by Joan Kilby
“I’d appreciate that. The Horses for Hope program is really important to her. And to the community.” Adam sipped smooth twelve-year-old scotch. Was he a fool? By helping Hayley get back into horse therapy, he was ensuring she planted herself ever more firmly on the mountain. And where did that leave him? He’d hoped she might consider spending time in the city so they could explore what they had together. On the other hand, how could he drag her away from the home she loved so much? It would be like planting a wildflower in a hot house. She would wither and die.
“And is Hayley important to you?” Graham gave him a shrewd, amused look.
“She’s special,” Adam admitted. “But we both know our friendship might only be short-term. Our lives are on very different paths.”
“Just like Lorraine’s and my lives were on different paths when we met.” Graham chuckled. “Next month we celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary.”
“Dad, Dad! Hayley, come quick!” Summer burst through the back door. “Where’s Hayley?”
“On the deck. We’re having a dinner party, sweetheart,” Adam said. “Say hello to Graham. And you should take those boots off in the house.”
Summer ignored every word except the first three and ran across the cream-colored carpet to the sliding glass doors, calling for Hayley.
Hayley had heard the commotion and was already on her feet. “What is it?”
“Blaze is having her foal. Come quick!” Summer said. “She’s grunting and turning around in circles.”
“Excuse me, Lorraine.” Hayley hurried after Summer. At the back door she kicked off her shoes and slipped on a pair of gumboots beneath her cocktail dress. “Don’t delay dinner for us,” she said to Adam. “This could take a while. Go ahead and eat.”
“Are you kidding?” Graham picked up the bottle of scotch. “I’ve never seen a horse give birth. Coming, Lorraine?”
Lorraine followed them out, teetering in her high heels. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Adam shrugged and tucked the wine bottle under his arm. Neither would he.
CHAPTER TWELVE
HAYLEY ENTERED THE box stall, her boots rustling the thick straw. Blaze was blowing hard through her nostrils, her sides heaving and straining.
“Easy, girl, easy.” She spoke softly, running a hand down the mare’s neck, over her taut belly and up her flank. “There’s a good girl.”
Blaze’s tail was raised above a bulging perineum. Her belly tightened with a contraction and a soft white forehoof poked through, encased in a silvery membrane. Thank goodness the foal was coming out the right way around. Another tiny hoof peeked out, then the legs retracted.
“Why is it going back inside?” Summer asked, leaning over the side of the stall. “Are you going to call the vet?”
“There isn’t time, but it’s normal for the baby to take a few tries to come out.” Hayley moved to get out of Blaze’s way as the mare lumbered around the stall. The horse twisted her neck and nipped at her own belly.
Summer chewed on her thumbnail, her brow furrowed. “Is this her first foal?”
“No, her second. Don’t worry. She knows what she’s doing.” Hayley covered her concern. Things could sometimes go wrong. Last time Blaze had delivered a stillborn foal. Tony, the vet, had attended that birth and there’d been nothing he could do. It had been heartbreaking. She’d hate for Summer to witness anything like that.
Adam, Lorraine and Graham entered the barn, laughing and talking. Graham topped up drinks to the sound of clinking ice.
“Quiet, please,” Hayley said. “Don’t disturb Blaze.”
“We saw the hooves come out and then go back in,” Summer whispered as the others approached more softly.
The mare’s legs bent and she lowered herself heavily to the floor of the stall and rolled onto her side. Her flanks heaved with the force of another contraction. The foal’s forelegs emerged again and this time Hayley glimpsed a nose.
“The baby’s got a white mark on its nose like Blaze, only smaller.” Hayley crouched next to Blaze. Please come out alive, little one.
“What’s happening?” Lorraine whispered. “She’s so still and quiet. Is something wrong?”
“No, this is how horses do it,” Hayley said.
“They don’t yell the hospital down like some women I know,” Graham said with a smile in his voice.
“Shh, you.” Lorraine swatted at his arm.
“I’m going to take a photo.” Summer got out her phone.
