The delicious smell of grilled burgers and greasy fries drifted through the air as she cut through the parking lot of the diner. Mostly trucks and a few cars filled the lot. The lunch rush hour must not be over. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to wait too long.
Lori had almost reached the front door when a truck honked repeatedly. She turned her head at the annoying sound.
“Lori Emerson,” a female voice shouted from the vehicle, waving at her.
Lori scrunched her forehead, then recognition dawned at the same time her heart did a little leap in her chest and adrenaline rushed through her system. Raine Taggart, Mason’s sister. She raised a tentative hand, waved back, and plastered a smile on her face.
“Are you here for lunch?” Raine pulled the truck up alongside her.
“I am. I heard it was a good place for a burger or a sandwich.”
Raine’s warm smile was infectious. “It’s the best place in town. If you’re alone, mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.”
When someone pulled out right in front of the building, Raine steered her truck around and parked. She wore blue nurse’s pants and a scrub top that was imprinted with teddy bears of all different colors. She opened the door to the establishment and glanced over her shoulder.
“I hope there’s a seat. It looks busy.”
“If it is, I may have to find someplace else to grab a bite. I have to be back for office calls by two thirty.” Lori’s eyes roamed the busy dining room.
“Me, too. I usually call ahead and order something, but this was a last-minute decision to come here when I saw you walking up the street.”
Lori raised her brows at Raine, who scanned the room for a table. She pointed to the corner in the back.
“Looks like we’re in luck.” Raine skirted around several tables and slid into the seat of the booth. Lori sat opposite her.
“You decided to come here because you saw me?”
Raine nodded. “Being new to town, I figured you don’t know very many people and could use the company.”
Lori smiled. “That’s the understatement of the week,” she mumbled. She reached for one of the menus in the menu holder on the table and scanned through the list of items.
“What’s good here?”
“Pretty much everything. Depends what you’re in the mood for. I prefer the turkey club sandwich myself.”
A waitress came and took their orders. “You don’t usually stay to eat, Raine.”
Raine smiled at the woman. “Evie Denton, I’d like you to meet Lori Emerson. She’s the new veterinarian that Doc Johnson hired.” Looking at Lori, she added. “Evie owns this place.”
Lori raised her hand, which the older woman shook. Evie Denton tilted her head slightly, looking at her with an appraising eye.
“New vet, huh?” There was obviously more she wanted to say, but she cleared her throat and took their orders. It wasn’t hard to guess that she wanted to comment about Mason.
Lori inhaled slowly. She smiled at Raine across the table. Ironically, the only person who didn’t seem to have a problem with her being the new vet who had taken Mason Taggart’s place, was his sister. Raine Taggart was friendly and easy to like.
“So, you work in the medical field, too?”
Raine glanced at her teddy bear scrubs. “I’m a nurse. I work for Dr. Howell, the pediatrician in town.”
Lori laughed. “Children. I can only imagine the chaos.”
Raine nodded and joined her in laughter. “Probably about as chaotic as working with animals all day long.”
“The animals seem to be easier to win over than their owners.” Lori cringed. That had come out a bit harsh.
The look in Raine’s eyes was filled with understanding. “Give it time. People here are set in their ways, but it’s a good community.” She sipped from her water glass. “Doc Johnson’s clients were a bit leery of Mason at first after he came back from vet school and was actually a practicing vet.”
Lori stared across the table. “Really? I find that hard to believe.”
Raine nodded. “It’s true. I have no doubt it’s much harder for you, though. He did have it going for him that he grew up here and people knew him, plus he’s worked for Doc Johnson since he was sixteen. I’m sure once everyone gets to know you and sees that you’re a good vet, they will come around. They can’t expect Doc Johnson to be around forever. He really wants to retire.”
Lori mentally shook her head and swallowed her apprehension. Tomorrow she’d have to make farm calls. That thought alone sent a shiver down her spine. Thinking about it constantly would only make her anxiety about it worse.
