Veterinary Partner

by Nancy Wheelton

  Callie groaned. “Everything’s falling apart.”

  Lauren’s heart ached for Callie. “I’ll be there for you and Becky. Whatever you want. Come on.” She slipped an arm around Callie’s waist and propelled her toward the house. “Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out here.”

  Callie tugged on her glove. They linked hands and trudged to the house. Lauren was worried more for Callie than she was for herself. What was the point of involving Callie in cattle rustling and drug smuggling? It was clear Heinz intended to link Poplarcreek with Kruger Farm to give him control of one enormous farm. Greed wasn’t an original motive, but an obvious one. At veterinary college the motto had been “When you hear hooves, think horses not zebras.” It meant if you saw a sick animal to consider the most common causes first.

  When they arrived at the house, Lauren led Callie upstairs. Callie dragged off her jeans and outer sweater and Lauren tucked her into bed. Lauren glimpsed long legs and pale blue panties, and she wished their lives were different. But things were way too tangled for anything more between them now.

  Lauren walked downstairs. She cleaned the kitchen and then joined Becky for a movie. She could have left, and Becky would have been just fine, but somehow it didn’t feel right.

  “Is Mommy watching with us?” Becky asked.

  “She’s tired, kiddo. I put her to bed. What movie did you pick? I hope it’s a funny one.” Lauren had difficulty concentrating on the movie. Becky picked one of Sam’s favorites, and Lauren could practically recite the lines. It wasn’t fair. Becky tucked in against her side and she wrapped her arm around her. This house is a dangerous place for me.

  After the movie they headed upstairs. “Here’s a bag of my new books. You pick,” Becky said.

  Lauren waited in the hall while Becky changed. She examined the books. Against all good sense, she had promised to read Becky a bedtime story.

  Becky returned. “What did you pick?”

  “Has to be The Black Stallion.” It made sense Becky would like the same books Sam did. Lauren and William and then Lauren and Sam had read their way through the whole series together. She could have selected another novel to read, but she clutched The Black Stallion as if she could reach through it and connect with her children. Connect to a simpler and happier time.

  In her pajamas, Becky tiptoed into Callie’s room to say good night. Callie emerged from her room wrapped in a robe and holding Becky’s hand. They walked to Becky’s room and Lauren followed. A bedtime story wasn’t necessary now, and she ignored the flare of disappointment. She should just go, really. Instead, she waited in the doorway of Becky’s room.

  Callie tucked Becky in and perched on the edge of her bed. She spoke in her ear and Becky giggled. Callie kissed her, and with one hand flat on the bedside table, pushed to her feet.

  Lauren reached out to Callie as she swayed beside the bed. Callie shook her head and squeezed Lauren’s forearm. “I’m just tired. Thank you.” The blue eyes that glanced at Lauren were dull and gray, not their usual vibrant sky blue.

  “Do you want to sit in my comfy chair or on the bed? Mom calls it my comfy chair,” Becky said.

  Lauren smiled. Becky still wanted a story. Becky was grinning and her eyes were untroubled by all the adult crap swirling around. Lauren could go if she wanted, but her home no longer appealed to her. She smiled and it felt real, not forced. She’d shove all her worries away for the rest of night. “I’ll take the comfy chair, thanks.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The house was cold and silent when Callie woke in the middle of the night. She wandered her house, closing curtains and admiring family photographs along the way. Her heart warmed as she studied the new pictures of her and Becky, several of which Lauren took for them with Becky’s camera. She contemplated the old photographs of her parents and siblings, and the photographs of Liz and her brothers while they were growing up on the farm.

  Callie studied the photographs of herself and Liz. On stressful or scary days, she missed Liz’s strong, broad shoulders and her tendency to fix everything. Liz would have known what to do with the trailer and would have taken care of them.

