Randy appears to snap out of it while also stifling a little grin. “She’s doin’ well, boss. Pacing a little bit and restless but that’s normal from what I can tell.”
Joel nods before turning to examine the beauty of a golden-brown horse in the stall with his own eyes. While he watches her, I watch him.
His eyes narrow as he slowly scans his gaze over the length of the horse’s body as if performing an X-ray.
“Let’s give her some more water,” he says.
Randy’s gone in a flash to bring in more water for the laboring horse.
“Should you call the vet?” I ask, now looking over Ol’ Girl. Her swollen belly is apparent as she stomps around and around the stall, her head bobbing up and down.
“Not yet,” Joel says. “This is normal.”
I shake my head. “I couldn’t imagine being up on my feet while in labor,” I confess. “I know some women do it and it’s even for the best, but I was in so much pain. I ended up having two C-sections.”
“We’ll hope it doesn’t come to that with Ol’ Girl,” he says, tugging on my hand.
“No, let’s hope not.” I look over at her again at the same time Randy comes, refilling her water.
“Animals are more connected to their instincts than we humans are,” I mumble, watching Randy.
“We all can find our way back to our instincts,” Joel says.
I go to ask him what he means but he turns to Randy to let him know that he’ll take it from here. After a short exchange, Randy tips his hat at me as he leaves.
“What do we do now?” I ask, looking at Joel.
“Now, we get nice and comfortable.” He holds up his hands. “Hang on right there.”
I don’t move while watching him go to the end of the barn and open the door that looks like it goes to another stall. Instead, however, it must be some sort of storage closet because he pulls out a couple of blankets and pillows.
“I told you to stay over there,” he gripes as I rush over to assist with the pillows.
“This may be your ranch, but you aren’t my boss,boss,”I taunt.
In an instant, the tables turn on me when a spark ignites in Joel’s eyes. And there go my nipples again, pressing uncomfortably against my bra.
Joel remains silent as he covers one of the large stacks of hay with a blanket. He then takes my hand, bringing me to sit next to him before placing one of the pillows behind me, propped up against the wall.
The second blanket is used to lay over our laps. We’ve just created our own little cozy hay nooks, directly across from Ol’ Girl’s stall.
I don’t think twice about it before I curl my legs underneath me and lay my head on Joel’s shoulder. I’m in almost the exact same position as when I sat next to him on his couch watching his daughter-in-law belt out Christmas songs.
“How many times have you been in this exact same spot?” I ask Joel.
“Waiting and watching for the birth of a new foal? More times than I can count,” he says.
There’s a pause before he continues.
“Waiting and watching for the birth of a new foal while the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on rests her head on my shoulder?”
I lift my head to peer up at him.
The intensity of his gaze almost completely overwhelms me.
“First time.” His voice is low and slightly strained with emotion.
He allows his eyes to drop down to my lips and then moves them up to my eyes again. It’s as if he’s silently asking for permission to kiss me.
