Crashing Into Tess (The McGreers)

by Christine, Lilly

  Tess couldn’t help blushing.

  “Ah, so that’s how it is. Well, Jake is the best catch in Green Junction, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think you could do any better here.”

  “He does seem like a great guy.”

  Feeling her face flame, Tess popped the champagne cork, pouring bubbly into two glass Denver Broncos mugs from the thrift store. Handing Alice a mug, she said, “Salut. It’s so great to have company my first night here.”

  “To your total and complete success in Green Junction, fabulous times ahead, and a winning season for the Broncos,” Alice grinned. They clanked mugs and drank.

  Champagne was one of Tess’s weaknesses, and from the smell of dinner, Momma Boccini’s would soon be another.

  To: NBamberger@SKLLaw.com, RBamberger@RGBLaw.com

  From: Tess.Bam@vmail.com

  Subject: LOVING my new place! Date: Friday, September 23, 9:14 PM

  Dear Mom and Dad, The bed arrived, and it’s super comfy! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Alice, my new friend from work stopped by tonight with takeout, and Bea and Doc have invited us to dinner on Sunday at their place, so my social calendar is already filling up.

  My apartment is amazing, so no worries, Mom. It’s an old fashioned Victorian, right in town, with a wide front porch and plenty of gingerbread. I took a hot bubble bath in my claw foot tub, soaked the kinks out from my long trip, and I’m already online. Mom, thanks so much for suggesting I set up my electric and internet ahead of time~that was a good call.

  Green Junction is a tiny, historic town, surrounded by gorgeous mountains ~ I hope Sam can come out for some skiing this winter. Please give Buster a treat for me. I miss you both, but I am fine.

  Love, Tess. She pressed “send”, shut her laptop and dialed Samantha’s cell. It’s only 6:30 in New York. I can’t wait to fill Sam in on life in Colorado!

  ***** Jake and Cassie had a standing invitation to Saturday night dinner at Aunt Olivia’s stately brick Georgian on Talbot Street.They’d just enjoyed an excellent meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Jake sat in front of the library fireplace, paging through local newspapers.

  Tonight, Cassie had invited her best friend Trudie along. Listening to their chatter, he smiled. The girls were playing in Aunt Olivia’s guest room, which was full of things that Cassie and her friends loved; a real china tea set, trunks full of hats and shoes, fancy dress up clothing specially altered for six year olds, and a big old-fashioned dollhouse that had been Aunt Olivia’s as a girl.

  “No nightcap with friends tonight, Jake?” Olivia asked from the hallway, coming down from getting the girls settled.

  “I think I’ll stay in, Aunt,” he answered, pretending to study the headlines.

  Alice was taking Tess to Green Forks tonight, to introduce her around. Best keep my distance for the time being. He couldn’t forget the way she’d felt in his arms, but her welcome had gotten way more involved than he’d intended.

  Vicki had never stopped complaining about poky old Green Junction, reminding him what she missed about California. He wouldn’t put himself through that. He’d wait to see if Tess made it through winter before kissing her again.

  Aunt Olivia brought the silver coffee service in, set it on the little table, and took the sateen damask wingback chair next to him. “We had our Ladies Auxiliary luncheon today. Bea Harnes said the vet they were expecting arrived Thursday night.” She handed him a filled cup set in its fancy bone china saucer.

  So Tess is a veterinarian. Why hadn’t she mentioned what her job was? Two small dessert plates, each with a slice of chocolate layer cake, sat on the tray, dessert forks and napkins at the ready. His aunt handed him a plate, and he took a napkin from the tray. “She’s a young woman, a very nice girl, from a fine Philadelphia family.”

  “Really? A lady vet, now that’s a first for Green Junction,” he mused politely, in the most detached voice he could manage.

  “It certainly is. She studied at the University of Pennsylvania. Apparently she’s very bright.” Aunt Olivia’s refined voice warmed with approval. Jake remembered the Penn stamped on Tess’s white knit pants. They’d hugged her firm little butt so nicely. He put a forkful of cake in his mouth to hide his grin, while his aunt continued.

  “Apparently she smashed her car getting into town, poor thing. Bea doesn’t know exactly what happened. I do wish they’d do something about that exit ramp coming off the highway. It’s a disgrace how many accidents have happened there.”

