Chapter 10
Faith
As soon as the vaccinations arrived, Faith made arrangements to go out to Reindeer Wrangler Ranch. Caleb was accommodating but had given her the same warning about not going into the barn by herself. What did he think she was going to do, run off with a reindeer? It was great that he was so protective of the herd, but she wasn’t a threat, and it rubbed her the wrong way that he treated her like one.
Dad’s old pickup had a shell on the back with a heater so she could store the boxes of vaccines back there and they wouldn’t ice over. And it had four-wheel drive, which she suspected was a necessity in this neck of the woods. She packed up and headed out when it was still dark and the steering wheel cold as ice.
A strange sense of anticipation danced across her skin. It had to be because she was embarking on a big project doing something she loved and not because she was excited to see Caleb—and Dunder—again.
The reindeer responded well to the meds and was on his way to recovery. Caleb had texted her a picture of him standing over the trough the day before. She’d texted him back that Dunder could have a half feeding. If the food stayed down and the animal stayed up, then Dunder could have the rest an hour later. He’d sent her a thumbs-up emoji. She’d held her phone close for the hour, dying to hear back from him again. Just when she’d been about to give up and take a shower, it had dinged and she’d had a video of Dunder’s head in a food trough. He was steady on his feet and eating happily.
She could have kissed him. The reindeer, not the wrangler. Definitely the reindeer. Sure. And Dunder would take off on Christmas Eve to deliver presents with Santa. Oh brother! She had been out of the dating scene too long if she was daydreaming about kissing a cowboy.
However, once the thought of kissing Caleb entered her head, she had to force it back out again. The wrangler was off-limits. She needed to get this cowboy crush under control.
Spending all day with the whole Nichollas clan should take care of any lingering expectations that the family was perfect. Nothing made a person’s true colors shine through like handling large animals who didn’t want to be handled. She’d seen all types of bad behavior by frustrated owners—everything from excessive use of force to curse words and running scared.
Part of her was sad that this would be the end of the charade. It was nice having thoughts of a gentleman to keep her company in her dad’s empty house at night. She pictured Caleb lounging on the sofa or washing dishes at the sink. Not that he’d ever get the chance, but the imagining was fun and innocent. Just a stress reliever after worrying about Dad’s recovery.
The sun peeked over the horizon and lit up the world, bouncing off the snow and momentarily blinding her. She groped for sunglasses and flipped down the visor. At least it wasn’t snowing.
Dad was set to go to the rehab facility tomorrow. She was dead set against it and trying to talk him out of it. That is, until the doctor pulled her aside and explained the kind of care Dad needed. She hoped they’d grow closer while she was in town, but there was no way she was up for bathroom breaks.
She’d swallowed her stubborn pride and agreed Dad could go to the rehab facility for two weeks, which would bring him home for Christmas. While she was grateful for that, she had mixed emotions about spending the holiday in his house. Growing up, he’d drive out to see her at Mom’s and they’d go to the diner on the corner for lunch, where he’d give her a few gifts and she’d hand over a card she’d made and they’d eat in silence. The older she got, the more awkward the visits became as she realized how much of her life her dad missed out on.
She came upon the large gate welcoming her to the Reindeer Wrangler Ranch. It was made of thick timber and black iron. Where ranches usually hung their brand, Abner had hung a cutout of Santa’s sleigh, complete with eight reindeer.
She shook her head while fighting off a smile. If you’re a reindeer ranch, you gotta brand yourself somehow. Why not use the Christmas icon?
As she turned down the lane, her attention was drawn to the layout in the reindeer field. She let out a low whistle as she took in the setup. Temporary paneling had been brought in to make three different sections. The reindeer were crowded into the first one, where their breath puffed up around them and made the area seem magical somehow. There was a chute that led from that pen to the second area, where the shots were administered, and then a fence between the second and third area where the vaccinated animals would gather.