“You can use it for show-and-tell at school,” Adam suggested.
“What century are you in?” Summer said. “I’m tweeting it.” She clicked the shutter, then texted madly. “Right...now.”
Hayley glanced at Adam and shared a smile. Teenagers.
“Oh, it’s coming,” Summer said. “I see the head!”
Hayley turned her attention back to Blaze and checked her watch. Ten minutes. So far so good. The foal’s ears were flattened and its eyes closed, the dark coat wet and matted. Blaze rested a moment, then continued to push. First the body was delivered, then the hind legs. The coal-black foal lay on the straw, motionless.
Hayley dropped to her knees in the straw and ran a hand over the foal’s neck, searching for the carotid artery. Blaze, still lying on her side, reached around with her nose to nudge at her baby.
“It’s going to be okay, girl,” Hayley said, praying it was the truth.
“The foal is bigger than our full-grown black Lab,” Lorraine said, oblivious to the potential crisis. “I can’t believe all that fit into the horse’s belly.”
“You thought delivering a nine-pound baby was tough,” Graham murmured as he put his arm around Lorraine.
“Why isn’t it moving?” Adam said quietly.
Hayley pressed her fingers into the foal’s neck below the jaw while she ran her other hand down its chest with hard, rhythmic strokes. Then she felt a pulse beat beneath her fingertips. Oh, thank God. With a flutter, the foal’s lungs inflated, lifting the rib cage.
Hayley closed her eyes and released her breath and a prayer of thanksgiving. The tiny life had hung in the balance for only a minute, but it had been one of the longest of her life. Lorraine and Graham huddled together, understanding belatedly that the outcome had been in doubt. Adam had his arm firmly around Summer’s shoulders.
“She’s alive.” Hayley glanced up, her eyes blurring. “A beautiful little filly.”
Blaze scrambled to her feet. She nosed Hayley’s hand away and started licking her baby all over.
“Why’s she doing that?” Lorraine asked.
“To help the blood circulation and to encourage the foal to stand up.”
“You didn’t do that for Ben or Ashley,” Graham pointed out to Lorraine.
“Oh, stop it.” Lorraine’s face was wet with happy tears.
“She’s getting up,” Summer said excitedly.
Hayley stepped back to allow the foal space. Blaze whickered encouragement, still licking. Tiny ears flickered. Forelegs splayed, the little black filly pushed herself up halfway before her knees buckled. She tried again. This time she made it to a standing position, her spindly legs trembling with the effort of balance and strength. Then she whinnied, a tiny bleating sound, as if to say, I’m here!
Tears filled Hayley’s eyes as she laughed and hugged first Summer and then Adam. It had been so long since she’d had something to celebrate. Here was new life, fragile but strong. She felt a surge of hope for the future.
Adam’s arms slipped around her waist, and she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head. In the dim light of the stable she leaned into him. Would he be part of her future? She was starting to hope so. Together they watched the foal totter toward her mother, nuzzling along her belly, smelling the drops of milk and searching for the udders
.
Soon the foal was sucking lustily. Blaze nuzzled the tiny rump and was batted by a damp whisking tail.
“The white mark on her nose isn’t as long as Blaze’s,” Hayley remarked. “More like a diamond.”
“Let’s call her Jewel,” Summer suggested.
“It’s Hayley’s horse. She should name her,” Adam reminded his daughter.
“Jewel is perfect,” Hayley said. Summer’s face glowed with pride before she turned her adoring gaze back to the filly. Healing came about in different ways, Hayley reflected. Maybe this little horse was just what Summer needed.
* * *
ADAM FLIPPED A fluffy pancake and turned the heat down on the sizzling bacon. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen. Summer came in through the back door, rubbing her eyes and yawning. He took in her crumpled clothes and mussed hair. “Did you sleep out in the barn?”
“Yup. I wanted to be near Blaze and Jewel.” Summer took a piece of bacon off the plate and ate it in two bites. “Jewel’s walking really well this morning. She licked my hand and nibbled on my hair. She’s so adorable, Dad. I just love her.”