  “It is.” He put his cake plate down quickly, and picked up the newspaper, to hide behind. The baby powder scent of Tess’s curly blonde hair came back to him, and blood began to pool in his abdomen. He tried to focus on the article about the new sewer plant improvements.

  “Bea got her a place in Elmer Freethy’s Victorian, over on Chambers Street, near Cassie and Vicki. She’s already been to the thrift store to outfit her apartment. Gertrude said she was absolutely delightful.”

  “Hmm, really?” Gertrude was tight-lipped. He was glad she hadn’t mentioned he’d been helping Tess.

  “Now, she’d be a lovely role model for our Cassie,” Aunt Olivia said, plumping the pillow behind her innocently. “Perhaps I’ll invite her to join us for dinner next Saturday night. I hate to think of her getting lonely, here, not knowing anyone.”

  Jake lowered the paper, raised his eyebrows and eyeballed his aunt. Glowering slightly, he warned,“Auntie O, while I appreciate the generous intention of your meddling, you will do no such thing. I can’t imagine a more strained attempt at matchmaking than dinner date with you, Cassie, and the new girl in town.” His aunt was a headstrong woman, but she did respect him. “I’ve already met Tess, and I’ll likely be bumping into her again at some point. Meanwhile, Cassie is certain to see her at the veterinary office.”

  He put his head back behind the newspaper, but not before he caught the gleam in Aunt Olivia’s dark, intelligent eyes. “Wonderful!” his aunt enthused. She’d tried her best with Vicki during his marriage, which he’d appreciated, but since the divorce, she’d been dying to pair him off with someone new. Aunt Olivia had discriminating tastes. Much as she schemed, she just hadn’t been successful in identifying appropriate prey.

  “I’m sure with the social whirlwind you and your lady friends enjoy, you’ll meet Tess soon enough,” he growled from behind the newspaper. “I’ll let you know if things progress to the dinner with family stage.”

  “Delightful,” she trilled.“That’s certainly something to look forward to. Make a bit of an effort, Jake, won’t you? I’d like to be able to count on having her for dinner before Thanksgiving.” He could not miss the unmitigated glee in Olivia’s normally regal voice, and he was glad the newspaper hid his grin.

  “In the meantime, perhaps I should get Buxie and Susie in for their annual exams,” she mused. Aunt Olivia had kept a pair of English Springer Spaniels for as long as Jake could remember. They ran fat on table scraps. “I’m sure Doc won’t mind if the young lady sees them.”

  “There you go. If I know you, you’ll have met Tess before your Wednesday afternoon bridge game.” Hold onto your silver tea set, Auntie. Tess will knock your damask tablecloth sideways.

  ***** Nervous for her first day of work, Tess hustled out to Alice’s Subaru wagon Monday morning, feet crunching through the crust of snow that lay frozen on the ground.

  “Morning Tess. Ooh, that coffee smells good,” Alice said as she climbed in, motioning to her raisin toast and travel mug of coffee.

  “Thanks for doing this so early,” Tess said, trying to stop her teeth from chattering. “I’ll bring you some breakfast tomorrow.”

  “I thought we’d go over some things at the office before Doc comes in, so you could get your bearings,” she chirped. Tess nodded gratefully.

  Pulling onto the street, Alice continued, “On a normal day Doc comes in at seven-thirty or eight. Small animal office appointments start at nine on weekdays and Saturdays, but he takes emergencies
early. After lunch, Doc goes out on farm calls. Sometimes he’s out really late, depending on what’s happening. Some weeks, you’ll have an afternoon or two off, but you could get slammed on weekends. Springtime is lambing and calving, so it’s crazy busy around the clock. This year we’ll have you around, which will be a big help.”

  “Okay.” Tess clutched her travel mug, “I’m hanging on every word.”

  “You’re a quick study, I got that right away,” Alice said with an approving smile.

  “I’m really excited to be here. It’s fun. Nerve wracking, but fun.”

  “You’ll be fine. There’s a lot to absorb, so Doc wants us to be careful we don’t overwhelm you. You’re just supposed to hang out in the office this week, maybe ride with him on a few farm calls if you are feeling up to it, but no pressure, all in good time. Your appointment with Doc Estes is tomorrow. I think Bea mentioned it at dinner last night?”

