Having the Rancher's Baby by Cathy McDavid Page A

four champion roping horses and given the money to Gabe. Some of the younger steers had come down with a highly contagious virus last winter, and Gabe had used the money to purchase antibiotics.
    Cole sometimes asked himself why he’d done it. Mostly for Josh. His older brother wanted to stay at Dos Estrellas and needed a home where he could bring his children to live.
    But that wasn’t the real reason or the most important one. As much as Cole wanted to be gone from Mustang Valley— had wanted to be gone—he refused to be called a quitter. When he left, it would be with the respect of his family and the ranch employees.
    No one, especially Josh and Gabe, would give him that respect if he abandoned Vi and their child.
    â€œI’m hoping Hotshot will prove himself,” Cole said, his thoughts back to the present.
    â€œHe’s a fine horse, but he has a long way to go.”
    â€œTrue enough.” As the past few minutes had demonstrated.
    Eventually, he and Joey reached the gate separating the mustang sanctuary from the cattle grazing lands. The herds were constantly moved from section to section in order to conserve grass and allow it to regenerate.
    Last week, Cole had helped relocate the pregnant cows in this section from one farther south. Most were due to deliver in late fall or early winter. This he’d learned from Vi, who, despite being a slip of a girl, was practically an expert on cattle. She credited Cole’s father for teaching her.
    Once through the gate, Cole and Joey resumed their trek across the section. In the distance, the roofs of the ranch house and outbuildings came into view. Two hills over, cattle grazed, appearing unaffected by the heat.
    A cluster of paloverde trees grew to their left in a dry wash that had been full and running three months ago. Birds perched in the treetops, hopping nervously from branch to branch. Cole kept one eye glued to the ground, on the lookout for rattlesnakes and lizards hidden among the rocks.
    All at once a low, mournful bellow carried over to them from behind the trees.
    Cole drew up on the reins. “What’s that?”
    â€œA cow.” Joey was already turning his horse in the direction of the sound.
    Cole followed. “You sure?”
    â€œTrust me, it is.”
    Reaching the trees, they dismounted and pushed branches aside to investigate. Joey had been right. The cow stood with her head down, guarding the lifeless body of her prematurely born calf.
    â€œOh, man,” Cole said, his shoulders slumping. The poor thing never had a chance.
    * * *
    â€œY OU STAY HERE with the cow,” Cole told Joey, after they’d taken time to assess the situation. “I’ll ride to the ranch, get my truck and see who’s available to help. We’ll load the calf in the back, and you lead the cow to the ranch. I think the vet should check her out, just to be on the safe side.”
    He headed to where Hotshot was tied, trying to remember if the vet’s number was programed into his phone.
    â€œSounds good,” Joey said.
    Both of them had kept a reasonable distance from the cow in case she became aggressive. Her calf may not have survived, but there were no guarantees she’d willingly abandon it.
    Finding a patch of shade to escape the sweltering heat, Joey pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll call Violet.”
    Cole ground to a halt. “Don’t do that.”
    â€œShouldn’t she know? She’s in charge.”
    All Cole could think about was how news of the premature calf might upset her. She already struggled with mood swings—her words, not his. News like this would have her leaping out of bed or off the recliner, wherever she happened to be resting, and racing to the rescue.
    â€œI’ll call her,” Cole said, though he wouldn’t until later. Much later.
    It was too hot to gallop Hotshot, but that didn’t stop Cole from trotting him the last mile to the ranch.