Fortune's Texas Surprise, page 12
She was coming down with something all right, and it was scaring the living daylights of her. Plain and simple, she was lovesick and she had no clue how to cure herself of the malady.
“I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. Don’t worry, Dr. Neil.”
He gave her shoulder a kindly pat. “We’ve had a hell of day today,” he said, then lowered his voice to a whisper. “And don’t tell anyone, but you’ve worked circles around the other assistants.”
The doctor’s compliment put a smile on her face. No one, especially her brothers, understood how important her job was to her. Helping to make an animal healthy and happy was gratifying and rewarding to her. Just like being Linus’s mother filled her with overwhelming love and protectiveness.
“Thank you, Dr. Neil. I’ll keep that a secret.” She gestured to the black cat on the operating table. At the moment, he was still under anesthesia, but would soon be waking.
“Are you all finished with Chester?”
“All finished. Give him a shot of seven-day antibiotic and put him in recovery. As soon as he wakes up, he can go home. Ruby is probably going to burst into tears when she sees the hide cut off his back, but just reassure her that after a few days it will close up nicely. Oh, and send a bottle of antiseptic home with her to help keep down the bacteria. But no charge. The poor woman can’t afford it. And just so you know, I haven’t made any typos on her bill. I’m making adjustments on the cost of Chester’s treatment.”
Ruby, Chester’s owner, was a willow-thin woman in her early seventies with graying auburn hair and thick tortoiseshell-frame glasses. From the woman’s prior visits, Stephanie had learned Ruby was a widow. After her husband’s death, she’d been forced to sell her home and move into a cheap rental house on the edge of town. However, that hadn’t stopped Ruby from going around picking up stray cats and giving them a home, even when she struggled to feed herself.
“Yes, Dr. Neil. I’ll take care of it.”
After Stephanie transferred the cat to the recovery room, she collected a bottle of antiseptic from the supplies cabinet and made her way to the waiting area.
Before she walked over to give Ruby the news about Chester, she stopped by the checkout desk, where Sheri was studying a spreadsheet on the computer screen.
Stifling a yawn, she turned her attention to Stephanie. “Oh, what a day. You have a bill for Chester?”
“I do.” She handed Sheri the sheet of paper with the itemized charges. “And I want you to put the charge to my account. I’ll pay for it before I leave work this evening.”
“Stephanie, don’t be such a softy!” Sheri scolded. “You can’t take care of every hard-luck person who walks in here!”
Stephanie glanced over her shoulder to where Ruby was reading one of the magazines left scattered around the waiting area.
“Dr. Neil is barely charging her anything. So I’ll pick up the rest. She deserves help. And don’t let on to Ruby about any of this. Just tell her that Dr. Neil didn’t have to do that much to Chester.” Sheri opened her mouth to object again, but Stephanie cut her off. “Just play along.”
Sheri shrugged. “Okay, whatever you say,” she said, then went on before Stephanie had a chance to walk away. “I’ve been meaning to tell you how gorgeous you looked the other night at the Valentine’s party. Seeing you in your work clothes around here, I would’ve never imagined you in lace and high heels. You surprised me.”
Even though Stephanie had grown up in a wealthy family and had often had to look the part at her parents’ dinner parties, she’d never been the glamour-girl type. And since she’d moved to Rambling Rose, she’d purposely kept her image low-key. She didn’t want to give the locals any reason to say she was trying to show off.
“Sometimes I surprise myself, Sheri.”
“Well, having a guy like Acton Donovan at your side is like having a gorgeous accessory. You two looked mighty friendly, too.”
Stephanie didn’t have time for frivolous gossip. Especially when she figured Acton would soon be moving his fickle attention to some other woman around town. Maybe he already had, she thought dismally. Ever since he’d plastered that scorching kiss on her lips, she’d not seen or heard a word from him.
“We are mighty friendly,” Stephanie replied stiffly. “But that’s all.”
Sheri laughed. “Steph, don’t try to kid a kidder, or trick a trickster, or however that old saying goes. You’ve been going around all day with stars in your eyes. And who could blame you? If Acton looked at me the way he looks at you, I’d have to wear sunglasses even in the dark.”
Stars in her eyes? Dr. Neil had already asked her if she was getting sick. Her emotions must really be getting out of hand.
“I think you need glasses, period,” Stephanie told her, then quickly headed over to Ruby.
She had just given the woman an update about Chester’s condition when she felt her cell phone vibrate in the pocket of her mustard-colored cardigan.
I need help with Grizabella. Can you come this evening?
After three days without a word from the man, he was asking for her help? Stephanie knew she should be annoyed with him. She should tell him to get one of his many girlfriends to help him with Grizabella. But she couldn’t do that. Not when his message had her heart singing like a happy bird. It was ridiculous.
Without hesitation, she typed in a reply and punched the send arrow. I’ll be over after work.
“You’re smiling,” Ruby said. “Must be good news.”
Stephanie looked at the older woman, who was still sitting on the short couch. “I suppose it is good,” she said, then added thoughtfully, “Would you mind if I asked you something personal, Ruby?”
