“How was your day?” Lauren asked Becky.
“Okay.”
“How did your project on the cow’s digestive system go?”
“Okay.” She played with her food, pushing it around in circles.
“What are you working on now?”
Becky shrugged.
Lauren asked a few more questions and Becky answered in quiet monosyllables, never lifting her eyes from her plate. I’m such a jerk. She wouldn’t give up, though.
“How’re your calves? Your mom says you’re feeding them after school.” She noticed Callie was staying quiet, no doubt to give her and Becky a chance to reconnect.
Becky brightened, always ready to talk about her animals. “While I was feeding Bolt, Rhino sucked the tail of my coat. He made it all wet and slobbery.”
Lauren chuckled and smiled when Becky glanced up. “I guess Rhino was hungry too.”
“Yeah.” Becky grinned. “I fed him next.”
“Max looks good. He’s gained weight.”
“We feed him three times a day. He gobbles up the puppy food and walks faster now.”
“Well done.” Lauren smiled at Becky. “Want to watch a movie with me tonight? We can watch it on my laptop, since I can’t really move around much. You pick.”
Becky looked at Callie.
Callie laid a hand on Becky’s shoulder. “After homework.”
After dinner and homework, Becky brought a movie to Lauren’s room. They talked for a while and Lauren told Becky about T.J., William, and Sam. Becky asked many questions about Sam. Lauren apologized for being distant and told Becky she liked her, and she’d never do anything to come between Becky and her mom. When Becky was satisfied with Lauren’s explanation, she started the movie.
At Lauren’s invitation, Becky crawled into the bed and curled at her side. They laughed and cheered through the movie. Lauren gazed down at Becky and was thankful Becky had forgiven her. She’d missed the energy and exuberance of a child.
* * *
As Lauren rose from her bathtub after a hot soak, her phone rang. Damn it. She wasn’t on call and ached to put on soft pajamas and relax in front of a movie. It had been a long day at work even though Ian had put her on light duties. Her wound itched, and she was sore, but she had returned to work on Monday after four days of pampering at Poplarcreek. Callie invited her to stay longer but had driven Lauren home when she insisted. It was sweet of Callie, but she needed to get back to her own life, her own routine. Things were okay between them. Not flirty and easy like they had been, but gentle and even, like the friends they were.
Lauren sighed as she answered the phone. “Dr. Cornish speaking.”
“Hi, Lauren. I’m having trouble with another calving. Can you help me, please?”
Lauren hesitated for a second. Callie had phoned her at home instead of going through the clinic answering service. This was Callie calling her good friend, not her veterinarian. Lauren had Val’s friendship and now Callie’s and it was awesome. “Sure, Callie. On my way.” Friends helped friends and she’d go to Poplarcreek even if she had to crawl.
Lauren arrived at Poplarcreek an hour later. Callie met her at the barn door. “Sorry for the terrible drive.”
“No problem.” It was a thirty-minute drive to Poplarcreek, but it took an hour in the driving snow. Lauren’s back and shoulders burned after the long drive. She had slipped off the road twice, but with the four-wheel drive, she didn’t get stuck. “What’s been happening?”
“I’ve found two front legs and the nose, but when I heave on the legs, it doesn’t come. It’s not a big calf. Its legs are skinny. I was hoping to handle the calvings now that the heifers are done, but I can’t handle this one and I’m scared it’s taking too long.”
“I agree they’re front legs.” Please, be a calving, not another C-section. Lauren washed the cow as usual and tugged on an OB glove. She kneeled and reached inside the animal. It felt good to stretch her shoulders, but her back screamed. “You have two front legs, but they’re not part of the same calf.” Lauren watched the confused expression on Callie’s face transform into understanding.
“Twins?”
“Two calves for you tonight, my friend. I love calving twins. The puzzle of sorting out the legs of each calf and choosing which to deliver first. Twins are small and easy to pull out, so there’s no need for a C-section or even calving chains. We have enough time with this calving. Do you want to feel inside?”
Callie squinted at Lauren.
“I promise there’s enough time. The calves are all right.”
