I take position without question, bracing against the mare’s shoulder while Delta works. It’s not easy; the mare’s fighting instinct kicks in and Delta mutters, “Come on sweetheart, push,” just as another contraction hits. She pulls, firm and sure, and a slick foal slides free onto the ground.
The mare nickers weakly and Delta moves fast, clearing the foal’s airway, rubbing life into its ribcage until it lets out a sharp, desperate cry. Relief hits me harder than it should.
“She’s good,” Delta murmurs, voice soft with pride. “And so are you, thank you.”
I stand there stupidly for a second because I didn’t expect her to talk to me like that, unbothered by the mess. She wipes her forehead with her sleeve and finally looks at me, really looks. “You’re Trace,” she says.
Hearing my name in her mouth does something I’m not prepared for. “Yeah. And you’re Delta.”
Up close, she’s even more striking than the picture, but it’s not her face that hits me hardest. It’s the command in her presence, the ease in her competence, the softness she doesn’t bother to hide when it comes to the animals in her care.
She stands and extends a hand, there’s mud on both of us and blood on her glove. I shake her hand anyway. Something in my chest reacts before I can stop it.
“Welcome to Copper Ridge, Trace,” she says.
“Thank you,”
“Well then,” she says, turning back toward the foal, “let’s get you settled in.”
Another side-by-side comes into view across the fence, and Paige jumps out. Cash and Gabe pull up in the truck, the stock trailer rattling gently behind it. Cash backs it into position with one smooth turn like he’s done it a thousand times. Gabe is already dropping the ramp before the truck even settles, slow and quiet so nothing startles the mare. No one seems surprised to see me here with Delta and the horses.
Paige gets the halter on her while Delta stays close to the foal, one steady hand behind his shoulder making sure he doesn’t wander or panic when his mom moves. The mare is tired and shaky, but she follows Paige with no fight, nudging her baby every few steps.
“Nice and slow,” Delta says, not raising her voice.
The foal wobbles halfway up the ramp, back legs slipping for a second. Delta catches him gently, not lifting, just giving him something to lean against so he can find his footing again, he straightens and walks into the trailer, just as Cash eases the back gate closed.
Paige hops back into the UTV. “To the foaling stall,” she calls before pulling away.
Gabe climbs into the passenger seat and they take off toward the barn slow enough not to jostle the mare. When theheadlights fade, it’s suddenly quiet again. Just open land and evening settling in. Delta wipes her palms absently on her jeans and turns… and that’s when she finally looks at me like she remembers I’m still standing here.
“I never get over it,” she says. “Birth. No matter how many times I see it… it still feels like a miracle.”
I nod. “Yeah. It does.”
“Thank you for jumping in. I know nobody told you you’d be delivering a foal on your first week.”
“Didn’t exactly expect it,” I say. “But it’s easy to follow your lead.”
“How are you settling in? I should’ve come to introduce myself before now. I only got back today. I was on my way to the south fence to find you when I saw her going into labor.”
“I’m doing alright,” I say. “Everyone’s been solid. Cash, Paige, Lena and Miss Evie, of course. ”
“My mom?”
“Yes I helped her carry groceries in the first day I got here and she fixed me breakfast. She let it be known that I am expected to be at her house for breakfast pretty much every morning. Not negotiable.”
“She makes a hell of a breakfast.” I tell her.
“That she does but she is not supposed to be carrying groceries in that’s why she has help. Why are parents so hard to raise these days? That woman never listens,” she says, shaking her head like she’s both grateful and tired of knowing it. “Well I’m glad you feel welcome.”
I look at her. “You’re running a good program out here.”
Her eyes soften, just barely. “Thank you.”
She exhales once, like she’s switching gears. “I should get up to the barn, make sure mom and the baby are settled.”
She takes a few steps toward her side-by-side, then pauses and turns back to me.
