Page 19 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

Following in her instructions, he found the red barn which was barely visible through the heavydownpour.

“Park over there,” she said, pointing beside an older model green truck. “Grisham will be leaving and I don’t want to blockhimin.”

When the car stopped, she flung herself from the car and raced through the open barn door. He turned off the engine and reached behind his seat. One of his habits held over from residency was keeping a packed duffle in his backseat. Often he’d found himself needing a fresh set of scrubs because of blood or some other body fluid. Duffle bag in hand, he ran through the rain and into the barn, stopping short when heentered.

Marti stood at the far end with a young man. A middle-age man leaned on a stall door. Between where he stood and the three of them were numerous stalls. Horses who obviously knew he didn’t like them glared at him from all of them. Yeah, he’d had this nightmare before, but this time, he wasn’t going towakeup.

The main corridor was swept clean. The odor was mostly fresh straw lightly scented by horse flesh. The hallway lights were on at his end but off at thefarend.

He straightened and took a step. The horse to his right whinnied. He didn’t turn his head, but marched forward toward the threesome. As he neared, Marti said, “No, no. I’ll be fine. You go on home, Grisham and be with your family. It’s after midnight. Tomorrow will come early enough. And you too, Pedro. Get some sleep. If I need help, I’ll call. I promise. Princess Diana would probably rather we all go away and let her do her job inpeace.”

The older man, Grisham he assumed, removed his hat and scratched his head. “You’re the boss but seriously, call me if there is any problem at all. In fact, call Dr. Grayson first and thencallme.”

Marti smiled and patted the man on the shoulder. “Georgie Grayson will be my first call in the morning. I promise. Now, get home. Bothofyou.”

Both men left, grumbling to each other astheydid.

“Now you,” she saidtoEli.

“Me? Whataboutme?”

“You need to get out of those wet clothes andshoes.”

He arched an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I know you well enough for a freestripshow.”

She laughed and patted her jeans pocket. “I might have some onesaroundhere.”

Hesnorted.

“Seriously,” she continued. “There should be some newspaper in the office to stuff into those shoes. Might help soak out thewater.”

He saluted, well aware that there wasn’t enough newspaper in the world to save his shoes. “Will do. Now, where’s theoffice?”

The office was a small, dusty room with a desk, chair and phone on the wall. It didn’t appear as though it was used for much, but he suspected that back when this old barn was built, this room had seen a lot of action. He did as instructed, stuffing his now-ruined shoes, and changed into jeans and a polo he had in the bag. Truthfully, the dry briefs were the most welcome change. Something about cold, wet undies that made a manshrivelup.

Marti snatched his wet clothes from his arms when he walked out. “I’ll just hang these uptodry.”

That was fine but he’d pretty much written off his tux along with hisshoes.

“Ready to meet Princess Diana?”Martisaid.

“Sure.”

After handing his wet tux over railings, she led him to the last stall, which was at least double the size of the rest of them. The upper portion of a Dutch door was open, providing a clear view of a white horse lay on her side, her breaths coming in pants andsnorts.

“You sure she’s in labor? I mean, shouldn’t she be grunting orsomething?”

Marti snorted. “You’ve seen too many human drama queens deliver. Horses are pretty calm. Come on. We’llgoin.”

He took an involuntary step back. “No, that’s okay. I wouldn’t want tobotherher.”

She looked at him, then at the horse and nodded. “Fine. I’m going in to check on her. I’llbeback.”

He stood in the open doorway and watched as Marti calmly approached the horse and squatted, resting her butt on herheels.

“Hey girl,” she said quietly as she stroked the horse’s neck. “You’re doing great. Really great. I can’t wait to meet your baby. What a good mother you’re goingtobe.”

The horse’s breathing slowed. Marti’s quiet reassurances seem to help calm the laboring mare. Princess Diana blew out a snort and lifted her head. Marti continued cooing and stroking. Finally the mare settled into the hay. Marti rose and walked backtoEli.

---