by Laurel Kerr
“I’m willing to help you as much as you want. One of the first steps is analyzing your disfluency. We’ve got plenty on tape, and we can watch it together if you want.”
Magnus bobbed his head again and lifted his eyes toward hers. “I’d like that, lass.”
She smiled softly, “So would I.”
* * *
That evening, after June had left and Bowie was watching Sorcha, Magnus found himself alone. He started leafing through Self-Therapy for the Stutterer. The steps it laid out were rigorous, but he’d handled intensity before. When he finished the first read-through, he reached into the old trunk Katie had loaned him and pulled out the book of children’s poetry. Not wanting Bowie to overhear, Magnus grabbed a penlight and slipped out into the empty zoo. The wind blew, sending tumbleweed careening down the paths between the exhibits. Ignoring the bite to the air, Magnus hunched over and headed toward Frida’s enclosure. The grizzly lifted her chin at his approach. Although she had access to her indoor den, she’d chosen to lie on her heated rock again. When he sat down on a nearby bench, she let out a rumbling sound. Magnus chose to interpret it as a greeting.
Glancing around to make sure no one but the animals could hear, he switched on the penlight and flipped open June’s anthology and began to read aloud. He tried to keep his tongue and jaw loose as he attempted to speak with the lightness the self-help book recommended. Frida quickly fell asleep, her soft snores filling the air. Magnus lowered his voice as he flipped the page. The poems were silly, meant to amuse bairns. But as he read them, he felt his mouth quirk upward, finding himself helplessly charmed by the playful verses…much like his reaction toward the woman who’d gifted him the book.
Chapter 8
Two weeks later, June was just finishing cleaning up the tea shop for the day when her phone rang. Seeing Katie’s number, she answered. “How are you feeling, honey?”
“Good,” Katie said. “The morning sickness hasn’t been too bad today. Your jam seems to be helping.”
“We need to get your testimony for Ginger Minted Bliss on the website.”
Katie laughed. “I’m not sure how persuasive that would be since I’m a part owner of your jam business.”
“Honey, I think any woman suffering from morning sickness would try just about anything safe and natural.”
“True,” Katie admitted, “but enough about me. I was calling on behalf of another pregnant lady. Lulubelle is in labor. You said you wanted to be here for the birth of her calf.”
“Why, of course!” June said. “After all, I was present at her first meeting with Hank.”
“Do you want to drop your grandmother off with my parents? Mom says she doesn’t mind, and Lulubelle is still a long way from delivering. There’s no one at my house since Lou is down at the paddock.”
“Already? Won’t that be a lot of standing for him?” The veterinarian was an active man, especially for his age, but he was still eighty years old, and June had a feeling camel births weren’t a quick process.
Katie sighed. “Lou can be stubborn, especially when an animal’s welfare is at stake. Bowie’s helped the llamas during labor, but this is his first camel birth. Lou wants to be on hand in case something goes wrong. Luckily, Magnus is helping too since he’s had a lot of experience delivering calves and foals.”
“Let me check with Nan first to see if she’s up for visiting the ranch. At least it’s familiar since she used to visit your grandparents out there.” Although June didn’t watch her grandmother 24/7, she didn’t like leaving her alone for long stretches of time. She worried what would happen if Nan spiraled into one of her spells with no one around to help her.
“You can tell her that my mom’s happy to have the company. She’s even pulled out old photographs of our grandparents together. She thought your nan might enjoy that.”
When June hung up the phone, she immediately found Nan, who was still knitting in her rocking chair at the front of the shop. Fortunately, her grandmother seemed thrilled with the idea of visiting the old Hallister homestead. Today had been a good one, and she didn’t seem overwhelmed by the drive or change of scenery. Even with her gran’s cooperation, it still took almost an hour before June finally arrived at the zoo.
