Sweet Talking Rancher

by Kate Pearce

  Danny’s phone buzzed and he took it out to see a text from his dad.

  WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME?

  His dad always texted in caps, which was an assault on the eyes. Unwilling to start typing long explanations his father probably wouldn’t even read, Danny called him.

  “What?”

  “Hey, I’m still at the Brysons’. Sue Ellen and Doug are both sick and have been taken to Bridgeport. Almost their entire herd is infected with scours. Dave and I are trying to make sense of it right now.”

  Danny tensed as he waited for his father to explode.

  “Okay.”

  “That’s all you’ve got?” Danny asked.

  “Yup. Nothing wrong with helping out a neighbor, even one as incompetent as Doug. Don’t bring it home and keep me informed.”

  His father ended the call, leaving Danny staring at his phone. His dad might be a giant pain in the ass, but sometimes his heart was in the right place.

  He heard the sound of an approaching truck and turned to face the driveway wondering if some of the work crew were finally going to show up. It wasn’t the Bryson workforce but a familiar veterinary vehicle.

  “Hey.” Faith got out and immediately started suiting up. “I’ve got the supplies from Fred. I also brought a load of electrolyte and rehydration treatments for the calves.”

  “Dave’s here.”

  She straightened up from stepping into her boots. “He is?”

  “Don’t you guys talk to each other in the mornings?” Danny asked.

  “I didn’t go home. I stayed with Nancy. Blanche called me from the clinic and relayed your message because she couldn’t get hold of Dave.”

  “He turned up with Dr. Tio.”

  “Oh.” Faith busied herself buttoning up her top. “Are Sue Ellen and Doug okay?”

  “They’re not good.” Danny gestured at the house. “Doug was seriously dehydrated and running a fever and Sue Ellen had all of that and exhaustion from trying to home treat the calves. They’ve gone to Bridgeport Hospital.” He grimaced. “I wish I’d insisted she let me in last week. If only I’d known . . .”

  “You shouldn’t blame yourself, Danny. Doug’s been in this business his whole life and he knows how dangerous a scours outbreak can be. He shouldn’t have tried to conceal it. If anyone is at fault, it’s probably me for stopping them seeking professional advice,” Faith added.

  “That’s also a crock, you definitely aren’t to blame.”

  She smiled at him and he noticed the dark shadows under her eyes.

  “You okay?”

  She considered him, her head to one side. “I think I should be asking you the same question.”

  He gently touched his forehead. “I have the headache from hell.”

  “So do I.” She winced and put her sunglasses on. “Nancy is a terrible enabler.” She picked up her bag. “The back seat is full of stuff; do you want to help bring it into the barn?”

  * * *

  Faith gasped as she rounded the corner and looked out over the Brysons’ paddock. There were cows and calves crowded in everywhere.

  “Yeah,” Danny spoke from behind her. “It’s that bad.”

  “Why did they put them all in one space?” Faith asked. “It’s like asking for trouble.”

  “I suspect their crew left and they decided to gather as many of the cows together as they could so they could get to them more easily.”

  She spotted Dave moving through the field, his gaze focused downward as he stopped to check each calf and mother.

  “What triage system are you using for treatment?”

  “You’ll have to ask Dave. I’m just the fetcher and carrier around here.” Danny whistled. Dave looked up and came toward them his usual cheerful expression absent.

  “This is a nightmare. I’m tagging symptom-free calves with green, possible cases with yellow, red for definite, and black for dead.”

  “Okay, what do you want me to do?” Faith asked.

  “Deal with the reds and yellows while I continue to sort them out?” Dave looked over at Danny. “Could you set up separate treatment stations in the barn, or out here?”

  “Sure.” Danny nodded. “The barn isn’t big enough to take many. I’ll rig up some overhead tarps to protect you and the calves from the sun. And I’ll deal with the dead as well.”

  “Thank you.” Faith turned to Danny. “That would make our work so much easier.”

