Kyla matched him.Her movements aligned with his without needing correction.She was present, and that was enough.
“Again,” he said.
She nodded.
The next contraction rolled through stronger.They pulled together, and the calf shifted forward in a way that told him they had succeeded.
“Keep it,” he said.His voice was tight.“Do not lose it.”
“I am not,” she said.There was no uncertainty in her voice now.
One more push and one more pull followed.The calf slid free in a rush of motion that left both of them breathing hard.For a second, neither of them moved.
The cow struggled upright.She turned immediately to her calf and began licking it with urgency.The sound filled the shed.
Titus let his hands drop.The tension drained out of his arms and left them shaking.He sat back on his heels.His body was slow to catch up with the fact that the work was done.
Across from him, Kyla stayed where she was.Her gloves were streaked.She watched the calf try to find its footing.They looked at each other then.The moment stretched just long enough to register what they had done together.
She gave a short exhale.“Okay,” she said.“That really happened.”
He nodded once.“Yeah.”
Neither of them moved to stand right away.For a few seconds, the work fell away.Only the sound of the cow and the uneven drag of their breathing remained.
Titus stayed where he was with his hands braced against his thighs.The strain in his arms settled into a deep ache.The calf lay on its side, slick and unsteady.It was already pushing against the world.
Across from him, Kyla shifted her weight.Her knees pressed deeper into the straw as she leaned back slightly.Her gloves were useless now.She peeled one off with her teeth and then the other.She dropped them without looking.
“You think it is okay?”she asked.
“It will stand,” he said.“Give it a minute.”
She nodded and her shoulders loosened by a fraction.The focus that had carried her through the work eased.Something quieter moved in behind it.
Titus became aware of how close they were.He felt the shared heat that lingered despite the cold air.Her knee brushed his when she shifted again.Neither of them moved away.
She let out a slow breath and dropped her gaze.She dragged one hand across her face and left a faint smear she did not notice.“That was...”She shook her head once and did not finish the thought.
“Yeah,” he said.
It was all either of them offered.
The calf struggled.It pushed up on unsteady legs and slipped.Then it tried again.Kyla watched it with a focus that softened her expression.The sharp edges of her composure were worn down.
“He is stubborn,” she said.
“They have to be,” Titus answered.
She glanced at him then.Something like a smile touched her mouth before it disappeared.“Figures.”
The moment settled between them.It was quiet but not empty.Titus found himself unwilling to break it.
Kyla shifted again.She turned toward him as if she had made a decision.Her hand came down on his shoulder first to steady herself as she adjusted her position.She did not pull away when she no longer needed the support.Her weight leaned into him.
Titus went still.His body registered the contact before his thoughts caught up.He could have moved, but he did not.Her other hand followed.Then she was closer in a way that left no space for misreading the situation.The line between them closed.
“Kyla,” he said.Her name was low.It was not a warning.
