by Julie Benson
She motioned the dogs to follow as she continued exploring. She peered into the nearby room. The huge light above a stainless-steel table indicated this was the operating room. When Rowdy scratched the door, she said, “Nope. Could be it’s sterilized. Who knows what trouble we’d get into? How ’bout we go back to the office, and you two keep me company while I work?”
At her desk again, she researched managing a vet office on the internet, making notes on marketing, inventory, and improving client experience issues to discuss with Cooper. She particularly liked one site’s suggestion of offering spay and neuter surgeries as a package including vaccines and a yearly exam. According to the site, adding such a plan guaranteed a monthly income. Despite the trouble she’d had with numbers and math in high school, the business stuff made surprising sense. In fact, she got a little rush when ideas for Cooper’s business tumbled through her head. Maybe this temp gig wouldn’t be so bad.
Not that she wanted it to be anything permanent, though, because she would return to the rodeo. That was her life. Where she felt comfortable and confident. She belonged there, and she wouldn’t allow this blasted tumor to take that from her.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this little detour.
After researching general clinic management, she turned to the office software. That, too, made a lot of sense and appeared straightforward. When the dogs grew restless, she took them outside. After doing their business, she let them run, laughing as they chased each other. When they’d worn themselves out, she said, “Let’s find your records so I can practice inputting info into the software.”
She returned to the house and headed for Cooper’s bedroom, the dogs trotting beside her. Despite his permission, the minute she stepped in his room, she felt as if she was prying. No, if I look in his nightstand or dresser drawers, that would be snooping.
Despite just moving in, boxes weren’t stacked anywhere. Not a stitch of clothing, not even a sock, lay tossed anywhere around the room. Unlike her nightstand, which held her medication, her laptop, and hand lotion, nothing cluttered the surfaces in Cooper’s room. Dang. The man had even made his bed.
Cheyenne swallowed hard. The bed.
Quit being silly. You saw his bed, heck, were in it in College Station. Why is this any different?
The bed shouldn’t be any different today, but somehow it was.
Large, dominating, and rustic-western in style, the bed reminded her of the man who slept there, making her body tingle again. In her imagination she pictured Cooper sprawled across the bronze sheets. She forced air in and out of her lungs.
I’m going to pass out. Or hyperventilate.
An image of Cooper leaning against the massive headboard, sheets pooled at his waist as he watched her walk across the room appeared in her mind. Sweat trickled between her breasts. Goodness. When was the last time she imagined rolling around in bed with a man? And when had the visions been so vivid, as if a movie played in her head?
Rowdy ran past her and jumped on the bed, his tags jangling, pulling her out of her sex-deprived haze. Penny joined her new bestie as Cheyenne headed for the closet. There she found the filing cabinet under Cooper’s shirts, arranged by sleeve length and color. She sank onto the floor and pulled open the top drawer expecting to find it color coded and efficiently organized, but instead none of the hanging files were labeled.
Starting at the front, she flipped through the files looking at the papers only long enough to see if they were vet records. When she came across a program with the picture of a beautiful, young blonde on the front, her curiosity spiked.
One quick peek. What could it hurt, especially when Cooper would never know? She pulled out the paper.
Olivia Marie Townsend. Below the picture and name were two dates.
Cheyenne’s hand shook. Oh, Lord. This was what ushers handed out at a funeral. She should replace the paper, forget she’d ever seen it, and find the dogs’ records. But just like she peeked through her fingers to see a horror movie’s bloody parts, she couldn’t look away from this. The paper crinkled in her hand as she turned the page to read the summary of the woman’s life. Loving daughter. Beloved sister. Graduate of Texas A&M. Fiancée to Cooper Abbott.
Cheyenne gasped. Cold swirled around her as the paper slipped from her grasp to float to the floor beside her. Cooper had planned on marrying this beautiful woman.
At least now she knew his type. Blonde, petite, intelligent, and probably from a similar background. She laughed at the absurdity of her kissing him. What would Cooper want with a gangly, redhead who’s more comfortable in a barn than a social event after being engaged to a woman like this?
Cheyenne retrieved the service bulletin. In lieu of flowers the family asked for donations to the Epilepsy Foundation. Another chill rumbled through Cheyenne. Those requests usually meant the person suffered from the disease.
No, it couldn’t be. The hairs on her arms rose as she read further.
Olivia had been working on developing the SeizureReader to help others suffering from seizures regain their independence and find a reassurance of safety. Thankfully her work will not end, as her fiancé, Cooper, has taken over Oliva’s project and will see her dream becomes a reality.
So many things made sense now, starting with Cooper’s reaction when she told him about her seizures. No wonder his face had gone from shock to almost pained. She’d dredged up memories of Olivia. Of losing her. But despite his pain, he hadn’t turned her away. In fact, he’d done more than she asked, giving her a job and a place to live.
He’d said he’d helped her because he wanted to get the SeizureReader into production, but it was more. He’d helped her to make Olivia’s dream a reality. The depth of what he’d been willing to do for the woman he’d loved, stunned Cheyenne.
What would it feel like to have someone love her that deeply? What if she never had the chance to find out? What if the tumor…
Quit the pity party. You got what you wanted out of the deal. You’re out of your mom’s house. Plus, you got a job and Penny.
