The sunray smile that spread across her beautiful features would never cease to warm his heart. Especially when she said, “You’re right. He’s the very best.” Then she turned that grin up to him, and he wanted to wrap her in his arms then and there.
Ol’ Henry stepped back. “Alrighty, then. You folks have a good night.”
As the men shuffled off to the place they’d already set up camp for the night, Tanner turned to Lorelei and raised his brows. “Shall we go check on the mama-to-be?”
She slipped her hand around his arm as they walked, leaning into him. The warmth of her body stirred his senses to life. “She started leaking milk this morning, so I think the foal could come anytime. I’m considering sleeping in the barn tonight so I’ll be near in case she needs me.”
He glanced down at her, doing his best not to think of all the ways she would be unprotected here. Not to mention how much less comfortable the barn would be than her mattress in the cozy cabin. But he couldn’t let himself linger long over an image of Lorelei sleeping anywhere.
One day, she would be sleeping at his side, Lord willing. And that day couldn’t come soon enough for him. Was it too soon to ask?
Over the week since they’d returned from their adventure, their lives had finally seemed to settle into a calmer rhythm. Lorelei continued to live at the ranch with her sisters, for though Juniper seemed to be feeling much better, she still needed Lorelei’s excellent care. And as much as he wanted her by his side, he wasn’t altogether certain she should return to the fort to stay now that they were courting in earnest. Not until he’d given her his name.
She already possessed his heart and knew it well, but he still made sure to tell her every time she came over to check on the calf and the other animals. That was almost every day, and when she didn’t make it to the fort, he always closed the store early to come share the evening meal with her and her family. Getting to know Ol’ Henry and Dragoon these last two days had been an extra treat, but Lorelei’s presence was the real prize.
They stepped into the barn, and she lifted the lantern higher as she moved toward the second stall. He followed as quietly as he could manage, but his heavier tread still drew the attention of the mare inside the enclosure.
She perked her ears, nostrils flaring and wide sides heaving.
“Hello, girl. It’s all right. We’ve come to help.” Lorelei’s gentle murmur seemed to soothe the horse as much as it did him.
The mare dropped her head and turned in the stall, spinning in a circle and then digging at the ground. She did seem a nervous sort. Lorelei had said some of the horses intheir herd were well trained, while others barely allowed a halter.
But when Lorelei turned a wide smile to him and motioned him forward, he obeyed, coming to stand beside her. She leaned close to whisper in his ear, “It’s her time. Her labor has started.”
The mixture of excitement and fear that stabbed him might have been stronger emotions than the situation warranted. This was a horse, not a woman. Nor was he in charge of the birthing. The horse could likely do the whole thing on her own, but Lorelei would be able to step in if needed. Since her healing touch was second only to the Almighty’s, all Tanner had to do was assist if she needed an extra set of hands.
That he could handle. And hopefully he’d be performing that role for the rest of their lives.
They stayed quiet as the mare continued her pacing, sometimes coming to the front corner of the stall to stare out toward the open barn door, then turning back to the interior and spinning circles before weaving along the back wall.
“She’s trying to get away from the pain.” Lorelei’s voice held its own hint of ache, her tender heart so empathetic.
He slipped his hand in hers. He couldn’t comfort the mare, but he could be there for his lady.
She squeezed his hand as they watched in silence.
Her explanation of the mare’s actions made sense, and through this better understanding, watching the horse made his own insides hurt. Then the mare lay down. This must be it.
But a moment later, the mare struggled to her feet, her overlarge belly swinging with the effort.
“What’s happening? Is it here?” A quiet voice behind nearly made him jump.
They both looked back as Rosemary approached. She must’ve worried about Lorelei since they’d been out here so long. But she didn’t send Tanner a glare as she came to stand on Lorelei’s other side.
Lorelei spoke in an excited whisper. “Not yet, but her labor started. I believe the sac broke before we arrived.”
Rosemary took a moment to watch the mare. “You have towels ready, and the grease?”
“Everything’s here.”
Silence fell over them again as the mare lay down once more, this time stretching out on her side with a heave. Poor girl. His belly clenched at the obvious pain. How did females endure such?
The next few minutes brought more of the same restless movements, rising and lying down again. Finally, the horse stretched out flat on her side once more, her legs stiff and feet facing them.
Lorelei gripped his hand tighter and leaned forward as she peered into the stall. “There’s the bubble. The feet are coming out!” Despite the excitement, she kept her voice to a whisper.
He craned to see where she was looking, then a flash of white beneath the black tail caught his focus. It did look a bit like a bubble. But where were the feet she mentioned?