“Honey, you can ask me anything.”
“How long were you married?”
A fond smile creased her face. “Forty years. And that wasn’t near enough time with my Stanley. When you’re married to someone who’s also your friend, time is precious. You’re too young to appreciate that advice now, but later on you’ll understand.”
“So your advice is to marry someone you like,” Stephanie said. “How did you know Stanley was the one?”
“His eyes. He looked at me with kindness. There has to be more than flames and sparks to make things last between a man and a woman.”
Stephanie hadn’t thought about it in exactly those terms, but she understood the advice Ruby was trying to convey. There had to be more than hot chemistry to make a relationship long-lasting. And perhaps that’s where she’d gone wrong in the past. She’d let the thrill of a man’s kiss cloud her judgment. Which meant, if Acton did kiss her again, she could enjoy it, but it would be a mistake to allow the passion to take control of her senses.
“I’ll think about that, Ruby. Thank you for sharing it with me.” She gave the woman an appreciative smile. “Now, I’ll go see if Chester is awake. I’m sure he’s going to be more than ready for you to take him home.”
* * *
The Donovan Ranch was located north of Rambling Rose, an area of the countryside Stephanie hadn’t yet seen since she’d moved to Texas. Now as she drove along a wide, graveled road, she was impressed with the beauty of sloping green pastures dotted with enormous live oaks and wide ponds full from the winter rains. Herds of black cows, many with calves at their sides, grazed on the grass that was managing to survive the cooler winter weather.
During one of their conversations, Acton had expressed to Stephanie just how much he loved the ranch and would never dream of living anywhere else. Now as she drove slowly through the property, she understood why he felt so devoted to the place. It was a pastoral paradise.
When Stephanie finally spotted the old farmhouse where Acton lived, twilight was spreading across the wide lawn and the two-story clapboard structure. She parked near the gate of a fence made of woven wire and cedar post, and was in the process of collecting Linus from the backseat of the car, when she heard a loud bark directly behind her.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Seymour racing toward her.
“Seymour! Hey, boy!”
As soon as the dog recognized her voice, he skidded to a halt and his bushy tail began to whirl in a happy circle.
Stephanie kneeled down and urged the dog to join her. “Come here, Seymour. Come here and let me look at you.”
The dog trotted over to her and Stephanie smiled as she rubbed his furry head. If it hadn’t been for Seymour, she doubted she and Acton would have ever met. The idea seemed unimaginable now.
After giving Seymour a final pat between the ears, she lifted Linus from his car seat. She made sure the baby was carefully covered from the cold, then gathered his diaper bag with her free hand and used her hip to shut the car door.
“Okay, Seymour. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
With a whine of approval, the dog took off in a proud trot toward the house. By the time Stephanie reached the front entrance, Seymour was already waiting at the door, his tail thumping excitedly against the board planks that made up the porch floor.
After knocking on the screen door, she glanced down at the dog. “Seymour, I don’t see any bald spots on your pretty fur, so your scratching days must be over.”
Seymour responded with a bark and she was laughing in response when Acton opened the door. The warm smile on his face welcomed her.
“Hi, Stephanie. Please, come in.” He stepped past the door to join her on the porch and Seymour took the opportunity to dash through Acton’s legs and straight into the house.
“Hello, Acton. Sorry I’m running so late. We had a very busy day at the clinic.”
After the way they’d parted the other night, she’d thought it would be awkward to face him this evening. But as soon as he stepped close and their eyes met, everything felt familiar and right.
He looked at me with kindness.
Ruby’s words echoed in her mind and she realized Acton often looked at her with kindness and so much more. Did that mean he was the one?
“No problem,” he said. “I’m just glad you could make it. Let me carry Linus for you.”
He reached for the baby and Stephanie handed him over. Immediately he peeked under the edge of the blanket at Linus’s face.
“I’m glad you brought Linus with you. I’ve missed seeing the little guy. Just about as much as I’ve missed seeing you.” He turned his smile away from the baby and directed it at her. “I forgot to give you directions. How did you find the place?”
“Dayna told me. She knows where everybody lives.”
She followed him into the house and he closed the door behind them. Stephanie’s gaze was immediately glued to his tall, lean body dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt that clung to his hard-as-steel abs.
Ever since he’d kissed her the night of the fund-raiser, she’d not been able to forget how it had felt to be crushed against all that sinewy muscle. Nor had she forgotten the incredibly alluring taste of his mouth searching hers.
“Uh, you said you’ve missed me. If that’s true, why haven’t I heard from you before now?”
A sheepish look crossed his face. “I thought I should give you a breather.”
She lifted her chin to a challenging angle. “Really? I thought you’d decided that I was such a terrible kisser you didn’t want to waste your time with me anymore.”
His jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I guess I am,” she admitted, while wondering where she’d found the nerve to bring up the subject. Most likely, Acton wasn’t used to a woman questioning his actions, but Stephanie had decided it was time to learn just where things stood with them. “I mean, you took off the other night like a pack of wild dogs was on your heels. And then when I didn’t hear from you, what was I supposed to think?”
