Cowboy Six Pack

by Kari Lynn Dell

  Back down in the barn, she started her evening rounds of cleaning the pens, filling water, and bringing horses in from their afternoon on a grass pasture. It was a quarter to six when she’d finished the chores and talked with Mr. Van Durn. He’d seemed pleased with how she’d handled the animals.

  She was going to be late to Zach’s, but there was no way she’d arrive without showering first and she had to pack. He might be used to the smell of animals in his work, but she wasn’t going to arrive for dinner smelling like horse urine.

  *~*

  Zach sat on the camping chair on his porch, watching the road. He hadn’t given Kitty directions, but surely as small as the community was, she knew the place where he’d set up his practice. A glance at his watch said she was almost an hour late. Good thing he’d planned to barbecue after she arrived. He’d purchased pre-prepared salad and rolls.

  The crunch of gravel caught his attention. Her truck appeared around the barn. He relaxed and his heart sped at the thought of spending the evening with the interesting woman. He’d feared she wouldn’t show after the afternoon. He could tell she’d been embarrassed at needing someone to escort her to her truck.

  Winnie sat on the seat beside her. The vehicle pulled up beside his blue truck parked in front of the house.

  He stood and walked down the gravel path to the parking area. A smile spread across his face at a thought he’d had on the edges of his mind all day. He’d ask her tonight.

  She slid out, hooked a leash to the dog’s collar, and allowed the animal to jump out.

  Zach reached the truck as she shut the door.

  “Sorry I’m late. When I returned, Marcella had a new client and he wanted to watch me interact with the horses.” She didn’t look him in the eyes.

  “If you had a phone you could have called and let me know you were running late. After the event at the thrift store I wasn’t sure what was keeping you.”

  Her cheeks darkened, hiding her freckles. “I’m truly sorry. Do you want to eat first and give me the tour later?”

  “No, we’ll do the tour first.” He headed to the barn. Even if this had been the first piece of property he’d toured, he would have purchased it. The realtor had been skeptical about showing it to him, stating it didn’t have a sufficient building for an animal hospital. He knew the second he saw the barn, it would be perfect.

  “Having your clinic in the barn is a bit different,” Kitty said, following him through the door under a sign announcing, Zach MacDonald, D.V.M.

  “I knew the minute I saw this barn it was the perfect place. I prefer large animals. This barn has stalls, a wide open interior.” He spread his arms to show off the catch in the middle of the barn with a small corral of panels and an alleyway to usher one animal at a time into the catch. On the opposite end of the catch pen was a metal stand to cross-tie horses. In what had once been a tack room, he’d built shelves that held his supplies. The door was kept locked unless he was working in the building.

  “This is impressive.” Kitty scanned the area, her gaze taking in everything. “Where do you do surgeries?”

  He led her to a room next to the tack room. Punching in numbers, he accessed the room. A shiny stainless table, and the equipment needed for any minor surgery were in this room.

  “Nice. Have you used any of this yet?” She backed out as if just her breathing would contaminate the area.

  He closed the door. “It will get used on Monday when Mr. Peed brings in his female to be spayed.”

  She turned to him. “Do you have an assistant?”

  That was the one thing he hadn’t found yet. “No. There are few people in this area qualified. They don’t have to have a vet tech degree; however, the people who have animal experience are happy working where they are.” He cocked his head. “How about you? Want to change jobs? I can pay you twelve an hour with it going up to fifteen once you learn everything.”

  He saw her eyes light up moments before the spark faded.

  “I can’t.”

  “I know you’ve been working for Marcella a long time. I would think she would understand if you wanted to explore a different job.” He stopped near one of the stalls on the opposite side of the supply and operating rooms.

  “It’s not Marcella. I…” She shook her head and patted her dog.

  A stomach rumbling, echoed in the silence. She clutched her middle.

