Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Planning on it.” Carson passed me a slice of cornbread.
“Good.” I had a surprise for him. I swung my leg against the truck, trying to speed up time.
“Doc! Come quick!” Clyde came rushing out of the barn. “Water just broke.”
“On my way.” I thrust my half-eaten bowl at Carson. “Grab my—”
“Bag,” Carson finished for me, reaching behind him to grab my main medical kit, which he had ready and waiting because, of course, he did. “Got it.”
Once in the barn, we were all business with the first-time mama mare. After a mare’s water broke, the countdown was on to delivery, ideally in fifteen minutes or less, and Carson was almost as good at keeping time as I was.
“Gloves.” He held out the heavy black gloves I used in case assistance was needed. “Got the suction kit ready.”
“Thanks.” I offered him a quick yet grateful nod before turning my attention back to the horse. The foal’s legs started to crown, and I moved closer. “Here we go.”
I was able to direct all my focus on the laboring horse because Carson was right there with everything I needed as I dealt with a sticky pair of shoulders and a foal who didn’t perk right up. Carson had the resuscitation mask ready before I could ask, and it wasn’t long before we let out a relieved breath in unison.
“Well, look at that.” Carson gave his first smile in twenty minutes as the foal took his first, tentative steps toward his mama. “Never gets old.”
“Nope,” I agreed, sharing his wonder. Every successful birth was its own rush of adrenaline and satisfaction, and my chest never failed to warm as the new mother greeted her foal for the first time.
“Damn, you two make a fine team.” Clyde clapped me on the back when I was finally able to exit the stall.
“We do.” Pride laced my voice as I glanced back to where Carson was cleaning up the equipment, preparing for the second birth of the night.
“When did Luna finally convince you to hire an assistant?” Clyde asked. This was his first time meeting Carson. I’d assumed gossip about us dating was common knowledge around Lovelorn, but maybe Clyde was out of the busybody loop.
Before I could explain our relationship, Carson offered up a cheeky grin. “Still working on making it official.”
“See that you do.” Clyde nudged me again. “You’ve got a good one here.”
“I do.” I would have said more, but the second horse’s labor kicked up in a hurry.
We all rushed to deal with that situation. Carson’s statement lingered in the back of my head, though, as we made it through the second birth and aftermath. Finally, both mamas and babies were settled in for the night, and we were headed for my place.
“What did you mean by official?” My brain slowed down enough to ask the question partway to the house.
“Figure I’m handy this time of year.” Carson shrugged.
“And how. You’re why we got done so quickly.” I had to admit that all the calls Carson was along for went more smoothly, and his level head made handling foaling emergencies that much easier.
“I like the work,” Carson said simply, but his meaning was clear.
“You’re good at it,” I allowed. I’d had enough time to get used to bringing him along and to accept how much he enjoyed helping. I liked the idea of bringing him on as my assistant, official as he’d said. Working together every day sounded damn fine. But there was reality to contend with as well. “You’re also good with the horses at the ranch. Kat isn’t going to give you up easily.”
“Her idea.” Carson’s tone was a little too casual. This wasn’t some idle idea he’d been considering. “Reckon I’d like to do more horse rehab work.”
“You’d be excellent at that.” Word had gotten around about Carson’s work with Linus, along with other horses, and Kat was right that he’d make an excellent trainer or rehabilitation therapist.
“Gonna take time…” Carson paused to lick his lips as I pulled in next to my house. “To build a client list.”
“True.” I could see where he was going with this idea. My stomach fluttered. I liked the idea more than I was letting on. He’d have his own career, but he could also be a more formal part of mine. “So, you’d be interested in a part-time assistant gig while you add rehab clients?”
“Part-time assistant. Full-time vet wrangler.” Carson shifted, flipping on the overhead light for the truck cab. He held out his hand.
“What’s that?” I studied the small metal circle. My brain simply refused to compute.
“It’s a ring, Jude.” He dropped it into my hand. I didn’t recognize the thick metal—darker than gold but not platinum either. Knowing Carson and his attention to detail, it would be something I could wear while doing most jobs. “Don’t bite.”