  Lauren hadn’t tried to take care of Callie, but she had helped her make the smart decision. It was scary, yes, and it could backfire. But keeping secrets and playing the games of monsters wouldn’t keep Becky safe. It was a risk she had to take, and maybe it would mean getting the Krugers off her back entirely. She had to admit to a certain amount of pride in having made the decision on her own. Liz would have taken care of things, but without her, Callie found she could manage on her own. At least that’s how she felt now. Tomorrow she might get shaky again. But for the moment, she could lift her chin and think it might be okay.

  In her journey through the house, she found a drawing of Lauren fastened to the refrigerator with several magnets. Becky had drawn her delivering a calf. Callie kissed the tips of her fingers and brushed them against Lauren’s face in the picture.

  “Want to kiss the original?” a soft, husky voice whispered behind her.

  Callie jumped and whirled, heart pounding, as her lips parted in surprise. “Where were you?”

  “Sitting in your living room reading.”

  “You didn’t leave me?” It sounded weak and desperate, and she winced.

  “Not tonight.”

  It was a far cry from a vow of forever, but it was just what she needed. Callie looped her arms around Lauren’s neck. She stared with wonder into Lauren’s eyes and kissed her. Lauren’s arms tightened around her waist. The kiss began gentle and sweet but changed in a heartbeat as they pressed together.

  When they stepped apart to breathe Callie held on to Lauren’s shoulders and stared into Lauren’s eyes. “Will you stay with me tonight? Please? I can’t—not tonight—but I don’t want to be alone.” Somehow, she knew Lauren would take it the way she meant it. She wouldn’t think less of Callie for needing comfort, and Callie wouldn’t let it become a habit. She could stand on her own, and she would. Just…not tonight.

  They linked hands and walked upstairs to Callie’s room. Lauren showered and dressed in the pajamas Callie left for her in the bathroom. The top was snug and the pants too long, but she managed.

  She climbed into Callie’s bed and Callie turned her back to her. She drew Lauren’s hand to her lips and kissed it. She held Lauren’s palm against her cheek for a few moments before snugging it across her waist. “Thank you, Lauren.”

  Lauren slid in tight behind Callie, wrapping her body around her, and dropped light kisses onto her soft blond hair. A few minutes later, regular breathing and soft breaths announced that Callie had fallen into an exhausted sleep.

  Lauren was tired, but sleep eluded her. The proximity to Callie’s strong, sensual body was making her crazy. Callie’s heady scent of vanilla and fresh soap overwhelmed her. Given the chance, she would have stripped off their clothes and made love to Callie. She longed to kiss Callie, moving from one end of her body to the other. Lauren disappeared into a fantasy and envisioned long legs wrapped around her waist, or better yet, draped over her shoulders. Stop, stop, stop. Your last relationship was a disaster. She had children too. You could never make this work.

  She forced herself to focus on the contents of Callie’s bedroom until the fantasies dimmed. The room was a pleasant collection of soft colors, very feminine, but the furnishings were practical, strong, and solid. Then her eyes landed on a picture hanging beside the bed. It had to be Callie on her wedding day. She studied the ten-by-twelve-inch wedding photograph of Callie and Liz. Callie was in a white wedding dress, wearing Liz’s red serge jacket. In the picture, Liz stood grinning with Callie cradled in her arms. Callie laughed toward the camera, waving Liz’s RCMP Stetson above her head.

  They looked so happy. Callie’s eyes were bright and full of light. Not weighted with the stress and worry they carried now. Callie’s marriage was cut short by tragedy. Lauren’s, because she’d walked away from her family. Liz had to have been a better wife
. How could she compete with that? And hell, Liz was big. She held Callie like she was nothing. Lauren would need a fire at her heels to find the strength to carry Callie.

  She abandoned the happy couple to study a photograph of Callie, Becky, and a calf. She’d taken that picture and remembered each step of the calving. She went through the details in her head as she drifted to sleep. It was better than counting sheep and guaranteed to calm her libido. What was left of it.

  Lauren woke when Callie’s ass ground against her. Callie tugged Lauren’s hand to cover her breast. Lauren was unsure for a second but slid closer and kissed Callie’s nape and caressed her breast. She’d been wet and ready for hours, and every inch of her skin buzzed and urged her forward.

