Page 94 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“Molly’s coming home for a visit next week. It will be the perfect time for the baby to be born over the Easter weekend, when it’s due.”

“You know, honey, that you can’t plan the birth to the day. With two weeks to your due date, it could happen any moment.”

“I know. But I have a good feeling about this.” Feeling a wave of anxiousness pass over me, I rubbed my belly again.

We were having an early spring this year. The grass was getting greener, and the smell of summer was in the air. It was as if the world was preparing itself for my baby. Tulips and daffodils were blooming everywhere, even in Carter’s garden, which I’d made him clean up and replant last fall. You could smell the warmth looming over our small town and this morning, with the bright sun and clear skies, couldn’t have been more perfect.

The front door to the bakery opened and Carter pranced in, the same way he did each morning on the way to work. The fire department finally had enough men to cover all shifts.

“Good morning, Hope Bay. What’s baking in the oven? A baby, you say? Well, that’s a new one.” He winked toward me. “I’ll have an espresso, a banana spice muffin, a vanilla cupcake for Betsy, and the usual dozen donuts for the crew.”

“You know that cow will love you permanently now, don’t you?”

“Just doing my job. The mamma needs to stay fed for when she gives birth. You’re looking gorgeous today, Jo. Any special occasion?”

“None that I know of. But I do feel like taking a walk this morning, so I’ll join you on your way to the firehouse.”

“Take your phone with you, Jo.” Marge waved the device I was known to forget occasionally.

“Did you eat?” my father asked.

“Oatmeal.” I hadn’t fainted since the day I found out I was pregnant, and I took extra good care of my body. Still, Marge and my father were always over-protective, and I loved them for their constant care.

We walked side by side. For the first few minutes, both of us were lost to our own thoughts, enjoying the warm breeze. As soon as I smelled manure, I knew that we were closer to Betsy; actually, we heard her long before we approached. Mrs. Gladstone was standing at the cow’s side, where Betsy always waited for Carter, smoothing her hand between the Betsy’s eyes.

“Good morning,” we said at the same time.

“Let’s hope it will be.” Mrs. Gladstone concentrated on Betsy’s midsection.

“What’s the matter with Betsy?”

“She’s overdue, and the way she’s been complaining since dawn, I think the calf could be born today. The vet’s on the way.”

“Can she still have the cupcake?” Carter asked.

“You can try, but I don’t think she’ll want it.”

“Why not?”

“Because when your stomach’s in pain, the last thing you want is to fill yourself with food,” I explained. I’d been reading a lot of pregnancy and birthing books.

“Oh, Betsy. Don’t cry.” Carter stepped toward her from the right side and rubbed her behind her ear before offering her the cupcake. As expected, the cow rejected it.

“Is there anything we can do?” he asked.

“I don’t think so. Nature’s gotta take its course.”

“Thank God I’m not a woman.”

“You got that right,” I said. “Because a woman with your leg muscles and big arms would be a little difficult to look at.”

“Hey!”

“Just kidding, Carter. Don’t have a cow.”

Mrs. Gladstone finally took her attention away from Betsy and burst out laughing. “You two, the way you bicker you’d think you were married.”

What?

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