by Cate Beauman
He’d only been back a week, and already he itched for the noise and chaos of the city. Mucking stalls, milking cows, and inoculating piglets didn’t fascinate him the way it seemed to Abby. He pulled his weight, helping with repairs and whatever else he could, but he’d worked his ass off to get away from the stench of manure and endless worries over crop yield reports.
Nothing’s ever good enough for you, son. That’s your problem. You always want more. His father’s bitter words played through his head, as they did every time he came home, reminding him of why he didn’t come often. Dad had been gone almost two years, but the raw memories still lingered.
Clenching his jaw, he braced his hands against the wooden frame as Tim opened the barn door and stepped out. Abby was at his side in her designer jeans, work boots, and one of mom’s thick, plaid coats. Her cheeks were rosy and her face unframed with her hair tucked beneath her hat, accentuating her breathtaking beauty as she said something to his little brother, smiling as she spoke.
Jerrod cleared his throat and shifted his stance as he tried to ignore the uncomfortable twist of envy. It had been days since Abby aimed one of her killer grins his way. Other than the uncustomarily quiet trip into town last week for clothes, shoes, makeup, and whatever else she’d needed, he hardly saw her. Abby had fully immersed herself in their temporary new life, spending her days with Uncle Jimmy in the barn or with mom in the studio throwing clay and her nights in her room sketching and sewing, avoiding him.
They still spoke at breakfast and dinner or in the evenings when they watched a movie from time to time, but something was different; Abby was different. She didn’t joke with him anymore or dance and sing or pull him to her room to show off her latest fashion ideas. She was perfectly polite…and stiff—at least with him. Abby hadn’t been the same since Shelby entered the picture their first day here. His ex’s daily drop-ins had changed their relationship yet again.
Uncle Jimmy pulled up in his old F-150 and got out, handing off a wrench to Tim from the bed of his beat-up truck. He turned to leave and Abby stopped him, wrapping her arms around the big, burly old man. Jerrod winced, blinking his surprise when Uncle Jimmy hugged her back and kissed her cheek. He smiled, chuckling, shaking his head. There was something about her that no one could resist. In a week’s time she’d charmed the hell out of everyone she’d met, including his mother, and Marry Quinn was a hard sell.
Uncle Jimmy got in his tired vehicle and drove off with a wave. Abby and Tim waved back and started down the path at a casual stroll, arms linked, smiling, talking. They both stopped, bopping their heads as Abby grabbed the tool from Tim, bringing her impromptu microphone to her lips, then to Tim’s as their mouths moved in sync. Tim broke into an awkward dance, pulling Abby along with him. Her hips swayed as she moved her arms above her head. Tim grabbed her hand, tugging her forward, sending her crashing into his chest. They gripped each other close as she tipped her head back, laughing, and Jerrod looked away. How long had it been since he’d heard that sound?
He stepped away from the window as the front door shut and high heels echoed on the hardwood floor.
“Honey, I’m home,” Shelby said as she walked into the room in gray slacks and a low-cut black blouse, smiling. “Did you miss me?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets as he stared at the woman he grew up with, then dated and eventually lived with for almost a year of his life. She was beautiful, coolly so. Beneath her pretty Amazon-like package lay a nasty, manipulative viper ready to strike without mercy. Despite their long history, he and Shelby hadn’t ended well, yet he hesitated to tell her to go away. “Not so much.”
“Don’t be a jerk, Jerrod. I’m trying to play nice.” She set her purse on the coffee table, pausing as she looked out the window he’d stepped away from. “Well, well, well, there’s a cozy picture. Looks like Timmy snagged himself a city girl.”
Jerrod breathed in deep, rubbing at the back of his neck. “They’re friends.”
She pursed her lips and smiled. “Struck a nerve, did I?”
She did; they both knew it, but he’d be damned if he would admit it. “Why are you here, Shelby?”
“I just got off work.” She stepped closer, stopping almost toe-to-toe. “But I’ve been wondering the same thing about you. Why are you here, Jerrod? You clearly didn’t come back for me.” She slid her finger down the front of his shirt. “Right?”
