Page 18 of Hero Unbound

Wildfire let out a high-pitched noise. She was ready to get this over with.

“Okay, now.”

Theo, Eva, and Wildfire all strained, working hard to help get the foal born. Within just a couple of minutes, Theo was watching the miracle of birth as the foal’s head made its way out. Wildfire lay down, and soon the foal was born.

Eva stepped away from Wildfire, who was still lying down, and moved to the foal. “We’ve got ourselves a colt, and he’s breathing just fine on his own.”

The colt’s eyes opened, then shut, then blinked open again—like he couldn’t quite understand what was happening. Theo understood the sentiment.

Eva crossed to Wildfire. “I’m going to do an internal examination of the genital tract to check for any lacerations, but I think Mama should be fine. Little guy was just a little jumbled in there.”

Theo followed all the instructions Eva provided as she did the exam then cared for Wildfire during the passage of the placenta. Soon Wildfire was standing and bonding with her new foal—licking and nuzzling him.

“They’re getting to know each other’s scents and vocal cues,” Eva whispered. “If little guy doesn’t stand up soon, Mom will start nudging him along. Then they can go outside, and she’ll introduce him to the new world.”

Eva went over to the water bucket to wash up then came back to the stall and started cleaning it up; childbirth was nothing if not messy.After a moment, Theo stopped her. She looked exhausted—almost gaunt with it.

“You sit down. I can handle this.”

“It’s okay. I can help.”

He decided not to argue. They cleaned up what they could without disturbing mother and baby.

After a few failed attempts at standing himself, the colt finally got onto his wobbly legs. Theo opened the back door to the stall, and a couple minutes later, Wildfire and colt slowly wandered out.

Eva leaned against the stall door, a huge smile on her tired face. “Isn’t it the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen? Birth is a true miracle.”

“A miracle that could’ve become a tragedy if you weren’t here.”

She shrugged. “It’s possible mother and son both would’ve made it, but there could’ve been a lot more damage. I’m glad I could help.”

“I’m really surprised you knew how to do all that as a vet tech. Becky better be careful, you’ll be giving her a run for her money as the resident animal expert. You need to become a full vet.”

“Yeah.” She pushed away from the door, her smile fading. “But first, I probably need to shower.”

She shook her head as if the thought of a shower were even more daunting than vet school and walked through the stall to the main part of the barn. Her pups immediately came to stand at her feet. They’d been so good through the ordeal, Theo had almost forgotten they were there.

“I’ll give you a ride back to your car so you can head out.”

She bent down to scratch Spice’s head, then Sugar’s. “We’ll be fine. No need to drive us.”

“It’s no problem to drive you back to the other barn—it’s too far to walk when you need rest. Then I can come back here and finish anything needed.”

She scrubbed a hand down her face. “No, really, I—I don’t mind walking.”

“Don’t be silly. You can barely stand. Why would you not want me to give you guys a ride?”

She was hiding something. Again.

“I just need—” She turned away and took a step toward the door then stopped.

“You just need what?”

“Nothing. I…”

Damn it, enough was enough. He moved quickly so he was standing in front of her, blocking her path to the door. “What is going on, Eva?”

“Nothing,” she repeated. “I just need—”

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