“I think the person who might have suffered the most trauma when I was growing up was you,” Jamie said. “You were exhausted, working multiple jobs and never sleeping to make sure we’d be okay. I had it easy. All I had to do was go to school.”
His brother was right. Wes had paved the way for him. For both of them. He’d made it work. A weight seemed to lift off his shoulders and drift away into the mist over the river.
“And I’m okay, bro,” Jamie assured him. “I’m not going to fall apart just because I quit my job.”
“Why did you quit, then?”
“I had a racist, bigoted boss and a bunch of coworkers trying hard to be just like him. If I didn’t get out of there, I’d have punched someone.”
Wes laughed. “That’s the result of your upbringing, in all those tough neighborhoods.”
Jamie shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe you just raised a decent human being who stands up for what he believes in. Anyway, I’ve got an interview at a really cool financial group that gives loans to small businesses. I think I might fit better there.”
Relief had Wes throwing his arm around Jamie’s shoulders. “I’m sure you will.”
Jamie hugged him back and then let go so they could get around a lamppost. “But if I don’t like that job, or I want to shift careers, or even drop everything and travel the world, I don’t want you to panic. You’re not responsible for me anymore. We both made it through and we’re going to be just fine. You can go back to Tiny Town in the middle of nowhere and relax.”
Wes looked out over the river. A tourist boat puttered by, the guide’s voice a blurry drone from this distance. Big Ben towered over the spires of Westminster Abbey just ahead of them. And Jamie didn’t need him anymore.
The freedom was strangely bittersweet. Wes had never resented raising Jamie. He hadn’t had a lot of time to sit back and enjoy it, but his role as a big brother and guardian had defined him. It had given him an identity and made him who he was. Now it was time to let that go and just be Wes Marlow, small-town vet.
After witnessing the action and excitement of London, that idea should seem boring. But it didn’t. He wanted to see a little more of this great city, but he couldn’t wait to get back home.
They’d reached Saint James Park. “Are you ready to meet the Queen?” Jamie asked.
“Is she receiving hicks from Tiny Town today?”
“She’s got a special knighthood prepared for you. Something about brotherly love. And horses.”
“Come on.” Wes tossed his empty coffee cup in a trash can, suddenly jubilant. He’d been worried about his brother for so many years, but now he had permission to let go. He took off running up the manicured path toward the lake. “I’ll race you.”
“You’ll never win, old guy,” Jamie challenged and sprinted past Wes toward the lake in the center of the park.
Wes jogged after him, laughing. Jamie was right. They were all grown up, and they were both going to be just fine.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE DAY PROMISED perfect spring weather when Emily stepped out of her back door and made her way across the dewy grass toward Fancy’s stable. Rosalind and Beatrice were already up and about, grazing in the far corner. Fancy was still in her shelter, standing with her weight on three legs, her back right cocked and resting.
“Fancy,” Emily called softly, not wanting to startle the sleepy horse. Fancy was getting stronger every day since her colic scare. It had taken Emily, Maya and Annie hours of walking her after they dosed the mare with medication that day, but the colic had passed. Now, five days later, Fancy was eating well, as if nothing had happened.
Except things had happened. Wes had walked away when she needed him. And even if Emily shouldn’t resent him for going to help his brother, she did.
Fancy Face looked up with sleepy eyes when Emily approached the window of her shelter. It was early, but Emily had a busy day ahead and wanted to get into the clinic early. Now that Wes was gone, she had so much to do. How had she ever gotten it all done alone before he came to work with her?
The problem was Wes had gotten her used to free time. She’d loved her days off to spend with Fancy, or to help out at the wildlife center, or to take long walks with Rex and Mavis. Now that she’d experienced a more balanced life, it was hard to face the long days of endless work ahead of her. Wes had changed her, possibly for the better. But now she had to hire someone else to work with her.
Unless Wes came back. But she’d hung up on him. Would he want to come back? He’d most likely find a way to live near his brother, since Jamie was clearly the first priority in his life.
