Snow Melts in Spring

by Vogts, Deborah

  Gil opened the passenger door for Mattie, and she slid in between him and their host. It seemed that Gil sat particularly close, or maybe that was due to all the jostling she endured as Mr. Chappell drove through several bumpy pastures to a herd of yearlings.

  The young horses milled about the parked truck, curious, yet skittish. Gil opened the squeaky door, and they sprang from their hind feet as though a gun had fired, their short tails hiked in the air.

  Gil pointed to a colt with a broad chest and muscled rear. Mattie acknowledged his interest right away.

  Mr. Chappell noticed too. “That one’s an experiment we tried, mixing our Eddy stallion with a daughter of Flying X 6. So far, we like what we see.”

  “I do too.” Gil stepped from the truck to study the colt. “He reminds me of a horse I once trained. How much would you sell him for?”

  The man hesitated and shook his head. He got out and rested his elbows on the hood. “I don’t think Yvonne’s ready to sell that one.”

  Gil’s eyes sparked, and Mattie knew he was prepared for the challenge. “Are you by any chance a football fan?”

  “THE WIFE AND I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR SPORTS,” WAYNE SAID. “OTHER than watching the grandkids play.”

  Gil frowned, not what he wanted to hear. He decided to approach the man from another angle. “Name your price, and I’ll buy him today.”

  Wayne removed his cap and brushed his fingers through matted, gray hair. “Mister, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but if you’re that interested, you’ll have to haggle it out with my other half.” He gave a nervous chuckle.

  “The colt would make a good stallion, wouldn’t he?”

  “Yvonne seems to think so. You interested in standing a stud?”

  Gil braced his forearms on the opposite side of the hood, ready to cast his proposition like a well-set fishing line. “Let’s say I purchase this little guy, train him up, and put him in some competitions. Maybe he earns high points, maybe a championship or two. Seems to me that would serve you well by bringing you business from the western half of the United States.”

  The man placed his cap back on his head. “Sounds like a good plan, but I wouldn’t count on my wife selling.”

  Mattie came to Gil’s side and squeezed his arm. “Which of these fillies are you prepared to sell — seeing as how we came all the way out here to buy mares?” She smiled sweetly at Mr. Chappell, but the pressure on Gil’s arm tightened.

  Wayne’s eyes shifted from her to Gil. “You two in business together?”

  Mattie withdrew her hand from Gil’s arm, and his skin felt cold where her fingers had been. “We’re friends, good friends.” He searched her eyes, hoping to see affirmation of this in their depths.

  She lowered her gaze, then turned to Chappell. “I’m providing the health exam . . . should you both agree on a deal, that is.” At her smile, the two men chuckled.

  “Better listen to her. Sounds like she carries a lot of sense in those little boots she wears.”

  Gil glanced down at Mattie’s red ropers. “I’m thinking the same thing.” Once the words were out, Gil’s heart tugged against his chest.

  A little while later, Wayne drove them to the house and went to check on lunch. As soon as he left, Gil reached for Mattie’s hands, too excited to contain himself. “If I manage to drive out of here with that Six colt, I’ll have you to thank.” He wanted to thank her now with a nice warm kiss. Instead, he brushed the few stray hairs from her face that the wind whipped loose from her braid.

  “I can’t believe you tried to influence him with football.” Her mouth curved in mock disapproval. “I’m glad it didn’t work.”

  “This is business, and a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. If she sells that colt to me, I’ll need to hire a private vet to assist with the mares and the breeding of a stallion. How would that strike your fancy?”

  “What, work for you in California?” She extracted her hand from his, and the fringes on her jacket swayed. “I don’t think so.”

  Gil captured her by the shoulders, not willing to let her go so easy. Despite her protests, he could tell by the way she melted into his touch that she was right where she wanted to be. “Doesn’t the thought of success tempt you a little? There’s lots of money to be made in the horse industry. The two of us might make a pretty good team, don’t you think?”

