Page 105 of Brands

“What if we have twins?” I giggle. It almost hurts, but feels so good at the same time.

He pulls the suction away, raising his eyes to the ceiling in a comic pose of ponder. “Well, we do have a few thousand gallons a day extra. They can rotate on your other, this one is mine.” With a ravenous snarl, he drops back to my sensitive nipple.

A knock on the trailer interrupts my shrieks.

“Libby? We got a problem.” Devon’s voice carries easily through the thin walls.

Blue raises his head, making the briefest of eye contact before he rolls away.

He quickly pulls on a pair of jeans as I reach for my sweats.

“Is anyone hurt?” Blue calls through.

“No, but a few of the cows are down.” Devon steps back when we burst outside. “I know we’re trying to keep track,so I was counting carefully. There’s six still in the barn panting heavy. I don’t think they were like that yesterday when I was topping off their bedding.” He chews on the inside of his cheek.

I half run towards the barn, my stomach churning.

Oh shit.

Millie is one of them!

Dashing to her side, I wrap my arms around her neck.

Her eyes are glazed as she heaves shuddering inhales.

“Lib—” Blue’s voice is stern. “Glove up, you don’t know what’s going on.”

Fuck.

Reluctantly, I pull away.

Her big head drops to the sawdust.

I walk around all my girls, seeing if I can spot anything like trauma, or blood.

But I don’t see anything except the occasional straining action.

“We need to get the vet out here. They’re all acting like they’re in labor. But they can’t be. Millie isn’t due for three months. The rest of these are all close to hers.” I keep track when they’re bred so they can be put in their own stalls.

What is going on?

It’s too soon.

“This might be what happened to some of Mason’s last year,” Blue grumbles while pulling out his phone.

That makes me back away quickly.

“Blue,” I exhale. “If this is Lute, it could affect me too if I’m pregnant.” The weight of it crushes me into the concrete.

“You’re pregnant?” Devon’s mouth drops.

“No, well, not yet. Well—” I haven’t had my period.

It’s been over a month since we were married.

“—there’s a chance.”

Devon throws up his arms and covers his ears. “Lalalala! I don’t want to think about it! I’m heading back to the milk parlor to start on the rest.” He swivels on his heel and heads down the causeway.

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