Free Never Let You Go by Emma Carlson Berne Page A

blink. “If that was the case, you’d be on the first bus home, dear. But I know you better than that. Is Rosie’s stall ready?”
    “We just finished,” Megan said. “Is she . . . feeling okay?”
    Thomas led her into the fresh, sweet-smelling stall and took off her halter. “Well, she’s not sick, if that’s what you’re asking. But she is in early labor.”
    The girls gasped and clutched each other in excitement. “How do you know?” Megan asked. She looked at Rosie, half expecting her to drop to the floor and produce a foal that instant.
    Thomas ran his hands lightly over the horse’s bulging sides. “I stopped to check on her while she was in the pasture. She’s showing the usual signs, but it could be awhile yet. You know what that means. . . .” He looked at Anna.
    “Foal watch!”
    “What’s foal watch?” Jordan asked.
    “Oh, it’s so much fun! You stay up all night and watch the mare and just hang out, eat snacks, and talk, and then, if the foal starts coming—”
    “Come and wake me up,” Thomas said. “I don’t think she’ll do it before morning, but we’d better play it safe.” He ran his fingers over his short white beard. “Let’s see. Dave has to go over to Tractor Supply real early tomorrow, and Sarah’s on breakfast duty. They need some sleep tonight, so we’ll leave this to you summer hands. Let’s have Megan and Jordan do the first shift,then Anna and Robert after that. Isaac can take the prebreakfast watch if there’s no foal by then.”
    They all nodded. Megan actually clapped her hands. An actual foal, born right here in this barn! This was probably the most exciting thing to ever happen to her. She pushed aside the equally thrilling thought that she’d be alone with Jordan for her shift.
    When the others had gone ahead to lunch, Megan lingered behind to pat Rosie’s nose once more.
    “Are you scared, girl?” she asked the mare. Rosie chewed a mouthful of hay. Her big dark eyes looked calm. She was probably used to this. Megan tried to remember if Thomas had said she’d had babies before, or if this was her first. She scratched behind Rosie’s ears.
    “Well, if you’re worrying, don’t,” she told her. “Someone will be with you the whole time. You won’t be alone.”
    Anna stuck her head back through the barn doors. “Megan. Come on, dweeb! Everyone’s already eating.”
    Megan gave Rosie’s nose a last pat and hurried to the door. She felt all quivery with anticipation, thinking of the upcoming night. “I’m starving,” she told Anna outside. “What’s for lunch, do you know?” She started down the path, her stomach rumbling, but Anna grabbed her hand.
    “Wait, I have to ask you something,” she said.
    Ahead on the farmhouse lawn, Megan could see everyone seated around the long picnic table. Sarah was standing at thehead, talking, holding a platter aloft in one hand, gesturing with the other. Megan thought she could smell meat. “What?” She made as if to keep walking. “I think they grilled burgers.”
    “No, listen. Wait just a second.” Anna spoke in a hushed tone, even though no one else was around. “Switch shifts with me tonight. You can hang out with Robert and I’ll be with Jordan.”
    Megan stopped and groaned. “I thought we were done with the whole Robert plan. Seriously, I am so not into him, and the feeling is definitely mutual.” Secretly, she knew her protests weren’t all about Robert.
    “No, come on, you have to!” Anna pleaded. “I’ll think up some excuse for Uncle Thomas—I’ll tell him I can’t stay up that late. He won’t care.” She clasped her hands like a little girl. “Please, please? Oh, come on, Meg, this is my chance with Jordan! You know, to show him how I really feel.”
    “Your chance ?” Megan couldn’t resist snorting. “Didn’t you have your chance in the feed room just now?” She started walking again.
    “Come on, Meg, please ? I really need your help.” Anna’s eyes were