  He nodded and walked back toward his truck.

  “Despite everything, I’m glad he’s here,” Dave said. “He gets shit done, and man, there is a lot of shit.” He let out a breath. “Do you want to start making up some fluids while Danny sets us up? I think we’re going to need them.”

  The barn had a good water supply, and Faith was able to mix up gallons of hydration for the calves. By the time she emerged back into the light, Danny had spread tarps on the ground, formed two distinct paddocks, and rigged up overhead shade. She stayed in the shadow of the barn and watched him work, his movements sure and deft as he hammered in the last of the posts. As if he sensed her gaze on him, he looked up.

  “This okay?”

  “Perfect.” She went toward him. He was already sweating through his denim shirt and had unbuttoned it to display the T-shirt beneath. “I really appreciate all your hard work.”

  “Just helping out a neighbor.” He shrugged. “Do you want me to help you move the calves in?”

  “Yes, please. I doubt I can do it myself,” Faith said.

  He grinned and she was struck anew by the strength of his features and how rarely he smiled like his teenage self.

  “I bet you can do anything you put your mind to, Faith,” he said softly.

  She instinctively reached out to him, her gloved hand wrapping around his wrist. “Look, I know we still have a lot to talk about, but I really appreciate you setting that aside so that we can handle this disaster like adults.”

  He dropped his gaze to her hand. “The thing is—I’m not setting anything aside. This is all part of it, you know?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  This time his smile was sweeter but tinged with something sad. “Yeah, I’m beginning to see that.” He eased free of her grip. “Shall we get on? It’s getting hot out there.”

  By the time Dave finished his initial survey the results were grim. Over half the calves were already dead, only a handful were well, and the rest would require full-time care around the clock.

  Dave drew Faith into the barn to talk.

  “I know this is bad, but we can’t both stay here. Jenna’s doing her best, but she can’t cover the whole valley all by herself.”

  “I know,” Faith said. “And you’re scheduled for two days of surgery at the clinic starting tomorrow, so you should go back. I’ll call you if I need anything, okay?”

  Dave frowned. “Are you sure you’ll be okay dealing with lover boy all by yourself ?”

  “Number one, don’t call him that, and two, yes, of course I will. We get on just fine and we work together really well.”

  “Okay.” Dave wasn’t one to labor a point. “I’ll get going. I’ve taken all the necessary samples for the state testing lab and I’ll ask them to prioritize the results. Call me if you need anything at all.”

  “Oh, I will,” Faith said. “We’re going to need a lot more feeding pouches, fluids, and electrolytes.”

  “I’ll get on that.” Dave paused. “How many do you think we’re going to be able to save?”

  Faith grimaced. “Not many. My main concern right now is trying to keep the healthy calves safe while we contain the outbreak.”

  “This’ll break Doug,” Dave said. “Both financially and mentally.”

  Faith reluctantly nodded. “Is anyone keeping the Brysons up-to-date with what’s going on here?”

  “Tio’s offered to tell them, but he’s concerned that the thought of the McDonalds traipsing over their property might stress them out, and he doesn’t want that right now. They�
��re already worrying about how to pay their medical bills let alone anything from us.”

  “Understandably.” Faith paused. “How long are they going to be away?”

  “At least a couple of days, but I can get Tio to recommend they stay away for longer if you like?”

  “I think that would be best.” Faith nodded. “I’d like to have things in some kind of order before they return.”

  Dave looked out over the improvised shelters. “Good luck with that.”

  “I thought I’d tidy up the house as well.”

  “Sue Ellen won’t appreciate you going through her stuff.”

  Faith shrugged. “If Sue Ellen comes out of the hospital and attempts to eat in that kitchen, she’d be straight back in. I’m not talking like a home makeover, just some basic hygiene.”

  “You do what makes you happy, Sis, but don’t expect any thanks for it.” Dave patted her shoulder. “I’ll just go and say goodbye to Danny and then I’ll be off.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I’m fine, Dad,” Danny repeated. “It’s really bad up here so I’m staying put.” He glanced out of the kitchen window at the darkening sky. “I can bunk down in my truck or in the barn, I don’t want to bring anything home.”

