Читать книгу The Rancher and the Vet - Julie Benson - Страница 11

Chapter Three

“Jess’s dog has the runs.” Reed walked into the kitchen. He glanced around the room. What could he use? “Can I bring him in?”

He flung open cabinet doors, searching. The plastic containers he found were too small, and Thor could get out without a lid. Then he spotted cloth grocery sacks hanging on the pantry door. He smiled and snatched one up.

“Thor’s sick? Bring him in. On Thursdays we don’t open until noon, but I’m going in early to do paperwork. I’ll meet you at the shelter in twenty minutes.”

Sack in hand, he thanked Avery, said he was on his way and returned to his bedroom. Maybe he’d get lucky and she’d keep the dog for a couple of days.

When Reed walked into the room, Thor eyed him suspiciously. Reed inched closer to the bed, trying to appear casual. The dog sat up and growled. Reed strolled to the dresser, opened a drawer and dug around inside.

I’m trying to carry off a sneak attack on a dog. I’m not going crazy. I’m there.

He stalked toward the dog, and Thor bolted under the bed.

Damn. No way was he getting on the floor to catch the mutt. Instead he returned to the kitchen. When he looked inside the fridge he found deli ham. He stormed back to the bedroom, tore off a chunk and dropped the treat on the floor beside the bed. Seconds later, a little brown head appeared and gobbled up the meat. Reed tossed down another piece, this one farther away. Two tries later, he snatched up the dog, dumped him in the cloth bag and looped the handles through each other so Thor couldn’t hop out, leaving enough of an opening for air to flow.

As he left the house, he realized fate seemed determined to throw him and Avery together. What were the powers that be trying to tell him? He shook his head. He didn’t care. All he wanted to know was how to get them to leave him alone.

* * *

AVERY STOPPED AT THE FRONT DESK to locate Thor’s file, and giggled thinking of Reed dealing with a Chihuahua with the runs. When she opened the door for him five minutes later, irritation darkened his handsome features.

“Where’s Thor?” Then she noticed the black cloth grocery bag dangling from his large hands. Hands that knew her body well. No. She couldn’t think about that. Focusing on the sack, she saw it move. She bit her lip, trying to hold in her laughter, but failed. “You put him in a grocery sack?”

“Woman, I’ve been pushed about as far as a man can be. You’re taking your life in your hands, laughing.” The minute he started speaking the dog growled. Reed glared at the bag. “And you better be nice to me after the bomb you dropped on my bed.”

“He didn’t.”

“He sure as hell did, and all over the wooden floors.”

The absolute horror on his face made her laugh harder. “I’m sorry. Really I am.” She giggled one last time thinking of his reaction when he’d found his bed. It was amazing the dog was alive.

“It’s funny to you because it wasn’t your bed.”

“Bring him in.” She stepped aside for him to enter, and Reed’s musky cologne tickled her senses. As he handed her the sack, she remembered how his scent clung to her clothes after they’d been necking, which led to images of the two of them together and a sudden spike in her heart rate.

Stop it. Trips down nostalgia lane led nowhere but back. She was all about moving forward with her life, and hoped she’d find someone who wanted the same things she did—a loving marriage and raising their children in the same town where she’d grown up. Something that Reed never would do.

“After I examine Thor, I’ll let you know what’s going on.” For a minute she stood there, the silence between them shouting volumes.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “This is awkward, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you expect me to say. I wasn’t the one who ended things between us.”

She’d told herself she’d gotten over him. But until she’d seen Reed in the barn the other day, she hadn’t realized how much anger she still carried. They’d made love the first and only time the July after graduation. She’d loved him so much, wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, and then the relationship was over.

“We’d talked about our future so much, and never once did you mention the fact that you didn’t want children. How could you have left out that important detail?” Giving voice to her anger and throwing the words in his face felt good. Closure. She finally had what she’d never known she craved.

“I don’t know what to say other than I was young. When I got to college, I started thinking about what us having a future meant in practical terms, and it hit me.”

“You gave me a promise ring, and then you never came back.”