“Okay, I’ll try.” Callie slipped on an OB glove and kneeled beside Lauren. Her forehead creased in concentration, Callie groped inside to find what Lauren described.
Lauren sat back on her heels and admired Callie as she worked. How does she manage to look so gorgeous in insulated coveralls and a worn orange wool cap? Lauren sighed. It was the glow and energy radiating from Callie’s body. It was as if Callie were magnetic and drew her in.
After a minute, Callie relaxed and grinned at Lauren. “So cool.” Callie shifted, prepared to remove her arm.
Lauren stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “While you’re in there, do you want to pull the calves out?”
Callie nodded. “All right, but you stay right there.” Callie pointed with her chin to the other side of the cow.
“Deal.” Lauren sighed in relief. Her back was more painful than she had realized. It was a mistake to respond to Callie’s emergency call because she wasn’t ready, but she couldn’t resist answering Callie’s request for help. If it had been a C-section, she would have called Ian.
“How do I start? With the calf whose head I’m touching?”
“That’s what I would do.” Callie impressed Lauren in so many ways. She was smart, eager to learn, and dove in there. She wasn’t afraid of anything. The dead calf hadn’t destroyed Callie’s confidence, which was what Lauren had been worried about.
“Got it.”
Lauren stood and pulled on the legs of the first calf in one steady motion. It was a small calf and slid out with room to spare, past Callie who leaned out of the way. “I’ll clean this calf. You grab the second one.” Lauren flipped the calf on its chest, wiped its face, and tickled the inside of its nose with a piece of straw. When the calf was snorting and blinking, Lauren focused on Callie.
A minute later, Callie popped the second calf out and worked away on it as she often had in the past. “Two healthy calves. My lucky night.”
It was a pleasure seeing confidence return to Callie’s eyes. “You were incredible. I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
Callie did a little happy dance. “To think only a few months ago I thought the stork brought calves.” Callie nudged Lauren with an elbow. “Oh, what the heck.” Callie grabbed Lauren’s face and placed noisy comical kisses on each of her cheeks. “Thanks, teach.”
Lauren gasped as the abrupt movement jarred her back.
Callie’s hand flew to cover her mouth as she stepped back. “Oh, Lauren. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You’re not ready to be calving cows again. Why are you here? I can’t believe I was so stupid. I had trouble and I panicked, and I instantly went to you.” Callie clasped Lauren’s hands and stared into her eyes. “Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”
Lauren couldn’t stifle the groan of pain. “Fine, Cals. Just sore.”
Callie insisted on doing the entire cleanup and stowed Lauren’s equipment in her truck. Then Callie grasped her hand and led her into the house. In the mudroom, Callie shook wet flakes off her coat and hung it up. “The snow’s coming in sideways.”
“I should go now before the weather worsens.”
“I don’t think it could be worse.” Her arms crossed over her chest, Callie scrutinized Lauren until she squirmed. “It’s not safe to drive. If you become lost or stuck, you might freeze to death or get frostbite. The roads are deserted this time of night. If you skidded off the road nobody would find you until spring.
I shouldn’t have called you out, but I did, and now I’m responsible for you. Please stay. I’ve plenty of room.”
It wouldn’t hurt to get warm, at least. The shivers were making her back hurt. They toed off their boots and Lauren hung up her coat. They set their gloves and hats near the radiator, and their boots upside down on the boot warmer.
In the kitchen, Lauren headed to the window and studied the storm. The snow slammed against the glass and a cold draft leaked around the window latch. She could no longer see her truck or Callie’s barn. She would prefer not to drive home in this weather but regretted imposing on Callie yet again.
“You’re not considering leaving, are you?”
“No, you’re right. Visibility is nonexistent.” Lauren continued to peer into the storm. “It reminds me of the snowstorm in The Painted Door.”
Callie moved behind Lauren and placed her hands on the Lauren’s hips, careful not to touch Lauren’s back. “Sinclair Ross helped the reader see the harshness and loneliness of a winter storm on the prairies. I see the beauty and the magnificence of nature in a storm. As long as the people I love are safe, and I don’t have to drive in it.” Callie kissed Lauren on the back of the head.
