couldn’t trust AJ. If he wanted to have her, he had to prove it first. Something wrapped itself around her heart and squeezed. He might never be ready to do that, it reminded her. This was just who he was and she’d need to accept it if she wanted to be a part of his life.
Though difficult to make out, movement on the other side of the clearing just inside the small corral caught her attention. Daisy had been moved there when her restlessness had upset the other horses in the barn.
Just before Kate got ready for her date, she’d made sure to have everything ready in case Daisy went into labor. Using her crutches, she hopped across the dirt path and toward the pen. Daisy pawed at the ground and shook her head. She lowered herself onto her side and extended her legs.
Oh no. It was happening. Kate’s head whipped around to look at the darkened house. Hazel and Ethan would most definitely be asleep. Tate hadn’t gotten back from his leave, and Dakota was gone. She could attempt to get AJ to come help, but who knew if he’d be able to do anything?
John. She could call him back around. Great, her phone was in her purse all the way at the small cabin. She threw back her head and groaned as she made a few hobbled steps in that direction.
The sound of a door closing caught her attention and she straightened. Where had it come from? Her house was dark. She turned in time to see AJ hurrying across the open area right for her, his face an unreadable mask.
“What are you doing out here?” Relief and confusion swirled. “Never mind.” She cut off what he was about to say and nodded toward Daisy. “I think she’s having her foal tonight.”
AJ’s open mouth shut, and his brows shot up as he glanced in the horse’s direction. He dropped the finger he was pointing at her and turned on his heel in the direction of the corral. AJ placed a boot on the bottom rung of the fence and rested his forearms over the top one. He gazed at Daisy, who’d moved to the other side of the average-sized pen. “I think you’re right. It’s not going to be long now. I’m glad you caught it.”
Kate came up beside him. “Should we get your parents?”
He glanced at her. “Why?”
She gestured to the laboring horse. “So they can make sure everything is okay?”
AJ shook his head and hopped down. In one fluid moment he was between the bars and flashing her a smile. “I got this.”
Kate’s mouth popped open as he turned around and jogged to where Daisy lay on the ground. “You—what—wait up, AJ!” She stood helplessly looking through the fence where AJ had gone through.
With a growl, she leaned the crutches against the fence and braced herself on the rails as she followed the path he’d taken. Wincing as she put too much weight on her sore ankle, she righted herself and grabbed her crutches over the top of the fence.
AJ was kneeling by Daisy by the time she’d made it to his side. He rubbed her side and spoke to her in words too quiet for her to hear. Daisy lifted her head from the ground and whinnied a few times, her breath coming out in spurts.
“Is she okay?”
AJ shot her an excited grin. “She’s perfect.”
“How do you know? She’s breathing really hard.”
He laughed. “Well, she’s giving birth. I have no doubt you’ll have to do the same thing—” AJ’s expression faltered, and he cleared his throat. “Daisy is about to bring a new life into this world, she can breathe as much as she needs.” He patted her, murmuring more words of comfort to the animal.
Kate fought the warmth collecting in her cheeks and bit back a smile at his discomfort. He was absolutely right. But she had no intentions of going through this process any time soon. Carefully, Kate knelt beside Daisy’s head. She placed her crutches to the side and petted Daisy’s nose. “You’re doing great, mama.” She met AJ’s eyes. “Are you sure we shouldn’t get someone—more qualified?”
He lifted a brow. “Oh, Katie girl. You think you might know me, but you have barely scratched the surface.”
“What’s that supposed—”
A small hoof emerged from Daisy. AJ cursed and jumped into action.
“What’s wrong?”
“Both feet should be out.” His arm disappeared inside the animal and came out with the second hoof. It only took moments,