He gripped her wrist, halting her movement, refusing to rise to her bait. “I’m back for a visit. That’s all.”
“What about her?” She gestured toward the window with a toss of her head. “Why did you bring her?”
He shrugged. “She’s a friend. We work together. We both had some vacation time, so she came with me.”
Her green eyes sharpened. “I’m not buying it.”
He was afraid of that. Shelby worked the news in a small town, but her mind was as sharp as any big-time reporters. “I don’t know what to tell you.”
“How about the truth.”
He wanted to tell her to go to hell, but sending Shelby away mad and curious was asking for trouble. She had the potential to be as detrimental to Abby’s safety as Toni Torrell had been if he didn’t stay cool and keep her close. “Look—”
The back door opened, and Abby’s smooth soprano voice melded with the off-key notes of his brother’s singing while they belted out Katy Perry’s Roar. Jerrod adjusted his stance, watching as Tim and Abby turned by the coat hook in the hall, shaking their asses at each other, laughing, while they pulled off jackets and boots. Tim plucked the dark red hat mom had knitted Abby from her head.
“Thanks.” She shoved the hat and her gloves in her coat pocket.
“No problem.” Tim blew on his hands and rubbed them together. “I’m going to have a cup of coffee. Do you want tea or something?”
“I’ll never turn down tea,” she said as they started toward the living room.
“Dollop of honey, honey?”
“You know how I like my drink, Timothy. I feel so…special.” She batted her lashes, grinning, stopping abruptly and almost crashed into Jerrod as they stepped into the room. “Oh.” Her smile faded as she looked from Jerrod to Shelby. “I didn’t see you. Hello.” She nodded politely to Shelby.
“Hi. How are the pigs?” Shelby asked.
“Growing.”
“Dream vacation, huh?”
“Give it a rest,” Jerrod warned as he glanced from Abby to Tim. “Slow day at the office, Timmy?”
“Not much going on. Everyone seems to be behaving.”
“You’ve been lucky all week.” He shoved his hands back in his pockets, eyeing his brother as the tension in the room grew unbearable.
Abby cleared her throat. “You know what? I’m going to take a rain check on the tea, Tim.” Abby took his hand. “Sorry about the milk in the eye.” She and Tim grinned at each other.
He shrugged. “Happens to the best of us.”
“I’m going to go clean up for dinner and hopefully give your mother a hand if she’ll actually let me. Are you staying?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
She nodded and turned for the stairs.
“Abigail,” Jerrod called, stepping toward her, not wanting her to go. “Ethan spoke with Mr. Terron today. He wasn’t able to find what you were looking for.” This wasn’t the time to give her an update on Margret, but he wasn’t sure when he would find a moment to speak to her.
She nodded again.
“Time for dinner, everyone,” Mom said as she peeked her head in from the kitchen. “Shelby, I didn’t know you were here.”
“I was on my way out.” She smirked as she stared at Abby.
“You’re not staying?” Jerrod asked, thinking fast, recognizing the rabid look in her eyes. A look that could only lead to trouble.
Her gaze flew from Abby to him. “Do you want me to?”
“That’s up to you.”
“Of course I will.” She sent him a sultry wink and started toward
the kitchen.
He stared into Abby’s eyes, catching the hint of hurt, understanding that he was pushing her further away by welcoming Shelby back into his life, but he didn’t see much of a choice. Her safety had to come before her feelings. He would dance with the devil to keep her alive.
~~~~
Jerrod kept his pace slow as he and Abby wandered the rows of cows, making certain all was well before they closed up the barn for the night. He was in no rush to head back to the house now that he finally had her alone. Mom and Uncle Jimmy were off to Bingo, Timmy was stuck in town on duty, and Shelby was…who knows where? He could have easily checked on the animals by himself, but he wanted this time with Abby. They needed it after the rocky past few days and tense dinner last night.
