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As they crossed the yard, Amanda got a better look at the property. The occasional whinny and bleat carried across the open space, mingling with the clucking of the chickens wandering nearby. Several more fenced enclosures stretched out behind the main barn, and a few pigs rooted around in one, their snouts digging enthusiastically through the dirt. In another, a man dressed in a flannel shirt, jeans, boots, and a battered cowboy hat stood beside the fence talking to a woman who probably worked or volunteered there, judging by the Second Chance Ranch hoodie she wore.
Behind the man stood one of the animals Amanda knew the rescue took in from their educational videos.
Alpaca or llama?
She studied it for a moment and decided those videos hadn’t helped her much, because she couldn’t remember the difference.
The man raised a hand in greeting as they approached. “Morning, Grady.”
“Dale.” Grady gestured toward Amanda. “Amanda Sparks, this is Dale Urban. He’s the foreman over at Skyview Ranch and my cousin Jeremiah's husband.”
“Nice to meet you.” She shook Dale’s hand.
“You too.”
Moving closer to the fence, Rissa peered into the enclosure. “How’s Cleo doing?”
“Better than she was when she got here.” Dale turned back toward the animal. “Still has a ways to go, though.”
Amanda joined them at the fence. “Okay, I'm going to embarrass myself. Alpaca or llama?”
The corner of Dale’s mouth lifted. “Alpaca.”
“Damn. I was leaning toward llama. Second Chance did an entire video explaining the difference, but it’s been a while since I saw it.”
“Alpacas are smaller, with shorter faces and ears. Their coats are softer, too.”
Amanda gave him a rueful smile. “And I remembered absolutely none of that.”
“Well, now you'll know for the next time you see one.”
A huff escaped her. “I wouldn't bet money on it. I’m a city girl and haven’t been on a ranch since before I went to college.”
“Dale knows more about alpacas than just about anyone around here,” Rissa said. “Second Chance calls him whenever we get one that needs special attention. Our friends, Willow and Nathan, have adopted some from here too. They raise alpacas at the Skyview Ranch. Dale’s their foreman.”
The man nodded. “We’ve gotten four from here over the past few years. Once they’re healthy and cleared to leave, we’ll take them if they’ll do well with our herd and we’ve got room. If not, I’ve got lots of connections in the alpaca community, so we can always find them a good home.”
Amanda looked back at the alpaca. “Why wouldn’t they do well with yours?”
“They’ve all got their own personalities, just like people. Sometimes the herd doesn't accept a newcomer, and alpacas are social animals. Being an outcast isn't good for them.”
“How did she end up here?”
“The same way that a lot of rabbits end up in shelters after Easter. Some idiot thought an alpaca would make a cute pet for their kid without knowing anything about raising them. The novelty wore off, and the kid lost interest.”
Amanda grimaced. She'd never understood people who brought home an animal without bothering to learn what caring for it involved.
“Cleo was the only one they got, which was the first problem,” Dale continued. “Then they kept her by herself in an enclosure and weren't feeding her the proper food.”
“Poor thing.”
“Yeah.” He opened a canister sitting on a bench beside the enclosure and pulled out a small brown nugget. “Peppermint horse treats. Alpacas love them, too.”
He held it out on his open palm and waited as Cleo moved closer to the fence. She gently plucked it from his hand and began to chew.
Dale brushed his hands together. “Anyway, animal control found out and seized her last week. The owner was charged with neglect. She’s got a few more days of quarantine, and then we’ll put her in the enclosure next to the sheep so she can start getting used to having other animals around.”
Amanda hoped the little alpaca's worst days were behind her. “And then she goes to Skyview?”