  “Come on. We’ll discuss it later. I’ll get those steaks on the grill.” He led the woman and dog to the backyard. A quick glance at the grill showed that her late arrival had the coals in the barbeque at just the right glow. “Take a seat. I’ll be right back.”

  He entered the back of the house and snagged the platter with the two steaks along with a tub of ice that he’d shoved various sodas and drinks in. Exiting the house, he found Kitty leaning down as if having a conversation with her dog.

  “You telling her if she’s a good girl she can get off the leash?”

  The woman startled at his voice and sat straight up.

  “My nearest neighbor is a half a mile away. I think she can be let loose and not get into trouble.” He set the tub of drinks on the picnic table. “Help yourself.”

  He turned to the grill and watched out of the corner of his eye as Kitty released Winnie and grabbed a ginger ale from the tub.

  Once the steaks were sizzling, he sat at the table and pulled out a soda. “Tell me about the guy from this afternoon.”

  Her gaze shot to his face then dropped to the ground near her boots. She slumped back against the chair. The pretty violet shirt she wore gave her a feminine, fragile appearance.

  “His name is Paul Doore. He was at the last foster home.” Her gaze raised to his. Anger darkened her eyes to a deep blue. “He’s the reason I ran away.”

  Rage heated his chest. “Did he hurt you?”

  She shook her head. Tonight, her hair hung loose, framing her heart-shaped face. “I didn’t give him a chance. He cornered me a couple of times. When I complained, I was told to get used to it.” Her eyes glinted with hatred. “I didn’t stick around to get used to it.”

  “How far away was the place you left?” He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to be a fourteen-year-old girl having no one to turn to and striking out on her own.

  “Two counties over. I came this way, knowing it wouldn’t cost as much to live and figured it would be easier to get a job working with animals.” She picked at the seam of her jeans.

  “This was a good choice.” He checked the steaks, turned them, and returned to his seat. “How long has this Paul been here?”

  “I don’t know. He was at the Sidewinder the other night.” She cringed as if the man were standing in front of her.

  “When was the last time you’d seen him?”

  “The day I ran away and then the other night.”

  “And you know it’s him?” There were some of his friends he hadn’t seen in a long time and he had to really think to remember who they were.

  “I’ll never forget his voice and eyes. When you’re backed in a corner, staring into those eyes as he tells you all the ugly things he’s going to do to you as his hands…” She averted her face and swallowed.

  Zach sat on the bench, unsure whether to go to her or give her space. He’d only met the woman a day ago, but he wanted to be her knight.

  He couldn’t sit still and let her think she was alone. He knelt in front of her, taking one of her hands in his. “You aren’t alone. Marcella and I will make sure he doesn’t hurt you. Even the women at the thrift store helped you. There are people here who care.”

  She sniffed and peered into his eyes. “I don’t want anyone to care.”

  “Why not? Everyone needs someone to care for and who cares for them.” He had his sister and his parents, as dysfunctional as they were.

  “I’ve managed this long. I-I wouldn’t know how to care for anyone.” Her gaze dropped to their joined hands.

  He smiled. “You care for Winnie as if
she’s your child. You would make a wonderful mother.”

  She started to say something. He stopped her from talking by placing his finger on her lips.

  “Don’t argue. I’ve seen how you are with your dog and the horses at the stable. And I’ve seen the friendship you have with Mrs. Dunn.” He smelled the steaks and rose to his feet. “The plates and utensils are sitting on the counter along with salad and rolls. Would you bring them out while I tend the steaks?”

  She nodded and walked to the house, Winnie on her heels.

  If he did nothing else tonight, he was going to persuade Kitty to work for him. He had a feeling they would work well together. His heart raced and his body heated. He had a feeling they would be good together no matter what they did.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Kitty sat across from Zach, enjoying the story he told about his first year at veterinary school. After telling him about Paul, she felt as if a burden had been lifted. It was true the women at the thrift shop had helped her, and she had no doubt if Marcella knew, she would too.