“How’s your brother? I still need to thank him for his help in diagnosing that pig the other day. I don’t know what I would have done. That one really had me stumped. I don’t have very much experience with farm animals.” It was easy to talk to Raine, and it felt good to confide in someone, at least with part of the truth.
Raine’s brows furrowed in a perplexed frown. There was a question in her eyes, but she seemed to hold back from asking it. The entire truth would come out soon enough. Hopefully before it did, Lori could get over her fear of large animals.
“Mason is still recovering from his accident,” Raine said slowly. “I think his mental recovery is going to take a lot longer. He’s determined to walk again, but I have a feeling he believes he never will.”
“What are his chances?”
Raine shrugged. “They’re not sure. The doctors are telling him there’s a good chance for him to regain full use of his legs. They’re fairly certain he has an incomplete spinal cord injury, so there is hope.”
Lori nodded. “Anterior cord syndrome can result in complete recovery.”
Raine shot her a surprised look. “You’re familiar with human neurology?”
Lori held up her hand and began counting off on her fingers. “My father is a heart surgeon, my mother is a vascular surgeon, my brother is an orthopedic surgeon, my sister-in-law is a psychologist, and two of my cousins are internists. I grew up in a house full of doctors.”
Raine whistled. “Wow! No kidding. And here you are, a veterinarian.”
Lori scoffed. “I wanted to do something different. My parents weren’t happy when I applied to vet school rather than to medical school.” She laughed. “Let’s just say, I was going through a rebellious phase, but it’s made me the black sheep in the family.”
Raine offered a sympathetic look and a nod. “Any regrets?”
Lori hesitated. “I think veterinary medicine is ten times more challenging than human medicine. You have to know the diseases of dozens of different species, and your patients can’t talk and let you know where it hurts. But trying to convince my family that I’m just as legitimate in my profession as they are in theirs is an uphill battle.”
“I think you’re right. I hope your family sees it, too.”
Evie came back with their sandwiches, preventing further discussion on the topic, at least for the moment. It wasn’t a favorite topic to talk about. In a way, Lori’s family was no different than the clients in Burnt River. She’d always have a challenge convincing others that she was competent in her chosen profession.
First, she had to convince herself, though, and regain her confidence after what had happened in Denver. She’d already been an embarrassment to her parents for not following tradition and instead seeking a profession they deemed far inferior. She’d further embarrassed them with her internship fiasco.
“How would you like to come to the ranch after work for a bite to eat?”
Lori raised her head to stare at Raine. Her new friend’s out-of-the-blue question at least brought her back to the present instead of dwelling on her other problems. She blinked and shook her head at the unexpected invitation
Raine smiled. “Nothing formal. I’ve invited some of Mason’s friends to stop by for a little get-together. He doesn’t know it, yet.” She winked.
“I’m not one of Mason’s friend
s, though.”
It would be nice to get out of the little apartment and actually socialize with people, but to show up at a gathering among friends where she was the stranger wasn’t her first choice. “I’m not even a colleague, really.”
“It would give you a chance to update my brother in person about the pig’s condition,” Raine coaxed. “I realize it’s a bit awkward when you don’t know anyone, but you know me, and I think you’ll like my sister-in-law, Alley. I think you two will get along really well.”
Maybe this was a turning point in getting to know people in Burnt River. Raine was nice and extremely personable, even with her strong character. She was assertive without being pushy. Lori laughed silently. Making friends with the family of the man whom she’d replaced seemed rather ironic.
“What makes you say we’d get along well? Is she a vet, too?”
Raine shook her head. “No, but you two both have the academic background, and I’m sure you’ll find lots to talk about. She comes from the research side of medicine. Biomedical engineering and biochemistry.”
Lori’s eyes widened. “Impressive. What’s she doing in a little town like Burnt River? Or is there a research facility nearby?”
“I guess she got tired of the big city.”
