Page 67 of Huckleberry Hill
We were at the back of the barn, away from the draft, but Declan had set up a heater to keep the foal warm.
“Someone else is more than a pretty face,” Declan said. “You know what you’re talking about.”
Pleasure at his words skated through my belly.
“So I’m guessing you’ve assisted with deliveries before?” Declan asked.
I nodded. “I helped my mom from time to time. She was a vet.”
“Interesting,” Declan murmured. “You didn’t have any interest in following in your mother’s footsteps?”
“No,” I admitted. “A big part of being a vet is being with people on one of the worst days of their lives. It wears on you after a while. I saw that with my mom.”
“Here, take a seat,” Declan said, gesturing to his cot. “I didn’t think I’d have company, otherwise I would’ve brought a chair.”
“Thanks.” I sat on the cot with my back against the stall.
Declan leaned against the far wall that faced me. “Nothing to do now but wait.”
“Yeah.”
“You need anything?” he asked. “Something to drink?”
“I’m good.”
We fell into a companionable silence, listening for the sounds of Mirabelle’s impending birth.
“Was I right?” he asked suddenly.
“About what?”
“About Wade.”
I paused for a moment and then nodded. “Yeah, you were right about Wade. He asked me to dinner.”
“You gonna go?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
My heart drummed in my ears. I forced myself to meet Declan’s gaze when I replied, “You know why not.”
His hands clenched at his sides.
Mirabelle grunted and then there was the sound of whooshing water.
Declan pushed away from the wall and grinned. “Showtime.”
Chapter Fourteen
The Ranch
* * *
Forty minutes later, the birthing was finished. The foal was nursing while his mother recuperated.
I was covered in gunk and so was Declan. Both of us were elated and a bit slaphappy.
