“They came and hooked her up to an IV and gave her oxygen. Sheriff Conley said he’ll call me with any news.”
“Are you doing okay?” She saw the worry glint in his eyes.
He swiped off his hat and tore a hand through his thick hair, a sign of his agitation. “Maybe if I’d made it to her sooner.” He shrugged. “Let me help you down. I’ll take the dog.”
She handed him over and slid out of the saddle. “Creed, don’t do that to yourself.”
His breath came out in an imperiled hiss. He put the dog down who loyally stayed by her side. “Let’s get the horses loaded and get back to Hawke Landing.” He took the reins from her and started for the truck and trailer.
Mindy called the dog to follow. He even obeyed when she told him to “stay”. “For the time being I think I need to give you a name. How about Savior? Yes, I think that’s a fitting name.”
While Creed loaded up, she grabbed her empty coffee cup and a full water bottle and poured Savior some. He lapped it up thirstily and when the cup was empty, she poured more until he drank it all. His fur was matted, and he had a cut on his neck that was in early stages of healing. “You were out there for a while weren’t you, fellow.”
Hearing the trailer door slam shut, Mindy picked up Savior and climbed into the passenger seat, settling him in her lap.
Creed gave her a curious look. “I couldn’t leave him behind,” she explained.
“No, that wouldn’t have been good. He’s not wearing a collar so there’s no clue who he belongs to.”
“You did good, Creed,” she said softly.
“Only if she survives.” He turned on the engine.
As they drove away, they were both wrapped in their thoughts. The music played in the background as she stared through the window at the scenery that passed.
They reached Hawke Landing and he parked the truck near the stables. “I’m going to take care of the horses. Do you want to wait or go on in with Willow?”
“I’ll wait.”
When he finished, he didn’t say a word. They walked into the building together for a second time that morning. Willow stood and greeted them. “Fresh pot of coffee is on.”
“Thank you, Willow,” Mindy said when Creed remained silent.
“I’m going to go change,” he muttered.
She watched him stroll down the hall and a second later the door closed softly.
Willow rounded the desk, giving Mindy an understanding smile. “Welcome to the unfortunate times of being in Search and Rescue.”
“Does he always get this solemn after a rescue?”
“Pretty much, especially when it’s a kid.”
“Do you have very many lost kids?”
“More than you’d think. Who do we have here?” Willow petted Savior. “He looks like he’s lived through a storm.”
“I think he has. We found him with Bailey.”
“How about I take him, find him something to eat, and you go to Creed?”
“If you don’t mind.” Mindy did want to help him.
“Not at all.” She took the shaking dog from Mindy.
“Go on, Savior. You need to eat,” Mindy encouraged him.
Heading down the hallway, she knocked on the closed door, hoping he’d speak to her. She wasn’t sure if he preferred being alone after a mission.
“Come in,” came Creed’s mumbled reply.
She opened the door and found him dragging his shirt off. Perfect timing. She closed the door and stood there, giving him space. “Are you okay, Creed?”
“You keep asking me that,” he tossed his shirt onto the bed.
“Because you are giving me reason to ask.”
His shoulders slumped some. “She was so small. So cold. When I save children, I think of Livvy. What if it was her?”
“I’d say all first responders feel the same anguish.” She took the few steps between them and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against the warm skin of his back. He smelled so good. Felt so good. He laid his large hands over hers.
“I’m glad you came along,” he said in a throaty mutter.
“I’m glad I was there too.”
He turned and faced her, gently cupping her cheek with his callused palm. “Mindy.”
“Creed.”
“You drive me crazy,” he said on an exhale of breath.
“The feeling is mutual.” She smiled.
He lowered his mouth, but music interrupted the moment.
Chapter Thirteen
HIS PHONE RANG from the bed where he’d tossed it earlier.
A part of him regretted that he’d turned the ringer back on. He wanted to stay here with Mindy a while longer before he had to welcome the world back in and all its flaws.