  “I like being my own boss. Somehow I don’t think it would be nearly as fun if you were in charge.”

  She broke from his grasp, but her eyes shone with anticipation.

  THIRTY-TWO

  MATTIE’S HEART RACED AT THE LURE OF GIL’S OFFER. SHE REMINDED herself that it was just that — a work proposition, not a marriage proposal. And what if it were a proposal? She’d known Gil for a little over two months, hardly enough time to learn about a person — to know his heart and soul. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, wishing the damp air would cool the warmth in her cheeks.

  “I’m guessing my measure of success isn’t the same as yours. You know how I feel about the Flint Hills. And what about my practice? Am I to leave my clients without someone to care for their animals?” She leaned against the horse trailer, glad for the touch of the cold metal.

  “California is pretty too. Mountains on one side, ocean on the other, and green hills in between.” Gil pulled an envelope from his inside coat pocket. “I received this in the mail this morning. The team’s hosting a retirement party for me in a couple weeks — a big shindig. I’d like you to be my date.”

  Mattie swallowed to soothe the dryness in her throat. “In California?”

  “Yes, come with me and meet my friends.” His grin beseeched her. “I’ll show you the property I want to buy — the place where you’d work. Together we could build you a breeding facility with all the latest technology for artificial insemination.”

  “Aren’t you afraid of getting in over your head?” Mattie reminded herself of Clara’s warning to take things slow.

  This was not slow.

  “I’ve been thinking about this for some time. What do you say? Will you go to the retirement party?”

  Mattie swallowed the dryness in her throat. She’d taken off work from the clinic today. Now he wanted her to take off for a weekend. “I don’t know, Gil — I need time to think.”

  Gil reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Okay, but don’t take too long. You know how impatient I am when I want something.”

  A SHORT WHILE LATER, MATTIE SAT ACROSS FROM GIL AT THE Chappell dining table, Yvonne at one end, Wayne at the other, and the Miss Kansas Rodeo contestant next to Gil. Natalie Adams had perfect olive skin, much prettier than Mattie’s own ruddy complexion. Yvonne passed a platter of barbecued ribs, and Mattie pierced a juicy strip and placed it on her plate.

  “Wayne showed me a Six colt in one of your pastures this morning but said you’re not interested in selling him. What would it take to make you interested?” Gil asked Yvonne.

  The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Sometimes no means no.”

  Gil straightened, and the wooden chair creaked beneath him. “Surely every horse on this property has a price? Aren’t you interested in selling horses?

  “Wayne tells me you plan to run your operation in California.” Yvonne handed Mattie a bowl of fried potatoes. “There’s a lot to know about standing a stud. If you lived closer, we could help you — steer potential customers your way.”

  Mattie smiled as she passed the dish to Wayne. She liked the way this woman thought and hoped Gil would listen.

  “You don’t know who I am, do you?” Gil shifted his head from one Chappell to the other.

  “Gil recently retired from the San Francisco 49ers as their quarterback. He’s used to people recognizing him.” Mattie half-teased, but Gil’s expression crumpled into a frown as though insulted.

  Yvonne’s face didn’t crack, but Mr. Chappell smiled. “I wondered why you asked about football earlier.”

  “I thought I recognized you,” Natali
e added. “My dad’s a real fan of yours.”

  “Is that so?” Gil clasped her outstretched hand, his wounded pride easily assuaged.

  “Sorry we didn’t recognize you, but the wife and I aren’t up on sports,” Mr. Chappell said. “We appreciate that you like our horses, though.”

  “They’re some of the finest I’ve seen. While I value your offer to help, I don’t think finding customers will be a problem. That is, if you’re willing to sell.” Gil released Miss Adams’ hand and smiled, but his taut cheekbones hinted at agitation.

  “I’m not prepared to market that particular colt.” Yvonne got up to retrieve a pitcher of tea and placed it on the table. “His mama had problems delivering last year, and we won’t be having any more colts out of her. I’d like to see how he’s going to turn out before I decide whether to sell.”

