Page 30 of Need Me
Sally hunched her back and bore down. Robert stood back, watching Brooke soothe Sally and cheer her on. The intensity in her eyes and the compassion in her voice stirred something in Robert’sheart.
It wasn’t every woman who would get right down on the ground and help a mother goat give birth. But as the next kid emerged and Brooke took over cleaning it, Robert knew that his initial assessment of her was spot on; Brooke was a very specialwoman.
She cleared the little doe’s nostrils and vigorously rubbed it down with a feed sack. Enjoying watching her work, Robert saw that Brooke was an excellent nurse and he felt completely comfortable letting her take care of thekid.
The first baby goat was already on its feet and had just started to nurse when Sally grunted and bleated. She hung her head slightly andpanted.
Brooke looked up at Robert. “She really does have another one in there, doesn’tshe?”
Robert nodded. “Yep. I think that’s it,though.”
“I sure as hell hope so,” Brooke said. “Okay, Sally. One more. You can do it. Rest a minute and then let’s get that babyborn.”
Robert hid asmile.
“Don’t you dare laugh at me, Robert. Not now. Later, you can laugh, but notnow.”
It reminded him of the way that mothers and teachers seemed to have eyes in the back of their heads. “I didn’t sayanything.”
Her eyes pierced him. “I heard you thinking all the way overhere.”
Robert was saved by Sally’s bleat. She laid down and he moved around behind her. A large nose poked out of Sally’s vulva. Sally strained hard, but the nose didn’t move at all. Robert sat down and Brooke moved to sit byhim.
“What is it?” sheasked.
With great somberness, he said, “She’s already tired and that’s a big kid. Most likely a buck. I’m calling Kate to come do a C-section.”
