Collecting the Pieces

by L. A. Fiore

  “Twelve.”

  “He has arthritis.” Rylee observed.

  “Yeah, pretty severe too.”

  “And yet his tail is wagging.” I couldn’t help the smile. If only humans bounced back so well.

  “Very little gets to Cooper. He’s a great companion,” Mr. Milburn said. “I got him when I retired from my law practice. He made retirement tolerable.”

  While Rylee and Doc Cassidy checked over Cooper, I joined Mr. Milburn. “You didn’t want to retire?”

  Something moved over his expression, regret or maybe pain. “No, but I still consult on a part-time basis.”

  My eyes moved to his hand and the wedding ring. He added when he noticed, “My Maggie passed twelve years ago. I miss her every day.”

  My heart twisted because boy did I understand.

  “You moved here from New Jersey?” He asked.

  Wow, what they said about small towns and everyone knowing everything was true. He seemed to pick up on that when he added, “We’re not as gossipy as all that, but you’re taking over for Doc here. People were curious. Your names have definitely preceded you.”

  I wasn’t really sure how to reply to that, so I didn’t.

  He glanced at my hand, a smile touching his lips. “This is a great place to start a family.”

  The smile died on my lips. He understood. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “I lost Jake three years ago. My brother too in the same accident.”

  “Oh, Jesus. That’s news that has not circulated through the rumor mill and it won’t now, but I am sorry.”

  “It’s one of the reasons I’m here. It was time to start fresh.”

  “I understand that.”

  “Cooper looks good, Reg. No further progression of the arthritis.”

  “Hear that boy?”

  Cooper barked. Rylee lifted him off the table and placed him gently on his feet. Mr. Milburn called for Cooper before he turned back to me.

  “It does get easier. If you find you ever want to talk, I’m usually at the tavern at the edge of town. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who’s been there.”

  It took me a moment before I answered because I was touched and surprised that a stranger would show such kindness. “I'd enjoy that.”

  “Me too. It was nice meeting you.”

  “And you. Bye Cooper.”

  Doc was eyeing me from across the room. “Small town, people talk, but I didn’t think they should be talking about that so I didn’t mention it.”

  “Thank you.” And I was grateful for that because I wasn’t in a big hurry to reveal that I was a widow. I would have to eventually—Jake’s absence would get a little hard to explain as would the fact that I was living with Rylee—but just for a little while I liked the idea of having Jake with me as I settled into my new life.

  “I have to visit Speckled Egg. Why don’t you two come?”

  “Speckled Egg?” Rylee asked.

  “She’s a palomino Appaloosa. She had an abscess on her hoof. I’ve already drained it and she’s on antibiotics. This is just a follow up, but it’d be good for you to meet Jayce Hellar since Hellar Farm is one of my bigger clients.”

  “Jayce Hellar?” Rylee asked but her focus was on me. I knew what she was thinking; she wasn’t very good at concealing her thoughts. She was staking her claim. Sure, this was based solely on his name, but Jayce Hellar was a pretty sexy name. I almost hoped he was sixty, fat and bald just to see her expression.

  “He’s the owner. He just took over for his old man and it’s about time too, because Garrett Hellar is pushing seventy. He’s too old to be up on a horse.”

  Pushing seventy, yeah, there was a good chance Jayce was middle-aged. Rylee did the math too because some of that mischievous sparkle left her expressive eyes.

  Doc Cassidy drove us in his old Jeep Cherokee. The Hellar farm was outside of town in the opposite direction of Rylee’s and my place. The backdrop of the mountains was exquisite and the serenity of the scene was breathtaking. We drove down a long dirt drive. The house came into view, and damn what a place. The farmhouse was a log cabin, but not like our little log cabin. A deeply pitched roof with windows, large picture windows that I just knew drew the outside in, made up most of the front of the house. Gardens wrapped around the place and were filled with flowers in chaotic wonder. There were two stone fireplaces, that we could see, and just imagining what the inside looked like had me wishing for an invite.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it? Garrett built the original home. It’s been expanded over the years. He’d hoped to have it filled with kids and grandkids, but his two sons, Jayce and Duncan, seem pretty determined to stay unhitched and since he never remarried after the divorce, it’s not likely that dream will come true. If it weren’t for Marnie—their live-in housekeeper, cook and at one time nanny—the place would look like just what it’s become, a bachelor pad. Speckled Egg is in the barn. Got to give it to the Hellar men, they know how to take care of their horses.”

