Single Father: Wife and Mother Wanted

This raw awareness of a man was so alien that she felt self-conscious and uncomfortable in her body. Even simple movements seemed stilted, graceless. She struggled to understand what was wrong with her. Where was the reserve that invariably scuttled her relationships? This was a fine time for it to desert her.

She couldn’t be vulnerable now. She had a mission to accomplish. No time for sightseeing or holiday flings…or to be distracted by a gorgeous face.

Caitlin loitered by the mare for a moment then reluctantly stepped back towards the men, leaving the rein loose to give the animal as much space as possible. As though sensing her limited freedom on the long rope, the mare moved restlessly, her head down as she pawed at the ground.

After a few minutes, the expectant mother folded her knees and, with a drawn-out groan, lowered herself inelegantly. Strong contractions rippled across the huge brown stomach and the membrane bulge grew larger.

‘Just give her a minute here, Mr Neilson,’ Caitlin said, stopping Jim with a hand on his arm as he started to move forward.

‘She needs pulling.’

‘Perhaps, but we should give her labour a chance to progress naturally first.’ Everything so far seemed normal but any ill-considered human interference could easily change that.

Caitlin’s senses went on high alert as the younger man moved to stand closer. The action seemed almost protective and she felt at once steadied yet even more unsettled by his presence. Impossible.

‘You’re in luck this morning, Jim.’ The deep, mellow rumble of his voice played havoc with her bouncing pulse. ‘You’ve got the services of a doctor and a veterinarian on hand.’

Caitlin forced her lips into a reassuring smile. This was not the moment to reveal that her experience was in small-animal practice.

Jim stabbed a nicotine-stained finger in the direction of the horse. ‘That’s my prize standard-bred mare. If anything goes wrong, I’ll sue.’

Caitlin watched him stomp off in the direction of the truck.

‘Jim Neilson at his worst, I’m afraid.’

‘Hmm. He’s worried.’ And perhaps not without good reason since the largest animal she’d treated in the last few years had been a lanky Great Dane.

‘I feel like I should offer a blanket apology for Australian men. We’re not all obnoxious, all the time.’

She swivelled her head to look up at him. ‘Just some of you, some of the time?’

‘Quite.’ He grinned at her, his green eyes glowing with open approval. Her heart fluttered uncomfortably. ‘You haven’t met me at my best either, have you?’

She swallowed.

‘Matt Gardiner. Local doctor.’ He held out his hand. ‘And you are the horse whisperer. Much more use than a fairy godmother.’

‘No horse whisperer, I’m afraid. Just Caitlin Butler-Brown. Itinerant veterinarian.’

Glancing down as her hand slipped into his, she was very glad she’d already introduced herself. Long fingers closed around hers, causing a warm tingle that had her utterly focused on his touch. The sensation intensified when his thumb brushed over her knuckles.

‘Even better. Glad to meet you, Caitlin Butler-Brown.’

She couldn’t have replied if her life depended on it.

A grunt of pain from the mare gave her the will to reclaim her hand…and her mind. She curled her fingers into a tight fist to quell the lingering fizz of the connection.

She forced her mind to the job at hand. ‘If I do need to scrub, is there anywhere handy I can get soap and water?’

‘I have water in the car. And I’ve got a bottle of alcohol hand sanitiser in my bag.’

‘That’ll do the job. Thanks.’

The scratch and hiss of a match announced Jim’s return. She realised he was beside her, puffing on a cigarette in agitated gasps. The smell of smoke hung, unpleasant, on the crisp morning air, but Caitlin couldn’t bring herself to complain. She was glad he was there, a defence of sorts against the man at her other shoulder.

Long minutes crawled by as they watched the mare.

‘Dad?’

Caitlin’s system jolted. Dad? She turned slightly, aware of Matt doing the same, to see a slim boy of about ten standing behind them. Except for his dark hair he was the spitting image of the man beside her. Matt had a child. He was married…or at least very committed. A surprising disappointment stabbed her square in the chest.

‘I thought I told you to wait in the car,’ said Matt.

‘But I wanted to see the horse.’ The boy stared at the groaning mare.

‘Mmm. That makes all the difference, of course.’ He ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘Caitlin, this is my son, Nicky. Nicky, this is Dr Butler-Brown. She’s a vet.’

‘Nice to meet you, Nicky.’ Despite her disturbing reactions about his father, she didn’t have to fake a smile for the boy—he was adorable. ‘You can call me Caitlin.’

‘Hi.’ Anxious green eyes lifted to meet hers. ‘What’s wrong with him? Is he sick?’

‘No, not sick.’ Caitlin glanced over at the mare and smiled again, knowing Nicky needed reassurance. ‘It’s a mare and she’s going to have a foal.’

‘Wow. A foal? Like…now?’

She chuckled softly. ‘Yes, very much like now.’

‘Can I watch?’

She looked at Matt.

He shrugged. ‘Sure.’

‘Thanks, Dad.’

Matt’s eyebrows came together sternly. ‘This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, sport.’

‘I know.’ Nicky looked both angelic and cheeky as he grinned up at his father.

The loving affection in the look the two exchanged brought a lump to Caitlin’s throat. Instinctively, she knew Nicky would never doubt his place in Matt’s heart.

Her eyes stung as she turned away. It was like getting a glimpse into the way a family should work, one where love was given unconditionally. The kind of family she would never be a part of. The insight was stunning. Powerful. Beautiful.

The mare moved restlessly. Another contraction and the membranes ruptured with a watery rush. Caitlin’s focus sharpened. Spindly legs and a tiny narrow head were clearly visible. The delivery should proceed quickly now.

The minutes stretched and her instincts began to clamour. She drew in a deep breath and held it for several seconds. Something was wrong.

She licked dry lips then turned to Matt. ‘I’m going to need that alcohol sanitiser after all, please, Matt. I need to check the foal’s position.’