  Callie moaned. “Oh, Liz.”

  Everything sexy died. Lauren’s body froze. She was a stand-in for Liz. She almost shook Callie awake to shout at her, but it wasn’t exactly Callie’s fault, was it? It wasn’t as though she hadn’t told Lauren about her past. What did she think would happen with this? Callie wasn’t over Liz. How could she be?

  Without waking Callie, Lauren snuck out of bed. She gathered her clothes and marched downstairs. She dressed and stalked from Callie’s house. Bolting without saying good-bye or leaving a note was unkind, but she needed to escape. Her eyes blurred with unshed tears as she drove home. This was what happened when you let yourself get close to someone, when you forgot the cost of emotional connection. Would she never learn?

  * * *

  After lunch, Lauren entered the RCMP detachment office and perched on the edge of a chair in the waiting room. The text she’d received from Callie that morning confirming they’d meet at the police station had been their only contact, and she was both glad and depressed by that. She’d intentionally gotten there a little late so she wouldn’t have to face her. Twenty minutes later, Callie and a man in a suit and tie exited an interview room. She guessed the man was Callie’s lawyer.

  Callie approached her, her expression showing her confusion. “Hi, Lauren.”

  Lauren stood but couldn’t make eye contact. “I’m here to give my statement.” She stepped back when Callie stepped closer.

  “Lauren?”

  Lauren studied her shoes.

  “I see. You’ve reconsidered and want nothing to do with me? Do I deserve this? Kyle conned me. I know it’s a mess and I’m sorry.”

  “No problem.” She should have said that it wasn’t about this mess. That it had nothing to do with it, but she wasn’t prepared to discuss her feelings in a public waiting room. Besides, letting Callie think it was that simple was easier. Cowardly, yeah, but easier.

  “Will you come for lunch on Sunday?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Dinner?”

  Lauren shook her head.

  “Dinner, ever?”

  Lauren shrugged.

  “Please, don’t let this destroy us. Don’t let them win. Please, have dinner with us at Poplarcreek.” Callie waited a beat before continuing and her voice cracked. “What is wrong with you? Why’re you doing this?”

  Lauren raised her eyes to Callie’s. Well done. Why not kick her while she’s down? Way to be there for her. You chicken. Wounded, confused blue eyes stared at her. Callie might be attracted to her, but Liz’s whispered name on Callie’s lips told her where Callie’s heart was. “We’re not in the right place to take this,” she gestured back and forth between them, “any further right now.”

  “Take what? Aren’t we friends? Or more?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, when you figure it out, you know where to find me.”

  Lauren watched Callie stride away. She recognized that angry walk. Why did she always seem to provoke her?

  “Dr. Cornish?”

  Lauren focused on the police officer. She looked up into critical hazel eyes and registered the frown. Mitch was about the same height as Callie but wider through the shoulders. Her skin was tan, and with her high cheekbones and black hair, her Métis heritage was evident. Just when she thought her day couldn’t get shittier here was another cop that made her feel small, weak, and fat. “Officer Mitchell. Hello.”

  “Dr. Cornish, please follow me.”

  Lauren followed Mitchell to a room. The room had a water cooler, a table with magazines, comfortable chairs, and several posters on the wall. It wasn’t the stark room of the television shows.

  “Dr. Cornish. This is Officer Scott. We will be conducting this interview.”

  “Sure.” Lauren scanned the other woman. She had light brown hair and was shorter and stockier than Mitch, but pretty where Mitchell was just intimidating.

  “Mrs. Anderson told us her full story and gave us permission to tell you anything about her circumstances that would aid in our investigation.” Mitch leaned forward. “Her life is private, and all details must remain here.”

  Val had told her Mitchell and Callie were friends. Lauren wasn’t sure if she was being interviewed or warned off by a big sister. She bristled under the cop’s intense stare. “I understand. I’m here to help, not to invade Callie’s privacy.”

  “Good. Our investigation centers on the Kruger family and their interactions with the Anderson family.” She flipped through her notes. “Callie said you’re aware of the various letters, threats, phone calls, and visits by Heinz and Kyle Kruger to Callie’s house.”

