Not that I—dammit. There’s no denying that Jacob is an attractive man.
“Taking care of horses like this is a full-time job. When Freya is close to go into labor, you’ll want to set up cameras or something so you can keep a constant eye on her. I’m hopeful she’ll be in much better health when the time comes for her to have her baby, but I would definitely consider her pregnancy and delivery on the high-risk side.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I blurt, though I don’t really see how I can unless… unless I do my work from the barn. But that would require Wi-Fi out here and some sort of heat in the winter. Michigan winters can be brutal, and while the horses can easily adjust, my fragile human body would not fare well sitting in the cold barn when it’s twenty below zero. Plugging in a space heater is the first thing that comes to my mind, but the barn is much too big for one little heater to make any difference. Plus, a space heater around dust and hay is dangerous.
The house is only a few yards from the barn. It would make the most sense to get some sort of baby monitor type camera and attach it to Freya’s stall… like Jacob suggested. I bite my lip as I think about it, and I can’t help but get a little excited at the thought of having a newborn foal or colt this coming spring. But then reality hits me and I know the barn isn’t set up for breeding. Typically, mares have a larger stall than what Freya has right now, giving them room to give birth and then enough space to share with their baby afterward.
“This isn’t something that you should just try to figure out as you go. You’re only making things harder for yourself if you go about it that way.”
“Then please, tell me what you suggest,” I say, not really meaning to come off as sassy as I did just there. I guess I know where Everly gets it from, after all. Jacob might annoy me for some reason I’ve yet to quite figure out, but he is the vet and so far, he’s proven to be a good one. If I’m going to take anyone’s advice, that should be his.
“I’ve already told you,” he presses, “let me help take the horses off your hands. If you’re serious about staying, then at least consider letting me take the more severe cases. I can continue to care for Pongo, and I’ll be able to give Freya top of the line treatment and constant monitoring.”
“That’s a generous offer,” I say having to remind myself that it actually is. “But we can do it. I know I didn’t go to that school like you, but I can take care of these horses. And I promise you I’m not one of those people who are unwilling to seek medical help when someone under my care needs it.”
“Then see this as the meeting it he says slowly. There’s a rescue I’ve sent horses to before in Northwest Indiana. I’m sure they would take both Pongo and Freya in a heartbeat.”
“Wait.” I hold up my hand, blinking. Did he really just say what I think you did? My heart skips a beat as I start to get irritated because now I feel like he’s blatantly insulting me. “I thought you just said you would keep them.”
“I will until I find them a permanent home.”
“They have a permanent home!” I sweep my hand out at the barn. “Here!”
“You need to be realistic. This is a huge undertaking, and no one would fault you for seeking help. If anything, I would commend you for doing what needs to be done to ensure the horses are taken care of.”
“They are taken care of them!” I insist. “I’m taking care of them. And I know I might not be off to the best start in your eyes after what happened today with Thor, but it won’t happen again. My brother is not a horse person in the least and was just trying to help since he’s here. My family is leaving as soon as we scatter Aunt Kim’s ashes.”
Jacob’s face softens. “She wouldn’t want you to take on too much.”
“Funny that she left the farm to me,” I snap, wanting to tell him he doesn’t know anything about Aunt Kim, when in truth he knows her better than I ever did. Knowing I’m reaching an emotional threshold, I push off from the stall and grab a pitchfork and muck bucket.
“Crystal should be here soon,” he says and briskly walks out of the barn towards his truck. I’m much calmer after cleaning a stall. In the back of my mind, I know my emotions are running high because I’m still dealing with the sudden loss of my aunt. But that’s not to invalidate how the way I feel now which is completely because of how brazen Dr. Harris has been.