Page 28 of A Baby for the Billionaire Cowboy

The llama swung his head around toward Daisy and snorted. She jerked back with a gasp.

“Watch out!” Xander yelped.

Then she was falling, falling, and it seemed to take forever. She was going down sideways, and what would happen if she landed on her belly?

Arms went around her and gently let her down the last few inches to the ground. Xander’s breathing came rapidly by her ear. “Careful. Sorry. Too late for that. I should’ve warned you.”

Daisy gulped and found her voice. “No, I should have been more careful.” She gasped for breath. It felt like she’d been running. She sat sprawled on one hip. Her left shoulder and upper back leaned against his warm chest. He helped her sit up more. Her legs stuck out in front of her. She shouldn’t have worn a dress. They were easier to get in and out of, and faster when she needed to pee, but definitely undignified when sitting on the ground. “You did warn me last time that llamas could be unpredictable, and that one was injured. I shouldn’t have tried to touch it.”

“Nobody’s fault. Are you all right?”

“I think so. Oof.” She massaged the side of her belly.

“A contraction?”

“No. Just the baby kicking. I’m not hurt.”

“You’re trembling.”

“Yeah. Well.” His arms were still around her, and she wasn’t sure if that was comforting or making her nerves worse.

Other people were coming closer. Ava was almost jogging.

“I’d better get up before they have an ambulance and the entire Last Stand emergency response crew here.” She shifted onto her knees, Xander’s arms a steadying presence.

“No, no, don’t get up.” Ava put her hand on Daisy’s shoulder. “Make sure you’re all right.”

“I’m fine. Xander caught me.” It sounded ridiculously romantic, but probably—hopefully—only to her. “It was my own fault for getting too close to—what’s that brown one’s name?”

TC joined them. “That’s Llamageddon. He’s kind of a jerk at the best of times.” He and Xander hoisted Daisy to her feet.

“I’ll take her inside to sit for a while,” Ava said.

Daisy let go of Xander reluctantly. Ava led her back toward the house while the brothers discussed what needed to be done for the llama.

“This is why I don’t like to go anywhere,” Daisy said as they walked past the other guests. “I’m so big and clumsy, I’m sure to do something foolish, and I don’t need to do it in front of an audience.”

“Oh, sweetie, you can be as foolish as you want in front of us.”

Daisy laughed.

“Well, maybe you don’t want to be foolish at all,” Ava admitted. “I’ve been through pregnancy four times, and I guarantee I know what it’s like to feel enormous and awkward and ridiculous. Carly and Hallie are observing your pregnancy with great interest, because they want to learn from your experiences.”

“You mean what not to do?”

“I’m sure they’ll come up with plenty of their own mistakes.” Ava winked. “They don’t need to borrow yours.”

Inside, Daisy washed her hands and used a damp paper towel to wipe off her legs. Then she let Bernajean fuss over her. The woman ran her hands over Daisy’s belly and finally proclaimed, “The baby is fine.” It really was odd how people she barely knew felt free to touch her belly, but then maybe no odder than having an entirely separate human being inside of her.

They got Daisy settled in the living room with a tall glass of iced sweet tea. Ava and Bernajean sat with her. It was nice in the house, cool and quiet, with a comfortable couch and an extra cushion behind her back. She might just hang out there for a while.

“I’m really okay, if you have things you need to do. No harm done.” Daisy chuckled. “I’m just glad my auntie Rhonda wasn’t here.”

A familiar loud rapping knock came at the door. Daisy’s mouth dropped open. Bernajean stood and said regally, “I called her. A girl having a baby should have her mother with her, or at least a woman in her family.”

Daisy tipped her head back with a groan. Then she rose to meet her great-aunt, who had to fuss and scold and tell Daisy how foolish she was to... well, Rhonda couldn’t seem to decide what Daisy had done that was so foolish, beyond leave the house.

“You said when you were pregnant you did all the chores, raised chickens and collected the eggs, and even went horseback riding,” Daisy reminded her aunt.

---