With These Two Hands

by Lori Ryan

  Mr. Rutherford walked up the steps to the porch. “Grayson’s got her fired up. He’s ready whenever they are.”

  “I think they’ll be right out. Thanks for doing this,” Aaron said.

  “Not a problem. We’d do anything for Izzie. She’s our girl.”

  “Mr. Rutherford, could Doc and I call on you from time to time? Sometimes he receives calls from remote locations and they need help fast? Maybe we could work out some way to raise funds to pay for the gas and maybe contribute to the helicopter’s maintenance?”

  “”Don’t worry about the cost, son. If someone needs help, we’ll be here.”

  Aaron smiled. This was the small-town mentality—help a neighbor in need no matter the cost. That’s the way Kayleigh ran her practice.

  Mr. Rutherford smiled. “Sounds like you’re staying here in Canyon Creek.”

  Aaron shrugged.

  “It’d be nice to have you. I know Doc sure could use the help.”

  He wasn’t one hundred percent sure but something had changed between him and Kayleigh since they’d returned from Boston. Their relationship felt more real. He couldn’t explain it, but he definitely wanted to explore it.

  “Anytime you need the chopper just give us a call. Grayson or I can fly you. Dylan too if he’s in town.”

  “Isn’t he in Denver?” Aaron asked. Mr. Rutherford’s older son was a veterinarian.

  “Yeah,” Mr. Rutherford replied, “but I’m trying to get him back here.”

  “To do vet medicine?”

  Mr. Rutherford nodded.

  “But, Kayleigh runs the clinic.”

  “Yeah, but I’ve got some ideas.” Mr. Rutherford tapped his temple.

  “Have you talked to her about them?”

  The other man laughed and shook his head. “Do you know Dr. Kayleigh Montgomery?”

  Aaron laughed. “Petite, blonde, stubborn.”

  “Not willing to take help even when she needs it.”

  “Yeah, I’ve met her.”

  The two men laughed.

  “I know she’s swamped and I want to help her,” Mr. Rutherford said.

  Aaron nodded, not wanting to disclose anything about Kayleigh’s business inadvertently. He wouldn’t add to whatever gossip might be going around town.

  Mr. Rutherford walked down the steps with Aaron. “I think she’s having some financial problems too, probably because she’s spread too thin.”

  “She’s definitely spread thin,” Aaron said. “What’s your plan?”

  “I’d like to propose a partnership with her. Do you think she would go for that? You’ve been spending a lot of time together. Figured you knew her a little better than most.”

  Aaron nodded. “I think it would be a great idea. I’ve been researching some things as well. Not sure how she would feel about it. She hates asking for help. But maybe it’s time someone insisted she take it.”

  “I’d hate to lose her. She’s a great veterinarian with a big heart,” he said. “She’s done a lot of good for the town and the ranchers in the area.”

  Aaron thought back to their time in Boston. It seemed Kayleigh was changing, growing more accepting of help. He knew every day was getting harder and harder for her to make ends meet. “Maybe you should set up a meeting,” Aaron said.

  “Maybe I will.” Mr. Rutherford tipped his hat.

  “We’re ready,” Manny said, walking up beside them carrying several bags.

  “I’ll join you in Denver as soon as I can,” Aaron said.

  “Here, let me get Izzie.” Mr. Rutherford took her from Estelle. Aaron was struck by how tiny and frail she looked. Sending her to the hospital now was the right decision.

  “I’ll head to the office and call the hospital,” Aaron said. “Let me know when you get there,” he said to Manny. He turned to Estelle.

  Her eyes were red rimmed, her cheeks stained with tears.

  “You have to be strong for her, Estelle,” Aaron said. “It will only upset her more to see you upset.”

  She stood tall and squared her shoulders, wiping at her face. “Yes, Dr. Aaron,” she said.

  Aaron walked with them as they moved toward the helicopter but stopped several yards away to avoid the turbulent winds. “Call me when you get there,” he yelled to Grayson. “Let me know how she’s doing.”