“I couldn’t. Once I got away, I felt free. I didn’t want to lose that, but you’re right. I should’ve called you.”

But it had been worse than that. She’d left messages begging for him to talk to her. Ones that he’d never returned.

Let it go.

“I was an ass, and I’m sorry I hurt you.” He stepped toward her, then froze, as if he wasn’t sure of what to do next. “Can we start over with a clean slate? Be friends?”

Friends? The word shouldn’t have stung her pride, but it did.

Avery nodded. That would make things easier when they ran into each other, and in a town of less than ten thousand people, their paths would cross. “I’ll call you when I know what’s going on with Thor.”

Dismissing Reed, Avery reached into the sack, lifted Thor out and snuggled with him for a minute. She waited for the sound of the door opening and closing as Reed left, but after a moment she glanced over her shoulder, finding him still standing there. “Is there something else you need?”

A familiar look flashed in his cobalt eyes as his gaze locked with hers. Her heart fluttered. Was he thinking the same thing she was? How much they’d once thought they needed each other?

“Jess will be worried when I tell her about Thor. Can I bring her by after school?”

“Absolutely. Chances are it’s nothing serious, and he’ll probably be ready to go home by then.”

Reed nodded and then turned and walked out of the exam room. When she’d said they could start over, she’d thought doing so would make things easier. Then she’d asked him if he needed anything else, and now she wasn’t so sure. The look she’d glimpsed in his eyes moments earlier was the same one she’d seen years ago, right before he kissed her.

* * *

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, as Reed sat in the pickup lane at Jess’s school, his thoughts returned to Avery. He was thankful that they’d cleared the air. In a town the size of Estes Park, they’d run into each other. Now maybe things wouldn’t be as awkward.

Who was he kidding? Things would still be awkward. Everything he’d loved about Avery—her giving spirit, her quiet strength, her down-to-earth nature—was still there, but there was something more now. Something more refined. Her appeal had heightened over the years. She was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, and yet she seemed unaware of the fact.

The truck’s passenger door opened, a red backpack flew behind the seat. Jess slid in, the leather seat squeaking with her movements. He tossed out the obligatory “How was your day?” and she responded with the typical teenage response of “Fine.”

“I took Thor to the vet. He wasn’t feeling well. I came home to messes all over the house.”

Her eyes widened, and her lip quivered. “What’s wrong? Is he okay? What did Dr. McAlister say? Is he home?”

The more questions Jess asked, the higher her voice rose. He rushed to reassure her. “Avery—Dr. McAlister—said it probably wasn’t serious, but she was going to run some tests. I said we’d stop by after school to check on him.”

Minutes later, at the shelter, Avery walked into the exam room, Thor snuggled in her arms. Jess raced toward them.

“We gave this guy some fluids because he was a little dehydrated, but that’s nothing to worry about, Jess,” Avery commented in a soothing tone as she placed Thor on the metal table. “I ran some tests, but didn’t find anything.”

“Then why’d he get sick?”

Avery shrugged. “He might have eaten a plant or something outside that upset his system. Who knows. To help with the diarrhea I want you to give him some medicine once a day. The front desk will give you the dosage information when you check out.”

Reed bit his lip to keep from saying he’d told Jess she shouldn’t have given her dog the chicken last night, but he did toss a knowing glance in her direction.

“Let me show you both how to give Thor the medicine.” Avery reached into her scrub-top pocket and pulled out a plastic syringe filled with the pink liquid. When Reed remained nailed to his seat, both she and Jess turned to him. “I can see fine from here. I’m responsible for Jess. She’s responsible for the dog. That’s the chain of command.”

Jess shook her head and faced Avery. “He doesn’t like Thor.”

“The dog doesn’t like me,” Reed countered. As if to prove the point, Thor peered around Jess, glared at Reed and growled. “See.”

“That’s actually natural. Chihuahuas bond strongly with their owners and tend to distrust people they don’t know. Isn’t that right, Thor?”

Reed frowned. The danged mutt wagged his tail. But then, what male wouldn’t be hypnotized into submission receiving Avery’s full attention?

