Circle B Ranch: Volume Two

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

CONNOR

TWO MONTHS LATER

It’s hot as hell today, which is typical for the middle of June, and considering how busy we’ve been this week, I’m crossing my fingers there aren’t any emergencies this weekend. Since there weren’t many house calls scheduled today, I have Elizabeth tackling half of the appointments so we can finish early.

My next stop is the Circle B Ranch. I typically go out there once a week to help with hooves, teeth, and whatever else they need. Today’s visit will be to tend to an infected wound. They have handfuls of horses trained for riding lessons and trail riding and also to herd cattle.

As soon as I pull up to the barn, I spot Gavin, the horse trainer. He’s a former champion bull rider and is a huge guy with broad shoulders. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s around my age. Once I get out of my truck, I grab my supplies from the back seat and meet him.

“Dr. Wallen, hey,” he says, reaching out to shake my hand. “I’m Gavin Fox.”

“Gavin, how’s it goin’? I’m Connor,” I say as I take his hand.

“Nice to meet you. It’s goin’ alright. Just dealin’ with these horses fightin’ each other. Ya know the drill.”

I chuckle, then follow him into the stables. “I sure do.”

We make small talk as he takes Sugar’s lead rope and brings her out into the entryway. I slowly move my hand forward and run my arm down her neck until I find the wound. It’s deep, and I can tell she’ll need antibiotics once it’s clean.

“So Elle works with you?” he asks after I inject her. Just the sound of her name almost makes me smile, but I don’t. I’m used to ignoring the way she makes me feel and am a pro at pretending our attraction doesn’t exist.

“Elizabeth?” I ask. “Yeah, she’s been working with me for a couple of years now.” I think back to when I interviewed her and how much has changed since then. One thing has stayed the same, though—how goddamn gorgeous she is.

“I’ve only seen her a few times, but she seems nice. I hear she’s brilliant too.”

Brilliant is an understatement. “She is a very smart young lady.”

I wonder if he’s interested in her or something or why we’re even talking about this. My lips tighten into a firm line as I think about her dating anyone. I’m sure Gavin’s a good guy, especially if he works here, but no one will ever be good enough.

I suck in a deep breath and finish stitching the gash. When I’m done, I pack my things, and Gavin puts Sugar back in the stall. He meets up with me before I leave.

“So I’m having a little get-together tonight with a few of the Bishop guys. You should stop by for a beer if you can,” he offers.

It’s been a while since I’ve gone out. Actually, the last time was the strip club incident, which ended up being a huge mistake. Gavin grins as he eagerly awaits my response, and since he seems like a genuinely nice guy, I give in. “Uh, sure. I should be able to swing it.”

“I’m staying at one of the ranch hand cabins on the east side,” he explains.

“Yeah, I know where those are. I’ll see you later.”

As I back out of the driveway, he waves.

Though I’m more of a homebody, I’m actually looking forward to having a beer with him. I don’t get out much, and next month, Olivia will be coming to stay with me, so I’ll be spending all of my free time with her.

After I get off work, I shower and get dressed. I head toward Gavin’s and wonder if Elle will be there. He said it would be the Bishop guys, so for my sanity's sake, I hope she’s not.

I say hello to everyone, and Gavin hands me a Budweiser. Riley and Diesel burst through the door, acting rowdy and holding a birthday cake. It takes me a few seconds to realize it’s shaped like a giant d**k. It’s an icing-covered travesty, and I let out a laugh when I get a closer look at their decoration skills. I remember being in my twenties and stupid, having the time of my life while going to school, imagining how my life would be once I graduated. It’s funny how different it all turned out.

When my first beer is empty, I grab another and play a round of horseshoes with Cooper, one of Gavin’s friends. I win a few rounds, and when I look around, that’s when I see her. Elle’s wearing a million-dollar smile, dressed in tight jeans and a crop top that shows off her stomach. Seeing her like this makes me weak in the f*****g knees, but I ignore it. Every time our eyes meet, I turn away though all I really want to do is pull her close and devour her mouth with mine.

I can’t believe I was foolish enough to think she wouldn’t be here. After I finish my round of horseshoes and drink, I thank Gavin for inviting me and wish him a happy birthday. When I walk to my truck, the only thing on my mind is Elle and how great her a*s looked. Another inappropriate image to add next to the booty shorts I saw her in that one time.

I’ve had Olivia since the first of July, and it’s been an amazing two weeks. During the workweek, she stays with my parents, and I visit on my lunch breaks. We’ve gone to the park nearly every day after work, and she’s been begging me for a puppy after she saw Mrs. Landry’s Cocker Spaniel. If she lived with me full-time, we’d have a house full of pets because she loves animals just as much as I do.

Though it’s Thursday, and I’m supposed to be in the office most of the day, I got a call from one of my neighbors about her horse. After Beverly reschedules the last few appointments for next week, I get ready to go to Mrs. Ashby’s.

