Taming Wes: BOOK THREE|BILLINGSLEY SERIES

by Ellen, Melissa

  “That is sad. Especially knowing they’re your favorite… What about now?”

  “Ha!” I scoffed, jokingly. “Not sure my half-acre lot in the middle of town is the best place for one either.”

  “You can always keep it at my place. We have plenty of room.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I couldn’t ask that of you.”

  “You didn’t. I offered,” he pointed out. “And what are friends for, if not to give you free stabling for your horse? My bed is also open, if you ever need a place to stay. As friends, of course,” he teased.

  “Wes,” I warned, playfully narrowing my eyes at him.

  Every time he smiled at me with that wide grin, I felt my heart rate pick up. I ignored the thudding in my chest and shook my head in amusement, cranking up Judah & the Lion’s “Suit and Jacket,” desperate to drown out the voice in my head saying maybe I’d been hasty to suggest we only be friends.

  Wes turned off the highway onto a small country road. Within minutes of the turn, we were slowing to a stop outside an old white barn that needed a fresh coat of paint.

  After slipping my feet back into my flip-flops, I opened the door and slid from the seat. The chill in the air nipped at my toes, and I hated to admit I should’ve listened to Wes about putting on a different pair of shoes. In my defense, I had no idea he’d be taking me for a joyride across the state at the time. It had very little to do with my being stubborn and rebellious.

  Wes met me at the side of the truck, taking my hand in his as he walked beside me to the pens, where a beautiful American quarter horse was being held.

  “Is that her?” I asked, trying my best to ignore how natural and perfect it felt for him to hold my hand the way he was.

  I should remove it.

  Put some acceptable space between us.

  Blurring the lines of our friendship was only going to make things more difficult for me. I was having a hard-enough time putting aside my growing feelings for the man. A man I knew was only physically available.

  Wes released my hand as we neared the metal pipe fence. I gripped the top rail, stepping up on the bottom rail so I could get a better look at her. Wes smirked as he looked over at me. Even with the boost, he still towered over me. I gave him a warning look as he opened his mouth, knowing a wisecrack about my height was on the tip of his tongue.

  “Wes Monroe?” a deep, gruff voice asked.

  We both looked behind us at the stocky, balding guy striding our way. His protruding belly and chest heaved; he looked winded from the walk he’d just made. I glanced around, wondering where he’d come from to be that sweaty and worn out.

  “Yes, sir,” Wes replied, shaking the man’s hand. “Thanks again for letting me come see her today.”

  “No problem. Just hope you didn’t waste a trip. Billingsley is a long way from here.”

  “That it is, but so far so good.” Wes looked back over at the prospective filly. “She looks like a healthy horse.”

  I followed his gaze, watching her strut in circles around her pen. She was a beautiful rich brown with a shiny black mane. Her only markings were black stockings on all four legs. Lily was going to love her.

  “How’s her temperament?” Wes asked, reclaiming his previous spot beside me at the fence.

  “She’s as calm as they come. She’ll be great for your niece. She may be young, but she’s trained and been broke in plenty. Ridden by my own grandkids,” the old man said, sidling up to the fence on the other side of Wes.

  “What do ya think, Doc?” Wes asked, nudging my shoulder with his as he rested one boot on the bottom rail.

  “She’s gorgeous. Mind if I take a closer look?” I asked the man.

  “Clark Thomas, meet Dr. Devin Chaplin,” Wes said, adding a late introduction.

  Clark’s eyes widened slightly, as if he was just noticing me for the first time. “Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Chaplin.” He offered me a pudgy hand. I shook it and then discreetly wiped the dampness he’d left on my palm down the side of my jeans. “And of course. Have at it.” He jutted his chin toward the horse.

  I jumped down from my spot as he opened the gate. I was immediately chiding myself again for not putting on a pair of boots. Wes followed me inside the pen, allowing me to take the lead in inspecting the horse up close.

