Lauren swallowed and returned to her seat.
Callie enjoyed making Lauren nervous. It meant she had an effect on her. She brought two cups of coffee, cream, and sugar, and sat across from her once more. They mixed their drinks and sipped, alternating between studying each other and studying their coffee. Twice, Lauren opened her mouth to say something but closed it without speaking.
Callie remained quiet and curious. Callie was nervous, but in a good way. Lauren, however, looked conflicted and wary. Could she do something to help? She sauntered around the breakfast bar and stopped beside Lauren.
The blush on Lauren’s face expanded and deepened. She swiveled to face Callie. Callie leaned in and pressed her lips against Lauren’s. After the kiss, she stepped back. When she read the invitation in Lauren’s eyes, she snuck in for a second, deeper kiss. This kiss flew from warm to volcanic at the speed of light. She slid her arms around Lauren’s neck and scooted in until she stood between Lauren’s knees.
Lauren laid her hands on Callie’s hips, slipped her thumbs under the edge of her blue Henley, and caressed the skin of her lower back. Callie gasped at the intimate contact as Lauren enfolded her in strong arms.
Lauren opened her mouth when Callie sought entrance. As she explored Lauren’s mouth she trembled in her arms. Callie nuzzled Lauren’s neck. The nuzzle turned into kisses and small bites as Lauren angled her head to give Callie better access. Lauren’s phone rang, and they jumped apart like teenagers caught making out. Callie snorted and laughed while Lauren answered her phone. “Dr. Lauren Cornish. Yes, I can. I’m on my way.”
Lauren slid the phone into her pocket. “Thanks for breakfast. I’m sorry, I have to go now.” Lauren took her knapsack off a chair and headed toward the mudroom. Then she stopped and turned around.
In two strides, Callie was in front of her. She waited, hoping for another kiss.
“Thanks for breakfast.” Then, with a grin and a wave, Lauren jogged to her truck and headed out.
As Lauren’s truck drove away, Callie caressed her swollen lips, still thrumming from Lauren’s kiss. Why didn’t she kiss her again? She could have.
Callie gathered the dishes and set them in the sink. Next time they kissed that way there would be no interrupting phones. If there was a next time. Maybe Lauren would run away and keep running? Maybe it was a mistake? Whatever it was, Callie wanted more, but did Lauren?
* * *
Callie was sitting at the table when Martha arrived home from dropping Becky at school. She’d been sitting there since Lauren left thinking about the kiss.
Martha entered the kitchen and squeezed Callie’s shoulder. “Well, there’s your kid off to school, again. The bell was ringing when we arrived, so she wasn’t too late.” Martha poured herself a coffee. “We wouldn’t have been late at all if she hadn’t stopped to take pictures. She said you let her?” Martha laughed. “Pictures of you and Lauren covered in grossness will now be plastered all over the internet. I hope you’re ready for all the modeling offers. You’re pretty enough to model for a living. Maybe the cover of Cattle Rancher.” Martha giggled and opened the refrigerator door. “Any egg salad left? I haven’t had breakfast. Have you?” She looked at Callie for a second and then rummaged in the cupboard, emerging with a fresh loaf of bread. “Of course, you haven’t eaten. You’ve been in the barn for hours.”
She worked quickly and placed a sandwich in front of Callie. Then she set her coffee and sandwich on the table, sat, and continued to eat. “Are you ever going to say anything? You look stunned.” Martha dropped her sandwich and looked around. “You get another letter from Kruger or a shitty phone call? He drop by?”
“No.” Callie shook her head, finally compelled to speak. She pointed to a stack of mail. “Just another written offer to purchase Poplarcreek.”
“At least they didn’t show up. Every time I leave you alone, I think Heinz or Kyle is going to appear. It’s like they watch and wait for me to leave. I like Max, but you should consider getting another dog. A big mean one, with four legs. Something to run around outside and make them think twice. Remember the big shepherd Mom and Dad had when we were kids?”
“Duchess.”