“Elizabeth.” I grab her attention. “We have an emergency call that can’t wait. The afternoon appointments have been rescheduled.”

“Who’s it for?” she asks.

“Jeanie Ashby. Says one of her prized ponies isn’t eating and noticed a drop in weight. She was hysterical, so I thought we’d go and take a look and see what’s going on.”

“Yikes. No wonder she’s upset.”

“Sounds like quidding.” I pack my medical bag with antibiotics just in case, along with some other supplies. “When the horse—”

“When the horse chews very loosely and tends to ball up the feed instead of grinding and swallowing it,” she interjects with a prideful smile.

I nod, grabbing the instruments needed to file teeth. “That’s the one.”

“I almost forgot you have that certification.” She chuckles.

When I walk around her, she immediately follows. She’s just as eager as I am to get out of the office. I’m grateful I don’t have to stare at the same four walls every day. I think I’d go crazy.

I let Beverly and Trina know we’re leaving, and I’d see them tomorrow. On the way there, Elizabeth’s on her phone. When I glance over, I see pictures about quidding. While I find it cute that she wants to learn as much as she can, hands-on experience will always trump book knowledge.

The drive to Jeanie’s is silent. At times, I just want to talk to her and ask her a bunch of questions about herself, but I’ve kept up this act for so long that it’d probably make it more awkward than usual. Asking her questions would only lead her to ask about me—about things I don’t share with anyone. Things like Olivia.

A small smile meets my lips when I think about my daughter. She loves Texas so much, and I wish she didn’t have to leave me ever again because I miss her when she’s gone.

When we arrive at the Ashbys’ and park, Jeanie walks up with a concerned expression.

“Dr. Wallen. Thank you so much for coming,” she greets, then turns toward Elle. “And you must be Elizabeth Bishop. Last time I saw you, you were about this big.” She holds her hand up to her waist, and Elizabeth laughs.

“Yes, ma’am. I hear that a lot.” She grins.

“How’s Rose doin’?” Jeanie asks, leading us toward the barn.

“Oh, Grandma’s doin’ great. Askin’ for more great-grandkids, but what else is new?” Elizabeth snickers.

“Better give her what she wants so she stops asking.” Jeanie waggles her brows.

Immediately, Elizabeth shakes her head. “Kinda hard to do that when you’re as single as a Pringle. My cousins are working on it, though.”

“Pretty soon, we’re gonna have to rename Eldorado Bishoptown, Texas,” Jeanie teases as she leads us to the stall. “Well, here she is. This is Daisy. I’m worried to death about my girl.”

Elizabeth steps inside, and I follow her, noticing the uneaten feed and how much weight Daisy’s lost since the last time I saw her. I set my bag down and do a quick check as Elizabeth holds the halter. Looking on the ground by the trough, I see a roll of food and pick it up. “Yeah, this is a textbook case.”

“What was that?” Jeanie asks. “Gotta speak up for the older ones around.”

I chuckle. “I think we might need to fix some teeth real quick.”

Opening the horse's mouth, I see a few ulcers in the cheek, then notice the sharp edges on her teeth.

“Grab the speculum,” I tell Elizabeth. Once we put it on, I’m able to get a better look inside the horse’s mouth.

“See here,” I say, pointing out the problem areas. Elle’s standing so close to me, I can smell the floral scent of her shampoo as her hair flies around. I clear my throat, trying to get a grip. “This is the cause of the ulcers.”

“You’re gonna be able to fix her up, though, right?” Jeanie asks.

I walk over toward her. “Yes, ma’am. Might take us about thirty minutes or so.”

She lifts her eyebrows, then touches my arm. I’m used to my clients being flirty, but I’ve gotten good at ignoring it. “Sounds good. Want some sweet tea while you work?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m good,” I say.

Daisy’s a good patient and stands still for us. Some horses tend to get antsy, which means I would’ve had to sedate her to calm her down.

“Can you grab the water syringe and my rasp?” I ask Elle as I examine each tooth to make sure there aren’t any other issues.

She brings over the metal file, and I clean the inside of Daisy's mouth first. “Okay, so we’re going to start slow until she’s used to hearing the noise of the filing. The last thing we want to do is spook her in the middle of this. We’ll start at the top at a forty-five-degree angle, like this,” I explain, showing Elle the position. “The top is easier to do than the bottom.”

She hangs on to my every word, and I love the way she watches me work. After I’m finished with the top and bottom on one side, I meet her emerald eyes. “Do you wanna give it a try? I usually have a drill for this when there’s a lot of horses to do at once, but this is the old-fashioned way,” I explain.

I can tell she’s apprehensive but nods anyway. “Absolutely.”

After I hand her the tool, I guide her inside, my hand gripping hers. I think I feel her shudder, and I like that I have that effect on her even though I’m not immune. Every time my skin touches hers, my entire body burns like it’s on fire, and I know for a fact it shouldn’t.