He grabbed his rope and began knotting it around the pommel. “Just once do you ever stop and think?”

“I always figure it’s a heap more fun to get into trouble.”

“You should try thinking before you act. It’s what grown-ups do.”

“Why should I when I have you thinking for me?”

He bit back the rest of the frustrated words he wanted to say. He’d only rile her even more and make himself angrier in the process.

“Listen.” He tried gentling his tone. “We’ve been worried. That’s all. Let’s just get you out.”

“That’d be real nice.” The defensiveness dropped away, and she sounded weary.

“Form a second sling around the calf with my rope.” He tossed the line out to her.

She caught it and wrapped it around the calf, her movements stiff from the mud. When she finished securing the animal, she shoveled away the sticky mixture as best she could. Then she straightened, grabbed on to the calf and the two slings, and gave him a nod.

He flicked the ropes and clicked at the horses. Both moved forward a step. The calf slid only a little, but it was enough.

“Rock it back and forth, and we’ll go slow.” Even before the words left his mouth, she was digging and pushing. She didn’t need his instructions, already knew what to do and was good at it. They inched the calf toward the edge of the bog, using the muscle power of the team of horses along with her shoveling and wiggling.

As the creature reached the shallow mud and pulled free, it gave an almost angry bellow. Once clear of the bog, it charged up the hill like it was under attack from a swarm of hornets, but it was only able to go so far with the ropes still attached to it.

Ivy followed after the calf more slowly, her shoulders sagging, her feet dragging. He could see exhaustion in her every movement. And no wonder. She’d probably been working to free herself and the calf for hours.

Heedless of the mud, he waded in and met her. Without asking for her permission, he scooped her off her feet and carried her like a baby.

“I’m fine, Jericho.” Her protest was weak, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to hang on.

He trudged through the sludge. Even though he’d only gone in up to his ankles, the mud was thick and tugged at his boots, trying to rip them from his feet. When they reached solid ground, he stumbled and sank to his knees. He sat back and brought her with him, positioning her on his lap.

For a moment, he couldn’t move, and her labored breathing mingled with his.

“You alright?” he whispered.

“I’ll be fine in a minute.” She laid her head against his shoulder.