She’d met his eyes once during the torturous meal, then stared at the table, playing with the roast beef and vegetables on her plate while Shelby shared stories from their long-ago trip to Bermuda. He’d wanted to clear the air after Shelby and Tim left, but her bedroom light had gone out almost immediately after she went upstairs. He tried again this morning before breakfast, but she’d gone to the barn early, staying out all day until mom forced her in for a quiet, uncomfortable supper.
He stopped next to Abby as she peeked into the second to last stall. “I guess everything’s good.”
He nodded. “Everyone’s officially tucked in for the night.” He tried a smile, hoping to keep the conversation going. Abby had barely looked at him, let alone spoken during the last half hour.
She gave him a small smile in return. “Looks like.”
He rubbed his fingers over his chin, trying to figure out how to break through this awkwardness between them. He hated that she had her guard up as she met his eyes. He glanced at his watch. “You know, it’s still pretty early. Do you want to see if there’s a movie on?”
“Oh, I can’t.” She swiped at the loose strands falling free from her ponytail and crossed her arms in mom’s work coat. “I really need to finish up the sketches I’m working on.”
He wanted to push, but nodded again instead. If she didn’t want to watch a movie, he would find a reason to knock on her bedroom door. One way or the other they were going to move past this. “We should probably head back then.”
“Yeah.” She started walking away.
He steamed out a breath of frustration as he tossed a glance into the last stall, stopping when he spotted the heifer lying on the hay. “Hold up.”
She stopped. “What?”
He opened the pen and stepped in, noting the glob of amniotic fluid and two hooves well on their way into the world. “It looks like we have a calving going on.”
“A calving?” She dashed back, stopping at his side. “Oh my gosh. Do we need to call the vet?”
He grinned as she stared down at the cow. He’d watched hundreds of heifers drop their calves, but he’d never done so with Abby. “Nah, I’ve handled a few of these.”
She looked at him, her eyes full of worry as she nibbled her lip. “What should we do?”
“Wait it out. Maybe give Mama here a little hand. Baby’s looking pretty big.” He took off his jacket, tossing it away, and pushed up the sleeves of his sweatshirt as he knelt down at the cow’s back end.
Abby did the same with her jacket and black long sleeves and knelt next to him. “How do we do that?”
“When she has a contraction, we’ll give the calf a little pull.” The heifer’s stomach bunched into a hard ball. “Like right now.”
Mama pushed and Jerrod grabbed hold of the slippery, spindly legs, tugging.
“Oh, look.” Abby grinned as her dark blue eyes widened with excitement. “I think the head’s coming.”
He smiled, sitting on his haunches, while mama rested. “Baby’s coming along just fine. You wanna try with the next one?”
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation.
He scooted back. “Come on over.”
Abby knee-walked her way to the spot he’d just occupied.
Mama started pushing again.
“You’re on.”
She licked her lips looking from Mama to him. “What—what do I do?”
“Hands above the hooves and pull.”
Abby hesitated. “I don’t want to hurt them.”
“You won’t.”
She put her hands on the calf’s legs as he had and pulled. “She’s so slippery.”
He moved in behind Abby, breathing in her shampoo as he pressed his chest to her back, surrounding her with his body as he wrapped his hands above hers on the calf. “I don’t think this is a she. I think we’ve got a bull on the way. This baby’s a big one. Just a little harder.” He gave a strong tug.
“It’s working.”
Jerrod grunted his assent as Mama’s contraction ebbed. They were making progress, but they should’ve had a head with that last round. “I’ll be right back.” He hurried off to the supply cabinet, grabbing towels, the iodine solution they would eventually need, and gloves, pulling the rubber up to his shoulders as he walked into the stall, dropping the extra supplies by their jackets. “When she contracts again I’m going to help with the head. I want you to pull on the legs like we just did.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Here we go.” He reached in the heifer, wincing, his arm aching with the squeezing power of the contraction as he fought to advance the head while Abby went to work on the legs. “Good. Good. Here he comes.” The calf’s muzzle emerged, and Jerrod tore off his gloves as he hurried behind Abby, resting on his haunches, surrounding her with his body, grabbing hold of the hooves as he did before. “One more good pull,” he said, his voice strained with his efforts. “We don’t want to rip Mama up, but we don’t want to lose the momentum either. We need to get him out.”