“Thor doesn’t understand why Colt is gone and you’re here,” Avery continued. “That adds to his uncertainty, but Jess can help him accept you.”

Acceptance? All he wanted was the dog to stay out of his way, and do his business outside. He could live with distant disdain.

Avery glanced between Reed and his niece. “Jess, would you go to the front desk and get some dog treats so we can work with Thor?”

When the door shut behind the teenager, Avery faced Reed, her hands on her hips. “Did it ever occur to you that Thor is upset with you because he senses the tension between you and Jess?”

“I love my niece.”

“Then prove it. You need to get to know her as a person. You need to show an interest in her life.”

Reed stiffened. “That’s going to take time. I just got here.”

“Remember she’s your niece, not one of your employees. And FYI, a good start would be making an effort to get along with her dog.”

Before he could answer, his cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered the call without so much as an Excuse me.

“What’s up, Ethan?”

Avery shoved her hands into her lab-coat pockets and took a deep breath. “Get off the phone. My time is valuable. I’ve got other animals waiting.”

Reed ended his call with a terse “I’ll call you back.”

The exam-room door swung open and Jess returned with the treats. The teenager glanced between the two adults. “Jeez, you two look like you’re about to take a swing at each other. What did I miss?”

Was that how they looked? Reed paled and stepped back.

“It’s nothing. Just a difference of opinion.” Avery cleared her throat. “Jess, if you want to help Thor accept your uncle, he should take over caring for him for a couple of days.”

“I don’t know.” Jess clutched her dog against her chest. “I want them to get along, but he’s my dog.”

“I understand. We can still do some things that will help.” She asked the teenager to sit in a chair by the door while she worked with Reed. “Both of you need to reinforce Thor’s good behavior with praise and treats, while you ignore the negative. Let me give you an example. Jess, if you’re holding Thor and he growls at your uncle, put him down and turn your back. If he doesn’t growl or act aggressively, Reed, you need to give him a treat and praise him in a high-pitched voice.” She demonstrated. “We call it a Minnie Mouse voice.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Reed shook his head. “You’re determined to crush my ego today, aren’t you?”

“Like yours can’t take the hit?” Avery teased.

“I’m willing to try if you are, Uncle Reed. Then you could help me give him his medicine.”

For a moment, despite the dark eyeliner, Jess’s wide brown eyes filled with innocence and she looked her age. How the hell could he say no to her when she looked at him like that? Had he ever been that innocent or trusting? Even before his mother died? “We’ll give it a shot.”

Avery spent the next couple of minutes working with him and the dog. At one point he looked at Avery and said, “Thor’s not the only one who needs reinforcement for positive behavior. I want some props for my effort here.”

“Good job, Reed.” Avery tossed the words out in a high, squeaky voice.

“That wasn’t what I had in mind.”

“Too bad. That’s all you’re getting.” Their light banter reminded him of how comfortable he’d always felt with Avery. He’d been in love with her for dozens of reasons, one being how at ease he felt with her, but that was before he damn near beat his dad to death. Before he’d talked to her father and realized he loved her so much he had to let her go because she deserved better than he could give her.

Being back here still wasn’t good for him, and she refused to live anywhere else. His thoughts stopped him cold. “I’ve got the idea. Jess and I can work on this at home.” Before Avery could say anything, his cell phone rang again. “We done here?”

Avery nodded, handed the dog to Jess and headed out of the room. He answered the call and told the client he’d call back in five minutes. Then he joined Avery and Jess at the front desk. Reed scanned the bill, amazed that the charges were bigger than the dog.

“Avery, what’s this I hear about the shelter not owning the land our building resides on?” The sparkle disappeared from Avery’s gaze, and she stiffened as though someone had tied a broom handle to her back. Reed turned to see a woman with short salt-and-pepper hair dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with an elk on the front stride toward them.

Avery made the introductions. “Reed, Jess, this is Harper Stinson, the shelter’s board president.”

