Veterinary Partner

by Nancy Wheelton

  “I’m too heavy.”

  “You aren’t. Please.” Callie orgasmed again under the weight of Lauren’s body and from the pressure of her thigh. Lauren slid off and Callie burrowed into Lauren’s chest. She kissed each breast once and promised to return for seconds.

  Callie woke in the quiet room and glanced beside her. It had taken forever to coax Lauren into bed and now she was here. Callie was warm and content and ached to crawl on top of Lauren and make love to her again. It was a struggle to drag herself from bed.

  Lauren yawned. “Where’re you going, Cals?”

  “The barn. Go back to sleep.”

  Lauren glanced at the clock. “At midnight? You expecting a calving?”

  Callie dug in her dresser for jeans and a sweater. “I always check on my animals after dinner. Tonight, I was too busy.”

  “Can I come?” Lauren leaped out of bed and searched the floor for her slacks.

  “You already did.” Callie giggled when Lauren blushed.

  Lauren squeezed into one of Callie’s sweaters and frowned as she tugged at the tight garment. Callie enjoyed the way the sweater clung to Lauren’s curves and accentuated her generous breasts. She held Lauren’s hands and kissed her on the nose. “It’s a perfect fit.”

  They held hands as they walked to the barn. Lauren topped up the hay for the cows and Callie checked on the calves. Satisfied the animals were well, they returned to the house.

  Callie pulled dishes from the cupboard. “The fire is ready to go, and the matches are on the bookshelf. I’ll be right in.”

  Ten minutes later, Callie entered the living room with a tray holding two cups, a small pitcher of cream, a sugar bowl, two huge slices of pie, and a carafe of coffee. “I never fed you dessert.” She set the tray down and handed a plate of pie to Lauren.

  Lauren forked a piece of pie into her mouth. She chewed slowly and squinted at Callie. “This is delicious. Is it blueberry?”

  “It’s not all blueberry. It’s a berry mix. Wilkins family secret recipe.” Callie dropped into the couch beside Lauren. “My parents shipped me buckets of fresh and frozen berries last season.”

  After finishing the pie, Callie stretched out against Lauren. They lounged in contented silence as they drank coffee and stared into the fire. Callie sighed and relived every step of the perfect evening in her mind. Then Lauren began to laugh.

  Callie sat up. “What is it?” She winced. “Did I do something wrong?”

  Lauren smiled and stroked Callie’s face. “You’re incredible, but I liked that shirt.”

  “Oh you.” Callie playfully slapped Lauren on the shoulder. “I’m sorry I destroyed your shirt, but it was sexy.”

  Lauren attempted a serious expression, but still ended up smiling. “Careful. I have a limited wardrobe of nice clothes.”

  Callie pressed closer. When she slid her hands under Lauren’s sweater and demanded more, they rose to their feet. She set the screen in front of the dying fire and took Lauren’s hand to lead her upstairs. Invigorated by a nap and boosted with a feed of sugar, they made love again. The future might be murky, but this moment was as perfect as it could be.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  “Pineapple does too go on pizza,” Gwen said and emphasized her point by poking Becky in the ribs.

  Becky tickled Gwen. “Does not, and stop poking me. Pineapple’s a dessert.”

  “Stop it, you two.” Callie grinned at the two kids. Ever since meeting Heather Kruger’s girls she’d been wishing Becky had a sister. Now she did, almost. They’d met Val and Gwen after school on Tuesday for dinner, but a last-minute emergency had prevented Lauren from joining them. Callie hugged herself. The weekend of lovemaking had been amazing, and she wanted to spend many more with her.

  “I thought we solved this by getting pineapple on only one side?” Val asked. “Besides, Gwen, we can’t help it if the Andersons are limited in their pizza topping choices.”

  “Ha, you think so?” Callie smiled at Val. She wondered where she and Lauren would end up, but thanks to Lauren’s introduction, she had a new friend in Val. A local lesbian, a single mom, and a smart independent woman.

  “Oh no.” Val tipped her head toward the door of the pizza restaurant.

  Callie turned in time to see Heinz Kruger lumber in. She turned her back while he placed his order. She could feel his mean little eyes burning into her back, but she plastered on a smile. She was fed up with the Krugers spoiling her fun.

