Chapter 18
About dark, Austin and Seth drove to the Kelly horse barn.
Austin purposefully waited until the field hands left for the day.
Mike had gone over earlier and made regular visits for most of the afternoon to help watch Lady until the vet could free up and stop by.
Mike also kept Austin posted on how things were going, even when the place started clearing out.
Mike gave Austin the green light to come over.
As a precaution, Austin still wore a ball cap he could pull down low and a high collared jacket he could pull up if need be.
Seth knew the drill. He’d been part of several duck out situations in the past. They walked into the barn together, Seth first, but he stopped soon, having no idea what to do or where to go.
It gave Austin the second to look around, make sure the coast was clear before he guided Seth to the horse stall where everyone stood around.
They walked side by side. Seth was clearly out of his element and a disinterested sneer splayed across his face.
Seth’s only concern seemed centered on dodging the dirt and other substances covering the barn floor.
Seth wasn't feeling this ranch life like Austin had hoped he might. There was just way too much city boy in his agent, and it was something he hadn’t ever realized about Seth, until right now.
Over the years, they had always been in sync with one another, Seth being the peanut butter to Austin’s jelly.
But, by the end of the ranch tour, Seth was past the fun of the four-wheeler and ready to be back on his laptop, looking for messages from Cara.
Austin’s gut told him he didn’t see Seth sticking around the farm too much longer, and Austin couldn’t seem to want him to stay. Their lives were different now. Austin’s one hundred percent different, and he was happy with the change.
Austin picked a darkened corner and perched a leg on the bottom rail. He looked over the side of the stall. Seth came in beside him. No one paid any attention to either of them; every eye was on Kitt who stood in the stall with Lady.
Based on Mike’s last call, Kitt had only been back about half an hour.
He’d worked a fourteen-hour day and looked a sweaty, dirty mess, which was interesting because at the same time Kitt looked hot as hell bent over rubbing Lady down.
He spoke directly to her in soft soothing tones.
Austin couldn’t hear the words he said, but he watched every move Kitt made.
Kitt handled the horse with such tenderness Austin yearned for those hands to be rubbing him down just the same way.
Before his dick grew too hard, Austin noticed the vet stood close by in the stall, watching everything Kitt did.
Mike, Jose, and Lily were like he and Seth: on the outside looking in.
Austin pulled his ball cap a little lower on his head and stayed in the dark.
He turned his full attention back to Kitt.
It was so easy to see this was where he belonged.
Kitt had some innate understanding here, and this horse responded to him on a level of which Austin had no knowledge.
The man and the animal watched one another closely, and Kitt rubbed her down until he got close enough for her to move her head and knock his ball cap off.
Austin realized Kitt got in the position intentionally to let the horse do the move.
“So, you aren’t so sore that you can play games?
I think that’s a good sign, big girl.” Kitt nuzzled her head, rubbing behind her ears.
He scooped his hat up and ran a hand down her nose as he rested the ball cap back on his head.
Austin could see everything great about this horse was due to the tender loving care Kitt gave her.
Based on everything he’d heard, she was most comfortable with Kitt in there with her.
“We can see what’s goin’ on in there, Kitt. Make sure he can come on his own, but it’s risky. I’m not sure it’s needed,” the vet said.
“Nah, he’s facin’ right. I don’t wanna risk it. Let’s give her time. If we need that exam, I’ll do it,” Kitt said in that same loving tone. He spoke to the vet but looked at the horse.
“What’s going on?” Austin asked Mike quietly, trying to get caught up.
“They’re talkin’ about maybe needin’ to turn the foal.
She’s in full labor and they’re just eliminatin’ he may be breech.
They don’t think he is. The last ultrasound showed him in the right position,” Mike said equally quietly, keeping his eyes on the horse.
Seth stood beside him with horror in his eyes as the doctor shoved a long plastic glove back in his bag.
“Can Kitt do things like that?” Austin’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Yeah, he’s done it for us quite a bit. He knows what he’s doin’. Lady would respond best to him,” Mike said.
All eyes stayed on Kitt who positioned himself behind the horse rubbing from high on her belly to her back legs.
He kept a steady stream of conversation going and ran his hands over her udder.
Kitt looked totally absorbed in what he did, as if it were just the two of them and no one else in the barn.
