“Judge Edwards, perhaps our intent wasn’t clear. And I apologize if I missed putting the correct financial documents in the folder.” Grace sat forward in her chair. “But the Blackwell Ranch is in serious trouble. The request for signing authority isn’t for personal gain, it’s to hire staff and cover other legitimate expenses for operating the premises.”
“Your attempt to keep the Blackwell Ranch solvent is to spend more money?” Judge Edwards glared at Ethan.
Grace started to speak, but Ethan set his hand on her arm and squeezed. He edged forward in his seat until he was side by side with Grace, making them a united front against the veritable and imposing Myrna Edwards. “I’m quite certain Grace didn’t leave any documents out of that folder. As you said before, Grace Gardner is levelheaded and sensible. She’s also detailed, professional and excels at her job. Grace has advised me that I need to build revenue for the ranch. I cannot do that if I’m also working on the land and the guest lodge and the petting zoo.”
“I had no idea you cared so deeply for the place,” Judge Edwards said.
He cared deeply enough to ensure the ranch was profitable before he stuck a For Sale sign on the front gate. He doubted that truth would endear him to Judge Edwards. “I too care about having something to pass down to our child.”
Judge Edwards slid the Bible across the desk, closer to him. “Careful, Day Two, you’re teetering close to perjury and we both know it.”
“You want the truth.” Ethan set his left palm on the Bible and raised his right hand. “Jon, or Day One as you know him, can’t physically run two ranches. Katie Montgomery can only work so many hours in a day. And no one, I repeat no one, can locate our grandfather. Big E may or may not return. But there are people and animals on Blackwell property that need to be taken care of in the meantime.”
“How long do you intend to remain caretaker of the Blackwell Ranch?” Judge Edwards asked.
Ethan kept his hand on the Bible and never flinched. “As long as I have to.”
With luck and Judge Edwards’s approval that would not be much longer. With signing authority, he could hire new ranch hands and with Sarah Ashley’s connections book the lodge through the summer all before the Zigler family unpacked in the guest lodge next week. That left only an official job offer from a practice somewhere and he’d relinquish his role and finally get back to his own life.
He pulled his hand off the Bible and shifted, bumping his knee against Grace’s. His personal life was a little more complicated. But he was certain Grace would want what was best for the baby, even if that meant him relocating.
“Very well, Day Two, I’ll grant you signing authority.” Judge Edwards stopped his smile with her hand. “On the condition that Grace provides me with updated financials on a weekly basis.”
Why didn’t Judge Edwards trust him? He’d apologized and given her the full truth. Well, almost the full truth. Selling the land was only speculation at this point.
Grace touched his knee and grinned at Judge Edwards. “I’m more than happy to provide you with whatever reports you’d like.”
“Day Two, I have one more request,” Judge Edwards said.
Ethan waited. From her grave tone and serious expression this wasn’t a simple request, but a tall order.
“My Spike hasn’t been his usual self and I’d like you to check him out.” Judge Edwards tapped her cell phone and held it out so that he and Grace could see the screen.
Ethan rubbed his chin, covering his mouth to hide his surprise. He’d figured Myrna Edwards owned a python or horned toad, not a pair of hairless Chinese crested dogs, one with a Mohawk, the other wearing a polka-dot sweater. “Did you say his name was...”
“Spike,” Judge Edwards filled in. “And that is his sister, Bonbon. Aren’t they the sweetest things you’ve ever seen?”
Sure, thought Ethan, if you liked Mohawks and doggy booties and tongues that hung sideways.
Ethan stared at Myrna Edwards, wondering if he’d actually just heard her coo over her seven-pound, hairless dogs. The lines in her forehead had disappeared and her pursed lips softened like butter left too long in the sun. She went from hard-edged judge to gentle older woman in an instant. Ethan didn’t trust the transformation. Myrna Edwards had sources and an agenda. She never cooed, and she never thawed. What was her game?
