Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“She’s not in labor.” Axel set his veterinarian bag on a bench and adjusted Phoebe in his arms before turning to me. “Sorry. I had to bring her.”
“No need for apologies. Of course, it’s fine,” I assured him. “But she’d probably more comfortable in a cozy bed. Can Phee stay at your house for a few hours, Josh?”
“That’s not necessary. If I can get a couple of blankets for her, Phee’ll be okay on that bale of hay in the corner while I see to Hazel.”
I frowned, but Josh shook his head and stepped forward.
“Tanner’s right. She’ll be comfortable at our house. I know she just met us, but we’re up the lane from here. It’s a five minute walk…less if you’re in a hurry. We can put a blow-up bed in the girls’ room where it’s nice and warm…and clean. Angie’s awake. She was just texting me to see how Hazel was doing. I’ll call her now and have her get ready for a pint-sized guest.”
Axel froze. A myriad of emotions crossed his handsome face—irritation, annoyance, gratitude, and maybe…acceptance.
“That’s generous of you,” he grunted in his usual crusty manner.
I motioned for him to pass Phoebe to me. “In the meantime, let me take her, so you can examine Hazel.”
Another frown, and maybe a hint of a growl, like a wolf, protective and territorial. But Axel gently set her in my arms, waiting a beat to be sure she didn’t wake. With a brusque nod, he pulled off his jacket, donned a vet’s heavy-duty apron, and marched into the stall.
Phoebe’s golden hair cascaded over my shoulder. I brushed a stray strand from her eyes, noting the contrast of her delicate long lashes and chubby cheeks. She literally looked like an angel. I thought she had her dad’s eyes, but everything else about her was so petite that I had to bet she was the spitting image of her mom.
Yeah, I was very curious about that particular missing link in Axel’s story. Where was Phoebe’s mother? Was there a messy divorce? Was she an unfit parent or did they have a complicated joint custody arrangement? He hadn’t given the slightest hint about her.
It was none of my business, but I wanted to know what made Axel tick. He was quite possibly the most intense and contradictory person I’d ever met. Aloof yet present, gruff one moment and tender the next.
I watched him examine Hazel, modulating a clinical delivery to Vic to something sweeter for the struggling cow.
“Don’t you worry, girl. We’ll get you feelin’ right as rain,” Axel cooed, snapping at Vic to grab a vial from his bag.
Josh moved to my side, slipping his cell into his pocket. “Ang is getting the bed ready. It’ll be easier to carry her to my house than fuss with a car seat. Think the big scary bear will mind?”
My lips curled in a lopsided half grin. “Yep, but he can’t be in two places at once, and she’s just a kid. She needs sleep.”
Phee stirred in my arms, blinking to consciousness with a confused frown. “Where’s my daddy?”
“He’s with Hazel.” I gestured to the stall. “She’s sick, but your dad is going to make her feel better.”
“It might be a while yet. We made a bed for you at our house. You can have a sleepover with Abby, and in the morning, we’ll make pancakes. What do you say?” Josh whispered.
Phoebe’s eyes widened. “A sleepover? Did Daddy say yes?”
“He did,” I confirmed. “Say good-bye real quick. Josh will take you, and Abby’s mom will you show you her room.”
“Okay, yes.” Phoebe wiggled out of my arms and ran to the stall, stopping at the entrance like someone who’d learned a few rules about large animal care.
“Thanks, Josh. This is really nice of you. Tell Angie thanks, too,” I said.
“It’s no problem at all. The kids will be excited to have a surprise guest over.” He zipped his jacket and yawned. “I’ll be back as soon I can.”
“That might not be necessary. Shoot me a text, and I’ll let you know where we’re at.”
“Sounds good.”
I saw Phoebe and Josh off before joining Axel and Vic. “How’s Hazel? Do you think it’s milk fever again?”
“No.” Axel tapped a syringe. “It’s early-stage toxemia.”
“Oh, shit.”
“It’s more common in beef cattle than dairy, but it happens. Dennis’s herd was hit harder by illness than he wanted you to know,” he grumbled, meeting my gaze. “Hazel suffered from dehydration after her last pregnancy and she shouldn’t have been bred again so soon. I’m giving her a glucose, calcium bicarbonate, and magnesium solution. This will have to be administered daily until we can safely induce labor. She’ll be all right, though. I’ll see to it.”
I inclined my chin. “I know you will. What can I do?”
Axel closed the distance and spoke in a low tone, for my ears only. “Just stand there and look pretty for me, cowboy.”