  A few minutes later, Callie jumped as Val tipped Callie’s plate and slid her nearly untouched dinner into the empty pizza box without so much as a word of warning. She gave Callie a quick warning look before turning to the girls with a reassuring smile. “Okay, girls. Time for home. Popcorn and cartoons?” Val asked as she picked up the box with Callie’s pizza and the box with the small pizza they’d purchased for Lauren.

  “Yahoo.” Gwen and Becky tossed on their coats and charged outside. Val followed, and then Callie saw what had caused Val to move so quickly.

  “Hello, Catherine,” Heinz said from his position against the counter. “You have a nice evening? You and your pervert girlfriend?”

  Callie ignored him, but she burned with anger as she walked to Val’s car. Now he was making comments about Val, too. Enough was enough. She paused with her hand on the handle of Val’s car, then turned back to face the restaurant.

  The car window slid down. “Get in, please, Callie. Don’t do it.”

  “I’ll just be a minute. Stay here and watch my back.”

  “He’s dangerous.”

  Callie ignored the sound advice and stormed back into the restaurant. A quick glance told her she and Heinz were the only customers.

  “Forget something, Catherine?”

  She stood with her back straight and her hands relaxed at her sides. “Heinz, I’ve had enough.” Her resolve never faltered as she looked Heinz in the eyes. “You and Kyle have been threatening my family and trying to intimidate me for too long. I want you to stop.”

  Heinz laughed. “What are you talking about, Catherine?” He lowered himself into a chair and looked at her quizzically.

  “Quit the games. I’m talking about using my trailer to smuggle stolen cattle and drugs. I’m talking about the harassment and pretending to kidnap Becky. I’m talking about telling Heather she’d be moving to Poplarcreek because I was selling it. You’re also trying to get money from me because your bull crashed through my fence and bred my heifers. I’m talking about the leaflets, the letters, the threats. Oh, and, Heinz, I did the math. It took six weeks for all my heifers to calve. Didn’t you notice your bull missing for six weeks, Heinz? Didn’t you need Bulldozer, Heinz?”

  He shrugged. “Well, Doug had crappy fences.”

  “Stop right there.” Callie glared at him. “Doug and I were mending fences when he died. Even if the fence of the heifer paddock broke that still doesn’t explain how your bull was in there for six weeks.” She waited for Heinz to say something and then continued. “Oh, and if it broke, why didn’t the heifers escape?”

  Heinz laced his hands behind his head and stretched his legs out but didn’t say anything.

  “Based on the calving date of the first heifer, your bull got in with my heifers about the time Doug died. Curious coincidence.”

  Heinz’s face turned purple, and he opened his mouth as if to say something but closed it again.

  “You can’t explain that can you, Heinz? I’m tired of your games and the bullshit you’ve pulled on Lauren.”

  “Dr. Cornish? What does she have to do with anything?” He looked genuinely confused.

  “Kyle lured her to the clinic after dark and suggested she should stay out of his way or he’d assault her.” Callie glowered at the man. “Later, your bull attacked her when he was let out of the headgate.”

  Heinz shrugged. “It happens.”

  “You’re attacking her to scare her into keeping quiet. She’s not scared of you and neither am I.”

  Heinz was
fast for a large man. He stood and stepped toward Callie. “You look scared now.”

  “I’m not scared, Heinz. I’m pissed off. You might have scared me before, but not now. I’m tired of your shit. You need to quit before you kill somebody. You’ll never own my farm.”

  Heinz snarled at her, looking like the dangerous animal he was. “You better be careful. Don’t tell me what to do. I’m the one in control.”

  “Wrong again, Heinz. You were in control because I let you walk all over me.” Callie’s voice emerged as a growl. “But we’re done with that. You’ve no power over me. Back off and leave my family alone.”

  “Or else, Catherine?” Heinz stepped closer to Callie and pointed a finger at her, almost touching the tip of her nose. “You better back off.”