Grace took the phone from Myrna and caught her laughter in a quick throat clearing. “They’re adorable.”
“Rescued them from a bad breeder near the state line. You should’ve seen how pitiful they looked when I went to pick them up.” Myrna dabbed at the edge of her eye as if the memory still upset her. “I’ll never understand people who mistreat animals.”
Ethan would never understand Myrna Edwards. How could a woman as rigid as Judge Edwards harbor a soft spot? He looked at Grace, who was smiling wistfully at the photograph of Myrna’s rescues. Was Grace buying into Judge Edwards’s charade?
“I’ll be home at five o’clock. I’ll expect to see you this evening to check Spike.” Judge Edwards took her phone from Grace. “Unless you’d like to examine him here, since you’ve used other offices as temporary exam rooms.”
Grace glanced around the room. “You bring your dogs to work?”
Judge Edwards’s smile made Ethan want to refer to her as Myrna. Almost.
Judge Edwards said, “My assistant and I converted a closet into a modified doggy day care. They tend to get anxious if I leave them alone too long.”
More likely the dog owner got too anxious without her four-legged companions beside her, Ethan decided. Myrna, the overprotective dog owner, kept glancing at the clock on the mantle and then looking toward the door. Ethan asked, “Does your assistant walk them?”
“Four times a day.” Judge Edwards checked her watch. “They should be returning in the next ten minutes.”
“We’ll wait,” Grace said, offering a smile.
“Judge Edwards, I’m not licensed to practice here.” Ethan frowned at Grace. He felt compelled to say it, even though no one seemed inclined to listen, including Myrna Edwards.
“We’re practically family.” Judge Edwards rolled her chair away from her desk and walked to a side door near the bookshelves. “I’m simply seeking your opinion, the same as I do with my second cousin Barbara who’s a cardiologist over in Missoula.”
But Ethan doubted her second cousin examined Myrna or prescribed medications. Barbara most likely listened over the phone and offered her advice for the judge to take to her own doctor.
“Do you want me to get your bag from the truck?” Grace asked.
No, he wanted to get in his truck and leave. What was Grace thinking? Was this retaliation for disappointing her? No good could come from examining Spike. Judge Edwards could report him for practicing without a license. Was that her revenge after all these years? Her final payback for a misguided boy, grieving his parents. “I need to get Grace back to Brewster’s and Katie needs me at the ranch. I’ll come by later.”
Judge Edwards took off her glasses and studied him. Her gaze once again sharp and intense. “Grace, you should get Ethan’s bag from the truck.”
Grace jumped up from her chair and fled from the room as if someone had yelled fire.
“I don’t trust you’ll come back to check on my precious boy, Day Two.”
She was right not to trust him. Ethan had no intention of going to her vampire den. He wouldn’t lose his license for Myrna’s beloved dogs. “That makes us even, Judge Edwards.”
Myrna leaned back, her eyebrows lifted. “You don’t trust me, Day Two?”
Ethan never flinched. She could be recording their conversation for all he knew. His feelings toward Judge Edwards wouldn’t be put on record.
“So be it,” she said. “But I know you, Day Two. When those two dogs enter this chamber, you won’t be able to refuse to help them. You’ve always been be
tter with animals than people.”
Grace entered, cradling Spike. His head rested on her arm and he seemed more than content not to move. Grace’s concerned gaze clashed with Ethan’s. “He walked right into the assistant’s desk and flopped down as if stunned.” Grace kissed Spike’s Mohawk.
Ethan glanced at Judge Edwards. “Does Spike bump into walls and furniture often?”
Judge Edwards moved to Grace’s side. Her voice shook, along with her hand, when she reached out to pet Spike. “It’s been happening more frequently. He stopped jumping off the bed at night. And prefers that I carry him down the steps.”
Grace’s eyes widened into a plea. Judge Edwards had been right. Ethan would’ve struggled to walk away from Spike. But he could’ve walked away.