  Mr. Rutherford walked Manny, Estelle and Izzie to the door and helped load them into the helicopter.

  “Will do. Thanks, Doc.” Grayson gave him a thumbs up.

  Doc? He wasn’t Doc.

  Mr. Rutherford ducked and ran out from under the thundering blades.

  Aaron stepped back. With one wave from Grayson in the driver’s seat, the aircraft lifted off the ground and banked toward the left.

  Aaron’s heart raced in his chest and his palms grew damp. He couldn’t remember being this worried about a patient in a long time. He realized that he cared for his patients in Chicago but he never knew them well enough to be this concerned.

  In that moment he knew the changes to his heart if he chose to stay with Kayleigh, to practice medicine would be significant.

  He had a feeling, too, that they might not be bad changes. Not bad at all.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Kayleigh slid behind the wheel of her Jeep, heading to the Rutherford ranch. It was time to check on Sunshine. The horse should be close to delivering her colt.

  She had to admit that the portable ultrasound machine Aaron wanted to try to get for her would come in handy. Telling him he was right had been a difficult chore. She laughed, remembering their conversation. Thankfully it had taken place in bed.

  The gorgeous day made the ride to the ranch much more enjoyable than it might have been otherwise. She had meant to call Aaron to check on Izzie this morning but hadn’t had a chance yet. Hopefully, when she got to the ranch, they’d have good news.

  Izzie had been in the hospital for several days, suffering from a virus that had settled in her adenoid tissue, but was due home later this afternoon. Their decision to remove both her adenoids and tonsils had come at just the right time. The only complication was that the virus had attacked Izzie’s heart. Thankfully, Aaron was a cardiologist and had caught the issue and gotten her to the hospital for treatment in time.

  She laughed at the irony. Aaron had gone to medical school to help people and thought the only way to do that was to be the very best, which meant practicing in a big city hospital. Yet here he was, no real experience with pediatrics, and he’d saved Izzie from a life-threatening illness.

  The doctors expected a full recovery with no permanent damage to her heart. She’d never heard such relief in Aaron’s voice when he’d called her with the news several days ago.

  The music on the stereo stopped, announcing an incoming call from her father. That was a surprise.

  She pushed the button on the steering wheel. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Lee Lee.”

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “It’s so good to hear your voice and not your voice mail.”

  She laughed but couldn’t help feel guilty.

  “I just wanted to tell you how happy we were to have you and Aaron at Hunter’s wedding. It just meant so much to us.”

  Kayleigh smiled. “Aaron and I enjoyed the trip.” And she really had.

  “So, what are you doing?” he asked.

  “I’m heading out to a local ranch. One of their mares is expecting soon and I need to make sure she’s okay.”

  “That sounds exciting.”

  If her father would have told her that a year ago, she would have believed he was being sarcastic. Now she heard the excitement in his voice.

  “Maybe we could come down sometime and see your operation.”

  She wanted to say yes but she still felt anxious knowing she wasn’t exactly where she wanted to be financially. “Um, sure,” she said. “Right now things are really busy though.”

  She’d spent the last few days researching grants and other funding options. She’d tak
en Aaron’s advice, hoping to find a way to stay in Canyon Creek. There were several programs she knew she would qualify for, like companion care funding. Many of her patients were companion animals for elderly owners, like Mr. Ferguson and his cat, Pebbles.

  And there were several rural practice enhancement grants that Aaron had told her about. The grants would provide her practice with the money she needed in order to provide services that she couldn’t afford right now.

  Filling out the applications took a great deal of time, and there was still quite a bit of information she needed to pull together, but it was a start. If she had another six months, maybe she could get her head above water, but she didn’t want to share that with her father yet.

  “Yes,” he said, “I’m sure it’s busy. I’m just so proud of you.”

  Kayleigh smiled. He sounded genuine, and in her heart she felt like he was.

  “Well, whenever you have the time, I’d love to come see you.”

