Circle B Ranch: Volume Two

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

CONNOR

This morning, I got an emergency call to help with a sick horse on the outskirts of town. Since I’m the only vet in town, I get called at all hours of the day and night. It’s a flip of a coin of how the weekend will be. Sometimes, it’s quiet, and other times, it’s crazy. This weekend was the latter.

Since I was tied up with another patient, I had Elizabeth go to the Bruces’ for his heifer’s delivery. She’s done this more than a dozen times with me, so I know she’s more than qualified to handle it on her own, but if anything goes wrong, Jeffery will tell me.

After I finish dosing the Arabian with antibiotics and chat with the owners, I get in my truck. I pull out my phone to check for any missed calls, but there’s nothing. I’m concerned Elizabeth’s having issues because it’s been radio silence for the last hour and a half.

Once I’m on the road, I finally get a text from her. It’s a picture of her giving a thumbs-up next to the newborn, and I can’t help but smile at seeing her bright face. Below it reads—everything’s perfect!

Connor: Great.

She never responds to my one-word messages, which makes it an easy conversation killer. There are times when I want to praise Elle the way she deserves and maybe open up a little, but I refuse to break the boundaries I’ve set. The last thing I need is to give her the wrong impression and for her to see the way I really look at her.

I decide to stop at the diner to eat, then drive out to see Jeffery and his new calf. As soon as I pull up, he shakes his head with a s**t-eating grin. He’s an older man, at least a decade older than my dad, and has known me since I was a toddler.

“Son, I knew you weren’t gonna make it home without stopping by here. The kid did a good job,” he admits.

“Kid? Elizabeth’s not that much younger than me,” I say even though I’m eight years older than her.

“You’re still a kid, too.” He chuckles and leads me over to the maternity stall. “You ain’t chargin’ me extra for this visit, are ya?”

I snort. “You’re already gettin’ the senior discount, old man.”

“Good one,” he muses as I step inside the stall.

After I look over the animals, I give him a nod of confirmation. “They’re both healthy.”

“Happy to hear,” he says.

“If there are any issues—”

“Give you a call. You know I will,” he assures.

I say my goodbyes, and by the time I make it home, I’m tired. I sit on the couch and watch TV for a little while before doing some laundry and cleaning around the house. Living alone has its perks, especially when I need the time to decompress, but sometimes the silence drives at my nerves. Before my divorce, there were days when I wished for quiet. Now it’s too much.

I miss Olivia’s laughter, her toys singing those annoying songs, and I sometimes even miss hearing Vivian complain. Now that the divorce has been finalized for almost a year and visitation rights were set by the court, I only get Olivia on major holidays and a month during the summer. It was a fight to even get to see her that much. Fighting for more rights got me nowhere fast, and I can only play with the cards I’m dealt.

Olivia spent all of July with me, and though she’s only been gone for a few weeks, I already miss her like crazy. My parents watched her while I was at work, and since they live close to my clinic, I stopped in as much as I could during my lunch breaks.

After looking over some paperwork and tidying up the house, I take a shower, then go to bed. Though I enjoy my work, my daily routine is monotonous—work, eat, sleep, repeat.

Monday morning comes early. I’m up by six and make coffee while I go over my daily schedule. I fill my travel mug to the brim, then head to the clinic. Once I’m in my office, I catch up on my emails and enjoy the quiet while I sip the hot liquid.

Thirty minutes before the doors open, Beverly and Trina arrive. Right behind them is Elle, who looks exhausted.

“Please tell me someone made coffee,” she groans. She just started her second year of vet school and is juggling a lot between working here and driving back and forth to campus. On top of that, she’s mentioned how she studies nonstop while she’s there Tuesday through Thursday. Honestly, I don’t know how she does it all, and it’s impressive as hell. When I was in vet school, I only worked the summers and spent the rest of the time with Vivian or studying. Elle’s a hard worker, but then again, so is every Bishop I’ve ever met. A strong work ethic is in their blood, and even though I wasn’t looking for an intern at the time, I knew she’d be a good fit for the position.

“Good mornin’,” she sing-songs when I walk to the front to grab a chart.

