Lacy came to Grubcreek to fill her belly with babies, but the cold nearly sent her home first. She stood at the edge of the settlement in a soaked white bikini, wet fabric clinging to her big breasts, and shivered so hard her teeth clicked. She had traveled far for this. The stories said a woman could find a strong mate here, bear child after child, and live free with nothing on her skin. That dream meant nothing if she froze before dark. Her plan had been simple. Arrive, show herself, catch an eye. But the creek had splashed her crossing, and now the chill dug into her bones. No one would court a blue-lipped, trembling stranger. She hugged her arms and scanned the buildings. She needed heat, and fast. One structure stood apart, clean and modern, its glass sides fogged. A shower. Warm water meant a warm body. Lacy pushed through the door and stepped onto the tiled floor. She twisted the sleek handle. Water fell from the wide head above like steady rain. Steam rose at once. She peeled the wet bikini off and dropped it. Hot water rolled down her back, over her breasts, down her legs. Her shivering slowed. Her skin flushed pink. The cold left her one breath at a time. She stood under the spray until her body glowed and her fingers moved freely again. The nudist dream felt real now, warm and easy. That was when she noticed she was not alone. Beyond the glass, a shape shifted. Lacy wiped the fog with her palm. A woman stood in the doorway, watching her. No, not only a woman. From the waist up she was human, full-figured, with long hair and a knowing look. Below that she was a horse, four legs planted, a brown tail swishing. Her belly bulged huge and round. She was heavily pregnant, and she carried it like a crown. "You waste good water on shivering," the centaur said. Her voice was calm and sure. She stepped closer, hooves clicking on the tile. Her dark eyes moved over Lacy without shame. "You came to breed. I can smell the want on you." Lacy shut off the water. Warm and steady now, she faced the stranger. "I did. And I mean to." The centaur smiled and rested a hand on her own swollen belly. "Then you found the right place. But not the right season. The men worth having are already spoken for this cycle." She tilted her head. "All but one. And he does not choose easily." Lacy's heart kicked. The cold was gone. A new problem stood in its place, three hundred pounds of it, blocking the door with news she had not wanted. She straightened her bare shoulders and stepped forward. "Then tell me," she said, "where I find the one."