5 | Fallin out
COLTON
I mutter a curse under my breath and take a second to figure out my next steps.
“What is it?” Clementine’s eyes are wide with worry.
My gaze flicks to Wells. “Breech.”
He turns to Clementine. “The calf’s backward. Its hind legs are—”
“I know what breech is,” she snaps. “Where do you need me, Colt?”
I’m caught a little off guard. “Go sit with the mama. Keep her calm.”
She kneels down by Big Tina, stroking her nose and whispering soft encouragements—and hell if it doesn’t set my insides ablaze.
I take a deep breath and start maneuvering the baby, slow and gentle. I work one hind leg free, then go fishing for the other, still tucked under the calf’s body. It’s not giving it up easy.
My arm’s starting to cramp, sweat beading on my brow.
“C’mon, sweetheart,” I murmur again, both to the mama and the baby. “You hang tight. We’re gonna fix this.”
Finally, I find that second leg. I guide it out with slow pressure, nudging the calf into a better position. I feel the shift—the give in Big Tina—the right kind of alignment in both of them. I glance at the cow’s face; she’s still struggling, but she’s not wild with pain anymore.
I pull off the glove and drop it to the grass with a wet splat. Then I hold out my hand—and before I even have to ask, Wells is already dropping the rope into it.
I loop it around the calf’s hind leg and pull—not hard, but steady and rhythmic, in tune with her contractions.
“One more, girl. That’s it…”
The calf slides free—slick and still. My heart lurches. No sound. No twitch.
I move fast, clearing the nose and mouth, rubbing the chest and ribs with a towel. And then—there. That soft, gasping inhale. A wet, weak cry.
She’s alive.
I let out a shaky breath and slump back on my heels, covered in amniotic fluid and hay and God knows what else, grinning like a fool.
“You’re trouble already, little lady,” I mutter, voice thick with relief. “Bet you’ll take after your mama.”
Clementine rounds Big Tina and crouches down beside me. “That was incredible.”
I flash her a grin. “Not your usual birth, but all’s well that ends well.”
She’s still looking at me. “You were so calm.”
“You helped,” I murmur, nudging her foot with mine.
She blushes. “I didn’t do anything.” She glances at the calf. “She’s smaller than I expected.”
I nod. “Yeah. Lucky mama. That made birth a bit easier.”
“What are you naming it?”
I push to my feet, unbuttoning my soiled flannel. “Tiny.”
She grimaces—but that falters when I peel off my shirt. Her gaze drops to my abs, and I can’t help but flex just a little. That’s right, darlin’.
Wells chucks a towel at my head. I catch it easily, wiping off whatever’s left on my skin.
He holds one out for Clementine too. “Need one, Clemmie? You got a little drool there.”
Clementine stands, taking the towel. “Yes, actually.” She swats Wells with it, then shifts on her feet, eyes drifting to Big Tina and Tiny in the grass. The cow’s taken to licking her baby clean, slime dangling from her mouth. To my surprise, Clementine doesn’t look disgusted.
“Do we need to get them inside?” she asks.
Wells nods toward the ATV. “I’ll take the baby. You guys let Mama know Tiny’s born.”
I jerk my head toward my horse. “Let’s go, Clem.”
Her gaze drops to my bare chest again, then drags back up to my face.
“Unless you’d rather wait ’til I’m clean? I can come get you with the truck.”
She swallows. “That’d take long, right?”
I grin, already counting my win. “Real long.”
Clementine shifts again, blushing now. “I’ll just ride with you.”
I wink, guiding her toward my horse. “Atta girl.”
----
CLEMENTINE
The farmhouse feels extra cool after stepping out of the blaring heat—especially after riding with a shirtless Colton pressed up behind me, very obviously grinding into my ass on purpose.
He insisted I change into one of his flannels when we got back—something about amniotic fluid—and I didn’t argue. It’s long enough to cover my shorts and skim the tops of my thighs, but lighter and cooler than I expected.
Mama’s stirring a huge pot of something that smells divine, and I’m chopping celery and carrots. I don’t even like to cook, but somehow Mama always ropes me into helping without even saying a word.
“Smells good, ladies.”
I glance over my shoulder. Colton is freshly showered, dark hair still damp and curly, dressed in a new flannel and jeans. This man doesn’t do casual—I don’t think he even owns a pair of sweats. He rarely parts with his hat, but Mama doesn’t allow hats or boots inside, so his is hanging by the door.
