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As Belle grunts and thumps against the sides of the pen, I channel Professor Owosu again and manoeuvre the calf. As I draw back, the calf ’s hips emerge and then its little black body. Benedict rushes to the back of the crush and opens it as Cameron clambers over the railings. As the calf falls, Cameron catches it then lowers it to the ground. No movement. Nothing. We lay the calf out with its neck and head extended. After clearing mucus from the calf ’s nostrils, I feel behind its left front leg.

‘There’s a heartbeat.’

‘It’s not breathing.’

I’m holding the calf ’s mouth closed and covering a nostril, ready to blow into the other nostril to resuscitate, when the calf snorts and coughs. Its legs jerk and it opens its eyes.

‘Hello, little guy.’

When I look up, Cameron is smiling. ‘Let’s get him up.’

I check Belle’s pulse and respiration rates are within range before asking Benedict to release her from the crush. Exhausted yet jittery, she moves to the opposite side of the pen to her calf.

‘Oh no.’ Milly wrings her hands.

‘She’s a first-time mother and she’s had a difficult time,’ Cameron says. ‘Let’s introduce them.’

After directing Milly and Benedict to block her way, Cameron and I gently herd Belle towards her calf. He’s lying down now and Belle seems curious. She won’t like it that he smells of Cameron and me, but she sniffs and, as the calf lifts his face, she licks and nudges him. Eventually the calf stands and, on very wobbly legs, nuzzles his mother and drinks.

‘I can’t believe it.’ Benedict, grinning broadly, puts his arm around Milly.

‘Depending on Belle and the calf ’s recovery, he might need additional colostrum. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to check them both out.’

‘We can’t thank you enough.’ Milly is simultaneously crying and laughing. ‘What a wonderful Christmas gift.’

Cameron looks at his watch. ‘It’s not Christmas yet.’

When I straighten after scooping up my bag, my shoulder pulls, and I grab the railing.

With a look of concern, Cameron takes the bag. ‘Let’s go home.’

Cameron is referring to two separate homes: the cabin and his house. If I want something different, it’s time to communicate that. Showing him the Christmas gift I have for him is even more important than it was.

‘Yes, we have to head back.’

‘You’re both covered in muck.’ Milly is horrified. ‘I insist you shower and change.’

‘I’m already wearing my change of clothes.’

‘I’ll find you another one,’ Milly says firmly.

Chapter 21

I roll up the sleeves of Milly’s shirt, cheesecloth embroidered with small yellow daisies, before I turn onto the highway. ‘I’ll take you back to Julia’s for your ute,’ I tell Cameron.

‘Julia won’t expect me till the morning. You’ll be getting Keith Urban from Anna’s house tomorrow—drop me at Julia’s on the way.’

Cautious of wildlife, I drive slowly on the highway. A right turn to drive to Cameron’s property. A left turn to drive into town.

‘Is it okay if we go to the surgery?’

‘What do you need?’

After we kissed in the pouring rain on the nature strip in front of Maggie’s house, Cameron said:I want you to communicate, to tell me what you’re feeling. You have to give me something to hold on to.

As the somethingIneed is him, I hope my gift is what he needs too.

‘I have something to show you. It’s for Christmas.’