“I'll get it.” Susie ran toward the front of the barn and reappeared a few moments later with a rope. She handed it to Luke.
“Thanks.” Luke tied a slipknot in both ends. “Mom and Brian, I want you to hold her steady. Talk to her and keep her calm.”
“Can I help hold her too?” Susie asked.
“No. You're not big enough. There's no telling what she'll do, and I don't want you getting hurt. Stay there with Mattie.”
The blue in Susie's eyes muted. She was hurt.
“We could use your prayers,” Luke added. “Would you keep praying?”
She nodded and offered a small smile.
“I'm gonna have to snag that back leg and pull it forward.” He glanced at Brian. “I might need your help when it comes time to pull out the calf.” Luke reached in with the rope. The cow bellowed and buffeted Jean and Brian.
Inside her up to his shoulder, Luke searched for the leg that was bent under. When he found it, he struggled to slip the loop over the hoof. A contraction came down on his arm. “That's a strong one,” he said with a groan. “If I can just get this leg forward.” His arm ached. The loop came off before he could tighten it. Trying again, he guided it over the calf's foot and pulled gently. It caught, then held. “Got it.”
“Hold her steady,” he said, pulling gently to reposition the leg forward. When he had it, he secured the second loop over the other hoof. “On the next contraction I'm gonna pull.” He looked at his mother and Brian. “Take care she doesn't knock you by swinging her head.”
“We're fine,” Jean said, gripping the halter tightly.
“Hey, Brian, can you pull while I work with the calf?”
“Sure.” He grabbed the rope.
The cow bellowed and stomped her back leg, jerking her head up and backward. “You all right?”
“Yep,” said Jean.
“OK now Brian, keep steady pressure,” Luke said as he guided the calf's head into the pelvis. He waited for the next contraction. When it came, he grabbed the rope. “I got it now. Help Mama.” He hauled on the calf. “All right. We've almost got him.” Two hoofs emerged, then spindly legs, and finally the calf's pink nose, then a white face. Seeming to know her baby was nearly there, the Guernsey pushed harder. Luke let her do the final work.
All of a sudden the calf came out, dropping to the hay-covered floor along with a gush of blood and water. It lay still and quiet, encased in a translucent bubble. Luke quickly freed its feet, wiped mucous from its face, and cleared its mouth.
“Is it alive?” Jean asked.
He didn't answer but rubbed the calf hard all over. “Come on there. Open your eyes. The world's waitin' for you.” Its nostrils flared, and the calf let out a tiny bawl. Wearing a smile, Luke stood. “Looks like she's going to be all right.” He untied the Guernsey so she could sniff her baby. She immediately started licking.
Luke walked across the stall, dropped to the hay-covered floor, and rested his back against the wall. “We did it.” He smiled. “We've got ourselves a new little heifer.”
Jean sat beside Luke. “You did a fine job.”
Susie peeked through the gate. “Can I come in and see it?”
“Yes. Come in,” Jean said.
She crossed to her mother and stood beside her, eyes fixed on cow and calf. “She's not very big.”
“She won't stay small for long,” Luke said. “She'll grow fast.”
“Why is the mama cow licking her?”
“She wants her new baby clean, just like Mattie makes sure Mara's clean,” Luke explained.
“Mara gets baths.”
Luke leaned his arms across bent knees. “Well, this is a cow bath.” He grinned.
The family stayed for a long while, watching mother and baby get acquainted. Finally the calf stuck its front legs straight out in front and tottered to its feet. Legs straight and stiff, it stood, shaking and teetering. Then taking hesitant steps, it walked toward its mother, then fell. She didn't move for a few moments, sides heaving, then with a great effort pushed herself upright again. She worked to maintain her balance, then wobbled toward her mother, nuzzling her. The Guernsey sniffed her baby and resumed licking it, nearly knocking the calf off its feet again. Finally the young heifer found its way to her mother's udder and tasted her first meal.
“She looks hungry,” Susie said.
“Most calves have little trouble figuring out where the feed is,” Luke said.
Susie's brows knit in puzzlement. “How come a baby cow can stand up and walk so soon, and people can't?”
“Good question.” Luke picked up a piece of straw and broke it in half. “I guess it's because they need to. Otherwise, how could they eat?” He stood and looked down at his bloodied clothes. “I'm a mess. I need a bath.”
“Are you going to have a calf bath?” Susie teased, her blue eyes alight.
“Hot water and soap sounds better.” Luke ran a hand over the Guernsey's back. “Well, you've got yourselves a fine calf.” He glanced at his mother. “You going to keep her or sell her?”
“I don't know yet.”
“I'd be interested in buying her if I had a place of my own.” His eyes settled on Mattie. “Sure wish we could figure out a way,” he said wistfully.
Jean stood. “Something will work out.” Her eyes sparkled, and she added, “You need to have faith.”
“I don't see why we can't buy the calf now,” Mattie said. “We could keep it here.” She looked at Jean. “If you want to sell it, that is.”