  “She did. Bea and my mother are clones from the same mother cell when it comes to trying to run my life.”

  “Well, at least you’re used to it. Drove me nuts at first, and Bea will probably be worse with you. You’re young and single and she’ll rationalize that your mother expects it of her.”

  “I’m used to meddling.”

  “I had my share when I first got here. You will rediscover the luxury of anonymity in Green Junction, I assure you. It’s a small town, and everyone is in your business. It can be a little intense.”

  Tess took a deep breath. Might as well spit it out. “Doc told me he needed a vet full time, Alice, but Jake mentioned something about Doc retiring. Doc hasn’t said anything to me about retiring.”

  “Oh, boy, see how the gossip goes around here? Here’s the story: Doc was a widower when he married Bea. She was the town librarian, never married. When they got hitched, Doc promised he’d retire in five years. That was twelve years ago. Doc’s daughter is in Florida, with his grandkids. He’s had a standing invitation to join a small animal practice there part time. His idea was to bring you on board to see if you like it. If you do, he’ll stick around two years or so until you’re settled. When you find another vet you both like, he’ll hand the practice off to you.”

  “Really?” The prospect was both exhilarating and completely intimidating.

  “I doubt that Doc will say anything about it, at least not for a while, so no worries. He knows your commitment is only until spring, and he wouldn’t ever want to pressure you. Doc is close mouthed and careful, but Bea is the complete opposite. What Doc thinks of as top secret, Bea has shared with the whole town. If anyone asks, you could just say that you are here to help until spring, and Doc hasn’t discussed future plans with you.”

  “Got that. Doc isn’t much of a talker, but he is really nice.”

  “Oh, yeah, Doc is great at what he does, and he’s very patient about explanations. Even if you forget and ask the same question twice, he won’t mind. He’ll go into great detail about animal care, but the other stuff is Bea’s department.”

  “Doc made me want this job, but, honestly, you made me feel like I could do it, Alice,” Tess said. “You gave me the courage to make the big leap. I might still be in Philadelphia, bored stiff. This is a whole different world.”

  “I could tell how competent you’d be right off the bat. We need someone like you here. It will be an adventure, I promise you that.” They’d arrived at the low brick building where the veterinary clinic was housed. Alice shut off the engine and turned to her. “There is something I want to ask of you, really for my own sanity, but for all of us, too. Doc is working too hard for a man his age and Bea will flip if he keeps it up. He can’t keep going like this. You might not want to hurt Doc’s feelings, but I’m asking you to promise to tell me right away if you realize this isn’t the job for you.”

  “I’m going to love it, I know I will,” Tess answered.

  “You might, but ranch calls are pig shit and cold weather and biting wind and chapped cheeks and freezing feet. It can be grueling. You’ll either like it or hate it, it’s as simple as that. The next six months will tell. You have amazing credentials and you can go anywhere, and if this isn’t your cup of tea, we can bring someone down from Fort Collins in the spring. I want to be straight with you, because you’ve already taken the leap. This might be the ride of your life, but if you decide you want a different colored parachute, just say the word and I promise to get you out of here gracefully, okay?”

  Tess looked at Alice’s sober face, appreciating her forthrightness. “I won’t bail on you, Alice, but I do get it. I hope I love it. I think I will, but I promise to let you know if I’m not happy.”

  “Life is too short to be miserable, and you are too talented not to have the exact life you want. It will be challenging as hell when you are up to your ears in cow poop and placenta after your fourth or fifth difficult calving of the day on only two hours sleep, in a month of seventyfive farm calls. You’ll know by spring if it works for you.” Tess nodded intently, grateful for Alice’s comforting smile.

  Unlocking the back door, Alice hung their coats. “Welcome to Green Junction Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Bamberger. Let’s get you started.” She showed Tess through the waiting room and office, into the examining rooms, surgery, infirmary, and dispensary. Tess looked through the set of large animal surgical tools Doc had ordered for her. “Let us know whatever else you want,” Alice called from the reception area.

  Doc arrived at eight. He was a large-framed man, very tall, with a furrowed, kindly face, a shock of white hair, and an easygoing manner. “We’ve got a smooth morning here, Tess. This afternoon I head out to Tarleton’s horse farm. There’s a two year old to geld, and a pregnant mare to ultrasound. You’re welcome to ride along, if you’re up to it,” he offered.