  “I remember some details, but I only witnessed two visits by Kyle. One at breakfast and the second later in the day after he took Becky.” Mitchell’s knuckles turned white as she clenched her pen. How could Mitchell conduct this investigation and remain impartial? The mention of any harm to Becky made her look like she wanted to kill somebody.

  “Yes, we need to discuss that incident as well as stolen cattle and possible drug smuggling. Were you aware of his earlier visit when Kyle assaulted Callie?”

  “Assault? What assault?”

  “Callie told us she confronted Kyle about the stolen cattle, and he grabbed her hands and slammed them on the table. She said it hurt, but he stopped there.”

  “She never told me. If I’d known, I’d have never left her alone with him.” Lauren wanted to punch herself. “I left her with him at breakfast that day and later I almost left her with him again. I had no idea.”

  “Neither did I. Callie has kept a lot to herself. I don’t understand why, but she’s promised to come to me if there are more incidents. I need you to as well.”

  Lauren nodded. Kyle had hurt Callie and she hadn’t told her, hadn’t trusted her with the details. Why not? Weren’t they friends?

  There was an hour of questions and Lauren stuck to the facts as she knew them. At the end she was sure she’d learned more from Mitchell than she’d had to offer. At least the police were satisfied, and she was able to back up Callie’s stories.

  “Dr. Cornish, you should know that we also interviewed Mr. Heinz Kruger and Mr. Kyle Kruger, but had to let them go, pending concrete evidence.” She pushed her business card across the table. “So, if you remember anything more, please contact me.”

  At the end of the interview Mitchell showed her to the waiting room and followed her to her truck. Lauren paused by her door. Mitch had followed her for a private conversation. “Dr. Cornish, it’s important to warn you that the Krugers were very angry when they left here earlier. They didn’t make any threats, not in front of us, but I’m worried about Mrs. Anderson.”

  “Is she safe, Mitch?” There was real worry in Mitch’s voice and Lauren naturally used the name everyone called her.

  Mitch’s jaw tightened. “No, I don’t think Callie or Becky are safe. I’m worried about what comes next, now that the Krugers are really pissed. And there may be others involved with the drug smuggling. I doubt Kyle Kruger is capable of organizing the smuggling on his own.”

  Lauren shuddered. “You mean gangs?”

  Mitch nodded. “Drugs means real criminals. Dangerous men with guns who wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Callie and Becky if it suited them. I off
ered to move in and sleep in Callie’s spare room, but…” Mitch shrugged.

  “I get it. She’s very independent.”

  “She is, but she needs someone to watch her back. Maybe you should stay with her.”

  Lauren blinked. “She’s unlikely to accept my offer, either.”

  “You need to try and watch your own back. You’re not on the Krugers’ Christmas list either. I don’t think they chose you to verify the cattle because of Callie. I think it could have been any one of the vets, and you got lucky. Or they could have picked you because you’re an outsider. Either way it puts you in the middle of this shit storm together.”

  Lauren flinched at the word outsider. Was Mitch reminding her that she didn’t belong in Saskatchewan, or in Callie’s life? Mitch was just looking out for Callie and Becky, but what would people think if Lauren stayed at Poplarcreek? In the interest of doing what was best for Callie, she accepted the suggestion. “I’ll try, and thanks for the heads up.”

  “Call me if you need anything at all.” Mitch shook Lauren’s hand and headed inside.

  Lauren stepped into her truck and sat staring at the police detachment. Was is possible coming to the police had put Callie in more danger? What was the point if the Krugers were still free? She should move into Callie’s spare room. Callie and Becky needed protection, or at least another witness. She wasn’t a bossy police officer, but she could help.

  Lauren groaned. She’d just refused multiple invitations to Poplarcreek. She’d made a difficult conversation nearly impossible. How would she casually suggest relocating to Poplarcreek without annoying Callie? But she had to find a way to protect Becky and Callie. Somehow, they all had to stay safe.