"Why me?" she whispered.
Jason knocked on the door, peeking in. "I called an ambulance, just in case."
"Thanks," Megan said.
Tracy's screams shook the bed. Megan motioned Jason to come in, despite seeing him turn green. "Sit beside Tracy and hold her hand. Talk to her. Tell her anything."
He cleared his throat and did as asked. "Ouch!" he said when Tracy clenched his hand hard. After what seemed an eternity, a beautiful and healthy baby girl arrived, kicking and screaming. Megan wiped the baby's face and wrapped her in a towel. When she laid the baby on Tracy's stomach, the woman's gaze fell upon her daughter. Jason mumbled congratulations as he bolted out the door.
"Megan," Jason yelled, "Charlie's back."
"Tell him to get up here, now."
Charlie ran in the room panting. "Oh my gosh!" he said, his eyes like pools of chocolate liquid. "Are you all right?" he asked Tracy, kissing her on the forehead. "How's the baby?" He touched his daughter's head and said, "Hello, darlin."
Congratulations came out barely above a whisper. Megan hurried downstairs and collapsed onto the top porch step. After a few minutes she breathed. "I didn't deliver a baby, did I?" she asked, staring at her trembling hands.
"Cuz, are you okay?" Brett joined her.
"Not sure." As the tears spilled from her eyes, Megan's body slumped forward. Nothing around here made sense. She had just helped bring a new life into his world. Sure, she had helped before with a foal, but humans were different. The love she saw radiating in Tracy's green eyes would never vanish from her thoughts. This baby was a true miracle and blessing for Tracy and Charlie and the Circle M.
"Will you ever cease to amaze me?" he said, rubbing her back.
"What are you talking about?" she said, sniffling.
"Last year you rode bareback, calmed a wild horse, and climbed rocks to find a lost girl. Now you're delivering babies. What's next?"
She shook her head. Words were moot now.
"Here," he said, handing her his blue bandana. She sat up and wiped her nose. Hearing boots on the porch, they turned. Charlie stood there, pride showing through the tear-filled eyes. Megan wiped her eyes. "Will this place never stop amazing and challenging me?" she wondered.
"How's the proud papa?" Brett asked, as he shook Charlie's hand and slapped him on the back.