  She’d definitely been broken in. There was no hesitance on her part. She immediately strode toward us, nudging and sniffing at our hands.

  “She’s looking for carrots,” Clark chuckled from the fence line. “Afraid that’s my grandkids’ doing. Now she expects anyone coming to visit her will have some for her.”

  I smiled, running my hand over her neck. “Sorry, girl. No carrots today.”

  I continued to pet her before moving my hand to the mandibular artery, just under her jaw. I took her heart rate, making sure there were no signs of a murmur. I gave her as thorough a checkup as I could without my kit.

  Wes kept her calm, brushing his hand alongside her neck as I worked.

  “Well, what’s the final verdict, Doc?” he asked.

  “She’s healthy. In great shape. Perfect really, as far as I can tell.”

  Wes smiled at me before turning his head. “Looks like you got yourself a deal, Clark,” he hollered.

  “Well, hot damn!” Clark fired back, slapping his knee with a loud smack.

  The two men shook hands in agreement before Wes was saddling her up to take her for a short ride in the open field.

  While Wes rode her, I hung out with Clark at another pen, where his men worked with a beautiful, black stallion.

  “What’s wrong with him?” I asked as I watched the horse rear up on his back legs, kicking his front hooves outward in agitation. He grunted and snarled like he was ready to charge the trainers.

  “He’s been running hot since the day he got here.”

  “Is he sick? He seems irritable.”

  He chuckled. “There’s nothing wrong with this one physically. He’s just strong-willed and stubborn as hell. Not a fan of being roped or penned up.”

  Sounded like another stallion I knew, except he had an aversion to being pinned down rather than penned up. I glanced over my shoulder in the direction Wes had disappeared to take his new horse for a run in the field.

  Clark sighed as his trainers continued to struggle. “This one here may be untamable.”

  The thought pained me more than it should. It had little to do with the horse in front of me, and more to do with the sexy man now striding toward me. I’d known it from the start. Getting close to Wes Monroe would only end in heartbreak.

  * * *

  “Safe and sound. As promised,” Wes said, shifting his truck into park next to my car.

  The expansive sky was painted black, with stars shining brightly overhead. I didn’t make a move. Wes had the heater blasting on my toes. The temperature had dropped to the low forties and I was in no hurry to leave the comfort of his truck and step out into the cold air. And secretly, I wasn’t quite ready for our road trip to end.

  “Thanks for coming with me, Doc.”

  “You didn’t exactly give me a choice,” I taunted.

  “Well, in that case, thanks for not kneeing me in the balls again.”

  I laughed and he grinned at me, giving me one of his damn winks. I wasn’t sure if I found them more charming or annoying at this point. The man was growing on me.

  “No problem,” I replied as my laughter died. “Thanks for the ride.”

  “Anytime, sweetheart,” his warm voice whispered.

  His eyes heated as they held mine. Every inch of my body burned, and it had little to do with the hot air coming from the truck’s vents. If I didn’t force myself to leave immediately, I knew things would end up going a direction I wasn’t ready for again. And I wouldn’t have the alcohol to blame this time.

  “I should go,” I breathed.

  “Your choice.”

  His words were a challenge. Friends or more... He was leaving it up to me.

/>   I gripped the handle, pulling on it to open the door before I had second thoughts. Planting my feet on the ground—literally and figuratively—I looked back at him. “Later, slick.”

  “Night, brown eyes.”

  His grin was the last thing I saw as I closed the door, hurrying to jump into my car. I blasted the heater the whole way home, with a never-ending smile on my own face.

  * * *

  Leaning back in my chair, I bit at the end of my pen as I stared at my cell phone lying face up on my desk. It was opened to my list of contacts, frozen on a very specific contact. One that started with a ‘W’ and ended with a ‘Monroe.’

  I’d not so slyly gotten his number from Hannah the other day when I stopped in their store to see her and Lottie. I tried to play it off, giving them what seemed like a legitimate reason why I needed it. They both just exchanged a knowing look.

