Page 124 of Stables

“Hey, momma. Is tonight the night?” I lean my elbows over the gate, reaching my fingers out for her to come and sniff.

But she ignores me. Instead, she’s winding in a loop and pawing the fresh shavings on the ground.

Damn, she’s really close. When she turns her tan flanks, her goopy back end faces me.

Shit.

Heavy footsteps echo down the concrete path between the stalls.

“She must be ready?” Dixon has Paisley sitting on top of his shoulders, with his broad brimmed hat on her tiny head.

“I think so. I’ll go get my kit.” This isn’t my first horse birth, so I’ve accumulated a few things that are handy to keep on hand.

“Can you use it for people? Just in case? I don’t see you wanting to slow down when it’ll be your turn.” He smiles as he swings Paisley down, then pulls his hat off to set back over his own ears. “I’ll text Sophia, if you still didn’t mind the extra company? She seemed pretty excited to watch.”

“I’d love that. Maybe we can ask if she wanted to watch Paisley for a little while tomorrow while we go to the garden? It might be easier on her.” I hate that Paisley gets so worked up going back there now.

There’s a part of me that hates wanting to say goodbye to my family home. If only I had better memories there, it’d be different.

But it means she’s comfortable here.

Dixon nods as he types. “That’s a good idea.”

He follows me to the tack room, herding Paisley between us until I get the supplies.

“She’s on her way. I’ll go get the blankets.” He’s barely out of the barn before Sophia comes running in, her hair stuffed under a stocking hat, and a sleeping bag stuffed under her arm.

“‘Phia!” Paisley squeals, running down the aisle.

Sophia flashes a wide grin and ducks to pick her up. “Hi, baby girl. We’re gonna watch a horse be born tonight?”

Paisley claps her hands. “Yes!”

It puts a lump in my throat watching how quickly Paisley has grown into this family. I love that they’ve welcomed her with open arms as if she is Dixon’s own flesh and blood.

How did I get so damn lucky?

Ginger nickers, pawing the ground, then throws herself down with a heavy sigh.

“Think she’ll go fast?” Sophia puts Paisley down, then drops her gear.

“Babies always come when they’re ready, not when we are.” Dixon appears with an armful of blankets and towels. “Iremember one of our OB docs when I was in residency saying that more kids are born at night because that’s when most are made.” He grins and winks at me. “So I suppose we should pre-plan that.”

“Gross, Uncle Dixon.” Sophia pretends to gag, which makes Paisley giggle.

“Oh, it’s a fact. I can vouch for all the three in the morning babies I’ve delivered.” He holds up his palm.

I hope it isn’t that late tonight.

He smooths out the bedding just outside the gate, then narrowly manages to swing Paisley off before she runs across in her boots. “Not yet, only when you’re sleepy.”

It’s big enough for all three of us.

“Are you staying out here too?” I’m not sure why I expected it. Matt never wanted any part of this, only the selling.

“Is it okay that I want to hang out with my girls?” He snugs himself behind me, his hands settling across my lower belly. “I like spending time with my family,” he whispers close to my ear.

Heat races through me at his touch.

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