Page 27 of Rescued by the Alien Bull Rider (Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides #6)

ZOHRO

A ll the videos and textbooks Tasha had sent me had not led me astray.

I was not stalled by ignorance as I sliced through tissue I’d never once encountered in a surgical setting until now.

I was unused to working without a team of surgical assistants, but the robot I’d had delivered was doing a competent job, suctioning blood as necessary and clamping where directed.

I did not look at Jolene’s face, though I longed to. I did not want to break focus. Did not want to take my eyes from my work even for a moment.

But I listened for her. Listened to her breathing as she lay still and otherwise silent on the table.

All in all, it did not take long to get Baby Girl out.

I pulled her from Jolene’s body, easily retrieving her tiny foot from the birthing canal in the process.

I held up the child for inspection as the robot worked to stall any bleeding in the background.

She had good colour, thank the empire. A little mop of dark hair that I knew would be red when it was dry.

And a set of lungs that a shuldu would be proud of as she screwed up her face and squalled.

Perfection .

“Zohro?” Jolene was watching us. I brought her daughter to her with something close to triumphant pride. But I was not proud of myself, or my own work.

I was proud of her.

Of both of them.

“Look at her,” I breathed in near-vicious awe as I placed Baby Girl on Jolene’s bare chest. “Look how well you’ve done.”

Jolene stared at her daughter with mute adoration. Then, she turned those shining eyes onto me.

“You’re smiling,” she whispered.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. I’ve never seen you smile before.”

My cheeks ached. Like I had not used those muscles in cycles.

But I could not stand about grinning like a fool. There was work yet to be done. I returned to my earlier place, working with the robot to remove the placenta, cut the umbilical cord, and then carefully, skillfully, close all the incisions.

I made sure every suture was the best suture I’d ever done.

Because my wife deserved nothing less.