Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
I glide easily off the horse, Colton silently setting me on the ground like I weigh as much as a feather.
Our eyes lock. His are very green in this light and soft. My stomach flips for the hundredth time today. Something is different between us now. Something, however small, has shifted, and now…
Well, now I want to keep hating him, but I’m struggling to keep that fire stoked.
Especially when he asks for the second time today, “You good?”
I try to find some air, which is suddenly in short supply. “Yes. Good.”
“Let’s go see how our foal is healing, then.”
I follow him inside the corral. Because Colton is a magician with horses, he’s able to summon the foal to him. Then he squats beside the animal while Dean listens intently.
“See here, son? Two plates and six screws hold this joint together. It’s healed beautifully, so this foal is gonna be able to work cattle just like her mama. Doc Sally saved her life. Maybe one day you can be a rock star veterinary surgeon like her, yeah?”
I take a mental note. All kinds of jobs are available on a ranch. It’s interesting that Colton mentions higher education for his son. Is that a continuation of their heritage or a break from it? It would be a major contribution to the community.
Doc Sally laughs. “I’m no rock star. But I do love my job.”
“The leg really looks great, Sal,” Colton says. “Good as new. Your work is truly incredible.”
I’m starting to think Colton really is a decent boss.
A great one, actually.
The pride is obvious in Sally’s voice when she replies, “Thank you, Colt. But y’all saved the day too. Most ranchers, they wouldn’t bother fixing an injury as bad as that one. You did the right thing. The hard thing. That’s why I love working for y’all so dang much.”
“Well, we love havin’ you. Still don’t get what you see in Wyatt Rivers, but—”
“Hey.” Sally gently elbows him. “Wyatt’s got a big…heart. That’s why I chose to stay in Hartsville to be with him.”
“I’ve heard a lot about those Riverses’ hearts.”
Now he’s being playful. Almost cute.
“Pretty sure we all have,” Sally replies. “They make no secret of it.”
“Y’all spending Thanksgiving together?” Colt asks.
Sally nods. “I think there’s about fifty of us at this point.”
“Feels like it, right?”
“The way we keep adding to the family, it really will hit fifty at some point. My mom is living her best life cooking for such a crowd. What about y’all?”
“The usual. We’ll be at Mom and Dad’s.”
I blink at the hollow feeling that spreads inside my chest. The thought of going home to deal with my Mom and Dad for Thanksgiving—all the work I’ll be doing to make up for the fact that Dad and my brothers don’t lift a finger to help, all the resentment Mom harbors that she’ll take out on me—
Yeah, I’m dreading it, as awful as that sounds. What I’d give to be able to spend Thanksgiving with the Wallaces. I can only imagine how joyful and fun and easy the holiday is in their home.
Then again, Colton isn’t exactly seeing eye to eye with his sister. And I’m pretty sure he and I are still committed to hating each other, this morning’s sweet ride and him opening up to me notwithstanding.
Dean looks at me. “Come see, Miss Lainey. It’s a miracle.”
My knees are Jell-O as I cautiously approach them, mostly from the way Colton’s shirt sticks to him like a second skin. It allows me to see the way his back muscles bunch and release as he gently runs his hand over the foal’s legs.
Why does this guy have to be such a jerk but also so unbelievably sexy?
“You’re a strong one, ain’t you, sweetheart?” He’s using that voice again. The one that’s almost a soft, gentle purr. “Coming back from that surgery was no small thing.”
Sally rises, pulling off her gloves as she turns her smile on me. “You must be Lainey! I’ve heard all about you. I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself yet—we’ve been so busy with calving season. Pleasure to meet you.”
I take the hand she holds out. “Pleasure is all mine. You sound like quite the miracle worker.”
Colton rises too, wiping his hands as he stares me down. “Doc Sally does the kind of work that saves lives.”
Refusing to take the bait—he’s highlighting the importance of Sally’s work as a way to show mine isn’t important at all—I grin. “Amazing. Truly.”
“You’re the marketing expert, right?” Sally asks. “Billie speaks so highly of you.”
I look pointedly at Colton. “That’s one Wallace who appreciates what I do.”
“Hey.” His eyes glimmer. “I got an appreciation for the things you do.”
He’s not talking about my branding work. I blush so furiously I have to look away.
We chat with Sally for a while. She’s got an interesting story about turning down a big job at one of the nation’s top veterinary hospitals in New York to work here in Hartsville on the Wallace Ranch.