Madison's Children

“I always look after Miss Dorie.” Etta pushed her toward the door. “Go. Coop and Ru are waiting.”

By noon Maddie’s butt was numb and her body ached, but they had a penful of expecting mamas. She leaned on the fence beside Cooper. “How do you know these cows are ready to give birth?”

“Look at their udders.”

“Oh, they’re swollen.”

“Yep. Full of milk, and their…”

When he stopped, she glanced at him. “What?”

Cooper removed his hat and swiped back his hair as if he was thinking about his answer. “Their tail ends are swollen, too.”

“Oh.” She playfully slapped his shoulder. “You thought I’d be embarrassed.”

His sun-browned skin darkened. “Maybe.”

“Ple-ease.” She pushed away from the fence, placed her hands on her hips and bobbled her head in a what’s-up-with-you movement. “I really am made of tougher stuff.”

“Well, you surprised the hell out of me,” he admitted. “I thought you’d do your share of the work from the house.”

“Not on your life, buster.” She started toward the house. “Let’s go have lunch. I’m starving.”

She had thought of just doing the paperwork. Cooper could run the ranch without her help, but something about being part-owner made her take an active role. Cait had. And she enjoyed the physical exercise. And she needed to feel useful. And she craved the mind-numbing tiredness that kept her from thinking what if? What if the cancer came back?

That fear never left her.

IT WAS A TEACHER’S workday so Walker had both kids at home. He’d received a call from Lois Willham. Her husband had just gotten laid off from his job in Rockdale. He’d bought a six-pack of beer and was in the yard drinking and firing a gun. She was afraid he was going to hit an unexpected bystander.

Walker didn’t want to take the kids on that kind of call, so he left Haley in charge. He thought she would be happy, but she seemed more nervous than anything.

He didn’t plan to be gone that long, so he didn’t worry, which was an understatement. Worry was his constant companion.