Ethan examined Spike and asked Judge Edwards more questions. He’d moved Judge Edwards and Grace over to the sofa with Spike curled up on the thick blanket between the women. Ethan sat down on the edge of the coffee table and faced Judge Edwards. “I’m going to recommend you take Spike to an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.”
“An eye doctor,” Grace said.
Ethan nodded. “I’m not certain, but I think Spike might be suffering from a congenital eye disease that causes permanent blindness.”
Judge Edwards covered her mouth, but not before a sob escaped. “Can it be cured?”
“I’m afraid it can’t.” Tears pooled behind Judge Edwards’s glasses. Ethan leaned forward and touched her knee. “Myrna, many animals live long and happy lives without their vision. There will be an adjustment period for both you and Spike.”
Judge Edwards dabbed a tissue to her eyes. “I’d like you to treat Spike.”
“If I was Spike’s doctor, I’d send him to a specialist for a diagnosis,” Ethan said.
“And?” Judge Edwards persisted.
“And I’d run routine blood work and a urinalysis to rule out any other underlying conditions we don’t know about.” Because Myrna looked so lost, he added, “And I’d work with you at home to make sure Spike’s environment is safe and that you understand his needs going forward.”
“I would like that,” Judge Edwards said.
Grace dabbed a tissue at her own eyes and blew her nose.
What had happened? He went from wanting to cry in dread when he’d first walked into Judge Edwards’s office to sitting with two weeping women on the conversational couch, a patient curled up between them. “I can refer you to several specialists in Billings, if you’d like.”
“I’d appreciate your assistance.” Judge Edwards picked up Spike and cuddled him close to her. “Spike and Bonbon are my family. I’ll do whatever I can for them.”
Ethan stood up, helped Judge Edwards stand and went to assist Grace as well. But she was already up, having composed herself. It took another five minutes for Ethan to convince Judge Edwards that Spike would be okay, even without his eyesight. Then he spent five more minutes meeting Bonbon out in the reception area.
Finally, he and Grace climbed into his truck and headed back to Falcon Creek.
“You’re really good with the locals and their pets.” Grace’s voice had too much hope and too much speculation.
Ethan glanced at her. He had to set her straight. “I’m not interested in becoming Falcon Creek’s new Dr. Terry.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Dr. Terry’s practice.” Grace shifted away from him and looked out the window.
Except that it wasn’t focused on high-end thoroughbreds and was located in the wrong town.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“YOU SHOULD SLOW down to minimize your stress.” Ethan took Grace’s phone and turned if off before stuffing it in his back pocket. He pointed at the sign in Dr. Wilder’s waiting room that read No Cell Phones.
Grace scowled at Ethan, but let him keep her phone. She’d called Ethan that morning when she’d started spotting despite her vow to do things on her own. Despite her vow to leave Ethan alone. She’d kept her promise for two whole days after their meeting with Judge Edwards and Ethan’s declaration that he wanted nothing to do with Dr. Terry’s practice in Falcon Creek. After that, she’d wanted nothing to do with Ethan.
Until now. She needed his strong shoulders. She needed to share her worry about the baby. She didn’t want to face any problems alone just like Myrna hadn’t wanted to with little Spike. That might make her weak, but she didn’t care.
“How can you keep letting your family take advantage of you?” he asked.
“They aren’t taking advantage.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the floor.
“Yes, Grace,” he said. “Yes, they are.”
“There are things at the store only I can do.” She had value at the store. She was needed at the store. Was that so wrong?
“Sarah Ashley can manage some things.” Ethan set his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “You trained your sister really well. Trina was promoted to manager and you need to let her manage.”
“My parents are less worried when I’m involved.” And Grace had a place where she belonged. She knew what was expected of her. Knew where she stood.
“We’ve been over this. You can’t run your business and Brewster’s at the same time.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Something has to give. It’s too much for anyone to cope with.”
She’d be able to cope better if she knew what Ethan intended to do. “I don’t want to give up either.”