She found everyone at the pen Bowie used when he wanted to separate one of the llamas from the rest of the herd. Lulubelle was lying down and breathing heavily. Bowie crouched by her side, talking to her in a reassuring tone. Someone had pulled up a chair for Lou. The older man leaned forward, resting his elbows against wooden slats of the stall as he watched the camel closely through the opening. June could tell the veterinarian wished he could leap off his chair and vault over the rails to assist. Instead, he settled for monitoring the whole process with eagle-eyed intensity.
Positioned off to the side, Katie stood behind her tripod as she filmed the birth. Like Bowie and Lou, her entire focus remained on the camel. Although June knew Katie cared for each of the critters at her husband’s zoo, her friend had a special spot of affection for Lulubelle. The camel had been the first to welcome her when she’d started volunteering, and Katie had been instrumental in finding the old girl a mate.
Abby sat next to Magnus on the top rung of the stall. The preteen swung her feet back and forth. Boredom showed on her pixie-like face, but other than giving June a welcoming wave, she didn’t move from her perch. Observing the early stages of a camel’s birth probably wasn’t the most exciting activity, especially for a kid with Abby’s energy level. But nothing, not even tedium, could tear the girl away from one of the animals that she loved.
June took up a position by Magnus. As she settled down next to him, she noticed the lines of his body were coiled for action. The man truly cared about animals, and for once, he wasn’t hiding his emotions. He looked up at her approach and then turned his gaze back to Lulubelle.
“How’s it going?” June whispered quietly, bending close to him. One of his curls framed his ear perfectly, and she resisted the urge to touch the silky strand.
“She’s just entered the last stages of labor,” Magnus said quietly, his entire attention zeroed in on Lulubelle. “The b-bairn should be here soon.”
Although June had come to watch the birth of the camel, she found her eyes drifting more than once in Magnus’s direction. His intensity fascinated her. His early books had been filled with his wonder for all living critters, and one particular passage she’d read recently sprang to mind. She remembered it because she’d emailed an excerpt to Katie, knowing Bowie would enjoy it.
Growing up on a croft crystallized in me the responsibility a man has for the creatures placed in his care. It is an instinct we carry in our souls passed down from our ancient forebears who set down their spears to build the first crude corrals.
What woman wouldn’t feel a touch swoony after reading that? June had never thought the salt-of-the-earth type would appeal to her, but an elemental part of her simply reacted to Magnus’s steadfastness.
“Shit,” Bowie said suddenly, his voice uncharacteristically worried. The thread of concern in his voice sent dread spiraling through June. She’d never seen the zookeeper flustered before…no matter what trouble the animals had caused. “Lou, you better take a look at this.”
Beside June, Magnus stiffened, clearly on alert too. Lou rose stiffly from his chair, but as soon as he was on his feet, he moved rapidly despite his unsteady gait. With a grunt, he bent to check on Lulubelle. When he straightened, his face looked grim. “We may have to turn the calf.”
At Lou’s pronouncement, Magnus jumped from his perch and landed in the birthing stall. Within seconds, he joined Bowie and Lou. “Breech?”
The two other men nodded solemnly. All looked worried. Magnus turned toward Bowie. “Have you done this?”
“Not with an animal this big,” Bowie admitted, rubbing the back of his head. A muscle in the side of his cheek twitched, and June could
tell he was clenching his teeth. “Lou can walk me through it, though.”
“I turned calves on the croft. Foals too,” Magnus said, his stutter nowhere to be heard.
Bowie and Lou exchanged a silent glance before Bowie nodded. “Okay. If it comes to that, you can take the lead.”
The minutes seemed to drag as Lulubelle’s breathing became more labored and erratic. Even knowing very little about animal husbandry, June could tell the camel was struggling. A horrible mix of terror and exhaustion filled the animal’s large brown eyes as she strained her massive body. Lou patted and comforted Lulubelle with his soothing voice, but her fear did not noticeably dim.
Finally, with a silent communication between the three men, Magnus began the long, brutal process of turning the calf. June had never watched anything like it. Magnus fought almost as hard as Lulubelle. It took both gentle precision and brute strength to adjust the calf’s position. The process wasn’t quick. It wasn’t easy. And it wasn’t without cost to both man and beast.