The chutes were large enough for Brahman rodeo bulls with an attitude. Which was a good thing, considering the antlers on some of these cows. The problem was, with all that space, the animals could throw their body weight around, endangering themselves and the people who were trying to help them.
Caleb’s head came up at the sound of her truck drawing near. She recognized him by the black hat he wore. She wondered if the wranglers noticed they’d branded themselves with those felt hats in different colors or if they’d done it on purpose. Jack’s was chocolate brown, and Drake’s was the color of a palomino.
Caleb shouted something to the crew, and two men peeled off their tasks and converged on the truck. Caleb opened her door while the guys opened the back hatch. He placed a hand on the top of the cab, trapping her inside and making her heart gallop.
“You ready to work like an elf?” Caleb grinned.
She wanted to grab onto his coat and tug him closer. Dang it all, he even smelled good, like laundry soap and fresh air and the earthy smell of animals. Instead, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “It’s going to be a long day.”
Over 700 animals should be a multi-day project. And if this was spring and they were tagging newborns, vaccinating, and giving physicals, it would. But she hoped they could finish in a day, even if it wore them all to the bone. The Nichollases had agreed to try.
He offered his hand, and she took it to slide out of the cab. “Well, we have a fire going and a heated tent to keep your supplies close and at the proper temperature.” He pointed to the temporary ice fishing tent that had a stove pipe coming out the top of it. The scent of cedar chips burning laced the air. Caleb’s brothers worked to move the hundreds of vaccines packed in padded boxes into the tent. She could tell they were related because they had the same burning gaze and broad shoulders.
“And over there is our warm food and beverage center. If you need anything, you let me know.” He pointed to another tent that had a space heater burning and one side left open. The table inside was covered with insulated slow cookers and coffee pots. “Try the cocoa—Mom’s a genius.” He winked and continued leading her along by the hand. She should have pulled away, but the gesture was innocent, like a kid wanting to show off his latest finger painting on the fridge. Only this setup was way more impressive than some color smears.
A green John Deere lumbered by with panels skewered by the hay mover.
Caleb caught her watching. “Those are just in case. We don’t like to be caught short.”
Faith nodded. “I can see that. I have to admit I’m impressed with your operation.” She felt like they’d set her up for success, which was a really nice feeling. How would it be to grow up in a family like this—one that worked together? An ache opened up inside of her, and she rubbed her chest, hoping to get rid of it.
“We’re ready if you are,” called Drake as he waved his hat over his head to get their attention.
Faith grinned. That kid had a spark inside of him that made her grin—like the little brother she never had. “Let me load up my vest and we’ll be ready.” She headed to the heated tent and, once inside, unzipped her coat. Underneath, she wore a vest with 50 tabs—like pencil holders—where she could keep the needles close to her body and therefore warm. Working in the cold was a challenge but nothing she wasn’t up for. Hopefully, being close to the animals would help keep her fingers warm, because she had to take off her gloves to do the work.
When she was stocked up, she headed to the chutes.
Caleb nodded around the small circle
as he made introductions. “You met Dad.”
The man was distinguished, with gray hair cut close and a full beard. His eyes twinkled like vaccinating was his favorite thing to do in the world. He shook her hand, and she felt seen and appreciated all at once.
“And Jack. I told you about him on the phone.”
He’d mentioned he had a twin in passing, and she’d stopped him to gather more info. Her interest in genetics wouldn’t let it slide.
She looked back and forth between the two, noting that they had nearly the same face and builds but different shades of blond hair. While Caleb seemed to be in charge for the day, she got the feeling that it was only because Jack let him. The two had a definite connection, having whole conversations with a look.
“And that’s Forest, Pax, and you’ve met Drake.”
She’d already guessed who most of them were by gathering information as he dropped it during conversations. Saying things like, I guess Drake can rig something up, or Pax is working the forge, gotta go. Forest had a twinkle of mischief in his eye, and Pax had a keen look to his eye, like he knew how things worked.