  He wasn’t wrong. The barn was perfectly maintained with working windows, a rubber floor to keep the horses from slipping on the cold and icy concrete, a hot water line and the individual stables were large and meticulously maintained. Speckled Egg was in the far stall. You could hear her whinny, but it wasn’t a happy sound.

  “Is she in pain?” Rylee asked.

  “Probably a little, but Speckled Egg is belligerent. She’s a beauty and knows it. She’s sixteen hands tall, too tall for trail riding, which is what most of their horses are trained for. Garrett fell in love with her, paid a handsome fee, and she’s been living the life of luxury since. Only required to birth the occasional foal. In fact, she’s six months pregnant with one now.”

  A foaling in the future, I couldn’t wait! Speckled Egg was gorgeous; the tan of her coat was covered in white spots and it was the shiniest coat I’d ever seen on an animal. And, yes, she had attitude, her long, full tail flicking in annoyance.

  “Looking like that, she’s entitled to be a prima donna.”

  Rylee wasn’t wrong.

  “Her right front hoof had the abscess. Why don’t you take point, Sidney?”

  I was sure that was why he’d asked us to join him. He wanted to see how I worked with the animals as he had done with Rylee and Cooper. In his shoes, I’d have done the same. “Okay.”

  Speckled Egg blustered about for a bit when I stepped into her stall. She didn’t keep it up for long, not with the cubes of sugar Doc gave me to bribe her. I literally had her eating out of my hand. “Yeah, you’re all bark.”

  Lifting her hoof, there was still a bit of warmth, but the area looked good. “How long does she still have on the antibiotic?”

  “Three more days.”

  “Still a bit warm, but it looks great and she’s not favoring it, so that’s a good sign. You’ll be prancing around soon enough, beautiful girl.”

  “And she loves prancing.” Jerking my head to the newcomer, Speckled Egg wasn’t the only beautiful thing on this farm—tall, blond hair, blue eyes and ruggedly handsome. Shifting my eyes to Rylee, the urge to laugh was so strong I lowered my head. She looked seriously thirsty and the newcomer was just what she needed to quench her thirst—a tall, cool glass of water.

  “I’m Jayce Hellar and you’re the docs taking over Doc Cassidy’s practice?”

  When seconds of silence followed, I looked up again to see that Rylee was still just staring. Rendered mute by a handsome face.

  “Yes. I’m Sidney Stephens and the woman staring mutely at you is my partner in crime, Rylee Doughty.”

  That snapped Rylee out of it as her eyes jerked to mine. Fire was shooting out of them. In reply, I smiled sweetly.

  “How does Speckled Egg look?” Jayce asked.

  “The hoof is still a little warm, so three more days on the meds sounds about right, but she looks good.”

  “Dad will be happy to hear that.”

  “How many horses do you have here?”

  “Twe
nty-five. My brother has most of them off on a trail right now. There are a few stallions used for siring and a few we use for training.” He gestured to the training paddock. “I’m sorry to see Doc Cassidy retiring, but we’re growing pretty fast. With two of you taking over, it’ll be a comfort to know we’ve got a doctor on call.”

  Rylee finally found her voice. “Sidney will be the one on-call, her focus is on larger animals, but I’m available if needed.”

  There was a small smile pulling on Jayce's lips. Jake’s face swam into my vision because he used to give me the same smile. Rarely did his teeth show and somehow his smiles were still breathtaking. Unconsciously I twisted my rings at the memory, an action not lost on Rylee.

  “I’ve got to get back, but maybe you should schedule a time to return and get more familiar with the animals.” Doc Cassidy suggested.

  “That’s a great idea. Why don’t I get your number and I’ll give you a call.” I almost corrected Rylee since I’d be working the clinic as well, but the horse farms would be solely my responsibility. Plus the records were back at the clinic, including Hellar Farm’s phone number, but Jayce didn’t hesitate to take her phone and punch in his number.