  Callie recalled the rumors of spousal and child abuse, and it occurred to her Heinz might hit her. Still, she didn’t step back. She refused to let him intimidate her anymore. “You leave my farm alone and you leave my family alone and that includes Lauren. And you better quit sending letters and emails. I’m done with you, and I’ll make myself a nuisance at the police station if you don’t leave me alone. I’m sure you get my meaning.”

  His face was red with anger and his voice was low and menacing. “You better be careful, girlie.”

  “I’m not a girlie, and you’re a pathetic, greedy old man and I’m done with being bullied.” Heinz’s face darkened, and she feared he might have a heart attack. Not that it would be the worst outcome.

  Heinz moved so close his hot, fetid breath hit her face. “You better watch your back, bitch. Nobody threatens me, and it’s time you moved back to British Columbia.”

  Callie’s nose wrinkled as she detected the unpleasant smell of whisky and cigarettes. She had said what she needed to. She stomped from the restaurant, working hard to keep from running to Val’s car as his evil stare stabbed her in the back.

  * * *

  When they arrived a Poplarcreek, Becky jumped out and charged toward the porch. “Knapsack,” Callie called. Becky ran back, grabbed her bag, and loped toward the door. “Homework and then bed.”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  Callie ran her hand along the side of Lauren’s truck as she walked past. It was nice to arrive home to a warm, bright house and the music with a fast beat that sailed out to greet her.

  Lauren greeted her at the door and accepted the pizza boxes and a quick kiss. “Becky’s upstairs. Thanks for the pizza. Join me? I just got home, and I lit the fire.”

  Callie slipped out of her boots and coat and entered her kitchen. She took the pizza from Lauren and set it on the table. Then she hugged her hard. Lauren had called Poplarcreek home.

  “Callie? You okay?”

  Callie headed into the living room and sank into the couch. “We ran into Heinz at dinner.”

  “Are you okay?”

  Callie nodded. “I yelled at him.” Pride settled around her as if it were a protective cloak. She had faced Heinz. Confronted her bully. He would have to leave Lauren alone. Warmth and love penetrated all the cells of Callie’s body. Lauren was special, smart, and kind. Insecure sometimes, but who wasn’t?

  Lauren sat on the couch. “What happened?” Her voice resonated with concern.

  “Can we not talk about it right now? I just want to…be.” Lauren stroked her hair and tucked a blanket around her. Warm, safe, and cared for, Callie allowed her eyes to drift shut.

  Later, Callie sat up and rubbed her eyes. She had fallen asleep and Lauren had held her. “How long was I out?”

  “About twenty minutes. Feel better?” Lauren asked.

  Callie kissed Lauren on the tip of the nose. “Yes, thanks.” The adrenaline had worn off and she felt drained.

  “What happened with Heinz? Did you do something crazy?”

  She locked eyes with Lauren. “I ordered him to leave us all alone. I’m tired of Heinz and Kyle harassing us, and I let him know it. I warned him I’d go back to the police.”

  Lauren held Callie’s hand. “You’re brave, but it wasn’t safe. What happens if they retaliate?”

  “It was time for me to stand up to him.”

  Lauren leaned back and gazed at Callie. “Did you really yell at him?” Lauren chuckled. “I bet few people yell at Heinz Kruger. I’m impressed.” Lauren cupped her hands around her mouth imitating a megaphone. “Callie faces down the bully and wins.”

  “I care about you. And I want to keep you safe.” Callie clasped Lauren’s hand and held it to her lips. “I won’t have you injured again. I’ll fight all the Heinz Krugers in the world to keep you safe.”

  * * *

  Two days after the confrontation with Heinz, Callie spotted Kyle in the Thresherton hardware store. He made a shooting motion at her with his hand and smirked. She locked eyes with him for a few seconds, then shook her head, and continued shopping. She’d stood up to Heinz and she could handle Kyle.

  While she crouched by a bin of electrical receptacles, selecting white GFCI ones for the bathrooms, he snuck close, loomed over her, and whispered in her ear. “You should’ve been more careful, you dumb bitch. Yelling at my old man was stupid.”

  “Go away, Kyle.”

  “You’ll be sorry, girlie. You and your bitch girlfriend. Just like Doug’s stupid old horse.”

  Her stomach lurched. “Horse? That was you? You chased Jake?”

