Chapter 36

CHAPTER

36

Rose swung the door open, ready for the first real day’s trading. She glanced up the road towards Matt’s office. She could have sworn she’d heard the familiar sound of Bree’s car driving past while she was still in bed, heading away from town and back to the farm. That’s what she hoped she’d heard. She would find out later today, when Bree came to the shop. Not that she’d pry into her granddaughter’s personal life. Well, not too much.

‘Here’s your tea.’ Mike came through the door connecting the shopfront to her cottage. He’d just stepped out of the shower, his hair was ruffled and his T-shirt clung to his body where he hadn’t fully dried himself.

Rose gave a little shiver. ‘Thank you.’

‘You are very welcome.’ Mike kissed her, a lingering kiss that felt marvellous.

When the kiss ended, Mike propped his hips against the centre table, now featuring a big cane basket of wool rather than wine and cake. ‘Are you all set for the day?’

‘I am.’ The confidence in her voice was a true reflection of her feelings. ‘There’s a family of walkers due at the farm in about an hour from now. I’ll be here in case they get lost. Then this afternoon, there’s another wool delivery coming—more of this year’s fleeces spun and ready to sell. Bree’s already put that on the website, so there may be some orders for me to fill.’

Mike tilted his head and smiled that slow smile that had first captured her interest. ‘A busy day. You really are some kind of businesswoman, aren’t you?’

‘I hope that doesn’t put you off.’ Rose fluttered her eyelids and feigned a swoon. ‘I still like to have a big strong man about the place.’

Mike laughed. ‘That sounds pretty good to me. I’ll take the job, if you’re offering.’

‘You’ve got work today?’

‘I sure do. The gang will be picking me up in—’ he glanced at his watch, ‘—about five minutes. Enough time to finish my coffee. We’re heading south today, so I’ll call you later. I guess I should probably spend the night at my place. Make sure it hasn’t burned down or anything.’

Rose nodded. Mike had spent all of this week at her little cottage. It had made sense while he was helping her with the store. The first night, he had slept in the spare room, but only the first night. That had been something of a revelation. It felt so good to have a man in her bed again. Not just because … Well, that was exciting and wonderful. But it was also wonderful not to wake up alone.

‘Of course. When will I see you next?’ She almost held her breath.

Before Mike could answer, a dual cab ute pulled up outside the shop and someone hooted the horn.

‘Time to go.’ Mike took a final gulp of his coffee then walked to the door and opened it. ‘Be right there,’ he called, before turning back to Rose.

‘Here, I can take that.’ Rose was conscious that Mike hadn’t answered her question.

He gave her the mug, but before she could step away, he put his arms around her and pulled her close. His kiss was sensual—and something more. Caring, perhaps. She didn’t dare think further than that.

‘I’ll call you tonight,’ he said as he finally let her go and stepped away. ‘This job lasts two days. After that, I can head back this way. That is, if you want me to?’ He raised one eyebrow.

If she wanted him to? Rose took his shoulders and pulled him back for another kiss. ‘I think that’s the second best idea you’ve had today.’

His eyes met hers, acknowledging how they had started their morning, then he chuckled and left. Rose started singing softly as she carried the still-warm mug into the kitchen.

***

As Bree pulled in at the house, she saw Maggie hurrying in her direction, waving an arm.

‘Sorry,’ she said as she got out of the car. ‘I didn’t mean to leave you with everything—’

‘One of the girls. She’s giving birth. I don’t know what to do.’ Maggie’s face was twisted with worry. ‘I texted you but—’

Bree had heard the beep, but never looked at her phone while driving. ‘It’s fine. I’m here now. Let’s go and take a look at her.’

‘I called the vet,’ Maggie said. ‘It’s Roxy. This is her first, isn’t it?’

‘Yes.’ Bree bit back thoughts of the vet’s fees. Roxy probably didn’t need any help and if she did, Bree could probably do what was needed. But despite having worked here for a while, Maggie hadn’t actually been present when a cria was born and her caution was understandable. Especially as she hadn’t known when Bree would return. ‘You did the right thing, Maggie.’

