Leann Harris - Fresh-Start Ranch

They heard another whinny followed by Tessa’s voice. “Easy, girl.”

William turned and started toward the stable. “You better hurry before my mother gets back, because she’ll object.” He disappeared into the stables.

The sheriff turned to the gathered crowd. “No sense in moving that mare until she’s delivered. Let’s get the rest of these animals loaded.”

Ethan knew exactly where he needed to go. He walked into the stables and saw William standing at the last stall at the back of the structure. When he looked at Ethan, William’s ashen face sent alarm bells going off in Ethan’s head.

He rushed to the stall and saw Tessa on her knees. Sweat plastered the curls to her face and neck. Her eyes met his. He saw her concern and seriousness of the situation, but he also saw a woman who knew what needed to be done.

“Can I help?”

“The foal is breech and I need to turn it.”

“What do you need for me to do?”

“Talk to this sweet lady and calm her while I work to turn the foal.”

Could she do it? He didn’t know, but they were about to find out.

As they worked together, they were able to rotate the foal so the front legs were in the right position. Ethan helped Tessa, keeping the mare calm.

“That’s it, Lady. You’re doing a great job.” Tessa looked at Ethan. “One of the foal’s legs is still folded partially under the body. I’m going to try to straighten it out.”

The mare looked at Tessa, her liquid brown eyes focused on the doctor.

“I’m trying, girl.” Tessa didn’t panic but worked at trying to straighten out the one leg. Tessa reached it and grabbed the second hoof and pulled it forward. Lady gave a sigh.

In the next instant, both legs and a head appeared. Lady took over from there, and gave the final push.

Tessa sat back on her heels and smiled. “We—” she looked at him, then Lady “—did it.”

Chapter Two

Tessa settled the blanket around the filly’s shivering form. The miracle of birth always brought tears to her eyes. No matter how many births she attended, they were always awe inspiring. Ethan steadied the mare as she struggled to her feet.

Tessa’s eyes met his. Satisfaction glowed there.

“Thanks for the help,” she murmured. Oddly, they had worked well together, anticipating each other during Hope’s birth.

William’s voice floated into the stables. “Ma, they have a court order.”

“I don’t care,” came the shrill reply. “They don’t have the right. I’ve sold that foal and ain’t goin’ to give back the money.”

Tessa met Ethan’s gaze. His lips pressed into a line of disgust.

The sheriff appeared in the doorway. “If you’re ready, I’d like to get out of here ASAP.”

“We’re ready,” Tessa answered.

“I’ll carry the foal,” Ethan told them, “and that should take care of the mare. She’ll follow.”

“Put a bridle on her,” Tessa instructed as she cleaned up. “It will help later.”

“So you plan on taking the horses to the vet’s place?” Sheriff Teague asked.

The clinic couldn’t handle all the horses long-term, but there might be another place the rescue group used. For now it would be easier to assess the horses’ state of health at the clinic. She could also document their condition and take pictures, which she hadn’t been able to do because of the emergency. “Is there another facility the rescue group uses?” Tessa asked.

“No.” Ethan looked around for a bridle. When he didn’t spot one, he found a piece of rope and fashioned it into a halter to go over the mare’s head. “The last time we did a rescue, Doc kept the horses at his clinic, but then there were only twelve horses. The next day we found foster homes for the animals.”

Ethan walked to Tessa’s side and scooped up the foal. The filly wouldn’t make it onto the trailer on such shaky legs.

“I’ll grab my medical bag and Momma’s lead.”

Ethan waited until Tessa had gathered her tackle box before he walked outside. On unsteady legs, the mother horse followed her baby. Tessa caught the trailing end of the rope as a precaution.

Out in the yard, an elderly woman lunged at Ethan. Sheriff Teague stepped in her way.

“He can’t take the foal,” the woman argued. “She’s spoken for.”

Ethan walked into his trailer and set the foal on her feet. The foal stumbled around, trying to catch her balance. The mare followed. Ethan tied her to the inside O-ring, anchoring the rope.

“Stop him,” the woman yelled.

“Take it up with the judge, Doris,” the sheriff replied.

She came face-to-face with Ethan. “You take care of that foal.”

Tessa stared in amazement at the woman. She hadn’t taken care of the mother horse and now was worried about the foal? Something wasn’t right.

“The doc will take good care of her,” Ethan answered, but his tone, understanding yet firm, surprised Tessa.

The woman shook her finger at Ethan. “You be sure.”

“What you need to worry about, Doris, is calling the county court and seeing when your hearing is scheduled. You can complain to the judge,” the sheriff interjected.

Doris snarled at him.

Ethan turned his back on the woman and walked Tessa to the cab of her truck. Tessa wondered if the woman might rush them.

“Don’t worry,” Ethan whispered. “Doris talks big, but she won’t do anything outright in front of everyone.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve known her all my life.”

Tessa was pretty sure she knew what that meant—Doris would have someone else do her dirty work. “I’ll see you back at Doc’s office.” He turned, starting toward his truck. He paused, turned and gave her a thumbs-up. “You did a great job delivering that foal, Doc.”

The praise shocked Tessa. He didn’t wait for a response, just headed toward her truck.

But as they drove back to the clinic, she thought about Ethan’s words. She wasn’t the only one who’d done well. It’d been touch-and-go there. As they worked to save the foal, he’d accurately anticipated her needs before she voiced them.

They made a good working team.

The thought shook her to her core and set her protective instincts on alert.

* * *

Ethan walked down the center aisle of the hospital barn, looking for Tessa. He carried a cup of hot, fresh coffee. He would relieve Tessa and take the next shift of watching and hand-feeding Momma and her babe. It was close to four in the morning. Once they’d gotten back to the veterinary hospital, Tessa and Dr. Adams had worked evaluating the horses, starting IVs and seeing to the needs of the most critical of the animals. They documented their work so it could be used in court. Not once had Doc Adams had to direct Tessa. She knew her stuff. One of the other volunteers had commented that Doc’s new partner knew her way around a horse. Word would quickly spread about her abilities.

After initial evaluations, she checked each horse a second time, then took the second shift of feeding Lady, the foal’s dam. They’d sent all the other volunteers home after the horses were settled outside in the paddock.

Doc had taken the first shift of watching mare and foal. Now it was Ethan’s turn to take the shift from four to seven. He stopped at the door to the stall. Tessa sat on a three-legged stool beside the sling of hay attached to the sidewall of the stall.

Tessa’s eyes were closed. But despite her tired, vulnerable appearance, he knew his perspective on her had undergone a major change. After what they’d been through yesterday, looking at Tessa now, she didn’t look like a high school freshman he first mistook her for. Instead, what he saw was a petite woman who had a dazzling smile and a voice that could calm the most nervous horse or stressed person. He also saw a determined soul. The lady knew her stuff. But what he felt went deeper than appreciation for her skill.