The vet stayed back and let Kitt work. The horse whined a little, nodded her head, but stayed still.
Kitt didn’t stop the flow of conversation, his voice keeping her calm. His tender, gentle touch never changed.
“That’s it. Her milk’s droppin’, he’s comin’ soon,” Kitt said to the vet seconds later.
“I’m guessin’ a couple of hours,” the vet replied, his eyes on the horse.
“I don’t know. She’s too early for this. It could still be a day.”
“You know it’s an estimate.” Doc nodded at him. “She’s close. It’ll be tonight.”
“It’s an estimate when it’s not an absolute firm date.
Hers is a firm date,” Kitt challenged. The horse turned to Kitt as he stood talking to the doctor.
His body faced her, but his head was cocked to the side, deep in thought.
She took a step or two toward him, and Kitt reached out to rub her as he spoke to the vet.
She had other plans. She lifted her nose and knocked his hat off again.
“You have all these jokes tonight?” He turned back to her. Austin saw it then. He gave all his attention to his animals. They were comfortable with him because he was comfortable with them. Kitt didn’t hide anything from his animals. Kitt reached down and grabbed the cap but kept it in his hands.
“After this, you’ll know she foals early. Besides, you suspected this outcome from the beginnin’. I don’t think it’s a long labor for her. I think he’ll be here soon. We’ll see. Watch her tonight, call me when you need me.” The vet patted the horse and left the stall.
Kitt just rested against the rail. The stress of the moment was clear on his face. He hadn’t even seen Austin or Seth as they came in. He was completely absorbed in his horse, keeping his eyes on her as he absently put the ball cap back on his head.
“You can do this, big girl. I know you can.” Kitt nuzzled her.
The horse responded to him, again knocking his ball cap back down, causing them all to laugh.
It was then that Kitt lifted his eyes to Austin.
They exchanged something in the gaze before Kitt’s eyes cut to Seth.
He intently stared at him for a long moment before looking over at his stepmom.
The vet was already out the barn door. If he noticed Austin, he didn’t say a word.
“Austin, it’s good to see you again,” Lily said before Austin could introduce Seth. “Hi, I’m Lily, Kitt’s mom.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. You certainly don’t look old enough to be his mother.” Seth pointed in Kitt’s direction.
“Well, that’s good because actually I’m his stepmom,” Lily said with a laugh.
Kitt cut his eyes back to Austin, letting his gaze linger for a second or two, before turning them to Seth.
His focus stayed on Seth, and then he finally turned to Mike and Jose.
“I’m gonna go home and shower, and then I’ll be back to sleep with her tonight.
I’ll call you if anythin’ changes. I won’t be longer than fifteen minutes. Jose, can you stay that long?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll cut tomorrow. This here’s way too stressful. You stay here with her!”
Austin chuckled at the sincerity on Jose’s face. It was said in jest, but it was clear he was serious. As Kitt came from the stall, he stuck his hand out in Seth’s direction, not waiting for an introduction.
“Kitt Kelly.” His introduction was a little curt compared to the tenderness he just displayed with the horse, and it was only because Austin was so in tune with Kitt he even picked it up.
Tension shot between Seth and Kitt, and Austin got the impression it was just the deep-rooted Southern manners requiring Kitt to meet his agent.
The attitude in both men surprised Austin, and he furrowed his brow watching the exchange, a little confused.
“I’m Seth Walker.”
Kitt shook Seth’s hand and nodded. It was all he gave before turning away. The action was monumentally clear: Kitt hadn’t acknowledged Austin at all.
“Kitt, this is my agent and good friend,” Austin said to Kitt’s retreating back. All Austin got was a simple look over the shoulder and a curt nod with a tip of Kitt’s ball cap before his eyes cut back to Seth. Kitt just dismissed Austin, and this time it sure wasn’t sitting well with him at all.
“It’s nice to meet you. We’ll have to have you over for dinner in a few days. Get through this with Lady first,” Kitt said.
It was all Austin got as he watched Kitt strut through the barn to his truck. He didn’t look back as he stepped up inside his cab, started the truck and pulled away.
“Thanks for the help today, Mike.” Jose was left with them all in the barn. “Mr. Grainger, thank you. Kitt will for sure be thankin’ you soon. He’s just stressed tonight.”