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“Yeah, just taking a moment to appreciate all this.”
Boone turned to scan the view as though he hadn’t seen it before. Guess he mostly kept his head down while he worked. Which was a damn shame. He had beautiful property.
“So, what are we going to do, exactly?”
I spoke as we led the horses through the gate and Boone latched it before he answered.
“Twice a day, I come out and check the cows to make sure none are in distress with birthing. It shouldn’t take much time, as long as everything is fine.”
I followed his lead and mounted then we moved around the pasture to check on the various groups of cattle. Many calves had already been born and they were the cutest things ever. Part of me wanted to hop down and pet each and every one. Boone chuckled and my cheeks heated once more.
“What?”
“You are so damn adorable, sugar. All your sweet little noises as we find each new calf.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Not like I get to see baby animals too often, and even you have to admit they are so stinkin’ cute. Just look at them! Big, brown eyes—oh, and that one has a heart-shaped splotch between its eyes. Naw.”
With a shake of his head and a big grin, he moved further around the herd, and I followed him.
“Oh, shit. Well, that’ll teach me for saying this won’t take long.”
I sat straighter in the saddle and followed his gaze. A lone cow stood next to a group of trees. Her head was down, and she looked miserable.
“What’s wrong with her?”
I figured it was something to do with a calf, but I wasn’t sure what.
He slowly led us over toward the animal before dismounting and moving to one of the bags he had attached to his saddle.
“She’s been in labor for a while by the looks of things. She’s tired but for some reason, the calf ain’t coming on its own.” He turned to look me straight in the eye. “She’s too worn out to bring her back to the pens. Are you all right to help me? If you’re not, that’s fine. I’ll manage. It’ll just be a lot easier with your help.”
I licked my suddenly dry lips before I could answer him.
“Of course, I’ll help. But I’ve never done anything like this before. I have no clue what to do.”
I dismounted and he came over, took my chin between his thumb and finger, then tilted my face so he could give me a quick kiss that left me melting a little more for this man.
“You’re the best, sugar.” He released his hold and stood straighter. “Just drop Stormy’s reins to the ground. She’s been trained to stay ground tied.”
With a deep breath and a roll of his sexy, broad shoulders, he turned back toward the cow. “First up, I need to catch her, then I’ll get you to hold her steady while I help her get this calf out.”
I ran my gaze over the large animal. “Um, Bo? She’s kind of big. Like a lot bigger than me. How am I gonna be able to keep her steady?”
He glanced back to me with a smile. “You’ll be fine, sugar. I’d never let you get hurt. Once I catch her, I’ll bend one of her forelegs at the knee. That’ll hobble her. As long as you hold that foreleg bent, she won’t move. And, Gabs, this girl is tired and looking for some help. She shouldn’t give us too much trouble.”
I gave him a nod and he flew into action, rushing toward the cow and getting a hold of her neck before gripping the foreleg and bending it up, just as he’d said he would. She mooed at him but didn’t thrash. Circling around the animal, I moved to stand beside Boone, and he grabbed my wrist to guide my hand to take the place of his.
“Here, just hold this leg up like this.”
Doing as instructed, I watched as he retrieved chains from the bag. Wondering what exactly he was planning to do, I frowned as he disappeared from my view behind the animal with them. I thought he’d just reach in with his hand and pull out the calf, not use thick, metal chains. Since I didn’t want to distract him, I figured I’d ask about the mechanics of what he was doing later.
As the sun moved closer to the horizon, I tried to block out the noises coming from behind the cow and instead focused on her, making soothing sounds to the animal. She seemed content to stay put, not trying to get her leg free so I could hold her with one hand and use the other to stroke her head.
This wasn’t how I’d thought the night would go, but I wasn’t complaining. I was glad to be able to help Boone. I wasn’t sure how he’d do this on his own. And hopefully, this wouldn’t take too long then we could get back to our previous plans.
We had all night to spend together, after all.