  She listened more intently to Zach’s story, so she could laugh at the right moment. He was an entertaining man. And he’d asked her to work for him. If only she could. But even though she’d told him about Paul, and he knew she didn’t finish school, he didn’t know her deepest secret.

  “And that’s—” He stopped and answered his buzzing phone. “Dr. MacDonald.”

  He listened and she started gathering up the dishes.

  “I’ll be right there.” He pressed a button on the phone and started picking up the dishes she hadn’t already gathered. “I have to check on a cow that’s been in labor too long.” He hurried behind her into the back door. “Dump the dishes in the sink. I’ll take care of them later.”

  “I can wash them and then leave,” she said, thinking it was the least she could do for such a wonderful meal and because he’d saved her earlier in the day.

  “Nope. You’re coming with me. I might need an extra hand.” He grinned. “It will give you a taste of what an assistant does.”

  “But-I—”

  “No buts. Come on.” He grasped her arm at her elbow, picked up a backpack by the door, and led her out to his work truck. “Call Winnie.”

  She whistled and the dog came from the back of the house. “Where do you want her to ride?”

  “The cab is fine.” He was behind the wheel and starting the vehicle.

  “Come on.” She waved to the open door. Winnie leapt in. Kitty climbed in and shut the door. Within seconds the truck sped down the driveway.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, holding onto the handle between the windshield and the side window. Winnie leaned against her as they sped around a corner.

  “Chester Minto. He said he lives on the way to the lake.”

  “Yes, he’s the third drive on the right. He and his wife are nice. Their granddaughters took lessons from Marcella a few years back. They’ve brought us goodies every Christmas since.” She hoped they could help the cow.

  Zach whipped the truck onto the Minto’s lane and sped down the dirt road. She’d never ridden in a vehicle going so fast. “You want to get there alive,” she commented through clenched teeth.

  The vehicle slowed. “Sorry. I didn’t want the animal to suffer any longer than necessary.”

  The house came into view. Mrs. Minto stood by the barn, waving her apron up and down.

  The truck slammed to a stop, and Zach jumped out.

  “I’m so glad you came so fast. Poor Rosebud is in such pain.” Mrs. Minto led Zach into the barn.

  Kitty told Winnie to stay, rolled the window down a quarter of the way, and followed them into the barn. A beautiful tan-colored cow was sprawled out in a bed of straw. Long dark lashes lay on her cheeks. The animal opened her eyes. Big brown globes stared at Kitty as the cow bawled, sticking out her long pink tongue. Kitty could feel the animal’s pain in her cry.

  Zach knelt at the back end of the animal. “How long has she been in labor?”

  “Several hours. She had her first calf last year and never had a bit of trouble.” Mr. Minto rubbed his bald head. “We weren’t ready for her to have another calf, but the neighbor’s Hereford bull got in and bred her.”

  Kitty knew the Hereford breed. The combination of this beautiful cow and one of the big block-headed, white-faced breed would make an interesting looking creature.

  “If she’s already had a calf, the calf inside her must be turned wrong.” Zach pulled a stethoscope out of the bag he’d picked up by the back door and listened to the animal’s protruding stomach.

  He rolled up his sleeves and pulled a pair of long plastic gloves out of his bag. He pulled the gloves up his arms and knelt at the back end of the animal. She watched in fascination as he eased his hand up inside the cow’s birth canal. He stared at the animal’s belly as his arm rotated, and he pushed farther in. The cow bawled.

  “The calf is turned wrong. I can’t find a leg to get it started in the birth canal.” He pulled his arm out and drew off the nasty looking plastic glove. The scent of cow manure hung in the cooling night air.

  “Kitty, go out to my truck. On the driver’s side, second door on the box, grab the package marked bovine.”

  She nodded but her feet didn’t move. The directions were easy enough to follow but reading the word?

  “Go on. Second door on the driver’s side.” He reached in his bag and asked Mr. Minto if he could get the cow on her feet.

