Chapter 9

Oh, good. Houston thought to himself. "Well, I don't think I'll be going up to the house just now. Maybe it'll be gone pretty soon and then I'll go get Mama. Let's just try to keep you covered up." He adjusted the jacket over CJ.

Her face contorted with pain as a contraction started. "Okay, just remember what you learned in Lamaze class. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. There you go." He held her hand as the contraction became more intense. "CJ, honey, that's my hand. Just relax a little bit." Dang! She's got one hell of a grip!

CJ started to relax. "This isn't supposed to be happening right now. We're supposed to have another week to get ready." She looked into Matt's eyes. He seemed extremely calm all of the sudden. He gave her that big grin that she absolutely adored. "Guess nobody told her that." He brushed the hair away from her face.

"How's Sophie doing?" CJ tried to look past Houston to the horse.

"She's getting there." Houston could see that the foal was now in the correct position, coming out head and front hooves first. "She'll be okay now."

Another contraction hit CJ. He held her hand and rubbed her belly, quietly talking to her about visiting the beach in Hawaii. Meanwhile the storm continued pounding the barn.