“You should get that, right?” she asked in a soft, alluring voice.
“Yeah, I guess I should.” He grabbed the intrusion off the bed and glanced at the screen “It’s Sheriff Conley.” He clicked his phone. “Yeah?”
“Hi, Creed. Sheriff Conley. I wanted to let you know that Bailey woke up. Looks like she’s going to be all right. Her parents are here with her now.”
Relief spread through Creed. He wanted to pop open a champagne bottle, and he didn’t even like the stuff. “Great to hear. Have you been able to ask her any questions yet?”
“Not too many except that she asked about the dog. Did she have a dog with her?”
“Yeah, she did. We have him with us. Is he hers?”
“No. Apparently she chased after him last night and lost her way back. The parents want to keep him. Can they pick him up?”
“Hang on.” He covered the mouthpiece of the phone. “The parents want to come pick up the dog for Bailey. Is that okay?”
“That’s wonderful,” Mindy exclaimed.
He said to the Sheriff, “He’ll be here at Hawke Landing.”
Then he hung up and tossed the phone back on the bed. “Where were we before the interruption?”
“I’m gathering that was good news?”
“Very good news. Bailey is awake and her parents are with her. Now, where were we?”
She took a step closer, standing on tiptoe and kissed him.
His cell beeped. Mindy pulled back. “Shit!” he muttered, giving her an apologetic shrug. “Grand central station all of a sudden.”
“It’s okay,” she ensured him.
He grabbed the phone and glanced at the screen. It was Boone. “I’ll ignore it. It’s just my brother.”
Why the hell was Boone texting? They just talked earlier.
Another beep.
Where are you, bro? B.
Why aren’t you answering? B.
Do I need to call? B
Respond, dick. B.
“He’s a pest,” Creed growled.
“He’ll probably keep sending them until you answer.” Mindy chuckled.
Beep. Beep.
Hey, are you ignoring me? B.
Finally, Creed tapped in, I’m busy. Leave me alone.
Any news on the girl? B.
She’s fine but you won’t be if you don’t stop bothering me. C.
Fine, douche. B.
Good, asshole. C.
He stuck the phone inside his locker and closed the door.
Another beep sounded. This time it was Mindy’s phone. She dragged it from the pocket of his jacket and looked at him. “It’s Daddy. I better get it.” She chewed on the edge of her nail. Her father never called her.
“Sure.” He’d planned on kissing her, but it didn’t look like fate wanted to let him experience some pleasure.
She answered, “Yeah I’m with Creed now. I’ll put it on speaker phone.”
“Hi, Rusty. I’m here.”
“Bo called me. One of the goats is having a difficult time kidding. He can’t get a hold of the vet and I’m an hour away. How close are you?”
“I’m at Hawke Landing.” Guilt rushed through him. Creed knew exactly which doe. He had guessed this would happen. She was young and h
ad been carelessly left in a pen with a seven-week old rutting buck. This had happened a handful of times in the past which resulted in dead does and kids. “I’ll be there soon.”
Hanging up, he swiped a hand through his messy hair. “Were you serious when you said you wanted to get your hands dirty on the ranch?”
“Yes.”
“Well then. Now’s as good a time as any to learn.”
~~~~~
Mindy and Creed stood outside of the goat stall monitoring the behavior of female one-forty-seven. As soon as she laid down in the fresh straw, she started licking herself and wagging her tail. “You got this, Jazzie.”
“Who named her?” Mindy asked.
“I did. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, so I thought it made sense just to name her instead of calling her “goat”. Jazzie sounds much better.”
Creed had a rare compassion for the livestock that she certainly appreciated and admired.
After thirty minutes of pushing, Jazzie’s kidding wasn’t advancing and the vet hadn’t shown up. Bo had an appointment for his leg and couldn’t stay.
Picking up the bag Creed brought with him, he opened it. “We’re going to step inside, very quietly. She’s friendly, but we don’t want to upset her any more than she already is. Have you ever helped deliver a kid before?” he asked.