  “Okay,” she said, “I’ll look at my schedule and make some room.”

  “I’ll let you go. I just wanted to call and say hello and that I love you.”

  Kayleigh’s grin spread wide. “I love you too, Dad.”

  “Be careful with that horse.” He laughed and she knew why. When she was younger she competed in equestrian events until she’d been thrown off a prize mare and broke her collar bone. She’d ridden again but never competed after that. It had lost some of its luster.

  “I will, Dad. Thanks. Have a great rest of your day.”

  “I will, sweetheart. Call me soon.”

  “Okay,” she said. And she meant it. “Bye, Dad.”

  “Bye, Lee Lee.”

  She disconnected the call and laughed. For years she’d hated the nickname and begged her father to stop. She was glad he hadn’t. Now it felt like a term of endearment.

  She continued the drive, her thoughts returning to the grant applications. She knew Aaron’s brother Jake was involved in politics and government. Maybe he could give her some tips on how to fill out applications so she would stand out.

  Before she knew it, she’d made it to the Rutherford Ranch. She wound her way down the road to the stables and pulled up outside.

  Alan Rutherford appeared from the stable as she was pulling her bag from the passenger seat, which surprised her

  “Hey, Kayleigh,” he said, waving at her.

  “Hey, Alan. How’s our patient today?”

  “Still holding her colt in. Grayson said she’s going to hold onto it until Izzie’s back home.”

  “He’s probably right.” She laughed. “Thank you for flying Izzie to Denver. That was very kind of you guys.”

  “Of course. I’m just thankful Aaron was here.”

  She nodded. She was thankful too and wondered again how long he would stay. She was surprised to find her feelings for him growing deeper.

  It was highly likely she was starting to care too much for Aaron. This was supposed to be short-term but it didn’t feel like it anymore

  “We’d do anything for Izzie,” Alan said, pulling her back to the conversation.

  She smiled, moving into the barn and making her way to Sunshine’s stall. “She is pretty special.”

  “We’d do anything for you, too, Kayleigh.”

  The strange statement made her stop and she turned to stare at Alan. “What does that mean?”

  He cleared his throat as he took off his hat and fumbled with it. In all the years she’d worked for the Rutherfords, she’d never seen Alan nervous. Something in her gut said she wasn’t going to like this conversation.

  He cleared his throat. “I know it can be difficult to make a private practice work in a small town for some veterinarians. And for you it’s probably even more difficult, given you’re doing ranch and rural work in addition to your clinic.”

  “It’s hard, but I enjoy the work.”

  “I’d just hate to lose you,” he said. “You’re a great vet.”

  “Why would you lose me?” she asked with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

  He stared at her then down at his hat.

  “Just say it, Alan.” Kayleigh didn’t miss the cold tone to her voice, but she also didn’t know how to soften it. The idea that people were talking about her business behind her back—talking about how her business was failing—set her on edge.

  He looked up and stared at her. “I know things aren’t as good as you’d like, financially.”

  Kayleigh pressed her lips together. She didn’t need to ask how he’d gotten the information. It was a small town, rumors always circulated. Some true, some not.

  “There’s been some talk. Mostly we’re worried that we’re going to lose you.”

  She stared at him, at a loss, embarrassed beyond belief. “Who’s we?”

  He shrugged.

  “I’m doing fine, Alan.”

  “Well, I was talking to Aaron and he thought now might be a good time to talk to you about an idea I’ve had for awhile.”

  Her body stiffened and seemed to grow cold as her heartbeat slowed. “Aaron?” she asked through clenched teeth. “What did Aaron say?”

  “He didn’t say anything, really.”

  Bullshit. Her face heated with embarrassment. Everything she’d told him had been private. He knew damned well she didn’t want her business aired.

  “I just said I had some ideas, to help you, financially,” he said, “with the clinic, I mean. We both said how stubborn you are.” He laughed.

  Her eyes narrowed and she worked to unclench her hands. Not only had they talked about her, but they’d laughed at her, too.