‘I was so worried.’

They had reached the gate into the small safe paddock where the new mothers and about-to-be mothers grazed. There were eight of them, all clustered near the far fence. Bree and Maggie went quietly through the gate and walked towards them. There was a soft, strangely pleasant, sound emanating from the group.

‘They started making that sound a little while ago,’ Maggie said.

‘They’re purring. They often do that when there’s a cria imminent.’

‘They won’t harm the baby, will they?’ Maggie asked softly.

‘No. They always crowd around like this. It’s their way of welcoming the cria.’

‘Oh … look.’ The girl’s voice held a tinge of horror.

Roxy was standing in the centre of the crowd. The cria was part way out of the birth canal, its head hanging down past its mother’s tail.

‘It’s all right. She’s fine.’ Bree put a hand on Maggie’s arm to stop her moving any closer. ‘That’s exactly what should be happening.’

‘But the baby … Why doesn’t she lie down?’

‘She will at some point. How long has the cria been hanging?’

‘I first saw its head about five minutes ago. That’s when I called the vet.’

‘Then she’s fine. It will take a little bit longer, but she should be finished unpacking soon.’ Bree saw the frown on Maggie’s face. ‘Unpacking is the word we use for alpacas giving birth.’

Maggie nodded, her eyes returning to Roxy. The alpaca lowered herself gently to the ground, her ears flicking back and forth. She didn’t stay there for long and was back on her feet a few moments later.

‘I brought towels,’ Maggie said. ‘They’re on the fence.’

‘Good. We may need them. It won’t be long now.’

Roxy seemed to agree. She lowered herself carefully to the ground once more. With what seemed little effort, she pushed one more time and there the baby was, limp and wet.

‘Is it all right?’

‘I think so. Give them a minute.’

Roxy got to her feet and stepped away. The other alpacas began sniffing and licking the baby, who was soon struggling to bring those long legs under control.

‘Pass me a towel, please, Maggie.’

Bree crouched beside the baby and began rubbing it with the towel. Then, as the cria tried to stand, she put her arms around its tiny body and gently lifted. The baby was still struggling, though it was surprisingly strong for something that looked so fragile and weak. It was getting stronger by the minute and Bree loosened her hold, certain now that the baby could stand on its own. When it seemed comfortable on its feet, Bree encouraged it to move towards its anxious mother. The cria did and, drawn by instinct to the smell of the rich, warm milk, it pushed its nose under Roxy’s belly and was soon suckling.

Maggie laughed as the little one’s tail began wagging wildly. ‘Oh. She’s so cute.’

‘ He is,’ Bree agreed.

‘It looks like you didn’t need me after all.’

Bree turned to see Anna Prentiss approaching. ‘Roxy has done a pretty good job,’ Bree said.

The scar on her face made Anna’s grin a little lopsided, but the joy in it was obvious. ‘This is the best part of my job, not being needed while new life comes into the world.’

Bree had to agree.

The three of them watched the new mum and her baby for a few minutes.

‘What are you going to call him?’ Maggie asked.

‘I don’t know yet. I always like to wait a couple of days before I give them a name. Until I get to know them a little bit.’

‘While I’m here, I should check on Sky. She must be getting close,’ Anna said.

Sky was indeed getting very close to giving birth. She was grazing quietly in the paddock, her distended belly impressively large.

Anna shook her head as she looked at the expectant mother. ‘I honestly thought she would have lost them by now.’

‘I’m starting to believe she’s going to have two healthy twins,’ Bree said.

‘I hope you’re right. But there’s still no guarantee.’

‘I know. I can still hope.’

‘Let’s both do that.’

A flicker of movement from the direction of the driveway caught Bree’s eye. It was swiftly followed by the sound of a car. Her first paying walkers were due about now. This must be them. She was ready for this next step in her new life.