I can hear the music before I step inside.
Aretha Franklin’s voice is a smooth ribbon of sound, beckoning me in. I’ve convinced Josh that the girls like a little R&B while they’re calving.
It’s so warm inside I can slip my coat off. This barn is newer and about a thousand times nicer for calving. Instead of one rickety old heater, it has a few industrial units. Josh looks over at me and I feel a little kick in my tummy.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to those brown eyes, that sexy smile.
I hold up the thermos of coffee in my hand. “I come bearing gifts. How are the girls doing?”
“See for yourself.”
He steps to the side, and I see the next addition to our little herd. Still damp, with bits of straw clinging to its little frame. The calf is already trying to stand while its mother looks on.
I stop next to him, sliding an arm around his waist. “Beautiful.”
“Yeah.” He says, but he’s not looking at the new little calf.
He’s looking at me.
He kisses me before pulling back to look at me. His hand slips over the rounded curve of my tummy. She kicks, responding to his touch.
“Already a daddy’s girl.” I murmur.
His smile is so big. It’s contagious.
He wraps his arms around me, and we dance to the music as best we can, considering there’s a gigantic baby bump between us.
“You make a pretty good midwife.” I say. “Maybe I should hire you when it’s time.”
He turns me in his arms so that my back is flush with his stomach. “We’ll let the doctors take on that job.”
“We can’t have a home barn birth?”
“Fuck no.” He laughs, running his hands over my stomach. “We’re going to have the best doctors in the state.”
“Okay.”
“And I’ll call in the National Guard to keep watch over the hospital.”
“That’s a bit much, but if you insist.”
“I do.”
I rest my head against his chest. “Where will you be?”
“I’ll be right by your side.”
“Promise?”
“I swear. That’s where I’ll be. From here until eternity.”