“That’s great, kiddo. I’m glad it all went well.”
Summer grabbed another piece of bacon. “Hayley said she would let me halter-train Jewel. First she has to buy a lightweight leather halter. Nylon’s no good, Hayley says, because a foal’s neck will break before the nylon breaks.”
“Ouch.” He plated up the pancakes and poured another set onto the griddle. “Did Hayley stay out there all night, too?”
After dinner she and Summer had returned to the barn to clean out Blaze’s stall and put down fresh straw. He’d gone out to say good-night around midnight, stealing a brief kiss while Summer was busy with the foal. He, Lorraine and Graham had turned in for the night shortly after that. He’d lain awake for a while, listening for Hayley’s footsteps on the stairs, but he had fallen asleep.
“I think she went to bed around two o’clock. She promised to take Graham and me riding this morning so you and Lorraine could talk business.”
“That’s good of her.” Last night had been purely social. This morning he and Lorraine would get down to brass tacks negotiating the terms of his partnership. He’d been working toward this goal for years and suddenly it was within reach. It was a big moment.
He needed to factor in his responsibility for Summer. If she lived with him in Melbourne they could come back to Hope Mountain now and then to visit. She would miss Hayley and her friends and the horses, but her emotional and mental health already seemed stronger. She could even keep a horse on the outskirts of Melbourne. Once they got settled they could start looking for a well-trained three-or four-year-old.
Summer reached for more bacon but he pulled the plate away. “Go shower and change. You smell like a barn.”
“Okay.” With a cheeky grin Summer sneaked another piece and ran upstairs as Hayley was coming down. She stopped and gave Hayley a detailed account of the past six hours of the foal’s life before heading for the shower.
Adam looked up as Hayley came into the kitchen. She looked more like herself this morning in tan moleskin pants and a soft blue-and-green flannel shirt. “You’re up early considering your late night. How are you this morning?”
“Tired but good. I’m almost as excited as Summer. It was hard to sleep.” She took a piece of bacon off the plate and munched. “Can I do anything?”
“Don’t eat all the bacon, for a start,” he said with a smile.
“I wouldn’t do that.” Grinning, she nicked another piece.
“Taunt me, will you?” He lunged and she dodged, dissolving into giggles like a schoolgirl. Then he faked her out and caught her, circling his arms around her waist.
“I appreciated your support last night,” Hayley said, resting her hands on his chest.
“I didn’t do anything.” Adam picked up one hand and kissed her fingertips. “You were the one who helped that foal into the world. You’re amazing.”
Hayley nestled closer till their bodies were touching. “Your presence was strong and calming. It helped me be calm.”
He pressed a kiss to either side of her lips, then ran his tongue along her mouth until she opened for him. She tasted sweet and salty—totally delicious.
Hayley sighed with pleasure, and dropped small kisses along his jawline. “Lorraine and Graham are moving around upstairs. They’ll be down soon. It’s nice that your boss came all the way to Hope Mountain. You must be important to her.”
He hadn’t told Hayley about Lorraine’s offer, because he was conflicted over what it would mean to them. He couldn’t keep it from her any longer. “She’s offered me a partnership. It’s a pretty big deal to me.” To put it mildly.
“A partnership.” Hayley eased back. She pasted on a smile but it barely curved her mouth and definitely didn’t reach her eyes. “Congratulations. I’m thrilled for you.”
He searched her sober face. “You don’t look thrilled.”
“Sorry, I’m not feeling very bubbly. I’m tired, is all. Really, it’s great. You deserve it, I’m sure.” She paused. “What about Summer?”
“I haven’t told her yet, but we’ll work it out. I’m not going to let it affect my relationship with her.” He let a beat go by. “Or you.”
Hayley gave him a troubled smile. “I don’t know much about your business, but I imagine partners put in even more hours than employees further down the pecking order.”