Sweat dripped down Magnus’s brow. June could see his back muscles bunch and pull under the flannel fabric of his shirt. His face showed the strain, and his arms trembled under the force, but still he fought to save both mother and baby.
Finally, he stepped back, and the calf began to appear. Time sped up as near-tragedy transformed into the miracle of birth. The calf soon rested on the ground, tired and trembling. It lay in a tangle of long, gangly limbs, its small mouth opening in the faintest of rumbling cries. The sound stole June’s heart. A relieved smile broke over Bowie’s face as he quickly stepped forward to towel off the little camel. With a matching grin on his weathered face, Lou heaped praises on Lulubelle as she clambered to her feet.
Breathing heavily, Magnus sat back on his haunches, his hands resting on his thighs. Tiredness and joy mixed in his face as he watched mother and calf. When Bowie finished taking care of the baby, he walked over to Magnus and gave the man a hand up. Magnus took it.
“Thanks,” Bowie said, his voice rough with gratitude. “I owe you.”
Magnus shook his head. “It needed d-d-doing.”
June’s heart squeezed, and she felt a bit of herself fall in love with the Scot. How could she not after that herculean display of strength to save two struggling animals?
“You did good,” Lou said, clapping Magnus on the shoulder. He bobbed his head in acknowledgment, red flags appearing over his cheekbones. Compliments clearly didn’t rest easy on him, but Magnus didn’t insult Lou by rejecting his praise. Instead, he gave another nod and then walked stiffly over to gently pat Lulubelle. He spoke in low tones, but June could hear him praising the new mama. Lulubelle stretched her long neck to nuzzle his hair. Although the camel always acted affectionately, the gesture seemed deeper. June couldn’t shake the feeling Lulubelle knew Magnus had saved her and was showing gratitude.
The new mama then headed over to her baby, inspecting it with her snout. The calf wiggled, already attempting to rise. It bleated with the effort. Lulubelle rumbled softly to her little one, the sound sweet and homey.
Abby made an oooo sound as she clasped her hands together under her chin as if she would explode if she didn’t try to hold in her joy. She gave a little bounce of excitement. Swiveling toward her father, she announced quietly, “This is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen!”
The fact that the preteen still managed to speak softly despite her enthusiasm showed how much time she spent around animals. Bowie chuckled and ruffled his daughter’s hair. “The calf is pretty darn cute.”
After giving her husband and stepdaughter a fond smile, Katie sidled up to June and whispered, “Bowie says a newborn calf can stand within two hours. Isn’t that incredible?”
June nodded as she kept her eyes trained on the little baby camel. It looked so small and tiny lying next to Lulubelle. Skinny too.
With gentle patience, Lou checked the vitals of both camels, even though June knew the elderly man’s muscles must be killing him after sitting for so long. Although his movements were stiff, he worked fast. A satisfied smile stretched across his face when he finished and moved back to the fence rail. Bowie and Magnus followed suit, allowing mother and calf the opportunity to continue to form a deep connection.
“I’d best be having a bath,” Magnus said quietly before he ducked from the barn and headed outside. June slipped after him.
“Magnus?”
He turned without stiffening like he had in the past when she’d followed him. Instead of annoyance, she just saw confusion. “Aye, hen?”
“What you did back there… It was amazing.”
Color rose in Magnus’s cheeks again, and she wondered why any attention, let alone praise, made the man so visibly uncomfortable.
“I’ve done it many t-t-times afore, lass. Just not with a camel. T-T-T-Turning a breeched animal is part of living on a croft.”
“It doesn’t make it less incredible. Without you, Lulubelle and her calf wouldn’t be here.”
“Bowie would’ve managed.”
June wasn’t so sure. Although Bowie was strong, he hadn’t grown up around large mammals, not like Magnus had.
June studied him closely, wishing she could understand him better. How could such a caring man have become so isolated? His gruffness was both a fortress and a weapon. If anyone tried to breach his walls, he cut them down before they could reach his inner keep. And there he stayed, alone and cut off.
