Page 51 of Second Chance Saloon

“And a sharp, clean knife!” Mitch shouted after her.

Jackie’s eyes widened. “What do you need the knife for?”

His head swung to the side, a host of emotions crisscrossing his features. “I need to manually rupture the membrane and help the foal out. This is called red bag delivery—you might’ve heard of it.”

Her face crumpled. “I’ve heard about it at the ranch, but I’ve never seen one.” She stood, moving to Lina’s head. She dropped on her heels and scratched behind Lina’s ear. “It isn’t good, is it?”

“No.” Mitch inhaled sharply, pushing both his hands into his thighs, his gaze focused on the barn entrance as he watched out for Estrella. “If the membrane doesn’t rupture, and the foal comes out encased in it, it loses placental blood and oxygen, and dies.”

The weight of that sentence sucked out the air from the barn.

Jackie looked at Lina, tilting her head. “Attagirl, you have a great vet helping you now. Just relax.” Feeling Mitch’s eyes on her, she swallowed, not looking up. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said softly. “I almost forgot how much you love horses.”

Her lips rolled to contain a smile. “I didn’t tell you, but Ricochet died last year. I miss her so much. Even though over the last ten years I didn’t get to see or ride her often, knowing she’s really gone hurts like hell.”

“What happened?”

Her eyes brimmed with tears. “She caught a virus—equine infectious anemia the vet said. I was visiting Mimi and she went downhill so fast. Two other horses at the ranch caught it. They recovered but we were told it was better to put them down, because they could spread it to all the other horses …” She trailed off, the memory bringing bile up her throat.

“Chronic infectious anemia is highly contagious. The only other alternative is quarantining the infected horses away from any other animals, in a separate screened enclosure. Euthanasia is often kinder for them.”

She nodded, drawing a deep breath. Her hand shook against Lina’s mane. “Mimi was devastated. So was Dustin.”

“I can imagine. It’s a very difficult decision. I’m so sorry about Ricochet.” He paused. “Was Diamond—”

Jackie lifted her head, giving him a small smile. “Diamond’s perfect. Rose, Ali and Kit’s daughter, is eyeing him up for herself.”

Mitch crinkled his nose at her. “Of course, she’d be ten years old now. Time flies …” He caught himself and cleared his throat. “They’re all right?”

“They are.” Jackie whipped her head toward the gate as Estrella barreled through it, clutching a pile of fluffy towels with a box of sterile gloves and a knife balanced on top, a bucket hanging off her wrist.

“Here, Mr. Craigton.” Estrella lowered her arms.

“Mitch is fine. Thank you, this will do well.” He took the knife and dumped it in the bucket with soapy water, pulling out gloves from the packet. “Are you squeamish?” he asked Estrella.

She winced, her face paling. “A bit. Chula, could you help him? I need to go tell Bruno what’s happening. He’s been struggling with walking today, otherwise he’d be strolling up and down here, keeping an eye on her. Lina’s his favorite, you see.”

Jackie moved to Mitch’s side, reaching for the gloves. “Of course. I’ll come get you when there’s an update.”

Estrella nodded before she turned on her heel and jogged outside, again.

With her gloves on, Jackie turned to Mitch. “Tell me what to do.”

“I’m going to cut the sac. Once I do, put your hands in and pull the membrane away, as hard as you can. I’ll pull the other side. Then, we need to put our hands inside and, hopefully, feel the foal’s legs. We need to help them get out.”

Her chest rose in pursuit of air. “And you can use a kitchen knife for that?”

Mitch grimaced, lifting the knife from the bucket with boiling water. “Normally, I’d use sterile surgical scissors. I’d also use a sedative beforehand, but I didn’t think to bring veterinary equipment to a honeymoon. Didn’t think I’d be delivering any horses.”

Jackie’s ears pinked up. “Of course you didn’t. Sorry, that was a stupid question.”

“It wasn’t. But if we don’t do anything, the foal will die. Lina might die, too. At least if we try, there’s a chance they might both be fine.”

She nodded, willing her hands to be still. “All right.”

“You’re ready?” He put the tip of the knife right on the surface of the red sac.