  “Okay.” There was a pause as if his father was talking to someone else. “Rae says she’ll drop some hot food off for you.”

  “That would be great.” Danny smiled for the first time in hours. “Tell her to leave it outside the gate. I’ll come and pick it up when she’s safely on her way home.”

  “Will do. Evan wants to know if you want him to come over and help.”

  “Nah, we’re good.” Danny could do without seeing Evan’s face for a day or so.

  “Who’s we?”

  “The McDonalds.”

  “Ah, makes sense. Hang in there, Son. Everyone sends their love.”

  Danny pictured his family in the kitchen getting ready to serve dinner, Adam was probably cooking with Rae and Leanne, and everyone else would be chatting as they set the table and put out the beverages. The contrast between the brightness at the center of his family life and the desolation up at the Brysons’ couldn’t have been clearer. Sure, they drove him mad, interfered in his life way too often, and loved to tell him where he was going wrong, but he wouldn’t trade that for anything.

  “Hey.”

  He looked up to see Faith in the kitchen doorway. She looked even more exhausted than he did.

  “Hey yourself.” He indicated the coffeepot. “I made a fresh brew. Would you like some?”

  She came into the kitchen and looked around. “Did you clean up?”

  “Yeah, I couldn’t stand looking at it anymore.”

  “Whenever did you find the time? You’ve been working all day.”

  “I was desperate for coffee, but when I saw the state of the place, I knew I’d have to hose everything down before I touched a thing.” He indicated the plastic mug in his hand. “This is from my truck. I’ve got another one right here.”

  He switched on the lights and handed her the mug of coffee. “I literally made up a bleach and boiling water solution and cleaned every surface and the floor. I ran the dishwasher at max all day and double cleaned everything that came out of it.”

  “It looks about a million times better,” Faith said as she gulped down her drink. “Even the bleach smells better than outside.”

  Danny shuddered. “Yeah, that wasn’t fun.”

  She smiled at him. “But we’re definitely winning now.”

  “Good to hear.” He hesitated. “You can go home for a while if you like. I can keep an eye on everything tonight.”

  She frowned. “You don’t need to do that, Danny.”

  “I’ve already told my dad I’m staying put. Rae’s bringing me some dinner and my favorite pillow so I’m all set. Any news on the Brysons?”

  “They are both on the mend but will be kept in the hospital overnight for observation.” She paused. “You can’t take on the burden all by yourself—it’s too much.”

  “If I can’t cope, I’ll definitely be calling you, don’t worry,” Danny tried to reassure her. “It’s not exactly difficult.”

  “But you won’t get a wink of sleep.”

  “You’d be surprised. I can sleep anywhere.” He gestured at the door. “Go home, take a shower, and come back later if you want. I’ll be here.”

  She regarded him steadily, set her mug in the sink, and came over to his side.

  “What?” Danny asked. He was way too aware of her proximity and that despite the mud on her clothes she still smelled sweet to him.

  She cupped his bristled chin. “You really are a wonderful person.”

  “I’m really not,” he countered.

  “I couldn’t have got through this day without you, so stop talking, and accept a compliment, okay?”

  He had to smile. “Thank you and right back at you. We make a good team.”

  “We always did.” She paused. “About what happened yesterday—”

  “I thought we weren’t going to talk about that right now,” Danny reminded her.

  “I just wanted you to know that I don’t regret a thing.”

  “Neither do I.”

  Their gazes met and clashed. Danny stepped out of her caress before he made the mistake of leaning into it instead. The Brysons’ kitchen was not the place where he was going to kiss Faith McDonald again, especially when they were both exhausted and covered in cow shit.

  “Would you like more coffee?” Danny asked.