Dang, this ranch grew some handsome men. “No sisters?” she asked. She’d hoped to find another woman out here, for the sake of friendship and solidarity—the Nichollas men were a bit much with all their cowboy swaggers, flannel shirts, and leather gloves.
“Not a one.” Mr. Nichollas hung his head as if he’d failed in life. “And after these five hooligans, there was no convincing the wife to try again.”
“That’s because I’m smarter than you,” called a petite lady as she set another warming pot of food on the table and brushed off her gloves.
The men chuckled.
“I’m Anna, and don’t you let these boys tease you, ya hear? If they give you any trouble, you let me know.” She pointed a finger at her sons, who had the decency to drop their gazes and kick the snow.
Faith instantly adored Anna. Though she sounded tough, there was a whole tractor full of adoration for her boys in her eyes. “I think I can handle this crew,” Faith replied.
Anna grinned. “I don’t doubt it. Work ’em till they drop, dear.” She winked and headed back into the house.
Faith faced the wranglers and put her hands on her hips. “You heard the lady; let’s get to work.” They hopped to it so fast it left her blinking in the bright sunlight. She hoped it would warm them up, at least a bit.
Everyone had a place. Mr. Nichollas and Caleb were in the chute. Jack worked the gate. Forest and Pax herded the animals through, and Drake worked at the other end, letting the reindeer out.
Faith waited outside the chute near the exit. “If you’ll push them against the fence, I can put the shot in from here.” She had no desire to climb in with the wild animals and let them throw their weight around. Males could weigh up to 400 pounds. Which meant that if they so much as stepped on her foot, they could break a bone. Crushing her between their bodies and the fence was an opportunity they didn’t need.
“Send in the easy ones first,” Caleb called to Forest and Pax.
Forest’s face fell. “I like a challenge.”
“You might, but I don’t want the lady doc to get a bad impression of our herd.” Caleb winked at her.
She blushed under the nickname Lady Doc. They called her dad Doc, so it was a compliment to them. And the fact that Caleb cared enough to make a good impression was nice. Sometimes on these farm calls, she was treated like the hired help. Comparatively, she was treated like royalty on the reindeer ranch.
The first animal trotted into the chute and eyed Caleb and his dad. Mr. Nichollas held out a hand. “Hey, Chestnut.” The reindeer moved closer and sniffed his hand. Mr. Nichollas used his body to encourage Chestnut closer to the fence. The reindeer didn’t seem at all concerned about Faith until she caught a whiff of her scent. Then she whipped her head around and stared at her with wide eyes.
“It helps if you talk to them, let them know you’re not here to hurt them,” Caleb offered.
“This is highly unusual.” Faith stared back at the reindeer, not wanting to make any sudden moves and spook her. So far, the old girl was cautious but calm. “You guys could use one of those spare panels to push her over here and hold her in place.”
Mr. Nichollas shook his head. “I’d rather not. This lady trusts me, and I don’t want to break that trust.” To prove his point, he came over and wrapped both arms around the reindeer’s neck. She nuzzled his back.
Caleb placed himself in front of Chestnut, right in the way of danger, so he could talk low to Faith. “Just try talking to her.”
Faith huffed. “They’re reindeer.” She said it like she was pointing out the most obvious thing in the world. “They don’t understand us.” Except for Dunder, who had spent enough time with humans to pick up on things. These were herd animals, not barn pets.
Caleb’s lips disappeared inside his beard as he pressed them together in frustration.
Faith glanced up to find the whole family watching her. A growing sense of disappointment filled the air. She puffed out in exasperation. “Fine.” Moving up to the fence, she wiped on a fake smile. “Hello, Chestnut. It’s nice to meet you. I’m here to give you medicine that will keep you from getting sick this winter.”
Chestnut didn’t move her face, but her eyes darted to Caleb as if asking if this was real.
Caleb smiled. “It’s no worse than bumping into a tree branch.”
Chestnut looked at Faith again and then slowly lowered her head a fraction.