The people I love? Love? The word made Lauren both tingle with delight and quake with terror. She stuffed her feelings deep and reentered the conversation. “I see the beauty you mention, but the cold and loneliness were in the heart of a wife dissatisfied with her life.” Touched by the affection in the small kisses, Lauren twisted to grin at Callie.
Callie bestowed the next kisses on Lauren’s lips before she returned to the dinner preparations. “Don’t you think part of the failure between husband and wife was his decision to work fifteen hours a day? He ignored her request for him to spend more time with her.”
Lauren tilted her head, thinking. “There was a lack of communication and one partner made all the decisions. It was wrong then and would be wrong now. How can one person believe they’re so smart their decisions must always be best?” She walked toward Callie. “Can I help with dinner?”
Callie continued to chop vegetables for their meal, her expression contemplative. “You’ve worked enough tonight. Why don’t you rest in front of the fireplace?”
Lauren accepted the invitation and strolled into the living room. She studied the stack of logs beside the fireplace. She’d love a wood fire but wasn’t sure she had the energy to build it. She riffled through a stack of papers sitting on top of the logs.
“Those are all from Heinz.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t snooping. I was going to build a fire and they were just sitting here.”
Callie took the stack. “They’re various surveys, letters, and offers from Heinz to buy Poplarcreek.” Callie held up a paper. “See this one? It’s a listing for a berry farm for sale in British Columbia. Think Heinz is hinting?” Callie laughed. “I use them as fire starter. It’s very satisfying.” Callie kneeled and built the fire.
Lauren watched the papers catch fire. She almost suggested Callie was destroying evidence she might need later, but she tamped the idea down and settled on minding her own business, for once. Lauren stretched out on the couch. Callie spread a blanket over her and perched on the edge of the armchair.
“I see that look on your face. Those papers are all photocopies. A couple are legitimate offers for Poplarcreek. It’s astonishing how little Heinz thinks he needs to pay me. Anyway, my lawyer says they won’t help us against the Krugers. The big deal is the drug smuggling, and apparently, the police have another video of Kyle at the border, which they only paid attention to thanks to us reporting what we did. I’m hoping the Krugers have more to worry about than continuing to hassle me.”
“I still worry about you and Becky.”
“And we worry about you. Enough Kruger talk. Let’s have a peaceful evening.” Callie stood. “I’ll leave you alone. Rest now.”
Lauren woke with a start when Callie kissed her. She blushed, embarrassed at being caught napping. She cupped Callie’s face in her hands and kissed her soft, parted lips. “How long was I asleep?”
Callie was leaning over Lauren, her arms braced on the edge of the couch. “About thirty minutes.” Callie straightened and held out her hand. “You looked relaxed and peaceful. It was a shame to wake you, but I couldn’t let your dinner get cold.”
Lauren took Callie’s hand so she could stand and then stretched one sore muscle at a time. Becky was already seated at the kitchen table and Lauren gave her shoulder a squeeze.
“Anybody interested in going to a horse show in Saskatoon next weekend?” Lauren asked.
Becky bounced in her seat “Is it the same one Gwen’s going to?”
“It is.”
“Mommy, can we go, please?”
Callie gave Becky a one-armed hug. “Sure, we can go. How about we take Lauren to dinner afterward?”
“Is Sam coming?”
“Sam? I—she…” Lauren went cold. What was she doing? She wasn’t part of the Anderson family and needed to remember that. Her children were three thousand kilometers away.
Callie said, “Sweetie. Sam’s in Ontario, but maybe when she visits next, we can take her.”
“Cool.”
Lauren smiled at Callie with gratitude. “Anything’s possible. Sam’s thinking about visiting me next summer.” Maybe the two families could do something together.
“Does Sam like cattle?” Becky asked.
“Not sure she’s seen many.”
Becky puffed out her chest. “I’ll show her Poplarcreek and the calves. Mommy, can I see the twins after dinner?”
“It’s too cold. I’ll show you in the morning,” Lauren said and then paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. “Sorry, Callie.” There she was thinking she was a parent again.
