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“You look fabulous on horseback,” Justin told her. “I hope someone gets some pictures.”

“It’s because I love it so much. I can’t believe I didn’t horseback ride until coming here to Cypress Cove.”

The ride was exhilarating. “I love riding more every time we go out. Do you think your father would let us bring Dale to Bayou Cottage? We could ride every day.”

“I’ll answer for him. I’m sure he’d love it.”

After they took care of the horses, getting them in the paddocks with fresh hay, they walked to the lodge together. Maggie excused herself to go to the bathroom, where she had a surprise, her period had come early. At least she thought it was early; she got out her phone and looked at the app called Period Tracker and discovered it was actually a little late, about five days to be exact.

She had supplies in her bag, so she was ready for it. Justin was waiting for her at the entrance to the hall where the meeting would take place. Grace and Amber were waiting, along with Gloria and Bubba, Maggie’s neighbors who helped her pick up horse manure.

“I see you were out there yesterday picking up poop after our new neighbors dropped by,” Bubba said, referring to the new band.

“One mare is pregnant,” Justin said. “Look at this video. You won’t believe it. Every time Maggie is around, this mare comes up to her and sniffs her. Watch.”

They looked at Justin’s phone, astonished. “I’ve seen nothing like it. You read about it, but to see it is outstanding,” Grace said.

“You’re not pregnant, are you?”

This was Bubba. Everyone’s head, including Justin’s, swiveled around to stare at her.

“You don’t say that to a woman, dear. Maggie, you don’t have to answer him.”

“Didn’t plan on it,” she muttered, fuming.

“Research has shown that horses might detect pheromones in pregnant women and will exhibit that behavior, that’s all I’m sayin’. Dear, I apologize.”

“Accepted,” Maggie said, her eyebrows down, but her mood clear. Bubba knew he was not on her good side.

The president of the group banged his gavel, and everyone stopped talking to take a seat.

Justin looked at Maggie again with alook.

“I can assure you I amnotpregnant,” she whispered in a stilted voice.

“Thank god. Because I thought I’d have a heart attack.”

He faked swooned, holding onto his chest, going through all the antics, mortifying Maggie, who had never seen him animated like that before.

Grace and Amber heard Justin and giggled. “I guess he told her,” Amber whispered with satisfaction.

Aghast, Maggie had heard Amber’s comment and wished she had something to stuff in Justin’s mouth. When Amber and Grace walked away, Maggie whispered in Justin’s ear, “If you’re that dead set against it, you’d better take responsibility for its prevention. From here on out, you’re in charge.”

Staring at her with his mouth open, he didn’t answer her.

“Yeah, it’s all fun and games until Bubba opens his big stupid mouth,” she growled.

Justin had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing, but he hoped no one else heard her.

The rest of the meeting was lost on her until Justin brought up the management of the new band of wild horses on Maggie’s property.

“I have a video of a pregnant mare approaching Maggie at Bayou Cottage.”

She closed her eyes, wishing she had something with which she could hit him over the head. Volunteers came over to see the video, amazed at the immediate recognition the horse had of Maggie.

“The mare came for Maggie when we first saw her in the field at a distance.”

“Horses have a powerful sense of smell,” Bubba said, yet again. “Something about Maggie attracted her right away.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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