Keeping a straight face, I mumble, “Mornin’.”

When I move past her, I’ll bet a hundred bucks she rolls her eyes. The thought almost has me smirking. She smells good, like fresh soap and flowers. As always, I remind myself it’s necessary to create a barrier between us and keep her at arm’s length. Mixing business with my personal life would be a mistake, and I refuse to allow any more drama into my life. My ex has caused enough to last me a decade.

I was convinced I’d never find another woman attractive until Elizabeth Bishop stumbled into my clinic. The feeling was foreign, like nothing I’d ever experienced, so I’ve kept my distance.

Elle follows me back to my office. I try to ignore her as I sit at my desk. Reaching over, I grab a file folder, but she’s staring. I finally look up and meet her green eyes. That familiar feeling returns as it does each time my gaze meets hers.

“Can I help you?” I finally ask.

She sucks in a deep breath and exhales slowly. “I wanted to talk to you about the horse over at the Martins’.”

I sit down and flip through the shot records for a few animals over at the Circle B Ranch. It’s almost time to schedule their yearly vaccinations.

“Are you listening, Dr. Wallen?” she finally asks. “I can come back later if you’re too busy.”

Licking my lips, I keep my focus on the papers in my hand. “Sit.”

Elle does what I say, but I can tell she’s growing impatient with me. “The mare over at the Martins’ is due to give birth any day now,” she explains. “Mrs. Martin saw me at the gas station this morning and asked if one of us could be there just to make sure everything goes okay. It’s this horse’s first baby, so she wants to ensure there aren’t any problems. It’s one of their show horses or something. You know how they’re very…particular.”

Her last comment makes me want to laugh, but I bury it. “Have her call you when it’s time,” I suggest. “You should be able to handle it.”

“Of course I can. Mr. Bruce said I did a good job and was pleased,” she says.

“He was,” I agree curtly. She's a fast learner and has never let me down. She’s more than capable of doing whatever it is I ask.

“Did you talk to him?”

“Yes,” I say, going back to my files and not giving her the attention she’s after. I don’t tell her I stopped by the ranch afterward and checked because it’d hurt her pride. Plus, it was for my peace of mind.

She huffs as if she’s annoyed by that. However, it’s still my job to ensure my patients are taken care of. I wouldn’t be a good vet if I didn’t.

“Are we done here?” I ask when the silence between us lingers.

“I guess so.” She dramatically slams her palms on the chair, then stands and walks out.

I release a relieved breath when I’m alone again. That woman is tough as nails and more patient than I give her credit for, especially after all the short responses I give her. Pretty sure I would’ve already told myself to f**k off by now. Then again, I’m her superior, allowing her to work under my license while overseeing everything she does. The truth is, I need her here too because the clinic has grown a lot over the past year. Having her here was a godsend, and it's why I offered her a part-time position.

She has a few years left until she’s licensed, and my goal is to teach her everything I know so she’ll be ten steps ahead of everyone else. Selfishly, I want her to work here with me afterward, but I’ll cross that bridge when it’s time.

After an hour of sitting at my desk, Elle and I get on the road to do a few mobile visits. Since I’m the only clinic in town that deals with equestrians and cattle, I’m always busy.

“Can you tell me again what’s on the schedule?” I finally ask Elle to fill the silence.

She looks up from her phone and recites our itinerary from memory.

“A Coggins test over at the Talbots’, tooth extraction at the Adamses’, deworming at the Joneses’, Harpers’, and Smiths’, then we have to trim some sheep hooves over at the Johnsons’. Oh, and we have to do a pregnancy test at the Bransons’ ranch. Almost forgot that one.”

A small smirk touches my lips, but she doesn’t notice. “We have a full day then.”

“I’d say so.” She nods, then continues, “Just don’t forget I have to drive back to campus tonight for my classes tomorrow.”

“I’m aware.” Though the schedule is jam-packed, she’ll have plenty of time to make it back before dark. Though I’d never admit it, I hate when she’s gone.

After not seeing her for three days, I actually kinda miss her.

Another thing I keep buried deep inside.