One eyebrow raised, Callie focused on Lauren. “Sort of automatic for you? This parenting thing.”
“Sorry. Becky, it’s up to your mom when you see the twins.”
After a beat, Callie leaned over and kissed Becky on the top of the head. “Yes, Lauren will show you the new calves in the morning but only if you get out of bed right away. You’re not missing the bus just to look at the twins.”
“Okay, Mommy. Thanks, Lauren. Yippee!”
After dinner, Lauren did the dishes while Callie checked on her animals. When Callie returned, they climbed the stairs to bed. At the top, they hesitated until Lauren headed toward the spare room after giving Callie a quick kiss on the cheek.
Lauren lay awake thinking about Callie. She ached to go to her, and the invitation had been there in Callie’s eyes, but she was too sore, and sex would be disappointing. It was still excruciating to raise her arms to undress, let alone do anything romantic.
In the morning, Callie prepared breakfast. They ate in companionable silence and lingered over coffee. Then Callie loped upstairs to wake Becky for school.
“Knock, knock.”
Lauren glanced up from her coffee and spied Mitch in the mudroom. Damn it. Way to wreck a great morning. Officer Butch and Bossy has arrived. “Callie’s upstairs getting Becky ready for school. She called me last night to help with a calving.” Lauren blushed. Why did she feel the need to defend her presence? Did Mitch drop by often? They’d never crossed paths, and with all the time Lauren spent at Poplarcreek, it seemed unlikely. It made her feel a little better.
“Hello, Dr. Cornish.” Mitch poured herself a coffee. “You arrived the night before and are still here at breakfast?” Suspicion marred Mitch’s handsome features. “I hope you’re not charging her by the hour.”
Lauren noticed the formal address and followed suit. “Hilarious, Officer Mitchell, but don’t give up your day job.”
“Oh burn. So, why are you still here?”
“I thought you had me figured out. You’re not much of a detective.” Mitch glowered at her. Had she pushed the cop too far? “I was snowed in. Satisfied?”
“Why are you here? I mean in Saskatchewan. You ditched your wife and chi
ldren in Ontario.”
It was Lauren’s turn to glower. “Didn’t realize gossip was part of your job.”
Mitch shrugged. “You’re not good enough for her. She deserves better.”
“Not good enough?” Lauren asked.
“You clearly can’t or won’t protect her. When I told you to come stay with her after you reported all this shit to the police, you told me to do it instead. She’s here alone way too often, and you’re not doing shit to keep her and Becky safe.” Mitch scowled. “You can’t even protect yourself. I warn you to watch your back and you go to Kruger Farm and pick a fight with a bull. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“Well, my matador skills are rusty.”
“She thinks you’re funny, but you’re a smartass. Callie deserves better than a woman who would abandon her family and run away.” Mitch’s nose crinkled as if there were a bad smell in the room. “When was the last time you saw your kids? Do you ever send your ex-wife money? Your eyes just filled with guilt, Cornish. More than a smartass, you’re a wimp. Liz was worth ten of you.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Mitchell. And none of this is any of your business.” Lauren gulped her coffee. Instead of child support, she had given T.J. her share of the house and business. Sam and William were teenagers, not babies, but she didn’t need to share that information. Lauren lashed out, stung by the suggestion she was worthless beside Callie’s late wife. It might not have hurt so much if she hadn’t already been wondering if it were true. “Maybe you get paid to sit in people’s kitchens and gossip, but I don’t. See you around.”
Without saying bye to Callie, Lauren waded through the snow to her truck and took her time getting to the main road. Was there truth to Mitch’s words? How did her relationship with her ex and kids become village gossip? Her stomach clenched uncomfortably. Was this how she appeared to the rest of the town? Clearly, Liz had been something special around here, and yeah, Lauren couldn’t be any more different. And yeah, maybe it was true that Callie would be safer with Mitch. But did Callie have to go back to what she’d been with before? Said who? Lauren sighed. There didn’t seem to be any way forward when it came to whatever she had with Callie.
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