Page 93 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

Roxy seemed to agree. She lowered herself carefully to the ground once more. With what seemed little effort, she pushed one more time and there the baby was, limp and wet.

‘Is it all right?’

‘I think so. Give them a minute.’

Roxy got to her feet and stepped away. The other alpacas began sniffing and licking the baby, who was soon struggling to bring those long legs under control.

‘Pass me a towel, please, Maggie.’

Bree crouched beside the baby and began rubbing it with the towel. Then, as the cria tried to stand, she put her arms around its tiny body and gently lifted. The baby was still struggling, though it was surprisingly strong for something that looked so fragile and weak. It was getting stronger by the minute and Bree loosened her hold, certain now that the baby could stand on its own. When it seemed comfortable on its feet, Bree encouraged it to move towards its anxious mother. The cria did and, drawn by instinct to the smell of the rich, warm milk, it pushed its nose under Roxy’s belly and was soon suckling.

Maggie laughed as the little one’s tail began wagging wildly. ‘Oh. She’s so cute.’

‘Heis,’ Bree agreed.

‘It looks like you didn’t need me after all.’

Bree turned to see Anna Prentiss approaching. ‘Roxy has done a pretty good job,’ Bree said.

The scar on her face made Anna’s grin a little lopsided, but the joy in it was obvious. ‘This is the best part of my job, not being needed while new life comes into the world.’

Bree had to agree.

The three of them watched the new mum and her baby for a few minutes.

‘What are you going to call him?’ Maggie asked.

‘I don’t know yet. I always like to wait a couple of days before I give them a name. Until I get to know them a little bit.’

‘While I’m here, I should check on Sky. She must be getting close,’ Anna said.

Sky was indeed getting very close to giving birth. She was grazing quietly in the paddock, her distended belly impressively large.

Anna shook her head as she looked at the expectant mother. ‘I honestly thought she would have lost them by now.’

‘I’m starting to believe she’s going to have two healthy twins,’ Bree said.

‘I hope you’re right. But there’s still no guarantee.’

‘I know. I can still hope.’

‘Let’s both do that.’

A flicker of movement from the direction of the driveway caught Bree’s eye. It was swiftly followed by the sound of a car. Her first paying walkers were due about now. This must be them. She was ready for this next step in her new life.

CHAPTER

37

‘Why don’t you bring Vicki over after school? She can see the cria and I could cook us all dinner.’

Matt’s heart gave a little leap. ‘I’m sure Vicki would love that.’

‘And you?’ Bree’s voice down the phone was flirtatious.

Matt grinned. ‘I’d like it a lot too.’ He saw two cars pulling up outside his office. ‘Looks like I have some customers. Maybe my luck is changing.’

‘Your luck changed when I walked into your office. Haven’t you figured that out yet?’ Bree’s laugh was like music, even over the poor mobile connection.

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