Years ago, when he’d been on the board of his boss’s pet charity, Reed had learned a lot about the people who served on them. Some were crusaders. Others were out to make community business connections. Others still were bored housewives looking to find purpose. But no matter who they were, everyone had an agenda. What was this woman’s?

“So, you’re the Reed Montgomery that has everyone in town talking. I want you to know I’m keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers,” Harper said. “We’ll all be glad when your brother’s back home safe and sound.”

No one more so than him.

Jess tossed him a let’s-go look. “Thor and I will wait outside.”

As the door swooshed open and thunked close with Jess’s exit, Reed glanced at Avery. “I appreciate you working Thor in this morning. I hope you got some paperwork done after I left.”

When he turned to leave, Harper partially blocked his exit. “Since you brought up the topic of paperwork, Avery and I are developing a new business plan for the shelter. What do you think—”

“Reed’s a busy man. He doesn’t have time for shelter business,” Avery insisted.

Her stiff posture and the way she nibbled on her lower lip told him Avery had reached her patience limit. Something was going on between these two. Any businessperson worth two cents knew better than to discuss their business in public, especially in front of strangers.

“Avery’s right about that. I’ve got my hands full with Jess and my own company.”

“Our main sticking point is staffing issues,” Harper continued, completely ignoring his and Avery’s comments. “I’m sure you know that while no one likes to cut staff, sometimes it’s necessary to lower operating costs.”

Now he knew her agenda. Harper wanted him to back her up against Avery. “I’ve found people often latch onto that solution because it’s easier than working to find other ones,” he said.

He glanced at Avery and found her eyes shining with gratitude. When she smiled, his insides twisted, and he swore his chest puffed out.

Avery flashed him a tight smile. “Reed needs to go, since Jess is waiting for him. I’m sure she has homework to do. If you have any other problems with Thor, call me.”

As he left he almost pitied Harper. He’d seen that look in Avery’s eyes today, and unless he missed his guess, Harper was in for a stinging lecture on business etiquette.

* * *

AS AVERY USHERED HARPER into her office, she struggled to control her temper. How dare she burst into the shelter and take her to task in front of Reed and Jess? Worse yet, she’d tried to pull Reed into their disagreement and use him to get her to knuckle under.

As Avery sank into her worn desk chair, it squeaked under her movement. Before she could explain her position, Harper said, “Why wasn’t I informed the minute you received word from Sam Weston’s lawyers?”

“I wanted to research our options before talking to you.” Avery placed her folded hands on her desk. When her fingers started tingling, she loosened her grip. “If you need to talk to me about shelter issues, especially our disagreements, I’d prefer we discuss things in private.”

Three months ago, Avery had loved her job. Harper’s predecessor had valued her opinion and trusted her instincts. He’d allowed her to do her job. All that had evaporated once Harper assumed control of the board and insisted she be consulted on every issue.

The more she delved into the business side of the shelter, the less Avery liked her job. Holding her hand out for donations and managing a staff weren’t why she had gone to vet school. While she’d taken a couple of business classes in college in preparation for opening her own office, she hadn’t enjoyed them.

When she’d accepted the shelter’s offer, the board had hoped to hire an executive director within six months. She’d figured she could hold on until then, but that was over a year ago. The plan was that this year’s Pet Walk would allow them to hire a director. Then she could focus on what she loved, taking care of animals and educating owners. So much for that.

“I know it’s been hard for you to understand that working for a nonprofit organization in a small community means everyone knows your professional business, but that’s a fact you need to adjust to,” Harper said, her tone bordering on condescending.

Avery concentrated on her breathing, counted to ten and mentally listed Harper’s good qualities. She truly cared about animals. Her heart was in the right place. She possessed valuable business connections and used them to recruit new shelter supporters. A great ambassador and advocate, she donated generously.

Her temper reined in, Avery said, “Our disagreements need to remain between us. You wouldn’t want me to discuss problems I had with your shop or your merchandise in front of customers. I expect the same professionalism from you.”