Would she even want him back? He’d dropped everything, including her, when she was panicking, to go see his brother. It felt like an echo of the past, even though she knew, logically, that it was a totally different situation. But still, his departure felt uncomfortably familiar.
Fancy poked her head through the window in her shelter and nickered at Emily.
“Hey, good girl, you’re awake.” Emily went to greet her horse, marveling at Fancy’s new confidence. The mare stuck her nose right up to Emily’s ear and blew warm horsey breath all over her face. She even let Emily run her hands down her face and over her cheeks, and kiss her on her pink, spotted nose. Her blue eyes looked clear and calm. “You are doing so well,” Emily told her. “I’m so proud of you.”
Emily unhooked the latch on the shed next to the shelter and pulled a couple of flakes of hay off the bale. She scooped a few alfalfa cubes and poured them into a feed bucket. It was a testament to Fancy’s new lease on life that the horse tried to grab the bucket out of Emily’s hands before she could hook it in place.
“Hang on, Fancy Face,” Emily said, using her shoulder to block Fancy’s enquiring muzzle. “Or should I start calling you Bossy Pants?”
Fancy backed off and Emily broke up the hay for her, then left the mare to her feast. She grabbed some more hay and brought it out to the metal basket feeder near where Rosalind and Beatrice were nibbling grass. The two sheep were less pushy than Fancy, waiting politely while she shook their hay into the feeder. She ran her fingers through their thick wool. “You two are going to need a haircut soon.”
“They’re looking good.”
Emily looked up to see Bobby by the fence near Fancy’s shelter. “Hey!” She waved him over. “Come in and see your sheep.”
He came through the gate and strode toward her, his feet clumping in rain boots that came all the way up to his knees. “Fair Emily, good morrow,” he said. “And Rosalind and Beatrice, nice to see you ladies, too.” Rosalind looked up at her owner, her black face a study in bland sheep-like disinterest. She regarded Bobby for a moment while she chewed her hay, then turned back to the feeder for another bite. “Ah, the unflappable nature of sheep,” Bobby said. “It’s one of the reasons I enjoy them so much.”
“They seem happy,” Emily said. “How do they look to you?”
“Blissful,” Bobby said. “Out here in the peace and quiet of their own pasture, spending their days comforting their dear friend, Fancy. I have never known two happier sheep than Rosalind and Beatrice.”
“You make it all sound so poetic,” Emily teased him.
“What is life without poetry, fair Emily?” And then he sobered. “I came by to see how you were doing. I heard your young apprentice has left town.”
Emily nodded. “You know he was never my apprentice, right? He’s a highly educated, talented veterinarian who was considering working with me.”
There was a mischievous twinkle in Bobby’s eye, and he tugged once on his long ponytail, a gesture that seemed to be a habit for him. “I am aware of who he is. I also know that he was once your true love but abandoned you many years ago. I figured, after he strode back into town and into your life, that it might be good to take him down a peg or two. Thus, the word apprentice.” He grinned. “If he retur
ns, shall I continue the nickname?”
“You can call him my apprentice for as long as you like. If he ever comes back.” It was a sweet and odd show of loyalty.
“He’ll come back, Emily. Or, if he doesn’t, he isn’t nearly as intelligent as he pretends to be.”
Emily smiled. It was funny who became your unexpected allies during rough times. “Thanks, Bobby.”
“You don’t need him, you know. You’re a great veterinarian. This town is lucky to have you. It would be nice to have a second vet, just so we don’t wear you out, but the ranchers around here respect you.”
“How do you know that?”
“I keep my ear to the ground.”
A funny image of quirky Bobby, roaming Shelter Creek with his head tipped down low had Emily suppressing a laugh. He was such a nice man. “I appreciate that. I really do.”
