Unexpected Inheritance

28

Ben, now leaning against the doorway with a knowing smirk, finally spoke up. "Just go on, Doc. You know you wanna."

Miranda rolled her eyes but stood up, grabbing her coat. "Fine. But I am not a vet, so don't expect any miracles."

Meadow grinned and grabbed her hand, practically dragging her toward the door. "Come on Goldie's gonna feel so much better now"

Ben chuckled as they walked out. "Looks like you got yourself another patient, Doc."

Miranda shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Not. A. Word."

They made their way to the barn and Miranda wondered what she got herself into.

She stood in the barn, arms crossed as she eyed Goldie. Meadow had long since run off after making sure her mother was actually checking on the horse, leaving Miranda alone with the mare. She sighed, leaning against the stall door.

"Listen, girl, I get it," she said, shaking her head. "Pregnancy is not fun. I didn't enjoy it much either, if I'm being honest."

Goldie flicked an ear, her tail swishing.

Miranda chuckled. "You're tired, you're uncomfortable, and everyone just expects you to deal with it like it's nothing. And then there's the whole giving birth part. Trust me, I know—it's a lot. But in the end... you get this little reward that makes it all worth it."

She reached out, running a hand gently along Goldie's neck. "Being a mom is exhausting, draining... and some days, I wonder why I did it. But my three kids? They each taught me something about myself." She paused, smiling softly. "Tuck taught me how to slow down, how to love something bigger than myself even when I was terrified. Meadow taught me joy—pure, wild joy. And Junebug... well, he's still teaching me, but I think he's my reminder that life never really goes as planned, and that's okay."

Goldie huffed, shifting her weight, and Miranda sighed, shaking her head. "Now, I don't know which one of Ben's damn horses knocked you up, and honestly, I don't even wanna know how horse relationships work. But I do know one thing—giving that man kids was the best thing I ever did... aside from moving here and marrying him."

"Well, damn, Doc. You tryna make me fall in love with you all over again?"

Miranda turned to see Ben leaning against the barn door, arms crossed, smirking.

She rolled her eyes. "Eavesdropping now?"

He shrugged. "You were talkin' loud enough. Figured I'd stick around and hear what you had to say."

She huffed. "And?"

Ben stepped forward, slipping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. "And I think you might be the best thing I ever did..if you catch my drift."

Miranda scoffed, but the small smile on her lips betrayed her. "You're so damn corny."

Ben grinned. "And you love me for it."

She sighed, leaning into him. "Yeah... I do."

Goldie snorted, and Miranda chuckled. "Guess she agrees."

Miranda took a deep breath, looking at Goldie with a soft smile. "The point is, it'll all be okay in the end," she said, her voice quieter now, almost as if speaking to herself as much as to the horse. "The hard parts, the long days... they all come to an end. And then you have something beautiful to show for it."

Goldie nudged her gently with her nose, as though listening, and Miranda laughed softly. "I don't know how you feel about all this, but I know what it's like to feel uncertain and overwhelmed. But trust me, it all gets better. You just have to keep going."