  The woman wouldn’t budge and judging by the clouds gathering on Gil’s face, Mattie wondered if they were in for a storm.

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE WOULDN’T SELL THAT COLT TO ME.” GIL clenched the truck’s steering wheel as they headed for Diamond Falls later that evening. He shook his head in frustration, having been prepared to pay top dollar for three of the Chappell mares if she’d sell the colt.

  “You ought to be thankful she sold you anything, considering your behavior.” Mattie stared at her lap and picked at a piece of mud on her jeans.

  “What do you mean, my behavior?” Gil’s annoyance grew.

  “Let’s just say when you want something, you don’t let anything — or anyone — stand in the way.”

  Gil clamped his jaw. Had he really behaved poorly? He tried to remember his discussions with the Chappells, specifically those that had made him testy. “I disagree. If anyone behaved badly, it was Yvonne. She invited me out there to buy horses, then she didn’t want to sell the one I liked.”

  “It’s her business. She can do whatever she wants. Had I been the owner, I’m not sure I would have sold the colt to you either.”

  “Why not?” Gil couldn’t understand Mattie’s change of attitude. She’d been cold and standoffish ever since lunch. Not the sweet, sensitive-natured woman he’d grown fond of, but more the uptight female she’d been when he first met her. “What did I do that was so terrible?”

  “For one, you were arrogant. You told the woman you didn’t need her help. Big mistake.”

  “But I don’t need her help. I know exactly who my target customers are and how I’m going to attract them.”

  “Okay . . . okay.” Mattie raised her hands in the air. “I’m just saying, you could’ve handled the situation more gently, and Yvonne might have sold you the colt.”

  “That’s not the way I do business. With me, it’s all or nothing.”

  Mattie sniffed. “Natalie Adams certainly gave you all of her attention today.”

  Gil’s neck twitched. Was that jealousy in the doc’s voice? “She found my objectives interesting if that’s what you mean.”

  Mattie eyed him with the aloofness of a thoroughbred.

  “Fine, let’s stop talking about the horses. What about my retirement party? What’s your answer, will you go? I need to buy our plane tickets.”

  She shook her head and stared out the passenger window at the darkening sky. “Right now, the only place I want to go is home.”

  “You mean my home?”

  Mattie visibly bristled. “I mean, your dad’s home.”

  THIRTY-THREE

  TEN DAYS LATER, MATTIE TUCKED INSIDE HER OFFICE DESK DRAWER the wedding invitation she received. Just what she needed, another wedding in the family — another chance to catch the bouquet and listen to the old hens whisper behind her back.

  No thanks.

  There had to be more to life than falling in love and letting your mate drag you wherever he wanted to go. Like California — and who would want to go with an oaf like him, anyway? Gil was so full of himself he couldn’t see past his nose to what really mattered.

  She forced the man from her thoughts and went back to punching the calculator. Her puppy snuggled in his usual spot right next to her feet. How would she ever make enough money to rebuild her clinic? Even if her business flourished, she’d have to save for a year before she’d have enough to afford the down payment.

  Lord, is this what you want for me? To keep trying?

  The McCrays had offered her so many kindnesses. Allowing her to live in the cabin and operate her clinic on their ranch, and Gil furnishing her clinic supplies.

  All gifts from God.

  Gil was like two men — the stubborn, hardheaded guy and the thoughtful, caring man she couldn’t erase from her mind. She considered his retirement party.

  You ought to go with him. What harm could it do?

  What harm could it do? Going to California with him might endanger her heart. She’d already been tempted beyond her restraint — felt her resolve weaken every time he touched her. When it came to Gil, her mind went blank whenever her heart fluttered — just like Clara warned.

  I will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, I will also provide a way out.

  Right . . . and her way out was not to go to California. She couldn’t traipse off from the clinic for an entire weekend, anyway. Dusty needed her. His rehabilitation was moving forward, and she resolved to keep it that way.

  Now all she had to do was inform Gil of her decision.