They went to check on Fancy, and Emily was thrilled when the mare let Bobby approach. Fancy even put her nose out to snuffle his curled knuckles. They’d made so much progress with her in a short time. So much of it was thanks to Wes and his guidance. Emily just hoped she could continue to help the horse without Wes around. For a moment she could picture him so clearly, standing by the fence, the brim of his cowboy hat tipped up, while he watched her work with Fancy. How could she go forward knowing she might never see him like that again?
One day at a time. One step, then another. Just like she’d done the last time Wes left Shelter Creek. It wasn’t easy but it would have to be enough.
Bobby left for the feedstore and Emily got ready for work, reflecting on the rancher’s words. Bobby’s visit reminded her that she had a good life here in Shelter Creek, surrounded by people who liked and respected her. After so many years of effort, the ranchers around here trusted her. She needed to focus on her work and on being an active part of this community, and stop worrying about when and if Wes would come back home.
If only her heart didn’t hurt quite so much...
* * *
“FRED, ARE YOU HERE?” Emily walked toward Fred Corrigan’s barn and then stopped. Something was different. The air was clear. Of course it still smelled a bit like cow, but it was so much better than it had been on her last visit. Peeking into the barn, she saw clean floors freshly hosed down. There were no cows in sight. Fred must have sent them all out to pasture to enjoy this sunny, breezy day.
“Can I help you?”
Emily turned toward the voice to see a woman wearing overalls and muddy boots come around the corner of the barn. She had her brown hair in long braids crowned by a floppy pink felt hat that had seen better days. She was pretty, with a sun-kissed face, pert nose and wide blue eyes.
“I’m Emily Fielding. The veterinarian. I stopped by to see how Fred was doing.” The truth was, she’d stopped by to distract herself. She had a rare free hour in the middle of the day. Wes would have told her to use it to relax, to run home and visit Fancy or to grab a sandwich with him at the Redwood Deli.
The other woman was looking at her quizzically and Emily realized she’d completely drifted off into her own thoughts. She brought her hand to her forehead. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long week. Can you tell me your name again?”
“I’m Greta Corrigan. Fred’s daughter.”
“You have goats,” Emily said. “I’ve heard of you.”
“Greta’s Goats. Which has now relocated to this property.”
“You’re taking over the dairy cattle, as well?”
Greta gave a rueful smile. “As much as dad will let me. He’s barking orders from his rocking chair on the porch every time I walk by. That’s why I was sneaking around behind the barn just now.”
It was the first time Emily had really laughed since Wes left, and it felt good. “I don’t blame you. Your father can be a handful.” She gestured to the barn. “The place looks so much better.”
“We’ve got a few good hands working for us now. And I run a clean dairy, whether I’m milking goats or cows.”
“Well, I was just stopping by to check on things. Last time I was here, I was pretty worried.”
“Ah,” Greta said. “You’re the one who called Annie Brooks and her husband and all the other folks who came to my dad’s rescue.”
Emily nodded. “I had to do something.”
“I’m grateful to you. I hadn’t realized things had gotten so bad here.”
“It’s hard when our parents get older.” Emily remembered her father looking so pale in his hospital bed just a few weeks ago. “It puts us in a difficult position.”
“Is that the young lady veterinarian?”
Emily turned to see Fred stumping along with his cane. He still wore his cowboy hat and jeans, but Emily could see that his shirt was clean and pressed. Having his daughter home was good for him.
“Young lady veterinarian?” Greta glanced at Emily, a worried expression on her face. “He calls you that?”
Emily nodded. “Good morning, Fred.”
“Good morning, young lady. I don’t recall phoning you. I hope you’re not charging us for this visit.”
“No, this is a social call. I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Fred stopped in front her. “You’re not spying for that meddling Annie Brooks again, are you?”
“Dad!” Greta came to stand beside Emily. “Annie helped you out a lot. And she got me to move back here to help out, too. So please don’t give Emily a hard time. She did the right thing, letting Annie know that you were falling behind with the chores.”