  I heard Doc chuckling. His laughing eyes caught mine and he whispered, “Girl moves fast.”

  “Did you see that Jayce Hellar. Good God, the man is gorgeous.” Rylee was on her third martini and with each one her opinion of Jayce Hellar grew. She leaned closer to me, her cheeks all rosy. “Was I too forward? Taking his number like that?”

  “No. He moved pretty fast to give it to you.”

  “He did, didn’t he? I’m wishing I was the one who specialized in horses because spending my days at his farm, I’d be the happiest woman alive.”

  “No worries, I’ll be sure to call you constantly for a second opinion.”

  “Oh, that’s a good idea. I want to see inside their house. Did you see that place?”

  “Incredible and with how pretty it looked on the outside, I imagine Marnie keeps the inside just as lovely.”

  “You have to assume that Garrett and Duncan are like Jayce, so what kind of woman can keep those three in line? And clearly she is because though it’s mostly men on the farm, the place definitely had a feminine touch.” Rylee finished off her martini and signaled for another. “Last one.”

  I’d been nursing one beer; I’d get us home.

  “What do you say about taking those off?” She asked as her focus moved to my wedding rings. “Fresh start, right? Those are like a huge stop sign, a do not enter. They’re your security blanket.”

  I liked that they were a stop sign, plus I was just used to wearing them.

  “It’s been three years,” Rylee added.

  “I know I need to take them off, but I like that they act as a filter. I’ve been out enough with you and all those drunken guys propositioning you. You can’t tell me you enjoy that.”

  “Of course not, but for every ten idiots, there’s one good guy. You’ll never meet the good guy if he thinks you’re married. Those will keep him from approaching.”

  “If I find someone that interests me enough, I’ll take them off.”

  “Fair enough.”

  My back ached. The moving truck arrived at six in the morning. Rylee was dead to the world, curled up in her sleeping bag in her room. I didn’t rush to wake her. Sleep was what she needed to help battle the hangover she’d earned last night. We had opted to sell our furniture with the plan of buying new stuff after we’d been in the house and got a feel for what we wanted, so there wasn’t much to unpack. After filling the linen closet with our towels and sheets, stocking the kitchen with our pots, pans and other kitchen items, I headed to my room. There was one box I wanted to take my time unpacking, the box with the few mementos of Jake’s I couldn’t let go. I had lovingly wrapped our wedding picture in bubble wrap. And seeing his smiling face had the tightness in my chest easing. I placed it on the floor next to my sleeping bag. I still wanted his face to be the first sight I saw when I woke in the morning. His sweater, I couldn’t bear to part with it. It no longer carried his scent, but remembering him wearing it, seeing him so clearly in my mind, I just couldn’t donate it like I had his other clothes. His football jersey, the first birthday gift I had ever received, was my favorite nightshirt. I felt closer to him when I wore it. It probably wasn’t healthy, my holding on to his memory, but I just didn’t want to let him go. I didn’t see a reason why I had to.

  Leaving Rylee sleeping, I headed into town to check out the furniture store we’d passed yesterday on our way to the clinic. I wouldn’t buy anything without her, but I could scope the place out. I drove her car, knew I was going to need to buy my own since I’d be spending most of my time traveling to the various farms. I hadn’t kept my old car because it was a small hatchback and not big enough for the equipment I’d be carrying. I’d get to the car, but first we needed furniture.

  Town was a bit more hopping; the door of the bakery was like a revolving door. I understood the activity because the scents of cinnamon and vanilla were so enticing I found myself heading in that direction—a quick detour, one that ended with a warm, cinnamon goodie was never a bad idea.

  Pulling the door open, I had to stifle a moan because damn it smelled good. If the pastries tasted half as good as they smelled I was in for a treat. The place was packed; the line went to the door and every single person seemed perfectly fine with waiting for his or her turn. I’d bring something back for Rylee. Sweet, doughy goodness would do wonders for her hangover.