It sounded as if she and Alley Taggart did have things in common, and not just the academics. Burnt River seemed to be the right place to escape from the pressures of the outside world. It was remote enough to get away from the troubles of the big city.
Lori bit into her sandwich. When she raised her head to glance across the table, Raine looked at her, no doubt waiting for an answer.
“All right. I’ll come. The clinic closes at six, but I’ll more than likely be there at least until seven to finish up with patients and charts.”
Raine beamed. “Great. It’ll be fun.”
“I’ll need directions to your ranch.”
“Are you two talking about our little party for Mason?”
Lori startled and almost knocked over her lemonade. A man had come up to the table, placed his hands on the edge, and leaned over. He glanced from Raine to her, then back to Raine, a wide grin on his face. In the next instant, he slid into the seat with Raine, forcing her to scoot over against the wall.
“Jerry Cooper, you’re not invited here right now. It’s enough that I have to put up with you at the house tonight.”
Raine glared at the newcomer. He wore faded jeans, a dirty white t-shirt, and a cowboy hat, which he removed to reveal overgrown sandy-blond hair. His grin widened at her words.
“I saw you sitting here and thought I’d join you for a moment to let you know I got the beer for tonight and I’m on my way out to Jackson’s place to pick up fresh steaks. Boone said to let you know he’d be there around seven to help Shane with the barbeque.” He paused, then glanced at Lori. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Raine rolled her eyes. “Jerry Cooper, Lori Emerson. Doctor Lori Emerson to you.”
Jerry Cooper whistled. “Doctor, huh?” He eyed her with renewed interest and let his gaze wander over her. Lori sat up straighter, narrowing her eyes on him. If he wasn’t a fully-grown man, it was easy to imagine a rude teenager sitting there, making eyes at her.
“Yes, doctor.” Raine’s growing annoyance was evident in her tone. “Now leave. This is a private lunch.”
Jerry didn’t seem concerned by her blunt remark. His grin remained, but he slid out from the seat, grabbed his hat, and faced the table one more time.
“I’ll see you tonight, Raine. I hope your doctor friend will be there, too.”
“Highly unlikely, now that she’s met you.”
Jerry bowed, put his hat on, and did an about-face, then swaggered to the front of the diner. He spoke to Evie Denton for a moment, who handed him a paper bag. He glanced over his shoulder one more time toward Raine, then walked out of the diner.
“Your boyfriend?” Lori smiled at the disgusted look on Raine’s face.
“At one point, when I was fourteen, I was hoping he’d be my boyfriend. As you can see, he hasn’t grown up. So, no. Definitely not my boyfriend. But, he’s Mason’s friend, which means I have to put up with him.”
Lori laughed. The camaraderie between the people in this town was almost palpable. Most folks seemed to know each other, and they were friendly, except to newcomers who tried to become members of the community. Meeting Raine was certainly a step in the right direction to possible acceptance.
“If this get-together this evening is for Mason, why doesn’t he know about it?”
Raine sucked on the straw of her diet soda, then sat up straighter. “He needs to get back into socializing and a normal routine. All he seems to do these days is work out with weights or spend his time alone, playing his guitar. He used to be outgoing, but he hasn’t wanted to meet with any of his friends since he’s come home. I’m simply trying to nudge him back in that direction.”
Lori nodded. “I can understand why he’d be depressed. Losing the ability to walk has got to be devastating.”
“He doesn’t say it, and he puts on a good act, but it’s killing him.” Raine’s eyes clouded over with worry. “And what’s really killing him is that he can’t go back to work. Or at least, he’s got it stuck in his head that he can’t go back to work.”
Lori raised her glass of lemonade to her lips. She wouldn’t be here right now if it hadn’t been for Mason’s unfortunate accident. She set the glass down and pushed her plate out of the way. Resting her arms on the table, she looked at Mason’s sister.