  GIL ROUNDED THE CORNER OF THE BARN AND CAUGHT MATTIE resting her head on Dusty’s neck. He stopped, not wanting to intrude on what looked like an intimate moment and watched as she smoothed her hand over the chestnut’s back. His heart clutched at the soothing words she spoke to his horse. This was the doc he knew, the woman who put her heart into everything she did.

  Since their outing to the Chappell Ranch, she hadn’t talked to him unless answering a direct question. It made no sense. Could his buying tactics have really been the cause of her change in attitude? He’d walked away from the Chappell’s with one fine mare and a three-year-old filly on the condition that they wouldn’t sell the Six colt without first contacting him. Not the outcome he desired, but not altogether disagreeable.

  Although Mattie had hinted at jealousy, he couldn’t believe a woman as pretty as she was would fret over a girl half his age. Especially one that bore an uncanny resemblance to Mattie’s sister Jenna.

  The thought of the dark-haired girl reminded Gil of the complications he would face if a romantic relationship with Mattie developed. Was she worth the risk? Would she understand his past?

  He cleared his throat, and Mattie lifted her head from the gelding’s neck. She turned and for a brief second her anxiety went unmasked. Then she quickly forced a smile, but her eyes lacked their usual luster.

  “I thought I’d find you here.” At his words, Mattie’s beagle came rushing toward him, its pointed tail whipping back and forth. He bent down to rub the pup, and it rolled over onto its side. “Have you decided about this weekend?”

  Mattie kicked at the ground with her boot and nodded. “I can’t go with you.”

  His jaw stiffened. Even though he’d anticipated that answer, he wasn’t prepared for the ache it caused in his chest. “Can’t or won’t?”

  She turned to Dusty. “Why don’t you ask your dad to go? Maybe you could work out some of your problems.”

  Gil scoffed at this idea. “You know he’d never agree. He hates football, and he hates even more that I played.”

  Mattie shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt to try.”

  “Your mind’s made up, then?” Gil stopped scratching the pup’s stomach and stood. He wanted to run from this humiliation, turn, leave, and never come back. He’d been smart to avoid women all these years. Women were nothing but trouble. “Does this mean you don’t want anything to do with me?”

  Again, she shrugged. Gil studied the slope of her back, the gentle curve of her waist. How could she give up so easily? A part of him wanted to yank her long braid like a schoolboy, but that thought led to a s
tronger inclination to loosen her woven hair with his fingers and kiss her into submission.

  “I thought we had a good thing started. That we were growing closer.”

  “We hardly know each other,” she said without meeting his eyes.

  “I know you, Mattie. I can see through you from where I stand.”

  She straightened, but still refused to look at him.

  “You may not want to acknowledge that there’s something between us, Mattie, but I know better. I’ve heard it in your voice when you’ve called my name, and I’ve felt it in your touch.” He turned on his heel, tired of the trouble, then glanced back one last time.

  “I can’t force you to join me, so I’ll go to my retirement party — alone. When I return, though, you’d better be ready to finish this conversation.”

  LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MATTIE ENTERED CLARA’S CAFÉ AND leaned on the counter.

  “What brings you to town?” Clara carried a pot of coffee and poured Mattie a cup.

  “I was out on a call and figured I’d grab a bite to eat before going home.” Mattie studied the menu, though she’d memorized it by heart.

  “Is everything okay? You look like you lost your best friend. Don’t tell me — you didn’t lose another patient, did you?”

  Mattie shook her head. “Work is fine.” She stared at the list of food options until the words started to blur.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Clara snatched the menu from the counter and held it in her hand. “If it’s not business, it must be a man. How is Gil?”

  Mattie peeked up at Clara, amazed at her friend’s ability to read her mind. “I wouldn’t know. He left this morning for California.”

  “What about his dad’s ranch? Wasn’t he in the middle of fence work?”

  “His team’s throwing him a retirement party. But I don’t care whether he returns. It’d probably be better if he didn’t.”