“Right. She was gentle as a kitten, but big and scary. We had to put her in the house when the market store was open. People wouldn’t get out of their cars to buy any berries if Duchess was around. That’s the kind of dog you need.” Martha wiped her mouth with a napkin. “That was a good sandwich. Amazing that I had time to eat since I’ve been doing all the talking.” She pointed to the untouched sandwich in front of Callie. “You going to eat that?”
Callie shook her head.
“You can have it for lunch.” Martha took the plate, wrapped it, and slid it into the refrigerator. Then she topped up her coffee cup and Callie’s and sat down again. She sipped her coffee and stared at Callie.
“What?” Callie asked. Martha had a penetrating stare that could bore into her brain and almost read her thoughts. That’s the way it had felt ever since they were kids.
“I just noticed two bowls in the sink. You have a guest?” Martha sipped her coffee.
“I kissed her. I kissed Lauren.”
Martha set down her coffee cup and coughed into her napkin. She spoke when she had control again. “Wow. That’s big. How’d it feel?”
“I’m trying to decide, but I think I’ve settled on confusing and terrifying.”
“Confusing how?”
“I don’t know why I kissed her and I’m not sure if it was a one-sided kiss.”
“Come on, woman of the world. You know if she was into it.”
Callie grinned. “She was into it. Full on.”
Martha patted Callie’s hand. “That’s my sister.”
“But then she ran away without a second kiss. I mean she had to go, but she could have had another kiss and didn’t take it. And that might be a good thing. I’m not sure if she’s the one for me.” Callie cradled her head in her hands. “Or if there’s anyone for me, ever again. Am I making sense?”
“Sure, keep talking.”
“She’s bossy, Mar. Wants to be in charge and tells me what to do. Even today she was insisting on taking me to the police.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Martha mumbled.
“I have no proof of anything except a few letters that could be construed as legitimate purchase offers or helpful suggestions. I have no witness to their threats. I have no proof they took my cows. And a squabble over who owes who how much would just end in civil court. The Krugers basically have to attack me in public before the RCMP can do anything. Or, I need a video.”
“What about the assault? Kyle slammed your hands onto the table.”
“No proof, and I let him into the house. Willingly.”
“And that was stupid, by the way. Letting him in.”
Callie sighed. “It was, but I really needed an answer. I need my money.”
“Okay, I get that, but what did Mitch say when you told her about Kyle’s visit?”
Callie winced. “I never told her.”
“What? Why not? You should tell her.”
Callie dropped her head into her hands. “You’re right. She’ll want to rip his head off, but legally there’s nothing she can do.” She should also tell Mitch about the stolen cattle, but she was afraid to implicate herself. She wanted control over her life, but it was rapidly disappearing.
“I’m worried about you and Becky. This is getting scary. Please tell Mitch. If she talks to Kruger at least he’ll know he’s being watched.”
“You’re right. I guess I just got caught up in my finances. And I was hoping if I ignored the Krugers they would leave me alone.”
“That’s not likely to happen.” Martha squeezed her hand. “How bad are your finances?”
Callie shook her head. “My vet bill is terrifying, as is my overdraft.”
“Mom and Dad?”
“No, not yet and you can’t tell them, or they’ll worry about Becky and me.”
“Sure, Callie. But that’s their job. Is it the money that’s most terrifying? Or the Krugers?”
Callie laughed. “It should be, eh? No, the scariest thing is letting a woman into my life, into Becky’s life. I think they’re already friends. What if she loses Lauren? Not the way we lost Liz, but Lauren could move away. She only rents a house and she’s an employee. She could pack up and move anywhere.”
Callie stood and began to pace from one end of her kitchen to the other. “I’ve been caught up in a new friendship and not considering what happens if it progresses. And I’m so not ready for that. I tried last year and you know…”
“Disaster.”
“Disaster. She hated Poplarcreek and everything about Thresherton. Not sure she was that keen on Becky, and Becky thought she was boring.” Callie dropped into a chair. “Help me. Tell me what to do.”
Martha held up her hands. “I’m not falling for that one. You do not like to be told what to do anymore.”