“I’m taking that as a go for it. You might want to get out of the way in case she bolts,” she warned Caleb.
Caleb put his hands on Chestnut’s cheeks. “She wouldn’t hurt me—would you, beautiful?”
Faith could have sworn the reindeer batted her eyelashes. “Sheesh, a reindeer with a crush,” she mumbled as she reached through the fence and administered the shot. To her utter amazement, Chestnut only flinched her ear back. Other animals had bucked, reared up, and shuddered dramatically when stuck with a needle. She threw the used syringe into an empty bucket she assumed was there for that very purpose.
“You did good,” Mr. Nichollas told Faith as Chestnut sauntered out of the chute and into the next pen.
Faith’s cheeks warmed under the praise. “It was just a shot.”
Caleb was busy getting the next reindeer brought in, and she couldn’t help but watch him. He moved like a man who could take on the world, unafraid of the unknown. But darn it all, he should be on the front of a romance novel with that swagger.
“It was much more than that.” Abner pulled her attention back to him. “She responded to you. Reindeer are good judges of character. I’d trust a reindeer before I’d trust a person.” He pushed off the fencing and held his arms out to the next animal as if welcoming him home from a long trip. “Captain—you look good.”
The reindeer snorted like a bull in the pasture and pawed at the ground. Mr. Nichollas pawed with his boot and then burst out laughing. Captain chortled and nudged his belly.
Faith shook her head. “Are you guys like this with all the reindeer?” There were hundreds of them—knowing them by name and personality was impossible. Unless … unless they were family. Much like her patients who cared for their dogs and their cats like they were members of the family, the Nichollases cared for these animals.
Caleb covered his eyes like he was embarrassed by his dad and Captain. “Those two … I can’t take them anywhere.”
Faith startled herself by laughing. The sound rang out over the open sky and made the reindeer turn to study her. She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
Caleb grinned, placing his hand over his chest. “Don’t be. I think you stopped my world just now.”
She ducked her head and tucked her hair behind her ear. Why did he have to stay stuff like that? She had no way to protect herself from the onslaught of heat that filled her from her lower belly on up.
Captain appeared in her periphery visi
on, and she took a page out of Caleb’s “how to charm a reindeer” book. “Well, aren’t you handsome and strong?”
Captain bobbed his head. Faith giggled as she gave him the shot. Then she patted his neck. He leaned into her hand before trotting out of the pen to join Chestnut, who looked like she was tired of his macho ways.
This vaccination was unlike any she’d been a part of before, and she found herself eager to meet the next reindeer. Part of her argued that this wasn’t normal, that animals didn’t behave like this and that wranglers weren’t the gentlemen they professed to be.
But there was no arguing with what was right before her eyes. These reindeer were special. They not only understood what people said, but they spoke back in their own ways. A lift on an eyebrow. A cock of the head. A nudge of the nose. It was like learning a whole new magical language.
It wasn’t long before she had to go refill her vest. Caleb met her at the tent door with a mug of steaming hot chocolate. “Take a second and warm up your fingers.”
She wrapped them around the mug “Thank you. I didn’t realize how cold they were.”
“I know. It sneaks up on you.” He tucked his hands in his coat pocket and considered her.
She blew across the top of the mug before taking a tentative sip. It was perfect: warm and with enough chocolate to fill her up. “What?”
“You’re having fun.” He stated it like a question.
Faith took stock of the light feeling she had and the satisfaction of doing work she loved. She lifted a shoulder. “I am.”
Caleb cocked a grin. “Why?”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, it’s not because of you—if that’s what you’re thinking.” She pushed past him and headed to the food tent to put down her cup. Caleb’s laughter followed behind, nipping at her coat and making her giggle to herself. Maybe part of it was because of him. He was called away to help with something, and she continued on without him.
Caleb and his family were unlike any family she’d ever known. She stopped short and stared out over the ranch.
One Tough Christmas Cookie (The Reindeer Wrangler Ranch Christmas Romance Book 1) Page 8