I take the opportunity to actually study his face.
He’s so goddamn handsome it’s unfair. At four years my senior, I never thought of him as boyish—but now he’s even more… rugged. Manly. And that body—
No. No, I’m not doing this.
I rip my eyes off him and get back to chopping.
“Clementine told me she’s here for the whole summer, Colton,” Mama says. “Isn’t that somethin’?”
I glare at her. Mama doesn’t make casual remarks—she’s plotting something.
“She’s fixin’ up Marg’s old farmhouse, stayin’ there all by her lonesome.”
I put down my knife, turning to her. “I’m not ‘fixing up’ anything, Mama. I’m overseeing renovations, that’s it.”
There’s a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Still. There’s probably lots of things to be done. Did Colton tell you he welds?”
“You don’t say,” I deadpan. Of course he does.
Colt leans against the counter, looking smug. “You need me to weld somethin’ for you, darlin’?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
Voices outside catch my attention. Then the screen door creaks open—and my heart drops.
Tessa and Sawyer step inside, laughing.
I whirl to Mama, but she raises her hands. “Honey, I swear I didn’t know.”
Tessa’s gaze flicks to me, and she stiffens. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company, Mama.”
I wipe my hands on a kitchen towel and shake my head. “I was actually just leaving.” My voice comes out bitter and harsh.
Mama wraps her soft hand around my arm. “Do you really have to? It’s so rare I get to see all you kids in the same room. I’d love a big family get-together.”
I hesitate. Those damn soft, pleading eyes of hers.
“Fine,” I sigh. “I’ll have some tea. I’m not staying for lunch, though.”
----
Of course, half an hour later, I’m sitting at the lunch table anyway. Colt’s across from me, eyes pinned to my face while I do my best not to scowl at Tessa and Sawyer the whole time.
She’s staring, unapologetically bold. “So, Clementine. I’m surprised to see you back in town. Thought you were too fancy for us now.”
Sawyer leans in, looking genuine. “Yeah, how are things, Clem? You still with that publishin’ company?”
“Yep.”
Tessa arches a brow and takes a long sip of her sweet tea. “I never thought you’d actually last. You always said you wouldn’t be caught dead in an office.”
I give her a saccharine smile. “Your opinion stopped mattering to me when you started sleeping with my boyfriend.”
The room goes dead silent.
Tessa freezes mid-bite. Slowly, she sets her fork down. “At least he’s gettin’ some now. I probably kept his balls from fallin’ off after all the teasin’ you did.”
I huff out a poisoned laugh. “Well, clearly the two of you are perfect for each other. Enjoy weaseling through life with a relationship built on lies and deceit.”
Her eyes flash. “At least I’m not some pretend angel who dangled her virginity over his head actin’ like she was savin’ herself—only to turn around and let her best friend’s brother bend her over a hay bale the next day.”
Confusion blooms on Colt’s face—just a flicker, and then it’s gone. “That’s enough.” He’s suddenly on his feet, rising so fast he nearly knocks over his chair.
Mama clutches her napkin, eyes wide and locked on Tessa.
Colt leans in, voice low and lethal. “You don’t get to disrespect people at this table. Especially not guests. Especially not Clementine.”
“Of course you take her side,” Tessa spits. “Your little fuckbuddy comes struttin’ back into town and you’re all too happy to forget how long you spent sulkin’ over her.”
Colt slams his hand down on the table, rattling the silverware. “I said that’s enough.”
Tessa mutters something under her breath, but he doesn’t pay her any mind. “You okay, Clem?”
“I’m fine.” I push my chair back. “Thank you for lunch, Mama. Everything was delicious. I’ll swing by tomorrow and help with that order you mentioned.”
“You don’t have to leave, baby girl,” she says softly, but I wave her off.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got things to do anyway.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Colton says, not asking, not offering—declaring. His eyes cut to Tessa. “I’ll deal with you later.”
Tessa mutters something again, but he doesn’t flinch—doesn’t even look at her.
He follows me to the front porch, then takes my arm.
“Don’t go stormin’ off just yet, darlin’. You and me got some talkin’ to do.”
----
Oooof... Tessa dropped a few bombs there, didn't she? ??