“No, I haven’t. Please tell me you have.”
“A few times. Goat deliveries usually go smooth.” Inside the pen he bent and visually examined the doe. “The back hooves are visible so we need to get the kid out.”
“So what do we do?” She bent next to him, anxious to help.
Jazzie lifted her head and looked at them in curiosity.
“Relax, girl. This won’t be long,” Creed comforted her.
“Poor thing.” Mindy loved the goats. They were so sweet.
“I’m going to help ease the kid out. You reach inside my bag, grab one of the towels and a pair of gloves.” He took the gloves and pulled them on. “You keep the towel and be ready.”
Mindy watched him gently take the hooves of the kid and slowly pull. Mindy found it hard to believe that someone as large and gruff as Creed could be so gentle. The kid came out in one messy, wet plop and was covered in a mucus like lining. Creed grabbed the teeny animal up into his arms and laid it in the center of towel that Mindy held.
“Firmly wipe off the placenta sac.”
“Okay.” She did as Creed advised.
“Be sure to clean around the eyes, nose and mouth to help the little fellow breathe. Look at him, he’s coming around. Looks like he’ll survive.”
Mindy felt her chest expand. “He’s so tiny.”
“You should name him.”
“I want to call him Hope. I think he’s clean.” She held up the baby wrapped in the stained towel.
Creed shook his head. “Now you rock Hope.”
“Rock him?” Was he kidding? “What?”
“Swaddle him like you would a human baby, then rock back and forth. That helps get the remaining liquid out of the lungs.”
Quickly swaddling the wet bundle up in the towel, she cuddled Hope while rocking. Tears came to her eyes. She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but Creed touched her hand and she looked up at him. “Yes?”
“Let’s try giving him to Jazzie so they can bond. She needs to feed him.”
Relinquishing the kid, she smiled as Creed laid Hope next to Jazzie and she instantly took to her baby against her. The teeny boy snuggled closed and fed.
Mindy felt like she’d done something amazing.
And later when she and Creed were washing their hands under the water hose, she couldn’t stop smiling. She hadn’t felt so alive in a while.
“That was so incredible. I’ve never witnessed anything like it outside of my own child being born, but it’s different. I could do this every day.”
“No, you don’t want to do this every day. This is a problem when we must intervene during delivery. We have to have controlled breeding, otherwise we’re going to lose livestock.”
“Has that been a problem?”
“Some carelessness on the part of some hands,” he muttered, holding the stream of the water above his head and allowing it to pour over him. His shirt was stained from the birthing process.
She fought the urge to stare at his torso. “On Bo’s part?”
He dropped the hose, wiped the water from his eyes and looked at her. “As foreman it’s his responsibility. He’s a great guy but he’s dropped the ball a few times lately.”
Mindy hesitated then said, “Are you pushing him to retire?” She knew what Bo had said but she was curious.
“No, I’m not pushing him, or anyone, to retire. He made that choice on his own decision.”
“Bo’s been here for a lot of years. He’s more like family than a hand,” she pointed out, swiping her palms down her thighs.
“I’m glad you’re concerned for him, truly, I am. I realize how long he’s worked this land. I’m all for keeping Bo on, and your father for that matter, but sometimes a man has to make a difficult choice, Mindy. This is hard work for even the younger hands.”
“You mean once we reach our expiration date we should just give up?”
“Mindy, you know that’s not what I meant. No one says they must give up. May wants to spend more time with Bo. Rusty wants to enjoy life a little. He’s worked from sunrise to sunset for how many years? And let’s face it, neither man is getting any younger.”
“I’ve noticed that Daddy is tired.” She heard the pounding of hammers and looked out into the distance where the new bigger barn was being built. “What happened to the old barn. It wasn’t that old.”
“Didn’t Rusty tell you why we’re building a new barn?” Creed’s tan faded.
What? Something else he forgot to tell her?
“No.”