Groaning ruefully, he stepped toward her. “It wasn’t like what you’re thinking, Steph. I was... I knew I had to get out of there or we, uh, or something might’ve happened that neither one of us was ready for.”
Ready? For a long time now, she’d been ready for him to reach for her, to make love to her. But obviously he wasn’t feeling that same urgent need. That should be enough to put a damper on her feelings, to show her that he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Yet it wasn’t enough to stop the longing that had been building inside her. Just looking at him made her think about things she’d never experienced before. He made her long for the things that she’d always wanted in her life. Yes, maybe her mind could recognize she was going too fast, too soon. But that wasn’t what her heart was telling her.
She sighed. “I understand. It’s just that a girl takes these things—like kissing—to heart, Acton.”
A gentle smile suddenly crinkled the corners of his eyes. “You need to stop worrying. You’re a fantastic kisser, Stephanie.”
If any other man had said such a thing to her, she would’ve been horribly embarrassed, but with Acton, the words made her heart soar with joy. Oh, Lord, was she ever losing it.
She let out another long sigh, then reached for Linus. “Forgive me, Acton. I didn’t mean to light into you like this. It was silly of me. And anyway, I came here to help you with Grizabella.”
“You look tired. Sit down and relax for a few minutes. I’ll hold Linus. Looks like he’s asleep right now, anyway.”
She glanced around the cozy room, with its tongue-and-groove walls, linoleum floors and multi-paned windows. A couch and armchair covered in a dark burgundy and brown patterned fabric were positioned along the outer wall, while directly across, two brown swivel rockers were separated by a wooden-tray floor lamp. The coffee table in front of the couch was cluttered with two coffee mugs and a glass filled with crushed ice and soda. Apparently he’d been eating a sandwich before she’d arrived. The crust of the bread was still lying on a paper towel.
“Sorry about the mess,” he said. “I haven’t had much time to clean.”
“Don’t apologize,” she told him. “Your house looks lived in and that makes it comfortable.”
She took a seat on the end of the couch and Acton joined her at the opposite end. As she watched him settle Linus comfortably against his chest, Stephanie was struck by how natural he looked with the baby in his arms. Whether he realized it or not, he was going to be a wonderful father someday—to some other woman’s children. The mental image disturbed her far more than it should have.
He turned his head slightly and looked at her. “To be honest, Stephanie, I felt a bit guilty about asking you over this evening. You’re so busy with the baby and work. But Grizabella has gone rogue on me and I knew you’d be the best person to help with her.”
Since Stephanie hadn’t heard from Acton since the night of the fund-raiser, she’d just assumed everything had gone well with Grizabella.
“Rogue?” She frowned with disbelief. “I can’t believe she’d turn mean!”
“Not mean. But she’s turned on me. I think she actually hates me now.”
“I seriously doubt that. What did you do? Yell at her?”
“Yell? I’ve never talked so sweet to a female in my life.” Clearly exasperated, he shook his head. “I thought bringing her home and making friends with her was going to be easy. But it’s turned out to be a nightmare.”
“Hmm. That is surprising. I thought she’d settle right in, too. What happened?”
“Like I told my mom, she took one look at Seymour and ran for the hills—or in this case, straight under my bed. I realize I probably shouldn’t have let the dog in until Grizabella got used to her surroundings, but Seymour gets his feelings hurt if you look at him crossways. So I caved in and let him inside.”
“Did the dog bark and try to chase her?”
“Not even a little. I was actually amazed that he behaved so well. But that doesn’t do much good now. The only time Grizabella will poke her head out is when I set a bowl of tuna or sardines on the floor. I’ve already gone through a dozen or more cans!”
Stephanie laughed. “Acton, you’re so funny. All you’re doing is feeding her habit and teaching her to stay hidden. You have to earn her trust and show her it’s okay to come out and join the land of the living.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sure. That’s easy for you to say. Can you show me how to do that?”
“I’ll try. But I’d better warn you it’s not something that happens in a matter of minutes. You might have to work on this for several days.”
“Oh, great. That means I’ll be sleeping with the smell of sardines for the next few weeks.”
She chuckled. “I don’t think it will be that bad.”
They both fell silent after that and Stephanie was beginning to wonder if he’d regretted asking her over when he finally asked, “So how have you been since the Valentine party?”
“Very busy. The clinic has been overrun with patients. But Linus is such a good baby. I hear these nightmare stories about babies crying with colic for the first three months of their lives. Thankfully, Linus sleeps and eats without any problems.”
He gazed down at the baby. “Linus is too easygoing to get colic.”
His assumption put an amused smile on her face. “How did you reach that conclusion?”
“Simple deduction. High-strung horses are usually the ones that suffer episodes of colic. I figure babies are pretty much the same.” He glanced curiously at her. “Speaking of horses, did you ever work with large animals when you lived in Florida?”
“No. The vet I worked for was located in the city in a small-animal clinic. But I’ve always wanted the chance to work with large animals, too. Sometimes when an emergency arises, Dr. Neil will take the case. Not long ago I helped him treat a bull with an infected horn. That was fun.”