“Why is it so hard for you to accept a compliment?” June asked softly.
Magnus’s eyes shuttered, and he opened the door to the main zoo facility. “I haven’t done anything to d-d-d-deserve it.”
June let him go inside alone. The man was clearly exhausted and covered in filth. It wasn’t fair to keep him from his shower. But as soon as he was out of earshot, she said softly, “I think you have.”
* * *
There was nothing like witnessing new life, Magnus thought as he watched the wee calf make another attempt to stand. Her mother hovered anxiously nearby, using her head to nudge and guide the peedie camel. The bairn managed to get her front legs up, but as soon as she tried to raise her hind ones, her forelegs folded at the knees. Her rear stuck in the air, her hooves splayed out to keep her back half upright.
“I think we should call her Knobby,” Abby proclaimed, her voice bright with the unabashed joy that only a child could display so freely.
Lulubelle chose that moment to snort. Loudly. Abby giggled. “I don’t think Mama likes that one. I guess it isn’t dignified enough. You haven’t named an animal yet, Miss Winters. Would you like to?”
“Do you want a good southern belle name?” June asked.
“Why not?” Bowie said with a shrug. Like Magnus, he’d sneaked off briefly to take a shower, and his wet hair stuck to his head. He must have been just as tired as Magnus, but his face shone with the same energy as his daughter’s. It wasn’t difficult to see the source of the lassie’s love for animals.
“Savannah,” June suggested. No sooner had the word crossed June’s lips than the wee bairn finally stood. She held her position for several seconds before her wobbly legs collapsed. The whole group chuckled softly, not wanting to frighten the calf.
“I think she likes it,” Abby said.
“Savannah it is,” Lou pronounced, and the wee camel struggled to her feet for a second time.
They stood in silence for a little longer before the group started to drift away. Bowie left first to check on Sorcha. Katie then nudged Abby, reminding her that she hadn’t started her homework. Abby made a couple protests, but Katie held firm. The preteen relented and followed her stepmother from the barn. After they left, Lou creakily walked back into the birthing stall. Magnus debated about helping the older man crouch down to check on the camels, but he didn’t want to embarrass him. June made a move to assist, but she must have thought better of it too. Lou manag
ed well enough on his own. When he was satisfied that mother and calf were doing well, he said his goodbyes and headed back to the house.
June lingered, obviously as enthralled with the peedie calf as Magnus. As she stood beside him, he noticed her sway slightly and then yawn. Magnus narrowed his eyes. It was not terribly late in the evening, but the lass must get up early in the morn to start the baking for her café, and she’d been standing on her feet for over two hours watching Savannah’s birth.
“You all right, hen?” Magnus asked.
June nodded as she smothered another yawn. “Four o’clock in the morning is showing on me, that’s all. I’d better go soon and pick up Nan, but I want to stay just five more minutes.”
She looked so tired standing there that Magnus acted without thinking. He stepped next to her and pulled her close, so she could lean her weight against him. She nestled into his body like it was the most natural thing. Pressing the back of her head against his chest, she gazed up at him. “Thanks.”
“’Tis nothing, lass. You’re a slight thing.”
Her mouth curved into a soft smile tinged with affection. Magnus almost dipped his head and captured her bonny pink lips with his own, but June returned her gaze to the camels. She sighed and wiggled closer. Tenderness whispered through Magnus like gentle snowflakes after a blizzard’s end. He only felt this content when sitting by a fire sipping whiskey and reading a good book. And he’d never experienced peace like this while in the company of another person. It was the kind of quiet that seeped into a man’s soul and slowly washed away the day’s worries.
Neither of them spoke as they watched Lulubelle fuss over her baby. Savannah managed to nurse on unsteady legs. Despite her wobbliness, she greedily drank the colostrum, the nutrient-rich milk that would help ensure her health and survival.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” June said, her voice full of wonder.
“Aye. A m-m-man can never grow weary of a sight like this.”