  “Now you’re gonna wish you’d kept your fucking mouth shut.” He backed away, his eyes hard and cold.

  She’d stood up to both Heinz and Kyle, but it was hard to ignore the new threat. Her stomach roiled. Kyle had chased poor old Jake to his death. Callie abandoned her shopping and hurried from the store. She nearly turned back to confront him, but she was worried about Kyle’s threat to hurt Lauren.

  Callie groaned as she got into her truck. It was getting tedious calling Mitch with each new incident with the Krugers, but Mitch wanted everything documented. She’d call her from home, but when would the harassment end? When one of them was dead?

  She called Lauren’s phone and left a message. “Hi, it’s Callie. I’m in Thresherton and headed home now. If you’re near Poplarcreek at lunchtime, drop in and I’ll feed you. It would be nice to see you.” If she could see Lauren, she would know she was safe.

  Callie pulled out of town into a snowstorm. The snow had started after she left home in the morning. But now strong winds whipped the snow into a white cloud, reducing visibility to twenty feet. It was nothing she hadn’t driven in before, but she kept her eyes locked on the road as she drove. She didn’t want to slip into the ditch.

  Twenty minutes into her trip, a huge truck pulled up behind her, riding her bumper. Callie peered through the flurries of snow to see more details. The truck was big and green or black. Her heart began to race as she thought of Kyle’s threat.

  The truck jerked out from behind her and into the oncoming lane. It was a pickup truck, a size larger than hers. She slowed to let it by, but it veered toward her. She swerved to avoid a collision, and her right front tire hit a patch of ice. Callie bounced off the door of her cab as her truck slued off the road. She screamed as it flipped and slid down the hill of the river valley, metal grinding until it burrowed nose first into an enormous snowdrift.

  Callie hung from the seat in a sling made by her seat belt. Disorientated and dizzy, she tried to slow her breathing and get control. She swung her body until she could grab the steering wheel and while holding on, opened her seat belt and dropped onto her hands and knees in the broken windshield glass and snow covering the inside of her truck.

  She was shaken and bruised but had no broken bones. All she saw through her windows was the hardpacked white of the snowdrift the truck had lodged in. She dug at the snow through her side window and then through the smashed windshield. It would have been easier to chip through cement. The weight of the truck had packed the snow and her only digging tools were a hand-held snow scraper and a travel mug lid.

  Callie stopped digging to review her options. She
considered conserving her energy and waiting for rescue, but that was a gamble she was unwilling to take. It wasn’t her style to wait for rescue or to let others look after her, and besides, only her neighbors used the road she was on. Waiting to be rescued was too big a gamble. She had to do something before the falling snow buried her truck, with her in it.

  Callie squeezed under the headrest of her seat and struggled to open the rear window. As she pushed at the closed window, she tamped down her desperation and concentrated on a logical plan of escape. She pushed and heaved, then she lay on her back and kicked at it. The window slid open four inches before it jammed. The impact of the crash had bent the window frame, and it was stuck.

  If she didn’t escape, she would die of hypothermia. Any trapped heat had vanished when the windows broke. Callie punched in the emergency number on her cell phone. No signal. No surprise. And no chance. Her calm slipped and panic built. “No, no, no. Please, no. Please God, no.”

  Callie cried in frustration but resumed digging through the snow blocking the driver’s window. As she sweated from the exertion of digging, she cooled to a dangerous degree.

  Shivering, she remembered her emergency kit, with flares and a flashlight. It also included insulated snow pants and thermal shirts. Callie managed to yank it out from under the passenger seat, and by contorting herself, she pried off her boots and wriggled into the snow pants. She stuck the foil thermal packets into each of her boots. It would help, but only for so long.

  Callie’s best chance appeared to be the rear window. She repeatedly slammed the heel of her boot at the window. “Shit, shit, shit,” she yelled. She searched for something to break it with, but it was safety glass and difficult to smash. Logic and common sense deserted her, and she pressed her face to the narrow opening and screamed for help until she was hoarse. She shivered as her words echoed in her snow tomb. Exhausted from her exertions, she rested and munched on a chocolate bar she found in her purse. She had lost track of how long she had been trying to escape. Even in her warmer clothes, her feet and backside were numb.