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his hand around hers and showed her how to tuck her thumb then gently controlled her hand showing her to squeeze and pull. This time milk sprayed into the jar. “There see.” She could only nod, her heart was pounding and she was still reeling from the sensation that had shot up her arm when he had touched her. She didn’t trust her voice to respond. But she tried again on her own and managed to produce milk so she smiled triumphantly.  He stepped back and she continued until she had filled the bottle.
                  “How is junior?”
                  “She is doing alright.” They both looked to where the foal was sleeping in the straw. Luke looked at Angelica, she had straw in her hair and her gown was stained from the ordeal. He couldn’t help but smile.
                  “Why don’t you go get cleaned up and have some breakfast. I’ll keep an eye on her.”  Angelica looked from the foal to Luke, she was afraid to leave the foal.  Luke watched the indecision play across her face.  “Angie, I told you you could care for the foal as long as it didn’t suffer, I am not going to do it harm just because you’re not here. By that same token don’t think I won’t just because you are.”  Angelica could see that he was serious but she was surprised that he would be so blunt. She was determined not to let him rattle her though.  She squared her shoulders and held her head high.
                  “Understood.” She said simply and turned and walked out of the barn without a backward glance.
                  Angelica scrubbed her hands and arms trying to get the blood off but it was difficult.  She looked at the dress she had taken off, it had to be ruined. If she couldn’t get the blood off her hands how was she going to get it off the garment? A soft knock on the door made her pause. She was only wearing a chemise.
                  “Who is it?”
                  “It’s Ella.”
                  “Come in.”
                  “I thought maybe you could use this.” Ella held out a bar of lye soap and Angelica smiled.
                  “Yes that should help.” She took the soap and began to lather her hands. “I’m afraid it might not help the dress though. “
                  “Well we’ll see.”  Ella picked up the dress from where she had laid it over the chair.
                  “Oh no don’t, I’ll do it.”
                  “Nonsense, I am doing the wash anyway.  Besides if you are going to play mother to that orphaned foal you’re going to have your hands full as it is.”  Angelica felt slightly deflated.
                  “You don’t think she has a chance either?”
                  “Oh of course there is a chance, there is always a chance. It’s not going to be easy though. Horses are fickle creatures and without their mothers foals don’t usually survive unless you can find a surrogate and there just aren’t any mares out there that fit that bill.” Angelica thought about what she said, she thought about the fact that Luke had told her not to get attached.
                  “What do I need to do? To help her survive, I mean.” She asked quietly. 
                  “Well dear if there was some magic thing you could do then they would all survive wouldn’t they?”  Ella laughed. “I guess the main problem is most of the time a rancher doesn’t have the time to devote to the foal.  They are just like any baby, they need time and attention, they need to eat every couple of hours, since you’re not a horse you’ll have to take her out and walk her, make sure she gets enough exercise, her legs are new and she needs to use them now or she won’t be able to later.”  Angelica nodded, soaking up all of Ella’s advice. She was determined to help the foal survive, she