Gael smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up just slightly. “And there it is. Healthy as a horse.”
“God, I thought it’d be worse. I remember it stinking to high heaven.”
“Nah.” Gael helped her spread the straw. “First one’s always the grossest. After that, it’s just baby diarrhea for a couple of days.”
Dusk snorted, her breath warm against Enya’s shoulder as she leaned in, nudging her foal closer, her muzzle gentle against his neck. The mare’s sides were still heaving, her coat dark with sweat, but her eyes were softer now, the wild edge of labor fading into something quieter, something almost peaceful. Proud, even.
Enya scratched the mare’s withers, her fingers sinking into the damp, thick hair, the muscles beneath still warm from exertion. “You did good, girl,” she murmured in awe that came from watching life assert itself, again and again, against all odds. “He’s gonna be a looker,” she said, her voice soft, almost wonderingly.
“I think he’ll turn bay eventually.”
“Yeah, he’s got that look about him, don’t he?”
“Yep.”
Enya wiped her face with the back of her hand, her skin hot, her chest tight with something she couldn’t name.
Gael cleared his throat beside her, the sound rough, almost uncomfortable. “Alright. They’re good. Let’s leave them to it.”
“Awesome.” She led the way out of the stall. “Thank you for letting me be here.”
“There’s something about watching a new baby horse come into the world that takes the edge off the horrors we have witnessed, isn’t there.”
“Yes.” He’d hit the nail on the head. “Do you want me to put off my parents coming today? If we explain you have a new foal, my dad…”
“Your folks aren’t going to be traipsing in and out of my barn,” Gael cut her off. “If you change plans now, they’ll think you’re making an excuse.”
He was right, and she knew it. “If you’re sure? If I had known Dusk was going to foal when I texted my dad yesterday, I’d have waited.”
“It’s good.” Gael gestured toward the house. “I’m gonna give the men their orders for the day. Go have a nap, then get ready for your visitors.”
“Okay.” She turned away toward the house. It was so weird to be doing normal stuff with Rowan’s brother. On one hand, it was easier as attraction, feelings, and something she didn’t want to put a name to yet wasn’t involved. But on the other it made her miss Rowan more than she’d ever thought was possible. She pushed everything aside. Now wasn’t the time to attempt to unravel what exactly it was Rowan Salieri did to her soul and, more importantly, to her heart.
Please be safe, Rowe.
I want to figure out all that stuff with you.
Stay safe and come home to me.
***
Woof. Woof. Woof.
The dogs kicking off outside the house told her what was happening before the crunch of gravel under tires filtered in through the open windows. Enya scanned the kitchen and made sure the table looked okay before she brushed her hands off on a tea towel and went to the door.
Her stomach twisted with a knot of dread and something else when she saw her Dad’s truck roll to a stop near the house.
It will be fine.
They love me.
It will be okay.
They—Stop.
She hadn’t seen them since she’d run here in the middle of the night the day Gael had collected Rain from her home. The weight of their worry, their pain, their love, had been just too much to carry when combined with the nightmares that ruled behind her eyelids.
God, I hope I don’t hurt them more by doing this.