“One night he went out to check on a foal down. I’m not sure of the details, but he somehow broke a lantern and the place went up like a bale of hay. We tore it down, or what was left of it.”
“Were any of the horses hurt? Was my father hurt? Had he been drinking?” She felt her stomach turn.
“He managed to get the horses to safety, but the barn couldn’t be salvaged. After that night he decided it was time he took a backseat.” He blew out a long breath and stared out into the distance. “Mindy, I’m not one to stir up trouble, but Rusty’s not been himself for some time. Hell, he’s still as feisty as a wasp, but since the heart attack he’s slowed down. I don’t think he wants anyone to know just how much.”
“Thank you for telling me. I suspected he’s been hiding something for some time.” Mindy never could tell her daddy a thing. “I need a shower”.
“So do I.”
“We can take one…I mean, at the same time…not in the same bathroom. You’re free to use the shower up at the house.” She felt her face flush.
“I understood what you meant.” One corner of his mouth played with a smile. “Do you need some help scrubbing your back?”
“I can handle it.” A trickle of warmth spread into her inner thighs.
“As much as I like the thought of us showering “together” I need to go home. Can we talk later?”
“Sure. Of course. Yes.”
“Want me to drop you off up at the house?”
“No. I’ll walk. I’d like to stick around awhile longer with Jazzie and Hope.”
He smiled. “See you later.”
Eventually she made her way up to the house and into the bathroom to take a shower. Turning on the water, she adjusted the temperature, stripped off her clothing and stepped under the spray. It had been a long day. She’d forgotten how busy things could be around Cooper’s Hawk.
By the time she turned off the water, she was as pink and wrinkled as a newborn pig. Wrapping a towel around her, she stepped out of the bathroom followed by a puff of steam. She felt better and was still excited that she’d helped deliver a baby.
Her phone! It was ringin
g. Running, she hit ‘talk’ by the fifth ring.
“Hi, mom!”
Mindy smiled in gratitude. “Hi, honey. How’s school?”
“It’s going great. How are you?”
“I’m good. Guess what? I just helped deliver a baby goat. It was amazing. I’d forgotten how wonderful it feels to help on the ranch.”
“Mom, you sound…different.”
“Different? How?”
“Happy.”
Mindy sat down on the end of the bed. “I am. I like being here. I feel like I’m living again.”
“That makes it harder for me to tell you something,” Jane said in a low voice.
“Honey, what’s wrong? You can tell me anything?”
“I saw Dad today.” There was uncertainty to her daughter’s voice.
“You did? How’d that go?” Mindy laid back on the bed, pulling the towel from her wet hair.
“He and Sian got married last night,” Jane said it with an obvious carefulness. “At the courthouse.”
“Wow. I knew they were planning on getting married but not so soon.” She sat back up and used the towel to soak up the water dripping from the ends of her hair.
“There’s more. They got married so fast because she’s pregnant.”
“Oh…okay.” Mindy felt a blow to her chest. Swallowing the unwanted emotion, she cleared her throat. “That’s nice. Tell him I said congratulations.”
“I wanted you to hear it from me, but she’s seven months along.”
Mindy tossed the damp towel aside. Although she didn’t want Branch back, a part of Mindy felt hurt. He never wanted to have a child with Mindy.
Unfortunately, a woman’s internal clock ticked a lot faster than a man’s and, at her age, she guessed her window of baby opportunity was dwindling.
“Mom? You okay?”
“Yes. Of course, sweetheart. I’m truly happy for them.” She forced her voice to stay level. She didn’t want Jane worried. “I’m sure you’re excited to have another sister or brother.”
“Another?” Jane’s chuckle vibrated the line. “Are you pregnant too?”
“No…never. I meant I’m sure you’re glad to have a brother or sister soon.” Mindy squeezed the phone.
“Sort of. I think it’ll seem more real when its actually here.”
Feeling her throat clog, Mindy said, “Thank you for telling me.”
Cowboy Creed (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 1) Page 14
