Serenity Falls(79)

I know I said when I found out she was pregnant that I wanted to be there when she delivered, but now, I’m not so sure. I feel helpless in this moment as I listen to the muffled sounds and whimpers escaping her. I stand, fixated on the scene before me. My eyes feel like they are about to pop out of my head when a clear bag with a blue tint to it starts to peek its way through. “Good job, Autumn,” I coo, offering her words of encouragement. She looks at me, and when our eyes connect, I find within me a renewed strength to coach her through this. “That’s it, Girl. You’re doing so well. Are you gonna give us a filly or colt?” My voice is soft as I speak to her from outside her stall.

“They’re here,” Wes says as he jogs into the barn. “When I called they were already—” he stops mid-sentence when he looks and sees what I’m seeing. “Holy shit,” he whispers.

“Where is she? Is she okay?” Mr. Will asks, running into the barn with Mrs. Sandy hot on his heels.

I turn to them and answer. “I think she’s fine. To me, it looks like she’s almost done.”

Mr. Will nods and slowly makes his way into her stall. “Hey Wes, why don’t you and Kenleigh go on inside. We’ll let y’all know when she’s done. The less people around, the less stress she has to endure. Sandy, can you bring me some blankets from the storeroom please?”

Wes grips my elbow to pull me away from one of the most amazing things I’ve ever had the privilege of watching, while Mrs. Sandy does what her husband asks.

Once we’re outside, Wes tightens his grip on my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I turn to look at him. The smile he’s wearing makes me catch my breath. “I heard you in there.”

“Huh?” I ask confused.

“Talkin’ Autumn down. I don’t know what it is or what it was, but you calmed her down.”

“Oh. Actually, I think I was doing it more for myself than anything else. Of course, I couldn’t stand to see her in pain like that, and I know it’s a part of life, but…” I trail off with a shrug my shoulders. There’s only one other time in my life where I’ve felt completely helpless, and I’ve come a long way since then. I hate that feeling more than anything else.

“You okay, Babe?” He releases me, only to wrap his arm around my waist. Wes is always so concerned about me, and it’s nice to have someone other than family to care as much as he does.

I step into his embrace and lean my head against his chest. Inhaling deeply, I let the scent of musk and woods, the scent of him, calm me. I turn my head and listen to his steady heartbeat before I answer. “Yeah. I’m good now.” My answer is honest, and I squeeze him tighter to me. And for the first time in my life, I actually feel good.





With this being the last week of camp, it’s going to be bittersweet to say the least. I’ve watched Bailey and the others come a long way. Bailey isn’t the closed off girl that avoided people anymore. Now, she’s so much more. Getting her to open up wasn’t easy, but I have enjoyed reaping the benefits since she has. Her smile that was non-existent now holds a place on her beautiful face. I’d like to say that I’m the only one who’s helped her, but I can’t take all the credit. John has been the one that’s really drawn her out of the darkness and into the light.

“What are you doin’ out here?” Mrs. Sandy asks as she sits down next to me on the porch steps.

I take a sip of my coffee. “Just thinking, and watching the sunrise.” I turn to her with a smile.

She nods before taking a drink of her own coffee. “I can’t believe this is the last week of camp.”

“I know. It went by way too fast.” My melancholy doesn’t go unnoticed.

“I agree, but is something else bothering you?”

Of course, Mrs. Sandy would know there’s something else. I nod. “It’s this whole thing between me and Wes. I’ve tried to talk to him about what will happen between us when I have to leave, but every time I try and bring it up, he just sweeps the whole conversation under the rug.” I sigh and turn my attention back to the horizon. The first rays of bright orange blend with the yellow hues of the rising sun as it begins to peek over the hills.

“Please, don’t think he doesn’t care. I know he does. You both still have a couple weeks left here. Give it some time. Okay?” I nod before I take another drink of coffee. “Things have a way of working themselves out when you least expect them to.”

“The way this summer has been going, I’m beginning to think you’re right, Mrs. Sandy.” In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever spoken truer words.