breech?” A wave of terror washed over her. She pressed a hand against her throat as she fought the sudden faintness that gripped her. Almost three years before, she had lost a baby because he was breech. And nearly her own life.
The memory of her tiny boy, skin ashen, still brought tears to her eyes. He had looked like a miniature of Toby with fine, dark hair. After Amos had put the baby in her arms, she had wept uncontrollably. Lenora remembered little of the passing days while she had mourned the loss of Baby Amos. A tiny marker in the backyard stood as a silent sentinel for the infant who never had a chance to live.
Cole’s gaze met hers steadily—the first time since he had joined her in the pasture. With the late-afternoon sun beating down on them, the blue of his eyes appeared all the more intense.
“I could try to shift the calf.” He glanced up into the fading light. “But we don’t have a lot of time.”
“Couldn’t we take her to the barn?” Toby asked.
“She’s pretty weak.” Cole shook his head. “Doubt we could get her to her feet at this point. But out here, she’d be helpless with the...” He broke off when Lenora began to twist the apron between her hands.
Because of coyotes? Or a mountain lion?
Please, please, do something.
As though she had pleaded aloud, he stripped off his vest and shirt. He tossed them aside. At first he was kneeling, then lying flat on the ground, toes digging into the grass for leverage. Was he trying to swivel the calf? Porky didn’t help as she labored against him.
After several minutes, Cole was panting hard. “Just a little...” He grunted as his hold apparently slipped. Finally, he sat back on his heels. Chest heaving, he seemed to consider the options. He peered at Lenora. “Are you up for helping?”
“Anything. Just tell me what to do.”
He turned to her son. “Go fetch rope, the finest you have. Several lengths. Check my gear for some if you don’t have any.”
“Yessir.” Toby again raced across the pasture.
Cole ran his knuckles under his chin. “I’m going to try to slip a rope around the front hoof. Both, if possible. Then I’ll push against the calf while you pull the rope. Can you do that?”
She nodded.
“I gotta warn ya—this may not work. Could tear up her insides. Or break the calf’s neck.”
“We have to do something. I can’t just...” She waved toward Porky.
“Worst case, we’ll lose ’em both.” His cheek muscle flexed as he rose. “But there is another option.”
She waited.
“I could cut her open. Save the calf. Maybe.”
Lenora squeezed her eyes shut at the thought.
“That’d be the last resort. I’d wait until you were up at the house. Toby and I’d handle everything.”
“Mr. Cole. Cole,” she amended, injecting firmness into her voice. “I trust you’ll do what you can. And I thank you for your help. No matter what happens.”
He seemed to size up her words. After a single nod, he squatted by Porky. “She’s looking mighty tired. I hope...” He rested a hand on the animal’s rump.
Her son soon returned with a length of rope.
“Toby, you’re up front. Lenora, stand behind me.”
The youngster grabbed Porky’s halter while she positioned herself. She wrapped one end of the rope around her wrist while Cole reached inside the birth canal with the other, a small loop tied in place. After some maneuvering, he panted for Lenora to gently pull.
“I got one hoof.” He felt around inside the heifer. “Pull a little harder. Head feels like it’s coming around. Gently. Yes, that’s it.”
After a few moments, he reached in the birth canal with the other end of the rope. This one gave him more trouble, but finally he grunted in relief. “Got it.” As he lay flat on his stomach, Cole twisted his head to look back at her. “Keep steady pressure on both lines. Don’t pull too hard. Don’t jerk.”
“I’m ready.” Positioned inside the circle of rope, Lenora kept it taut.
“Toby, you’re doing great.”
Her son took a firmer grip on the halter.
“Lenora, lean your weight on those lines a little more. Perfect.” Digging his boots into the soil, he rasped as Porky strained against him. “More pressure.”
With the rope around her waist, she was nearly leaning backward. Cole seemed to be pushing as hard as he could to shift the calf. Porky strained while Toby stood spread-eagled at her head.
“That’s it, Lenora.” Cole grappled with the slick line. “Harder.”
Rope cutting into her, she groaned. One moment she was leaning back with nearly her full weight, the next toppling head over heels as Porky gave a huge bellow. With a gush of birthing fluid, a small form slid from its mother.
Lenora staggered to her feet as Cole untied the calf’s hooves.
“A heifer.” He met Lenora’s gaze, mouth tight. The little baby lay unmoving, a small heap of slick, black hair.
Before she could entreat him to do something, he was already on one knee, clearing the mouth and blowing into her nostrils. He thumped the calf’s rib cage and rolled her to her chest several times. After endless moments, the baby coughed and shook her head.
Cole grinned at Lenora. “Looks like she’s gonna make it.”
Throat tight, she merely nodded.
“What about Porky?” Toby piped up.
The new mama appeared exhausted, head hanging low, nose nearly touching the ground.
Without answering, Cole dragged the newborn under Porky’s nose. She seemed not to care. Struggling to hold up her wobbly head, the calf gave a sharp bawl. As though awakened in an instant, Porky snuffed at the twitching form. In minutes, she was making low sounds in her throat as she cleaned her baby with a long tongue.
Clutching her hands to her chest, Lenora released several pent-up breaths as she watched the miracle of a new mother with her calf. Embarrassed when she caught Cole staring at her, she brushed a tear off her cheek.
Dusk had begun to settle on the landscape, but enough daylight remained for her to see Cole’s mud-streaked chest. She knew she, too, must look a fright, but she didn’t care. When their gazes met, she smiled.
“You did good. Real good.” The warmth of his approval beamed from his nod and crooked grin.
“Thank you.” She could barely get the words out.
When the calf fought to stand on unsteady legs, Porky staggered upward. As she licked the