  As I stood there, I studied the people. In New Jersey everyone was eager to get somewhere, moving so fast they tended not to take notice of the moment they were in. But here, it was like every moment was one to savor. And I liked that, especially knowing how quickly life could change. It was important to appreciate what you had while you had it.

  It was while my thoughts drifted to Jake that I felt a prickling sensation that lifted the hair on my arms, a charge that had my breath catch. At first, I thought it was just the memory of Jake that caused the moment. But then, quite unconsciously, my eyes moved down the line to the man up front. A tingle skipped down my spine. My reaction to him shocked me because he wasn’t at all my type. Hell, he didn’t seem the type for Sheridan, dressed in his faded jeans and leather jacket with his hair pulled up in a messy kind of bun and the full beard and mustache. His focus was on his phone, but as I watched, tension stiffened his shoulders; an awareness that had his head lifting and his focus shifting. He didn’t scan the crowd, his gaze moved down the line to settle on me as if he knew I was there. Pale blue eyes looked back at me but there was nothing icy about them. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. As quickly as his attention fixed on me, I lost it as he stepped up to the counter. My heart pounded in my chest and after three years of feeling nothing, I was so freaked out I left. I walked right out of the bakery without my cinnamon goodie and went straight to the car. I didn’t immediately drive away, too rattled to operate it, and so I saw as he exited the bakery. He looked up the street then down before he headed in the direction of the parked motorcycle. He was a big guy, tall—several inches over six feet—and muscular, yet he walked with a controlled and deliberate grace. He threw a leg over his bike, the faded denim at his thighs and ass stretching and I actually felt a heat ignite in my gut. The bun shouldn’t have worked, not with someone so clearly masculine, and yet it was wickedly sexy when combined with the full beard. The engine roared to life a second before he took off down the street. And for a fleeting moment I found myself wishing I were on the back of that bike.

  “The grill was a great idea. Nothing like grilling up burgers with this view.” Rylee’s feet were up on the deck, a glass of wine in her hand. We had stopped at the hardware store on our way home from work and bought a small charcoal grill. I had thought to get a gas grill, but Jake swore by charcoal. Said it wasn’t really grilling if you weren’t using charcoal. He was right; the flavor was amazing.

  “And t
hat bakery. What a find. I’m going to gain sixty pounds, but those sticky buns are worth it.”

  I’d taken Rylee to the bakery the day after I left it so abruptly. We’d met the owner, Stella, who was also the baker and the one who worked the counter. She must have figured out a way to clone herself to accomplish all of that and not die of exhaustion. We bought six donuts and six sticky buns and ate all of them in the same day. Rylee was right, we’d definitely be putting on weight eating like that, but it was so worth it. I hadn’t mentioned the guy, the encounter that had me running away, because I chalked up the moment to exhaustion, missing Jake—because I had unpacked his things only an hour before—and intrigue having never seen anyone like him before. A movement off the deck caught my attention. An animal moved through the wildflowers in the distance. Black fur and a sleek body that was too thin. A dog of some kind, an obvious stray, and still he was beautiful even being malnourished.

  “Look at him.”

  Rylee followed the direction I was staring. “Oh God. Is that a wolf?”

  “Maybe part, but he’s definitely got canine in him.”

  “Poor thing looks hungry.”

  “I’ll leave him a hamburger.”

  “Do you think that’s wise?”

  “You know me and strays. He’s hungry; I’m going to feed him. We’ve only got Tigger and Stuart here and they never leave the house.”

  “And we’re here.”

  I could sympathize with the poor animal, likely given up because he got too big or ate too much. “It’s more than likely the people who took him in didn’t realize what they were getting into. He’s so thin, clearly not a hunter but an animal used to being fed. And yes, a hungry animal is unpredictable, but I’ll be careful and smart in how I feed him.”

  “You’ve always been like that, collecting other lost souls. That’s one of the things I love most about you.”

  “Having been there, I get it.”

  “I know.” She reached for her wine. “Are you glad we made the move?”

  “I am. I like Doc Cassidy and Ginger, Mr. Milburn and Jayce. I love the town and how everyone isn’t in a hurry to get somewhere, that they’re fine being right where they are. And look at that view.”