Realization dawned in Harper’s eyes. “My mistake. I was upset about the news that we don’t own the land. However, I do believe Reed could be a valuable resource for us.”

The last person Avery wanted invading her professional life was Reed. “While he knows the corporate world, he lacks experience in the nonprofit arena and with fund-raising, and that’s our biggest concern right now,” Avery said in hopes of channeling the conversation to the task at hand. “The first thing we need to do is move up the date of the Pet Walk. I spoke with the executors. If we take out a loan to buy the land, the papers must be signed by the deadline. Since the land price is three hundred thousand, that means we need sixty thousand dollars for the down payment.”

Harper paled. “The most we’ve ever raised from the Pet Walk is thirty-five thousand, and that was in a better economic climate.”

Avery refused to let the shock and worry in Harper’s voice rattle her further. They could do this. They had to. “Getting more and bigger sponsors is the key. I hope to tap some of my brothers’ contacts.”

Avery’s oldest brother, Rory, modeled designer jeans for a large New York–based clothing company. Her brother Griffin was the host of the reality show The Next Rodeo Star. “If I can get Devlin Designs and Griffin’s network to write us big checks, that’ll go a long way to achieving our goal. However, the first thing we need to do is make sure that buying this land is our best option.”

Harper tapped her manicured nail against the chair arm, something she did frequently as she thought. The habit grated on Avery’s tightly strung nerves. “No matter what we do, we’ll have to obtain a loan. To give us one, the bank will require proof we can afford the increase in our monthly operating costs.”

Yesterday, Harper’s micromanaging had been Avery’s biggest problem. Now her shelter needed sixty thousand dollars to remain open, and the only man she’d ever loved was back. What she wouldn’t give for a time machine.

* * *

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, REED sat jotting down discussion points for Monday’s staff-status meeting as he waited for Jess in the school’s pickup lane. Thank goodness for wireless technology to make productive use of otherwise wasted time.

The truck door flew open, Jess’s backpack flew behind the seat and then the door slammed shut. He rolled down the passenger window. “Where are you going?”

“Out with friends.”

“Get in. I’ll drop you off after we talk.”

“They’re waiting for me.”

“If I don’t get more details, you don’t go.” Reed almost winced as similar things his father had said rang in his ears. He inhaled deeply before he continued. “Text them that I’ll drop you off in a few minutes.”

The door flew open again, and this time Jess crawled in, mumbling something about the Spanish Inquisition and teenagers having rights, too.

As the line of cars inched forward and Jess texted away, he asked about the specifics of her plans.

“We’re going to hang out. We might go to a movie.”

“What movie? Who with? What time will it be over?”

“I don’t even know if we’re going to a movie, so how can I know when it’ll be over? Dad doesn’t give me the third degree.”

Reed wasn’t sure if he believed her, but whether he did or not didn’t matter. He was here, and Colt was in Afghanistan. Instead of saying that, he reiterated his stance that without enough details, she didn’t go.

“We talked about going to the new Robert Pattinson movie, and before you ask, it’s PG. I’ll be home around eleven.”

“Your dad said your curfew was ten-thirty.”

“Whatever.”

She was testing him and, he suspected, trying his patience on purpose. Did she really think her dad wouldn’t tell him about her curfew or that he wouldn’t remember? “How are you getting to the movie?”

“Jeez, my teachers ask less questions on quizzes. We were going to walk downtown and shop first, then go to McCabe’s for pizza. If we go to a movie we’ll walk. Otherwise we’ll go back to Lindsey’s house.”

As he pulled out of the school parking lot onto the street, Reed said, “Text me when you know whether you’re going to a movie or to a friend’s house. I need to know where you are so I can pick you up.”

Jess rolled her eyes. “You want to fit me with a GPS?”

“Don’t tempt me,” Reed said.

* * *

LATER THAT NIGHT, as Reed sat on the couch, a beer in his hand, watching the Colorado Rockies game, he thought over his first week. So far there hadn’t been any major fires to put out at work. Most of his clients understood his situation. The two customers he’d been scheduled to visit next week had agreed to conference calls instead.