“Anymore?”
“Liz loved you and she was good to you, but yeah, you took orders and didn’t seem to mind. She wasn’t crazy possessive or weird about it, she just wanted to do everything her way and usually that suited you.”
“You’re right, and I’ll own that, but that’s not me, not anymore.” She sighed. “Why would I kiss Lauren? Why start something that won’t work and that I have no intention of finishing?” Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t bother to brush them away. “But some nights I just want to curl up with somebody. Most of the time I like running the show, but occasionally I get tired of being alone. Sometimes I even wish somebody would take care of me.” She pointed at Martha. “You’re not allowed to repeat that. Ever.” Callie cradled her head in her hands. “What am I going to do? I’m all over the place. I need you to do an intervention.”
Martha looked at her folded hands in her lap. “The timing of this sucks. I want to be here for you. Here at Poplarcreek…”
“But?”
“It’s been a month.”
“And you want to go home? But it’s too early to do much in the greenhouses. Spring on the berry farm is a long way off.”
Martha tipped her head from side to side. “Yeah, but there’s this guy. I feel like a bad sister for bringing it up, especially now.”
“A guy? You’ve been here a month and never said. Tell me about him.”
Martha shrugged. “It’s early days for us. Not much to tell.”
“That’s evasive.” Callie dug a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “Your visit’s been all about what Becky and I need, hasn’t it? I’m the bad sister for trapping you here.”
“I was never trapped, you moron. I like it here and I love Becky. And you too, I guess.” Martha swatted Callie’s shoulder. “I love you and you can call me anytime. I’ll come back in the spring, before we get busy on the farm, and maybe you and Becky can come home in the summer between seeding and harvest. You don’t need to sit here and watch your hundred acres of wheat grow.”
“It’s five hundred and the other half I rent to my friends Mark and Tracey.”
Martha laughed. “Can you imagine how many blueberries we could grow on five hundred acres? We’d be picking until our fingers fell off.”
Callie smiled. “There’d be plenty of ammo.”
Martha laughed. “Remember how mad Mom used to get when we’d turn up with stains all over our clothes? She knew we were pitching berries at each other. You need to bring Becky home. Teach her how to pick the best berries for a fight.”
“Soft enough to splat on impact, but hard enough to throw without squishing them between your fingers.” Callie leaned over and hugged her. “I’m going to miss you so much. I love you too.” Callie squeezed harder. Martha had been supporting her since Liz died. Martha would stay longer if she asked, but she wouldn’t ask. It was time to stand on her own.
Callie said, “You were an amazing help. I can’t believe we finished sorting Liz’s and Doug’s boxes. I’ve got seven bags for charity and two boxes are already wending their way to the coast to Liz’s brothers.” Martha was taking Liz’s RCMP Stetson with her to have it cleaned and packaged to preserve it. Callie would save it for Becky.
Callie dried her eyes. It was time to take on life on her own. She was alone and that was fine. She was comfortable with her own decisions and she’d survive the Krugers and a shitty calving season without help from anyone. But would her heart survive Lauren Cornish, if she opened it up to her? It was best not to take the chance.
Chapter Fourteen
“Here I am again. Feels like I was only here yesterday.” Lauren paused at the door to the Poplarcreek cattle barn.
Callie sighed. “You were here yesterday, unfortunately.”
“Um, okay.”
“I’m happy to see you, but your visit will mean another vet bill and I have enough, thanks.” Callie had considered calling Mark for help with the calving, but he’d been over twice in the last week to help with machinery. He had a large farm to run, and she had to stop bugging him.
Callie smiled as she squeezed Lauren’s forearm. Their contact was electric, and she flashed back to her kitchen and the heat of Lauren pressed against her. When her brain was functioning again, she registered Lauren staring at her. Lauren’s expression was expectant. Had she asked her something? Not wanting to look silly, she just headed into the barn.
Another of her poor heifers stood in the calving pen straining to calve. Two legs of the calf were visible, but the birth had stalled. Lauren carried one bucket of water into the pen and washed the heifer around the back end. “What’s been happening?”