Fred looked puzzled, like he wasn’t used to having his rants contradicted. “Well, I suppose things are looking a little cleaner around here. And it’s nice to have my daughter home.” He turned to Emily. “Young lady, perhaps I owe you my gratitude.”
“I appreciate that,” Emily said. “I’d also like it if you didn’t call me young lady anymore. You may call me Emily. Or Dr. Fielding, if that makes you more comfortable. But I’m not that young and I spend all my days around animals, so I’m not sure I’m much of a lady, either.”
Fred’s mouth opened, closed, then opened again. Finally he nodded once. “Okay, then, Dr. Fielding. I’ll wish you good day.”
He turned on his heel and stumped off, heading for his house.
“Well done,” Greta said. “If I’ve learned one thing about my father, it’s that you have to stand up to him, very firmly and very clearly. Once he learns that he can’t push you around, he’s actually not a bad guy.”
Emily nodded, not sure what she thought about that. Fred not might be a bad guy, but she doubted he’d ever be a very pleasant one.
“You know, he was talking about you the other day. He said you got cattle exams and vaccinations done faster than any vet he’s worked with. And that you taught him how to manage his pastures in winter so there’s less mud and the cattle’s hooves stay healthier. For all his ‘young lady’ nonsense, he thinks you’re a great veterinarian.”
“That’s good to know.” And a gratifying surprise. Emily had assumed she’d be sending Wes out here to deal with Fred Corrigan in the future, but maybe it would be okay to handle this place on her own. She always had before, and with Greta in charge, it would be a lot more fun. “I’d better get going. Let me know if you need anything. I don’t know if you have a vet you’ve used in the past, but I’m local and happy to help.”
“My vet is out on the coast and a ways south of here,” Greta said. “Plus, it will be nice to work with a woman.”
“Likewise.”
Emily got into her truck feeling better than she had since Wes left. She’d stood up to Fred and helped to get his daughter home. Overall, she’d changed his life for the better. She hadn’t let her own resentment of her grumpy client win.
And then it hit her. She might have done well with Fred Corrigan but what about Wes? She stared at the road ahead in dismay. He’d needed to
see his brother and she’d overreacted. She’d let her resentment win with him. Shame curled in the pit of her stomach.
She’d known, deep down, that she was perfectly capable of handling Fancy’s colic and that she had other people she could rely on. Her quarrel hadn’t really ever been about Fancy. It had been about wanting Wes to choose her over his brother. She’d been selfish and caught up in her past hurt, using his situation with his brother to take out her old pain on him.
She needed to put that pain to rest and understand that Wes had come back to her, grown and changed. She had to forgive him for running away when they were young if they were going to have any kind of future together now. If she couldn’t trust him, or believe in him, they were both wasting their time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
WES SET THE bag of pastries and the extra large cup of coffee on Emily’s desk at the clinic. Next to it he put the mason jar of delicate flowers he’d purchased at the flower shop yesterday evening when he drove into town. The curving stalks and the pale pink and purple petals reminded him of Emily—pretty, soothing and a little untamed. It was just a small gesture, but he had to start somewhere.
No one else was here yet. He’d made sure to arrive before Lily, even. He had a feeling that Emily would be keeping early hours since she’d been working on her own. Hopefully, they could talk before any of the other employees got here.
Back in the treatment area he found Rex’s bed. Someone had shoved it in the supply closet, and Wes put it back on the floor in Rex’s favorite spot. Rex rolled over for a belly rub, and Wes obliged. When he’d gone to London he’d left Rex with Maya and Caleb. According to Maya, Rex had slept by their front door every night, waiting for Wes to come get him.
It was good to be back at work. Everything in the clinic was well stocked and neat as a pin, a tribute to Molly’s and Dan’s constant cleaning and organization. The air smelled like disinfectant. A peek into the hospital area showed Wes that they’d had no overnight visitors.
Second Chance Cowboy--A Clean Romance Page 21