  “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Kayleigh. It came out wrong.”

  She laughed with no humor. “I really need to check on Sunshine. I’ve got patients to see this afternoon. And as you’ve already pointed out, I’m strapped for time. And for cash.”

  “Kayleigh, wait.” He reached out and caught her arm. “I was just going to talk to you about a partnership with you and the clinic. I’ve wanted to get Dylan back here for a long time. I thought maybe if you two went into partnership you could split the clinic. He could do large animals and you could do small.”

  Kayleigh was so pissed she couldn’t hear the proposal. How dare he and Aaron talk about her practice behind her back?

  “Please don’t be upset, Kayleigh. I really only have your best interest at heart.”

  She held in a laugh.

  As if sensing her anger, Alan dropped her arm. “Aaron said there are all kinds of grants, and I’ve talked to the town council about providing some assistance.”

  She stepped back. “Town council? Jeez, Alan who the hell didn’t you tell about my financial problems? What gives you the right?”

  He stepped closer. “It wasn’t like that, Kayleigh. We just—”

  “I guess this is what I get for thinking I could have a legitimate practice in a small town.”

  “What does that mean?” he asked.

  “My three-year contract with the American Veterinary Medical Association is almost over. I can move anywhere. Maybe I need to rethink where I want to practice medicine.”

  “Kayleigh, I would hate to lose you just because I was trying to come up with options for you. I just wanted to help you. We all do. We want you to stay in Canyon Creek.”

  Her head dropped and she made herself take a slow, deep breath before she said something she regretted. It wouldn’t go over well to tell her biggest client he was acting like an overbearing parent, or that he could go shove his proposals where the sun didn’t shine.

  “I know,” she said, and she believed him. But in trying to help her succeed he’d taken away her independence, her freedom to make it on her own. Just like everyone in her life had, even her ex-boyfriend. In her eyes, and the eye of others, that made her a failure. A very public failure, from the sound of it. “If you’ll excuse me, Alan, I’m going to check on Sunshine.”

  “Of course,” he said, stepping back. “Kayleig
h,” he called as she walked away.

  She gritted her teeth tight and turned to face him. “What?”

  He shook his head and slapped his hat on his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have talked about this with anyone other than you. I just…”

  “Just what?” She asked, hands on hips. God, she was so embarrassed.

  “I just wanted you to know how much we all care about you. That we’d do anything to help you stay. If you’d let us. That’s all.”

  Without letting her respond, he turned on his heels and left her standing in the middle of the barn feeling like a bigger failure than ever.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Aaron looked down at the worn table inside Canyon Creek Country Diner, readjusting his napkin.

  “Dude, calm down,” Ben said. “They’ll understand.”

  He’d asked his family to meet him in town after his shift at the medical clinic. He laughed to himself. His shift. He was getting more entrenched in things in Canyon Creek. “It’s not that,” he said.

  “What is it?” Ben reached for a menu.

  “Have you ever felt like you talked about someone and you shouldn’t have, even though it was for their own good?”

  Ben chuckled. “Uh, yeah. Happened with me and Maggie.”

  “What happened?”

  “She called me on my shit.” He studied Aaron. “So what did you do to Kayleigh?”

  “What makes you think it’s Kayleigh?”

  He laughed. “You’re a guy and she’s the woman you want.”

  Yeah, she was.

  “Hello, my beautiful boys,” Aunt Sally said, waltzing into the diner with an armful of pies. “What’s wrong, Benjamin? Isn’t that sweet little wife of yours cooking dinner anymore?”

  Ben laughed. “You know Maggie can’t boil water.”

  “That’s true,” she said dropping the pies on the counter. Sally owned the bakery in town and provided pies, muffins, and pastries to the diner and several other businesses.

  “I heard that,” Maggie said, stepping toward their table. “And that means no nookie for you tonight.” She glared down at Ben.

  He wrapped his arms around her neck and pulled her down for a heated kiss.