  In hindsight, saying I needed it so he could give me a recommendation on the best place to buy boots was obvious. Especially considering who I was talking to in the moment and where I was standing.

  But shamefully, I’d become desperate. It’d been almost two weeks since our impromptu road trip. I hadn’t seen or heard from Wes since then. Though I knew it was probably for the best, I couldn’t help the disappointment I felt every day that went by with no sign of him.

  It was silly of me. There was no reason for him to call or stop by to see me. We’d agreed to be friends, nothing more. Plus, he’d basically put the ball in my court when I left him that night in his truck.

  I tossed the pen on my desk, sitting forward to pick up my phone. This was stupid. I should just call him. Friends called each other all the time.

  There was a knock on my office door. Tina cracked it open, popping her head in. “Hey, I’m headed to lunch. Want me to bring you anything back?”

  It’d become part of her daily routine lately, since I’d been choosing to work through most of my lunch breaks. I felt a little guilty, but she assured me it was no problem.

  “Oh. Um.” I glanced back at the phone in my hand, my thumb hovering over the call button. I lowered the phone and stood from my desk. “Do you mind if I come with you?”

  “Really?” The pitch of her voice went an octave higher as her eyes went wide as saucers.

  “Yeah. I mean, if you don’t mind?”

  She smiled. “Of course not! I’m just a little surprised is all. I’d love it if you came. How do you feel about Kathy’s?”

  “Sounds good to me,” I said, picking up my purse and slipping my phone inside.

  * * *

  I followed behind Tina as we walked inside the bustling diner. The aroma of fried foods, the boisterous chatter, the clinking of silverware against plates, and the clanking sounds from the kitchen all surrounded me. I immediately relaxed into the atmosphere, fond memories rushing back to me.

  I hadn’t been to Kathy’s since I was a young girl. It was a frequent stop for us during the summers I spent here. Uncle Robert would bring Jenna and me here for a treat. We’d gorge on burgers, fries, and chocolate milkshakes. From what I remembered, it was the best comfort food I’d ever had. And that was saying a lot, considering I’d grown up in Austin with some of the finest restaurants.

  Tina and I sat at one of the few open booths near the front, snatching up the menus that were propped between the salt and pepper shakers on the table.

  I perused the menu, settling on the club sandwich and fries. A few minutes later, an older woman appeared at the side of our table.

  “Afternoon, ladies,” she smiled.

  “Hey, Miss Debbie,” Tina responded, lowering her menu. “Have you met Dr. Devin Chaplin?”

  “I haven’t had the pleasure. But I’ve heard enough about her. Nice to meet you, Dr. Chaplin.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

  I blushed. Unfortunately, after my outburst in Ida’s, my reputation had continued to precede me. “Nice to meet you, Miss Debbie.”

  With a single nod of acknowledgement, she pulled out the pencil tucked behind her ear. “Are you two ready to order?”

  We both nodded in response before giving our orders. Tina and I chatted as we waited for our food. She was great company, and I hadn’t realized what little effort I’d made to get to know her since starting work.

  I admitted that to her and apologized for not doing so. She brushed it off and told me she understood I was just busy settling in. But I made a promise that from then on, I’d make it a point to get to know her and our vet techs better.

  We were halfway through our lunch when I felt eyes on me. I lifted my head, searching the room. A heated tingle swarmed my body as I watched Wes’ confident stride coming toward me.

  “Doc. How ya been?” he asked, stopping next to our table.

  I cleared my throat. “Good. I was thinking about calling you,” I anxiously blurted.

  “Is that so?” He smiled.

  I swallowed another lump in my throat and nodded. “Yep.”

  Resting his hands on the table, he leaned in, putting his face inches from mine. “Well, maybe next time you shouldn’t just think about doing it,” he suggested in a low voice. His lips twitched as he held back his smile, standing upright once again. “Later, Doc.” Looking across from me, he tipped the bill of his hat. “Tina.”