“It’s not healthy for you or the baby to keep pushing yourself like this.” He covered her hands she’d clutched in her lap, pulling her focus to him.
The concern in his voice and his gaze seeped into her, making her want to believe in their future together. But that wasn’t real. She couldn’t give up on her business or Brewster’s. Those were real and would support her when Ethan left. “I’m taking care of myself.”
“You only rest when you’re up at the Blackwell Ranch.”
But she went whenever he’d asked. She’d liked the extra attention and if that made her shallow like Sarah Ashley, so be it. “I sit at Brewster’s too.”
“For five minutes here and five minutes there.”
“What about you?” she challenged. “You’ve been seeing patients around town and trying to solve every problem on the ranch yourself.”
“They’re not my patients,” he said. “No one else can do what I do.”
“Then you know exactly how I feel.”
They both sat back and mimicked each other: arms crossed over their chests, stubborn expressions. They’d reached a standstill and neither one wanted to budge.
A nurse opened the door, called Grace’s name and led them back into a patient room.
“I know you mentioned you were trying to find a job somewhere else, but you should consider talking to Dr. Terry.” Grace lay back on the exam table and watched Ethan. He sat in the chair, then stood, then sat back down.
“He doesn’t return phone calls.” Ethan jumped back up and leaned against the counter, his gaze ping-ponging around the exam room.
“Of course not.” Grace folded her hands together on her lap. “You have to go to his clinic to see him in person.”
“Now that I’ve made all the new hires at the ranch, I can pursue my job options in person.”
“It can’t hurt to have a backup plan.” She stared at the picture of the beach someone had tacked to the ceiling above the exam table. But even the calm waters failed to relax her.
“What is your backup plan?” he asked. “Is it Brewster’s?”
“That’s not fair.” She tipped her head to look at him. “You know I can’t leave my family’s store.”
“No, I don’t know that.” He moved to the other side of the room, turned the water on and off in the sink. “Why can’t you leave if it’s what’s best for you?”
“Is it best for you or m
e if I leave Brewster’s?” she asked.
“This isn’t about me.”
“But it is,” she countered. “If I leave Brewster’s, you’ll think I’ll leave Falcon Creek.”
“What is wrong with leaving Falcon Creek?”
“What is wrong with staying in Falcon Creek?”
Dr. Wilder stepped into the room, greeted Grace and introduced herself to Ethan. She ran through Grace’s cramps and spotting, making notes. Ethan stepped outside for part of the exam, but Dr. Wilder invited him back in for the ultrasound.
He’d held Grace’s hand when Dr. Wilder let him hear the baby’s heartbeat. He grabbed both her hands when Dr. Wilder pointed out the baby on the screen.
When Dr. Wilder declared the baby healthy and her pregnancy progressing as expected, Ethan kissed her cheek. The same way Grace had seen her father kiss her mother’s cheek over the years. With the same tenderness and affection she’d always craved from a partner. In that moment, in that one dangerous moment, Grace fell under the spell and believed they’d be okay.
* * *
ETHAN WASN’T SURE whose heartbeat was still echoing in his head: the baby’s or his own. In Dr. Wilder’s office, everything inside him had raced like wildfire until he’d touched Grace. Until he’d curled his fingers around hers. Then, he’d quieted and absorbed the moment.
He was still in the moment.
He’d stepped outside to give Grace a chance to get dressed and the nurse had given him the ultrasound picture. He’d tucked it in his front shirt pocket, next to his heart. Had his own father felt such awe with each one of his children? What about his mother?
The thought now of leaving Grace and the baby behind made his chest hurt. Yet staying was an impossibility given his predicament. He’d hired the few extra staff at the Blackwell Ranch and Sarah Ashley’s friends were booking rooms at a rate that surprised him. He’d brought the credit line at the Billings Bank and Trust current and stopped the seizure of the livestock. He’d solved the problems he’d promised to fix. So, all he had to do was finally start to build his professional career like he’d always wanted. Always envisioned.
The Rancher's Rescue Page 20
