The Hope in Hot Chocolate by Rachael Bloome

Author:Rachael Bloome
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Secret Garden Press

Landon marveled as his mother entered the barn with all the poise and confidence he remembered from his youth. She’d been a regular Dr. Dolittle during his childhood, working miracles with animals other vets deemed beyond hope.

Then, one day, everything changed.

Landon shook away the thought, focusing on the present.

Vick and Lucy had created a cozy nest for Peggy Sue with straw and blankets, and strategically placed heat lamps to dispel the harsh winter chill.

They’d both rejoiced at their arrival, grateful for Irene’s skill and expertise, and their appreciation and faith in her abilities seemed to buoy his mother’s spirits even more.

“Landon.” She caught his attention with her crisp, commanding tone. “I’ll need you to keep track of the time between piglets. Let me know if we start to go past forty minutes.”

“On it.” Landon tapped his watch, and, as if on cue, Peggy Sue grunted and squealed, sending everyone scurrying to their assigned posts, ready to assist when needed.

For the most part, the stalwart sow knew exactly what to do, and her adorable—albeit slimy—offspring made their way into the world in smooth, regular intervals of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Landon had never witnessed a live birth before and stood in awe of Peggy Sue’s strength and endurance.

From her wheelchair, Irene gave instructions to Vick on how to check each piglet and cut the umbilical cord, while Lucy and Sadie gave them a quick cleaning before sending them back to Peggy Sue to nurse.

Landon continued to keep the time, watching his mother work with unabashed pride. He hadn’t seen her this alive and vibrant in years, and he owed it all to Sadie.

He stole a glance in her direction, and their eyes locked.

She cradled the tiniest polka-dotted piglet in her arms, her eyes shining as she smiled up at him. In that moment, all their differences and underlying conflict vanished in light of the miracle before them, and the intimacy of the shared glance momentarily stole his breath.

Her gaze flickered to Irene and her smile deepened, as if she, too, understood tonight’s significance.

Somehow, encapsulated in the warmth and soft glow of the farrowing barn, time seemed to slow down, and he could finally see things clearly.

He was falling for Sadie Hamilton.

And he didn’t care if it made sense.

“Landon, how long has it been since the last piglet?” His mother’s tense voice broke through his reverie, jerking the world back into focus.

He checked his watch, and his heart sank. “Forty-six minutes.”

“That’s too long. She’s going to need our help with the next one.”

“What can I do?” Vick knelt by Peggy Sue’s side, ready to jump into action, but Irene shook her head.

“We’ll need to pull the piglet out, and your hands are too big.”

Landon’s chest cinched at the uncertain waver in his mother’s voice.

Please, please don’t let us lose one of the piglets, he silently prayed, his fears on the verge of coming to fruition.

“I can help,” Sadie offered, though her apprehension was evident.

Landon admired her willingness, and hoped his mother would at least let her try, instead of giving up altogether.

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