Straddling the Fence Read Online Free Page A

nature to Eli.
    He’d been an escape for Bellamy Haile, a respite from
something plaguing her mind. He intended to find out what it was. With any
luck, it would land him back in her bed again too. For right now though, he had
to set all that curiosity and lust aside and focus on learning how to save the
calf and its mother via Bellamy’s knowledge of veterinary medicine.
    He watched her select items from various compartments on the
truck, dropping them into a clean plastic bucket at her feet. When it appeared
she was satisfied with what she’d chosen, he grabbed the handle before she
could. Her even gaze skimmed him from chest to face, then she turned and he
followed her into the corral, setting the bucket down near the struggling cow’s
rump.
    While he’d been out at the gate waiting, Fritz and Sage had
been busy. Artificial light spilled across the corral and there was a bucket of
clean water nearby in case Bellamy needed it. A halter and rope was attached to
the cow’s head and tied off to the closest fence post.
    “Bellamy, these are my brothers, Sage and Fritz.”
    They shook hands. “It’s nice to meet you both,” she said,
then turned her attention to the furry mother. She passed a hand across the
animal’s broad hindquarter, murmuring softly, introducing herself there also,
it seemed.
    “Is this her first calf?”
    “Yeah, and ours too,” Eli said. “When we bought them they
were already bred, but the record books are immaculate.”
    “That’s good. First timers can be tricky. Calving tends to
take longer, however they generally give birth to smaller calves. The larger
the cow grows, the bigger her calves will be. Males can run bigger than
females, and that can cause difficult births too. Then there are sire issues.
Some bulls just throw big calves. If you see this continuing to be a problem
into next year, you might want to consider getting a different bull.”
    Eli, Sage and Fritz nodded in understanding, hands braced on
their hips, ready to do as she bid. Despite having read copious amounts of
material about raising cattle, Eli appreciated all the practical input he could
get. Hands-on was a much better learning tool than any book or article on the
internet.
    The entire time Bellamy talked, she’d been assembling her
tools on a small plastic tarp.
    “I’m going to talk as I go and y’all are going to help.
Experience is the best way for you to learn, and if you have questions, ask
them.” She handed each of them a pair of long plastic gloves. While they tugged
them up to their biceps, she did the same, then added a pair of fitted latex
gloves over hers. “The ideal way to do this is with the dam in a head chute so
you can control her, but she seems fairly calm and exhausted, so I think we’ll
be okay with the rope and halter. If there’s ever any doubt, put her in a chute
so you can restrict her movement in case she gets spooked or agitated. Keep the
noise levels down to a minimum. The less agitated she is, the better the birth
will go. Timing is key here as well. If she’s expelled the water sac, the calf
needs to be delivered soon after, but an hour is the benchmark. Longer than
that and you risk losing it.”
    The cow let out a low bellow and Bellamy patted her side. “I
know it hurts, little momma.” She turned her attention back to them. “And
that’s another thing—she feels pain just like we do. Be very gentle and careful
in everything you do to her.”
    Bellamy dropped to her knees behind the cow. “First thing we
need to do is wash and disinfect her entire hind end. Nothing gets squirted
inside of her, only the outside areas. It’s important that everything —you,
her, your tools—are thoroughly disinfected. You don’t want to introduce any
bacteria inside the birth canal.” She held up a bottle of disinfectant so they
could read the brand name. “Most farm stores carry calving supplies. If you
can’t find what you need, ask me and I’ll order it for you.”
    Eli and