  Tess worked with Doc all morning on small animal appointments, increasingly at ease. He introduced her to his clients, and she observed as he checked for ear mites, inoculated six week old puppies, advised diet changes for a pair of overweight schnauzers, and adjusted medication on an elderly cat with a heart condition. Then she helped Alice with blood work, familiarizing herself with the lab.

  Bea bustled in at eleven-thirty, beaming. “I brought cheese steaks, in honor of our Philadelphia Girl’s first day!” As Bea began fussing over her, Alice shot Tess a knowing look. She helped Tess fill out paperwork, and they ate lunch at the table in the dispensary.

  Afterwards, she rode with Doc in his big white truck west out of town. “A four wheel drive truck is a good idea,” Doc said, his large frame filling the seat next to her. “If you find one you like, the practice will buy you a tool box for it and tires for the winter. Make sure to keep plenty of weight in the back. I use sand bags.” Tess nodded nervously, her headache still a dull twinge. There is so much to learn here.

  The Tarleton horse farm was a beautiful modern facility, with a large indoor arena and acres of rolling pasture, the snow on them melting in early afternoon sun.

  Doc introduced Sherri Tarleton, a petite woman with chapped cheeks, a pouf of strawberry blonde hair held in a barrette, and an earthy laugh. Sherri nodded appreciatively as she took Tess’s hand. “So pleased to meet you, Dr. Bamberger. I’m so glad Doc Harnes finally has back up. You’ve come from New Bolton?” Tess nodded. “That’s as good an equine care facility as exists. Warm welcome to Green Junction. I’ve got a pair of sons who will be happy to know that you’re in town, too.”

  “Thank you,” Tess blushed. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

  Sherri led her mare into the aisle, talking local horse gossip with Doc, while Tess set up the ultrasound equipment. Donning a plastic glove, she got to work.

  “There it is,” Doc said, when the tiny equine fetus appeared on the monitor. “Nice work, Tess. Looks like your mare’s bred, then, Sherri, she’s two months along. Come May, she’ll throw a fine foal.”

  Next, Sherri led them to the young colt’s stall and Tess assisted with the gelding. Doc offered encouragement as she moved around the hor
se, injecting the sedative, suturing the incision. She felt calm and confident working with him, pleased by his obvious satisfaction in her work.

  4

  “Cowboy Take Me Away” On Tuesday morning, Jake pulled his truck into a parking space at the medical plaza, his neck and back stiff and sore, and headed into Doc Estes office.

  As he stepped up to the registration desk, a blond, curly haired woman in an Irish wool sweater spoke animatedly to the nurse, stepped backwards.Turning, she bounced against his chest. At his nose was a pile of corkscrew curls, all baby powder and lemony.“Tess?”

  “Jake!” A blush spread across Tess’s face. “Hi. Sorry about that.”

  “I can’t get away from you, can I?” He tried to laugh it off, but his attraction to her caught him, and a curl of desire welled in his belly.

  “I guess not,” she said with a puzzled look, taking a seat along the back wall.

  Jake gave his name to the receptionist. He took a seat far enough away to resist Tess’s allure, but close enough to be sociable. “So, why didn’t you tell me you were a vet?”

  Glancing over with a shy smile, she lowered her magazine and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and whispered. “I didn’t want it to get around that the new vet was a city brat who couldn’t drive in bad weather.”

  “You were in a rental car with bad tires, Tess. Everybody around here knows that exit ramp is a death trap once it gets cold. It’s the most dangerous spot in town.”

  “So, how are you feeling? Are you all right?” she asked, concern in her voice. She gave him a smile, open and inviting, a little bit curious.

  Staying casual, he picked up a six month old copy of Field and Stream. “I’m fine. I’m just here for x-rays. I have this thing with a disc, my back gets stiff. Too much rodeoing in my younger days.” He shifted in his chair. His brain may have decided to avoid entanglements, but his body wasn’t cooperating in the least. “How’s Alice?”

  “She’s great. I started at the clinic yesterday. I was there this morning, too. I really like it. Doc’s so great. He gave me the rest of the day off, but I’ll probably go back later, learn more about how the office works. ”Her face glowed with enthusiasm.