Sighing, I turned to Jaina. “You think we’re home?”
She threw her head up and down a couple of times, as if nodding vigorously, and I burst out laughing. Well, then.
Chapter 10
Crew
Imelda Staunton was showing all signs of going into labor. Honestly, I thought it would have happened last night with the amount of laying down she’d been doing, but things stalled out around two, and she went to sleep. She’d been holding her tail out all day, biting and kicking at her sides, and generally acting uncomfortable. Last year, with her first, she’d foaled at three hundred and thirty-two days. This year she’d made it to three-thirty-five.
Ennis, Mal, and I were hanging out in my office and watching the camera. We didn’t interfere unless the mare or foal were in trouble, but we wanted to be close, just in case. Newer employees always got drafted for foal watch, but Dad and I had been ready to give Mal a pass on account of Payton, since mares most typically foaled at night. Mal wanted to be there though,and as soon as Mom offered to keep Pay for however long it took—and Pay enthusiastically agreed—Mal joined us.
It was barely eleven, though, and my guess was we’d have a foal on the ground within the hour. I knew my broodmares and any minute now, she was going to show us that she was in active labor. I felt it in my bones.
My phone pinged and I looked away from the monitor to check it. I couldn’t help the grin when I saw Bodhi’s text.
It’ll be soon. Make sure you take care of my girl.
Yes, sir, staff sergeant sir.
Bodhi’s response was the middle finger emoji. I snorted a laugh.
Ennis made an inquisitive sound. I held up the phone. “Bodhi.”
“Ah,” he said with a nod, never taking his gaze off the monitor screen.
I glanced at Mal and he looked like he wanted to ask but wasn’t sure if he should. I figured the least I could do was explain.
“Older brother. Bodhi is a Marine through and through. I swear he’ll be in the Corps until they make him retire. But he’s got horses in his blood, the same as the rest of us. He’s watching the remote feed.”
We all had access to all the cameras on the property, both in the broodmare stalls and outside. I was sure Mom and Dad were watching on the iPad at the house and I wouldn’t be surprised if Hawk showed up minutes before the foal actually arrived. He had the knack.
Mal offered a smile that was hardly more than a quirk of his lips. “That’s nice.’
It was Ennis’ turn to snort but I outright chuckled. I shook my head. “He’s trying to micromanage from South Carolina. See, he’s always had a soft spot for Maggie Smith. And Maggie Smith is Imelda Staunton’s dam. Maggie Smith foals like clockwork, not before three-thirty-nine and not after three-forty-two. Seven years ago, Bodhi took leave so he could be here for Maggie Smith’s first foal with us.”
I watched Mal’s face as he put the pieces together. “Who was Imelda Staunton.”
“Bingo. Bodhi insisted Imelda Staunton was the keeper that year. He was right. She showed like a dream, proved herself and her dam’s other foals, until a stifle injury took her out of the show pen. She’s not sound enough to ride, but sound the rest of the time, and she’s an excellent mama.”
Mal sat up straight. “So this isn’t her first foal.”
“Second,” Ennis said absently, leaning forward. “Here we go.”
I whipped my gaze back to the screen. Sure enough, Imelda Staunton had laid down and was definitely pushing. Ennis left my office without a word, going to check on them. He’d stay outside the stall. If the cameras had sound, I was sure we’d be able to hear him speaking low and encouraging to the mare. They were all so used to Ennis that I liked to think she’d find it comforting.
Mal left his seat to get closer to the screen. I caught a whiff of him and my stomach tightened. He smelled like sweat and hay, horse and leather, and something underneath it all that was uniquely him. I couldn’t help but inhale deeply, pulling that scent into my lungs. He smelled so damn good.
The thought came out of nowhere and I had to sit with it for a second. I’d never shied away from my attraction to anybody and I wasn’t ashamed that Ifoundhim attractive. It was fine that I thought he was pretty, and smelled good, and when he smiled for real it lit up his whole face. As long as I didn’t acton it. As long as I kept my mouth shut and didn’t make Mal uncomfortable. It was inappropriate and an abuse of power. I just wouldn’t do it.
As subtly as I could, I adjusted my seat so I wasn’t quite as close to him. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice since his gaze was glued to the screen. I studied him out of the corner of my eye and enjoyed the absolute joy on his features. It was clear horses were in his blood as well.
We’d join Ennis soon, unless something happened, but until then, I watched Mal watch what was happening. And as I did, I couldn’t help but be drawn in. He had a little freckle under the outer corner of left eye. His lashes were ridiculously long. I had the insane urge to rub a finger against the scruff on his jaw.
Can it, Crew. He works for you.
I needed to heed my inner thoughts that were being sensible and not the ones that wanted to pull Mal down onto my lap.
“Are the hooves out?” Mal suddenly said, voice low as though he didn’t want to disturb the mare even though she couldn’t hear us.