  Kitty pivoted and headed out to the truck. She pulled open the second door and found bundles wrapped in plastic. One started with and E, one an S. She moved the bundles around and found one that had a B as the first letter of the jumble after it. Bovine started with a “b”. She grabbed that package and hurried back into the barn.

  The cow was standing. Mr. Minto held the lead rope.

  “I pushed the calf back to make it easier to take cesarean.” He grabbed the package from her.

  Zach had pulled over a couple of bales, he opened the package she’d retrieved on the bales. When he began setting the items out in a row, relief eased her tense muscles. It was the right package. That was how she’d managed most of the time at Marcella’s. She’d been able to decipher enough of the jumbled word to figure out it was what the woman had asked for. Her employer had yet to learn her secret.

  He held up a small battery-operated clipper and moved to the cow. The clippers clattered to life as he moved the apparatus against the hair on the cow’s flank. “See how I’m cutting the hair? Keep at it, making a spot this big.” He made a motion of about twenty square inches on the animal’s side in front of her flanks.

  She’d used clippers before on horses. This one was similar. She shaved the animal as Zach continued preparing the instruments.

  Once the hair was removed, Zach handed her a spray bottle and brush. “Spray this then scrub and spray until the skin is clean. Start in the middle and work your way out.”

  She did as she was told, squirting and scrubbing until the animal’s skin was pinkish red.

  When she backed away from the animal, Zach moved closer with a syringe in his hand.

  “This is to deaden the area where I’ll be making the incision.”

  She watched as he inserted the needle many times along a half-inch by ten-inch swath. The cow moved some.

  “I’m sorry Rosebud. But this little sting is much better than the pain you’d feel if I didn’t deaden the site.”

  He placed the syringe and needle in a plastic case on the cloth and handed her the plastic gloves. “Put these on before you handle the instruments.”

  She pulled the gloves on and waited for his instructions.

  “These are the instruments I’m going to need. I laid them out in order of use.” He picked up a scalpel and made the first cut.

  Kitty watched with fascination as he opened the cow and she handed him what he needed. Steam and the iron scent of blood filled the barn. He made one more cut through the uterus and pulled out the
calf, handing it to her.

  “Make sure the mucous is out of its mouth and nose. Then have Mrs. Minto dry it off. I’ll need your help closing her up.”

  The slimy bundle was hard to handle, she clutched it to her chest to take several steps away from where Zach worked. She dropped to her knees and placed the calf on the straw floor. Kitty scooped her finger through its mouth, dislodging the mucous. The calf coughed and started breathing.

  Mrs. Minto knelt beside the calf, wiping it down with brown woven grain sacks.

  “Grab the spool of suture,” Zach said, not even looking her direction as he sprinkled a powder inside the cow.

  Kitty stood, wiping her slimy gloves on her jeans before picking up the spool. He grabbed the end of the material, pulled out a length, and cut it with what looked like needle-nosed pliers.

  “What was the powder?” she asked.

  “It’s an antibiotic to keep her from getting an infection inside,” he replied, threading the suture through a large needle.

  She watched, amazed, as the doctor used the pliers and large needle to sew each layer that had been cut open. She held the spool as he cut new material for each layer. The final stitches on the cow’s side were tied off. She’d studied not only Zach’s hands as he worked but his face. He enjoyed doing what he did. It was evident in how he talked to the cow and the owners as he worked.

  Zach pulled off his gloves and smiled at Kitty. She’d been a good assistant. She’d listened to his instructions and carried it all out without question. He hoped this evening had piqued her interest enough to take him up on his job offer.

  He patted the cow on her shoulder. “When were her last shots? Did she have a tetanus shot?”

  Mr. Minto nodded. “We get her updated on all her shots in the spring. She gets everything a cow needs.”

  “That’s good. Not many people think about cattle needing to be vaccinated.” Zach shook the man’s hand. “Keep Rosebud standing and not doing much other than eating and making milk for her calf.”