Page 94 of Beautiful Distraction

“You’re a fool for thinking that.” His gaze shoots to themare. “We’ll get started soon. I need you to stay here and help.”

My eyes widen. I’ve never been a fan of blood or pain. Iwant to run and wait this one out, but instead find myself asking faintly,“How?”

“Keep talking to her, sing to her. She likes that. If shecan’t manage on her own, I’ll intervene, but that rarely happens.”

I stare at him. “You’re not going to be here?”

“I’ll be outside, finishing up.” He squeezes my hand at myhorrified expression. “Don’t worry. Just tell her everything will be fine.Giving life is such a beautiful thing. I want you to be there for her.”

***

He’s right. It is a beautiful thing. The whole birthing onlylasts about fifteen minutes, but it feels like a whole new life experience. Iexpected it to be gross, but it isn’t. It’s everything but ugly.

The mare doesn’t writhe in agony. As I keep stroking herhead, she remains silent, graceful. I laugh as the tiny legs of the foalsqueeze out of her, followed by the rest of its body. I’m crying as the babyslides to the floor, wrapped in a gleaming membrane.

I’m crying buckets and I don’t even know why.

Scratch that.

I know exactly why. I’ve never been so happy in my life.I’ve never felt so much in awe. For a long time, I just stand there and watchthe tiny creature struggle to get to its feet.

“You okay?” Kellan asks from somewhere behind me. His voiceis soft.

I nod and sniff. My hands wipe at my face to get rid of theannoying tears, but let’s face it. What’s the point when I probably look like apuffy fish anyway? “I just had no idea it would be like this.”

“After watching this my whole life, it still surprises meevery single time.” His arms wrap around me, hugging my back to his strongchest. “It’s okay to cry. You did great. I’m really proud of you.” He kissesthe top of my head, and then spins me around to look at me. His thumb brushesover my cheek to wipe away the moisture. “Come on, we need to celebrate.”

Shaking my head, I peel myself away from him and head forthe huge doors.

Kellan follows after me. “Where are you going?”

“Home.” I cringe at the word. What is happening to me? Ishouldn’t be taking his attention when two poor animals might be in need of hisassistance. “I mean your home.”

“As long as you’re my guest, my home is your home, and youhaven’t seen a lot of it.” He points over our heads. “I promised to give youthe tour. Well, now’s the right time. You haven’t yet seen my personal space.”

I peer up at the high ceiling. “Your personal space?”

“It’s up there. I hope you’re good at climbing up ladders.”

I suck at climbing up ladders, but that’s irrelevant rightnow. I’d climb up a ladder to the moon and back for a chance to see hispersonal space.

Peering back up, I realize I should have known. This placeis so huge, there has to be a top floor. I saw the windows outside.

Kellan leads us to a narrow staircase, which I didn’t evennotice until now.

He climbs up hastily, his enthusiasm palpable in his swiftstrides.

I follow him through a trapdoor and let him help me to myfeet. As my gaze sweeps over the space, I’m struck speechless.

The top floor is huge. Like an entire apartment huge.

And way more modern than I would have anticipated. There’s aleather couch, a television set, even a small kitchen, with modern appliances.

“Wow,” I say stunned.

“This is my tiny abode,” Kellan explains.

“Tiny?” I laugh. “Kellan, this is huge. And I’m not eventhinking by NYC standards.”

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