Jeffery approaches, wearing a big grin. “Ma’am, you’ve got a knack for delivering. Shoulda called you earlier.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I take off my gloves and glance over to see Rowan and Maize enamored by the sweet new baby. “I’m gonna check the heifer and make sure she’s good to go. Probably want to keep her in the delivery stall until tomorrow.”
“Will do,” Jeffery says.
“If you see her actin’ strange or if she has a loss of appetite, please don’t hesitate to give the office a call, and we’ll come right out.”
“Thank ya. I’m glad Dr. Wallen sent you.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply, hoping he tells Connor how much of a badass I am. “It was my pleasure.”
“I’ve never wanted to adopt a baby cow so much in my life,” Maize squeals as I do my routine checks.
“Same,” Rowan admits. “Maybe I shoulda gone to vet school too.” She laughs. “Nah. Too many gross things to deal with.”
“You’re right about that. Some of the stories I could tell you—”
“Don’t,” Maize interjects, holding up her hand. “No nasty details before I’ve had breakfast. I’m way too hungover for that.”
Before we leave, I snap a quick selfie next to the little black and white calf.
When we climb in the truck, Rowan groans. “I think I’m gonna need another shower.”
I chuckle. “Probably a good idea.”
Pulling out my phone, I text the picture to Connor with a message that everything went perfectly.
As I’m backing out of the driveway, he responds.
Connor: Great.
His lack of appreciation infuriates me.
“What’s that face for?” Rowan asks as I suck in a deep breath.
“Look what Connor sent,” I say, handing her my phone.
Maize leans forward and reads it.
“Oh, keep scrolling. They’re all like that.” I groan, turning onto the main road and heading toward the B&B.
“Okay, that’s pretty douchey,” Maize finally says. “Even though he’s hot as hell, he could use some manners.”
“Right,” I tell her. “Guess I should expect it at this point.”
“Maybe he missed communications class.” Rowan giggles, handing me back my phone. Luckily, she changes the subject and talks about the bar, but I’m too lost in my thoughts to listen.
As long as I’ve worked with Connor, it’s always been the same. Over a year of short responses and work-only conversations. He never talks about anything personal and keeps to himself ninety-nine percent of the time. He’s all business, and I often wonder why he even hired me in the first place. Knowing Grandma Bishop, she had something to do with it because I’d mentioned needing hands-on experience.
Grandma’s protective but also persuasive and always gets what she wants. The woman rules the roost in Eldorado, and I know for a fact she talked to Connor about hiring an intern. Regardless, it’s not an excuse to be treated like an inconvenience. I’ve proven myself worthy time and again even though he’d never admit it.
By the time I pull into the B&B, my mood is sour.
“What’s wrong?” Rowan finally asks.
I groan, annoyed at him and myself for needing his validation. “I just want Connor to be impressed by something I do. Just hearing a good job, Elizabeth or nice work, Elle would be great. I try so damn hard, hoping he’ll consider hiring me full-time when I’m licensed, but he’s an arrogant asshole.”
“I’m sorry,” Rowan says. “Maybe he doesn’t realize how he’s acting?”
Maize snorts. “He knows. He’s not stupid. But if you think about it, he’s just like your dad. Uncle Evan acts exactly the same way—a complete hard-ass. Maybe it’s a doctor thing to be all business all the time regardless of the situation?”
We climb out of the truck. “I’m used to Dad acting that way with other people, but it’s different when it’s your boss. It sucks to be on the receiving end of it.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe you like him so much because he acts like your dad?” Maize asks with brows lifted as we enter the B&B.
“And now I’m gonna go throw up,” I taunt as we walk to the bathroom to clean up.
“It’s a proven fact that women fall for men who are like their father,” she continues.
Rowan bursts into laughter.
“Yep, I’m officially grossed out. Thanks, Maze. You have a special way with words.”
After we’re done washing from our fingertips to our elbows, we go to the buffet and snag a few cookies before I leave. Right now, I need a hot shower to scorch away the images Maize shoved into my head.
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 shit-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.”