“The first 24 hours are the most critical for a newborn. And Speckles has never been through this. I don’t expect anything to happen, but I want to keep watch to make sure nothing does.”
“But if I let him sleep here tonight, he’ll want to do it tomorrow night, and the night after that. It sets a bad precedent.”
“Does he keep his promises?”
“Mostly. He definitely would if he promised you.”
The last part made him uneasy, but he might as well press his advantage and end the crisis. “Then you could tell him I need his help watching his foal tonight and I’ll get him to promise me he won’t ask to sleep in the barn after tonight. I’ll emphasize it’s a one-time thing.”
She hesitated. “I hate to make you babysit my son.”
“It won’t be tough duty. He’s already sleepy. Or he was until this kerfuffle.”
“But if he’s on the cot, where will you sleep? I assume you were going to take a few cat naps.”
“I have a bedroll in the truck. That’s good enough.”
“Then give him the bedroll and you take the cot.”
“You know I’m not doing that.”
“I suppose I do. All right, we’ll handle it your way. Just so you know, he usually doesn’t defy me like this. He’s a good boy.”
“I can tell he is. And he’s gonna cherish this foal. It’s actually a good sign that he wants to stay here tonight. It’s more evidence that he and… Monty… will bond quickly.”
She snorted. “I thought you weren’t going to say his name.”
“Decided to try it out.”
“And?”
“Still weird. C’mon. Let’s go spread the good news.”
She turned and started back. “I’ll bring out extra blankets.”
“That would be nice. Thanks.”
“And a couple of pillows.”
“Don’t go spoiling us. We’re two tough cowboys.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Tex sat upright like a little soldier braced for battle, resignation on his tear-streaked face. He’d fallen in love with that foal and he hadn’t even been allowed to touch him yet.
Watching that boy and his horse get to know each other would be…. No. He’d best derail that train of thought pronto. He’d help Zinnia through this foaling thing and then make himself scarce.
Tex would get so wrapped up in his Appy that his obsession with him, the first cowboy he’d come to know, would fade. The birthday party would help, too. He might shift his allegiance to Zay, or better yet, Rio, who’d been given the most cowboy name of them all.
Zinnia rested her hands on Tex’s narrow shoulders. “I just found out that Montgomery will be staying in the barn tonight and needs an assistant to help him keep an eye on Speckles and her baby. Would you like that job?”
His eyes widened and he nodded vigorously.
She stepped back. “But first you have to agree to the rules.”
“What rules?”
Monty took her place and gazed into those solemn green eyes. “Staying with me tonight is a special privilege, sport, a one-time deal. Promise me you won’t ask your mother to let you do it again.”
