Page 26 of Home Hearts Hooves

‘Yeah, Tilly, Luna, and Patrice are all birthing in the mini barn. The guys have got it all set up and cleaned out for them. There are no storms tonight, so hopefully they get an easier run of things than poor Daisy.”

“Yeah, hopefully,” I reply, my tongue finally feeling half normal.

“I’m going to head back to the clinic to get a few things done, but then I’ll pop back out after work and see how they are tracking.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I say, and he frowns a little. “I mean, if you want to, that would be great. I just meant these girls are old hats at birthing now, they’ll probably be done before you make it back.”

“Maybe, but then I get to see the new babies and that’s the best part of my job.”

“Mine, too,” I say, and he smiles thatstunningwide smile that makes the corners of his eyes crinkle and his nose scrunch just a touch. Maybe he was just busy. Could I have tormented myself these last two weeks for nothing?

“So, I’ll see you later, then?” he asks, gorgeous green eyes locked on mine.

“Yeah, see you later,” I sayandcan’t help but let out a soft chuckle at the way this conversation is so much like the last time we spoke when he was rushing out of the mini barn. Who knows, maybe tonight in the mini barn will be like the last time, too?

***

“How are our lovely ladies doing?” Preston asks, walking into the mini barn.

“All done,” I reply, drying my hands. I’ve been outinthe ranch all day, and my hair is likely a right mess, so I grab my hat from the hook over the wash station and put it on before I turn.

“Oh,” he replies, and I catch the disappointment in his tone.

“Their mommas are still cleaning them off, but if you want to hang out for a bit, I’m sure they won’t mind you getting in some new baby cuddles.”

“You don’t have to get up to the house?”

“Nope. I was going to go say hi to MissMilkyif you want to come?”

“Sure.”

We walk through the back of the mini barnthenleap over the fence into the open cattle paddock where most of the cows spend their days. It sort of wraps around so that it has access to the mini barn, milking barn, and the other large barn where we shelter them at night, but on warmer nights like this, I leave the doors open so they can come and go as they please and take advantage of the cooling breeze. Miss Milky is lying under a tree, her all white body like a beacon in the waning light.

“There’s my girl,” I say, coming up on her and giving herheada soft hug. She leans into me, and I hear Preston make an “aww” sound that brings an immediate smile to my lips.

“Want to give her a hug, too?”

“Absolutely,” he replies, and I move aside, and he wraps his long arms around her neck and hugs her tight. His eyes close for a second, and after a moment, his shoulders relaxandhe sort of sinks into her.

I take off my hat, scrub my fingers through my hairandsit on the ground, leaning against her side so that I can look up at the darkening sky.

“It’s a full moon tonight,” I say, watching the sun set over the hills. One of the best things about growing up on a property like ours is the views. Perfect sun rises over the North Mountains and stunning sunsets over the cascading hills on the other side. Preston sits beside me and rests his head back to take it in.

“This is nice,” he says, and I turn my head to face him.

“You look like you needed that hug,” I say, and he turns his head toward me.

“I really did.”

I don’t know how I didn’t see it before, but his eyes are drawn, tired, like he’s hardly slept a wink, and his chestnut brown hair is dull, hanging limply around his face when normally styled and swept back all perfect like.

“You okay?” I ask, and he offers a half smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I just wish lifewasalways this simple,” he replies, reaching up his hand to rub Miss Milky’s fur between us. “That every day can be cow cuddles and sunsets and quiet nights.”

“They can be on a ranch. Well, except the quiet nights. You’d be surprised how well the animal sounds travel from the pens to the house.”

“Still, it must be nice,” he sighs, and before I know what I’m doing, I reach up to brush his hair behind his ear, and his hand moves to grasp mine.

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