Excerpt from Chapter One of Tempered Hearts - A Contemporary Western Inspirational Romance Novel

"Craig, your mare's hemorrhaging!" The alarm sounded from the barn before Mr. Harris could answer or Craig could object.

Action exploded around her. Tamera hesitated but a moment before joining in. Jumping off the porch, she grabbed her keys, fumbled with them, threw open the trunk of her car and pulled out her veterinarian bag. Fueled by adrenaline she pushed her way through the mob of frantic cowboys. Shoving them aside, she knelt beside the mare and began examining her.

Panic seized the animal. She struggled to stand. Tamera knew she would have one heck of a fight on her hands if the mare succeeded. Her sharp whistle brought quiet to the chaos around her.

"Let's not panic, gentlemen," she cautioned with quiet authority. Craig, get her head." She didn't wait to see if he would obey, just issued orders. "Shorty, is it?" At his nod, she continued. "Get this foal out of the way. You," she nodded at a young man in the crowd. "I need warm water, lots of warm water. And towels."

Without question they jumped to do her bidding as she continued with her examination. Silence hung in the air: Thick. Tense. Anxious. The only sounds penetrating it were the labored breathing of the mare and the senseless, soothing words of the woman beside her.

She's not hemorrhaging," Tamera muttered, reaching for her bag. She's in labor."

"What?" Craig exclaimed, shock and surprise evident in his tone. "But that foal's only a few hours old. That's impossible. Veterinarian my ass," he snorted. "You don't know what you're talking about. Get away from my mare!" He ordered through clenched teeth.

Tamera moved, but not to do his bidding. "It happens, Craig," she informed him, continuing her preparations to deliver the foal despite his order to the contrary. "Twins. Sometimes one develops more rapidly. The other either catches up or doesn't make it through delivery. How old is that colt?"

He shrugged. "Three, maybe four hours."

She sighed, fighting back bitter tears, his attitude grating on her already raw nerves. Now was not the time to lose control. "Chances are this one will be stillborn or deformed. Either way, it's got to be born. You'll lose your mare otherwise," she told him with grave certainty.

Given the alternative, Craig nodded.

It was all she needed. Giving the mare a shot to help with the contractions, Tamera prepared for the delivery. Snapping on gloves that covered her

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