Mama mooed her protest as the head was finally born.
“Keep going,” he urged. “Use what’s left of this contraction.” They both gave another solid tug, falling back in the hay as the calf’s body slipped free.
Jerrod sat up as Abby rested against his chest.
“We did it.” She turned her head, looking up at him, slightly breathless, then gave her attention to the cow. “Oh, he’s gorgeous.” She got to her knees next to the bull as he lay in the hay, a soggy mess, blinking. “He’s so sweet.”
Jerrod smiled as she hovered over the newborn. “He’s pretty cute now, but one day he’ll be a mean bastard.” He reached for one of the towels behind him. “Here.” He tossed the old, ratty cotton her way. “Go ahead and give his nostrils a wipe and dry him off. We’ll give him a good rub to get his circulation going since it’s pretty chilly.”
He grabbed the second towel, and they both rubbed at the sleepy new calf.
“I have a hard time imagining such an adorable baby being mean.”
“He will be. Trust me on this one.” He grabbed the iodine solution. “Do you want to treat his umbilical cord?”
“Yes.”
He handed over the spray bottled. “You’ll want to tent the membrane open like this.” He pulled the remaining cord open. “Then squirt two shots in and slide it down toward his stomach.”
“Will it hurt him?”
He shook his head. “It helps keep him healthy. If we don’t do this he can get an infection.”
She did as he’d showed her, spraying the solution, sliding it down the length of the cord.
“Good.” He nodded is approval. “Now give a spray to the outside as well and he’s all set.”
She coated the membrane, setting down the bottle with a smile. “This is so cool.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Definitely.”
He looked at Mama again still lying down. “We need to get her up.” He got to his feet, walking over to the new mother. “Ha. Ha,” he shouted, giving her a forceful shove with the side of his leg. “Come on. Ha.”
“She needs to rest.”
“Ha. Ha.” He shoved again, and Mama finally got up.
“She
needed to rest, Jerrod,” Abby scolded. “She had a hard delivery.”
He shook his head. “She needs to get right up or she’ll birth her own uterus. We don’t want to mess around with that.”
She wrinkled her nose and laughed as the bull tried to gain his feet while mama licked him.
He chuckled, enjoying Abby’s pleasure at seeing something he’d witnessed countless times in a new light. “What do you say we lay down a clean bed then go in and wash up?” He grabbed the soiled gloves in one hand and held out the other for her to grab. She took it, and he pulled her up.
“What about the animals?”
“They kind of take care of things from here. Uncle Jimmy will give him his inoculations when it’s time, but otherwise Mama handles the rest.”
“Okay then.” She grabbed their jackets, put hers on, and draped his over his shoulders as he held the filthy gloves.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She picked up the towels and spray bottle, and they walked out, taking care of the trash, swapping out soiled hay for fresh. Twenty minutes later, they stepped into the cold night, their breath pluming as Jerrod closed the barn up behind them.
“I’m so glad we were there for that.”
“I’m sure Mama was too.” He smiled as they started down the short path back to the house, relieved that she seemed more relaxed around him. “How about a cup of tea after we clean up?” Now that she was finally talking to him again, he wasn’t ready for her to go upstairs and disappear for the rest of the evening.
“Sure.”
He opened the back door, letting her in before him. “Why don’t I take your coat? I’ll stick it in the wash.” He peeled his off and grabbed hers.
“Thanks. I guess I’ll go up and shower off.”
“See you in a few.” He walked to the laundry room, stripping off his clothes, making use of the small shower dad had installed years ago. He rinsed off quickly and grabbed the clean pair of jeans and t-shirt folded on the drier. The water shut off upstairs as he headed to the kitchen, flipping on the dim light above the range, turning on the back left burner on the stove.