“I don’t see why he wouldn’t still be able to practice his profession and see patients. I mean, he had that case with the pig diagnosed quicker than it took me to choose a volume of one of my school books to find an answer.”
Raine sniggered. “Mason’s always preferred to be out in the field, making ranch calls. Large animals are his true passion.”
Lori picked up her drink again. She used the straw to swirl the ice cubes in the glass. Dr. Johnson had said pretty much the same thing earlier.
“Large animals might be a bit more difficult in his condition,” she mumbled, while an idea formed in her mind.
Chapter 6
“I can’t believe you did this without asking me first.”
Mason scowled at his sister, who stood in front of his wheelchair with her hands on her hips. He broke eye contact with her to glance out the French doors leading to the backyard patio.
Boone Macklin and Jerry Cooper were standing with Shane by the barbeque, laughing and sipping on their beers. There had been a time not too long ago when he would have been right in the middle of their discussions. They’d had some good ones while standing over a hot flame, searing steaks. Several other old friends sat outside, enjoying the balmy August evening.
“Come on Mason, you know you’re glad to see your friends.” Raine glared at him. “Especially since you’ve been moping around in your room for days.”
Mason gritted his teeth. “I haven’t been moping. I’ve been busting my butt keeping in shape and getting ready for the PT next week.”
“You need a little more than just a PT,” Raine mumbled. Mason glared at her.
“I can’t think of a single thing.”
Raine’s hands shot to her hips. “I can think of several, and they’re all outside, waiting for you to join them and have a good time like you used to.”
“I wish you’d mind your own business, Raine.”
Mason wheeled around her, cursing under his breath. It had been so much easier at Shane’s wedding. He’d been able to laugh and mingle with his friends as if nothing had changed. He’d clung to the hope that he’d be walking again by the time his rehab was finished. It hadn’t worked out that way. The more time passed and he hadn’t at least regained some feeling in his lower extremities, the less likely it was that it would ever come back.
No matter how much time he spent in physical therapy, he had to come to terms with the possibility th
at he would always be paralyzed. Maybe Raine was right, and he needed to go socialize and have a few drinks. With some alcohol in his system he might stop thinking about his uncertain future.
Raine was the only one who went out of her way to tell him to get out of the house and do the things he used to enjoy. She’d been relentless in the week since he’d been home. At least Shane and Alley had left him alone to readjust to life at the ranch, even though they’d cast worried looks his way, too. None of them could possibly understand what it was like, staring out at the barns, knowing he couldn’t go out there and be useful. It was driving him mad.
“Doc Johnson wanted me to tell you he’s sorry he couldn’t make it,” Raine called after him as Mason headed for the patio. “He had to go to Missoula for a few days to visit his sister. He’s looking forward to seeing you soon after he gets back.” There was a slight pause before she added, “Lori Emerson said she’d be here, though.”
Mason stopped before he reached the double-wide French doors, and turned the wheelchair around to face his sister. Lori Emerson? This evening couldn’t get any worse. He’d only seen the cute vet once, for no more than ten minutes, but he’d had plenty of free time to allow thoughts of her to plague him relentlessly for the past two days.
The only reason she’d even been on his mind at all was because she’d taken his lifelong dream from him. Mason shook his head. No, that wasn’t fair. She wasn’t responsible for his paralysis. She was the one taking his place, however, doing the job he should be doing.
Anger was the furthest emotion from his mind, though, whenever his thoughts wandered to the day he’d met her. Despite her white lab coat, the skirt, and the high heels, he’d been instantly infatuated. It didn’t make any sense. Other than the lab coat, what vet wore that kind of get-up at work?
She was an attractive woman despite her youthful appearance. It only took a closer look to appreciate how attractive she really was, but he’d been drawn to more than just her curvy legs. No doubt fresh out of vet school, she was unsure of herself and she’d been rather flustered by the pig. She’d seemed genuinely grateful for his help, which he shouldn’t have given without asking first.
Mason's Rescue Page 5