“I mean it, Hayley,” he said urgently. “This doesn’t have to be the end of us. I can still come out on weekends. Lots of people manage long-distance relationships.”
“Adam, I really like you, but we’ve known each other only a short time,” Hayley said in her straightforward way he admired so much but which could be so devastating. “You’re not going to change your life on my account, and I wouldn’t dream of asking.” Her mouth twisted and her eyes were sad. “One thing I’ve learned this past year is that the future might not turn out anything like you planned or imagined.”
He guessed he couldn’t blame her for being cautious. She’d still been grieving when she’d discovered her husband had cheated on her. But he also knew that Hayley was special, and if he missed this opportunity to keep her in his life, the chance would never come again. He didn’t want to regret that for the rest of his life.
He pulled her into his arms. “All I’m suggesting is that we remain open to possibilities. Can we do that?”
Her gaze searched his face. “You’re the one leaving town.”
“Long distance isn’t insurmountable if both parties are willing to work something out. Melbourne isn’t that far away.” He squeezed her hands. “Please?”
“Okay.” Finally she smiled. “I’m open to possibilities.”
Adam leaned in to kiss her again. Just as his lips touched hers, footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Hayley drew back, smiling, her palms sliding over his as she pulled her hands away. “Later, alligator.”
Lorraine and Graham came around the corner from the living room into the kitchen. “Mmm, bacon.” Lorraine took a piece from the ever-diminishing pile.
“Grab a mug and help yourself to coffee,” Adam said. “Breakfast will be ready shortly.” Graham, too, picked at the plate of bacon. With a smile and a shake of his head, Adam went to the fridge for another package of the tasty meat.
Summer came back downstairs in fresh clothes and helped Hayley set the table. Conversation over breakfast revolved around Hayley and Summer’s excited plans for breaking the foal.
Adam kept silent but his concern grew. How long did halter-breaking a foal take? Would Summer be around to complete the training? Would she then want to go on to break the horse to bridle and saddle? From what he recalled of his grandfather’s farm, horses weren’t ridden until they were tw
o years old.
His gaze shifted to Hayley. The morning sun lit her face, casting a glow over her smooth skin and bringing a gleam into her blue eyes. She would be worth making the journey to Hope Mountain every weekend—and more than enough motivation to negotiate with Lorraine so that he had sufficient time off. Would it be presumptuous of him to find a corner somewhere in the plans of Hayley’s house for a drafting table exposed to good light?
Hayley’s attention was mostly taken up by Summer and horse talk. But every now and then her eyes strayed to his, quietly assessing. She might enjoy the amenities of the city. There was so much he’d like to show her and do with her—concerts, plays and fine restaurants. Hope Mountain didn’t even have a movie theater. He hoped that now they’d broached the subject of the future she would be pondering these things, too. They would need to compromise, no question.
After the breakfast dishes were cleared away Hayley, Summer and Graham went out to the barn and saddled up for their trail ride. Adam sat down at the dining table across from Lorraine with his laptop booted up so he could refer quickly to the Shanghai development.
Lorraine handed him the prospectus for the project. “Hot off the press.”
Adam leafed through the pages, recognizing the apartment complex he’d designed plus conceptual artwork for future residential units located in other rapidly growing Chinese metropolises. “This has grown. It’ll take years to complete.”
“We’ve estimated five years, minimum. Flow on work will likely extend into the next decade. We can go over all this in detail later. First, I’d like to discuss your partnership.” Lorraine took a stapled document out of her briefcase. “I had Legal draw up a new contract for you.”
“This is a great honor, Lorraine. You know it’s long been my goal to be a driving force in the company.” He paused, wondering how best to word his desire to restrict his hours.
Lorraine’s eyes narrowed behind her reading glasses. “Am I detecting a ‘but’?”
“Not exactly. I’ve been preoccupied lately with Summer’s needs, but soon I’ll be able to devote myself to these exciting new projects. However, I’m hoping that Summer will come to live with me in the new year. I will have to balance my responsibility for her with my work.”
