"Tom." Lottie said the single word like everyone knew who that was.
Apparently, everyone did—well, everyone except her—because Jake and Emily relaxed and nodded their heads, like Daniel having dinner with Tom was a good thing. Even Zane looked pleased.
Tom didn't sound like a girl's name though. So who was Tom? And how did Daniel become such good friends with him?
Daniel hadn't returned home by the time it grew dark, so Jake walked with Riley to the calving sheds. Even though a large open shelter sat at the back of each field, what they called the calving sheds were really massive, fenced corrals.
He pointed at the small camp trailer parked in the middle of the lane near the two large fields that months ago were probably bursting with expecting mothers, but now only held ten or so cows each. "I don't mind if you catch a little shut eye in the trailer, but make sure you set an alarm and check on every cow every hour." He opened the door of the trailer and grabbed a flashlight off the small counter. "Watch their stomachs carefully to see if they're in labor. Watch for signs of distress, labored or faint breathing?—"
"I know. I remember Dad teaching me all of this." It had come in handy with some of her medical courses as she worked on her nursing degree.
"Right, of course." He turned to the right and shined the flashlight across the field. "These are the first timers. Most of them should be fine but keep an eye on them." Then he crossed the lane to the field on the left and shone the light on the only cow that lay down. "This one has been laboring for a while now. She'll probably deliver within the next two hours. If she doesn't get up and clean the calf off within the hour of it being born, grab some of the old rags in the trailer."
"I know what to do Jake." Riley put a hand on her brother's arm. "I've been gone a long time, but some experiences stick with you." Shelooked out toward the western hills where the final rays of sun glowed orange on the horizon. "It's times like these that I miss dad, though."
"I know. Me too."
Jake left a short time later, and Riley found herself alone.
So far, they'd enjoyed pleasant weather this spring, but the sun took all its warmth with it when it went down, and the night grew chillier by the minute. She debated trying to light the propane heater that stood several yards away from the trailer with a couple camp chairs but couldn't justify it yet. Instead, she zipped her jacket a little higher and checked all the cows carefully before going into the trailer.
Using the flashlight, she located the light switch and flipped it on. Unease twisted her stomach as she looked around her cramped confines. A small bedroom sat at the back of the trailer, and the table and bench seats had been made down into another bed.
Two beds in such a tiny space.
Riley's breaths came a little faster. When she'd volunteered to help Daniel tonight, she'd forgotten that the men often took turns sleeping in the trailer.
It's okay. We'll take turns. I won't have to be in here with him.
She examined both beds, trying to determine whether either one was clean enough to sleep in. Finally, she decided she'd take the one where the table usually sat. It was smaller, and Daniel needed the bigger bed. She doubted she'd sleep tonight anyway.
She was still staring at the smaller bed and stewing over the closed confines when the door behind her burst open. Heart in her throat and hand pressed to her chest, she spun around.
"Aah!" A scream erupted from her before she could stop it.
"Good gravy!" Daniel pressed a hand to his own chest. "You scared me to death."
"Me? You just took ten years off my life! Y-you should have knocked or something."
"Why would I knock? I told Jake I'd cover the night shift by myself."
Riley propped her hands on her hips. "And I told him I'd help you."
"Well, he forgot to mention that to me." Daniel stepped up the single step, bringing him closer. His tall broad frame blocked the doorway.
Riley's heart jerked in her chest, bolting like that demonic stallion named Zeus that Jake used to own. Her stomach hardened as her knees grew weak. She grabbed the counter with one and held the other one out.
"Stop! Please. Don't come any closer." Her voice wasn't nearly as strong as she'd meant it to be.
Daniel froze, a flash of fear flitted through his eyes before they narrowed, and he studied her face. Ever so slowly he lowered himself from the step and moved back.
"I—I'm sorry." She pressed a hand to her stomach. "I—I'm feeling really claustrophobic all of a sudden. A—and there's not room for both of us in here."
After Daniel backed away another step, she darted through the door and squeezed past him. She didn't stop moving until she stood nearly six feet away.
Daniel shook his head as he rubbed a hand over his jaw. "You shouldn't have volunteered to help tonight if you find me that repulsive." His words were sharp and defensive.
"I don't!" Riley wrapped her arms around herself to try to calm her trembling limbs. "I don't find you repulsive."
