hen who apparently had an intense dislike for white leather footwear. Rachel moved back, giving the creature plenty of room to maneuver. But the chicken didn’t wish to scratch the dirt for fallen corn. Instead, she strutted forward with a mean glint and resumed pecking at Rachel’s foot. She even caught Rachel’s ankle bone and broke the skin.
    â€œ Ouch! ”
    â€œMabel, stop that!” scolded Sarah. She swept the fat bird into her arms. “Mabel has never done that before.”
    â€œHave you named every single one of these chickens?”
    â€œOf course not. Just my favorites.” Sarah smiled fondly at the bird in her arms.
    â€œWatch those talons.” Rachel feared for her cousin’s eyesight.
    But the chicken immediately calmed and settled her feathers, mild as a lamb. She began to cluck softly. Sarah petted the tyrant like a cat. “Horses and dogs can sense when a person doesn’t like them. Apparently, that works for chickens too.” With one final stroke, Sarah gently set the bird down.
    â€œHard to imagine with so small a brain.” Rachel watched her waddle back to her cronies.
    â€œLet’s wash that scratch and apply some antibiotic cream.”
    Once safely back in the Stoll kitchen, properly salved and bandaged, Rachel calmed her nerves with a cup of tea. “I want to thank you and Isaac for letting me visit, Sarah, but I must confess I would like to live here for a while if you’ll have me.” She held her breath.
    â€œI figured as much. Nobody comes this far to say how-do to a cousin. Lancaster County is not the same since your parents died, jah ?” Stretching out her arm, Sarah dropped her voice to a soft whisper.
    â€œNo, not the