“I reached my hand in the way you showed me. One leg was out when I found her, and I pulled out the other one. The nose is there, but when I pull on the legs, I get no…” The sight of Lauren removing her jacket distracted her, and she forgot where she was in her sentence.
Today Lauren wore loose blue work pants, a long-sleeved black T-shirt, and a dark green thermal vest. She looked fabulous, and Callie wanted more clothing to come off.
Lauren pulled on her calving suit and an OB glove and reached into the young heifer. Then she pulled out and said something.
With difficulty, Callie refocused her attention on the calving.
Her head tilted to one side, Lauren gazed at her.
Callie shook her head. “Did you say something?”
The sides of Lauren’s mouth twitched. “I asked if you wanted to do this calving? I’ll coach you through it.”
“Yes, please, but stop me if I’m about to mess up,” Callie said as she pulled an OB glove on.
“Put your hand where the leg meets the body. You have perfect arms for this. They’re long, strong, and slender. Just what she needs. Slide your hand along the leg and describe what’s happening with the joints. Do it with both legs,” Lauren said.
Callie frowned. “The joint on this leg is smooth and rounded. Ouch, ouch.”
“Stop moving when you feel a contraction. Wait until she’s done.”
Callie gasped when the heifer relaxed. “I have the second leg, but this joint is sharp.” Callie’s eyes widened as she focused on Lauren. “Is it broken?”
“Feel along the leg. If two joints on a leg bend the same way, it’s a front leg. If the two joints bend in opposite directions, you have a back leg.”
“Two legs are sticking out, but I have a front one and a back one, don’t I? I can tell by the shape of the joint.”
“Correct.
“Can I fix it?”
“Why don’t you try? We don’t know how long this heifer was pushing, so we should get the calf out soon.”
Nervous and unsure, Callie wavered. “I’m not sure. Maybe you’d better do it.”
“Your calf, your decision.”
Determination replaced nervousness and Callie returned to the heifer. She tugged on a fresh OB glove, reached inside, and manipulated the legs for a few minutes. “I can’t do it.”
“Let
me try.” Lauren pulled on a sleeve, repositioned the calf, and pulled it out.
“Thanks, Lauren.” Callie grimaced. “This dumb farmer should’ve realized she was pulling on a front leg and a back leg.”
“You’re welcome for the help and you’re not dumb. You’ve learned a lot this winter and I’m impressed.”
“Nice of you to say, Dr. Cornish.” Callie did a goofy curtsey. “Can I give you breakfast?” She stepped into Lauren’s personal space.
“Please,” Lauren whispered,
They cleaned Lauren’s equipment and carried it to her truck. They entered the mudroom and removed outer clothing. After washing their hands, they met in the kitchen.
“Is Martha still visiting?”
“No, she left at five this morning. We loved having her here, but she has a life at home.” It had been a tearful departure, and Callie and Becky hadn’t gone back to bed afterward. They’d curled together in front of the television and watched cartoons until it was time to get ready for school. She missed her sister, but once Martha had asked to go home there seemed no reason to delay.
“Does she live in British Columbia?”
Callie nodded and prepared fresh coffee. If I tell Lauren about my past, will she tell me about hers? “You must wonder why I know nothing about cattle?” She glanced at Lauren and she shrugged. “I grew up on a berry farm, as I mentioned before. No livestock. The year after they married, my parents bought Wilkins Berry Farm from my grandparents. Most of the farm is blueberries, but we have a few raspberry bushes and strawberry fields. My brother and Martha run it with them now.”
“Wilkins? So, you took your wife’s name when you married?” Lauren settled at the breakfast bar.
“Same-sex marriage had just become legal. It felt like a way to show we were a family. A family with two parents and a child, and all with the same last name. Did somebody tell you how I ended up at Poplarcreek? I’m sure somebody in Thresherton told you.” Callie placed a cup of coffee in front of Lauren and returned to her stove.
“Ian told me you inherited the farm from your father-in-law, Doug Anderson.”
Veterinary Partner Page 11