  “Wes,” she murmured his name with a breathy sigh. Both of our eyes were glued to him as he walked out of the diner with a couple guys I didn’t recognize. “Oh, what I’d give to have him look at me that way,” she said, fanning herself.

  I looked back at her in shock. “Tina!”

  “What?” she asked, unashamed. “I’m not the only one. I think every woman in this town would sell their soul to tie that one down. He’s the full package. Sexy. Charming. Wealthy. Loves his family. Whatever woman manages to rope him is one lucky bitch.”

  I scoffed. “I’m pretty sure that man has no intention of settling down.”

  She lifted an un-dissuaded shoulder. “I think he just hasn’t met the one, yet.”

  Or maybe he has. Maybe he just let her go and now he was set on being single forever. The thought of Jenna and him extinguished whatever thoughts I was starting to have about Wes and me. The same way it did every time.

  * * *

  Resting my forehead on the tips of my fingers, I massaged my temples. After lunch, we returned to the office and I felt a headache slowly growing with intensity throughout the afternoon. I lifted my head in search of some medicine in my purse, determined to stick it out until the end of the day.

  The office phone rang and seconds later, Tina stood in the opening to my office. “It was Noah, again.”

  “Ugh,” I groaned. “I’m so sorry, Tina. If you need to threaten his life, feel free to do so.”

  I’d blocked Noah’s number and since then he had resorted to harassing me on my work phone. Unfortunately, his harassment started and ended with Tina. Another reason I told myself to make it a point to be much nicer to the woman. She was a saint for screening his calls for me.

  She giggled, leaning into the frame. “I may just do that.”

  I laughed with her and another sharp pain shot across the back of my head. “Shit,” I cursed under my breath, clutching my head.

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah,” I lied, then cringed with another sharp pain. “Actually, no.” I released a defeated sigh. “I think I’m gonna head home for the day. My head is killing me.”

  “Still?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then you should definitely go. Don’t worry about your last appointment. I’ll let Dr. Hamilton know. If he can’t cover, I’ll reschedule.”

  “Thank you, Tina. Has anyone ever told you, you’re the best?”

  “Only every day.” I could hear the humor in her voice.

  I grinned through the pain. “Well, I’m telling you again.”

  * * *

  I changed into a pair of sweats and one of my favorite concert tees, completing the outfit with a pair of fluff
y gray socks before curling up onto my couch with a blanket and hot cup of tea.

  I felt like crap.

  I was just glad it was Friday evening. If this turned out to be more than a migraine, at least I wouldn’t miss too much work, having the weekend to heal and recover.

  As I settled back, getting comfortable for the night, ready to watch a marathon of Netflix shows until I passed out, there was a knock at my front door, startling me.

  I glanced at the clock, confused. It wasn’t extremely late, but definitely too late for unexpected visitors. If Aunt Jane hadn’t called earlier to check on me, I would’ve assumed it was her.

  Placing my cup on the coffee table, I flipped my blanket to the side and stood to answer the door. I peeked through the peephole and jerked back, shocked by who I saw standing on my front porch. My eyes dropped to my clothes, my hand flying to my hair that was a mess on top of my head.

  I chided myself silently, lowering my hand to my side. There was no reason to care what I looked like. Determined to stick to my guns, I flicked the lock on the door. If I was lucky, he’d take one look at me and run for the hills. I twisted the knob, opening the door to where he stood, looking sexy as ever with his cap twisted backward on his head and a grocery bag in his hand.

  10

  WES

  I pounded on the door, waiting impatiently. It finally creaked halfway open, revealing Devin on the other side.

  “Hey.” The word was faint on her lips.

  My eyes did a slow crawl down her body as I checked for any sign of what might be wrong with her. “How do you feel?”

  “Just peachy,” she shot from her smart mouth.

  I tilted my head to the side with a furrowed brow. Stepping forward, I lifted my one free hand to her forehead. I’d barely made contact before she was slapping it away.

  “What are you doing?”