  “No, I guess I should be on my way.” Faith smothered a yawn. “I need to talk to Jenna and Dave about how the clinic is running, and make some provisional plans for tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.” Danny ran the water into the now sparkling sink and washed out her mug. “I’ll call if I get overwhelmed.”

  “You do that.” She patted his shoulder and turned toward the door, her gaze moving to the window. “Are you expecting anyone? Someone is flashing their lights at the gate.”

  “That’ll be Rae with my dinner.” Danny set the mug down. “I’ll walk you out.”

  * * *

  As Faith drove back home, her stomach grumbling all the way, she thought about Danny—the way he’d stepped up to help the Brysons. The massive amount of hard physical work he’d put in to set up the treatment centers and get rid of the dead calves. And he’d done it without a word of complaint and a willingness to listen that inspired confidence. He might not have left Morgan Valley, but he’d become a strong, competent man whom others could rely on.

  She hadn’t wanted to leave him there alone.

  She wanted to sit down beside him at the table and just talk about everyday stuff because she knew he’d be interested in what mattered to her. Just being with him made her calmer. She paused to get out of the truck to unchain the lower gate and drive through. But what did he want? She still wasn’t sure, and until she sorted out the current mess with Brandon, she wasn’t in a good emotional position to press Danny on anything.

  Thinking of Brandon, she checked her cell and saw he’d both called and texted her again. There was also a missed call from Callie, which made her want to throw her phone out the window. She stuffed her cell back into her pocket and focused on driving safely home. The lights were already on when she drew up and Dave’s truck along with another car were parked in the drive.

  She went in through the mudroom and spent a while hosing off and disinfecting her boots, sticking all her clothing into the washing machine on sterilize mode, and taking a long shower. By the time she emerged, fragrant smells were coming from the kitchen making her stomach growl even more.

  “Hey,” Dave called out to her from his position at the stove. “Tio wanted to give you an update on the Brysons so I asked him to stay for dinner, is that okay?”

  “Fine with me.” Faith smiled at the doctor, who was sitting up at the countertop using his laptop. “Hey, Doc. How are the Brysons doing?”

  “Physi
cally much better.” Tio frowned. “But Doug’s refusing to come back to the ranch. He says he can’t handle it anymore. I told him to take a couple of weeks off and revisit the decision after he’s spoken to his sister.”

  “Good advice.” Faith helped herself to a beer from the refrigerator. “Once we get this scours outbreak contained and the ranch back up to speed, he might change his mind.”

  “I hope so.” Tio didn’t look convinced. “I think some of it is that he’s ashamed of letting things get so out of hand. He’s worried that everyone in the valley is going to make his life hell if he does come back.”

  “As long as we can keep him away from Jeff Miller, I think he’s good,” Dave said as he offered Tio another beer. “How’s it going up there anyway?”

  “It’s okay. We’re now able to focus on getting fluids into the calves that still stand a chance of making it, which is progress. Danny’s been a saint.”

  “Yeah?” Dave stirred one of the pots. “Well, he owes you.”

  “He doesn’t, and he’s helping the Brysons, not me.”

  “Faith, are you really that dumb?” Dave turned to face her. “He’s doing all this for you.”

  Faith met his gaze. “Can you just drop this right now? We have a guest.”

  Tio politely cleared his throat. “I can go home right now if you need some space, guys.”

  “No, don’t do that,” Faith said. “We’re good, aren’t we, Dave?”

  Her brother heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Sure, but you’re still an ass.”

  “Takes one to know one,” Faith said. “Now, can I help you with dinner?”

  “Nah, I’m good. You’re okay with chicken Alfredo, right?”

  “You made it yourself?” Faith went to get glasses and silverware out of the cupboards.

  “Yeah, of course!” Dave looked insulted. “I can cook, you know; I just don’t like doing it.” He glanced over at Tio. “I got this recipe from Tio’s grandmother. She made it for dinner a couple of weeks ago, and I loved it.”

  “I can’t wait,” Faith said. “Any news from the parents?”