She shoved the paper back in place and flipped through the remaining papers until she located the vet records. Those clutched in her hands, she called to the dogs and left the room, but one question still gnawed at her. If Olivia is Cooper’s type, how could he be attracted to you? You’re about as far from that type as a girl can get.
*
Cooper returned to an empty house late that afternoon as confused about Cheyenne as when he’d left. He kept returning to what Zane said the last time they’d gotten together. You need to loosen up, Coop. Quit thinking long-term. Have some fun, if you know what I mean.
As he showered, he wondered if Zane was right. Should he quit thinking years ahead? Quit putting life on hold? What if he got involved with Cheyenne? He smiled. Got more involved with Cheyenne?
What could go wrong having a relationship with a woman who worked for him and lived in the same house? When he thought in those terms, the ramifications for disaster kicked into a new gear. She was just that type of woman. Adventurous. Passionate. Unpredictable. Add to that taking over a practice and gearing up with the SeizureReader? The more he thought about him and Cheyenne, the more the idea sounded as smart as putting a lightning rod on his back and hiking during a thunderstorm. The first woman he’d felt real attraction to after losing his fiancée during brain surgery had a brain tumor. What were the odds of that happening? Only a man with his luck with women could hit on a long shot like that.
By the time he’d cleaned up and went searching for Cheyenne, he’d decided the smartest plan was for them to stay the way they were—roommates and coworkers.
When he didn’t find her in the house, he headed for the clinic, following the barking dogs. Or rather, Rowdy’s barking. Funny that Penny hadn’t joined in.
Cheyenne, her red hair tamed again in a thick braid, peered at her computer, but all he could think was how their kiss had been damn fine. Hotter than he’d experienced in years. It was a won
der they hadn’t burst into flames from the heat they generated. Chemistry like that didn’t come along often. Hell. Had he ever felt attraction like that with anyone else? Even Olivia?
“How’d it go with Dot?” she asked, not looking toward him.
If Cheyenne didn’t want to discuss their kiss, he’d happily go with that plan. He sank onto the other office chair a few feet away, and the stress of the delivery hit him. “It was tough. For a while I thought I might lose the mare, the foal, or both.”
She peered over her shoulder at him. “Looks like it was rough on you, too.”
“It was. I’ve come across cranky horses before, but Maybelle is the orneriest mare I’ve ever met.” He lifted his hand, revealing a red mark. “First thing she did was bite me, and that was before I touched her.”
“I should’ve warned you,” Cheyenne said as she clicked her computer mouse. “That horse has enough attitude for an entire herd. Dot says if she didn’t have the finest pedigree of any quarter horse in East Texas, she’d sell her for fifty cents.”
Cooper rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease his stiff muscles. “But we had a good outcome. Mom and baby are fine, and I still have all my fingers.”
“Do we need to bill Dot? I’ve got an invoice pulled up. If you let me know the charges, I can put it into the system.”
“Sounds like you were busy, too.”
She flashed him a huge grin and his heart rate sped up. “I figured out a lot, and not only the software. I also researched managing a vet practice and discovered a couple marketing and office management ideas. We can discuss those once we’re settled in.”
“I’m impressed.”
For his comment, he received another dazzling smile. She looked incredibly beautiful, warm and approachable when she smiled.
Remember, coworkers and roommates. Don’t rely on her. It’ll only make it harder when she leaves.
“Thanks. You took a chance on me. I don’t want to let you down.”
“I appreciate it, but you don’t need to know everything your first day.”
She smiled and clicked the mouse again. “Dot and Maybelle are in the system. All set for input.”
He listed off the services he’d performed and in less than five minutes, the printer hummed to life. After retrieving the receipt, Cheyenne handed it to him for approval. “Give the okay, and I’ll email it to Dot.”
“How did you learn the software so fast?”
“Inputting Penny and Rowdy’s records was the big thing.” She chewed her lower lip for a minute. Then her knee bounced, and she cleared her throat. “Speaking of that, I discovered a notation in Penny’s vet records saying she should receive a discount because she’s a service dog.”
Cooper shook his head. He hadn’t looked at her records, but he should’ve guessed from the dog’s behavior. “That’s why she caught on so fast in training. Everything was old hat for her. There have been so many signs, like when I came in a while ago. Rowdy barked, but Penny didn’t.” At the mention of his name, Rowdy raised his head. “You’d wash out as a service dog, pal. The way you bark when anyone arrives would get you booted.”
Hold on. What Penny being a service dog meant hit Cooper hard and fast like a sucker punch. Cheyenne didn’t need him to train Penny except for specific tasks she might need. She didn’t need his job and could live somewhere else. And he was seeing clients tomorrow. Damn.
The house would be his alone. Disappointment reverberated through him. He’d been alone so long but hadn’t recognized his loneliness until today when he’d had someone to come home to.
“Looks like you’ve got a fully trained service dog without the cost or wait. All you need to do is fill out an adoption application on the Aggieland Humane Society’s website.”
“Shouldn’t Penny go to someone who’s been waiting for years? My getting her doesn’t seem fair.”
He reminded her how some agencies wouldn’t work with shepherds. “Plus, because of her owner’s death we lack history and documentation. Take this as fate’s way of bringing you two together.” He glanced at the shepherd curled up, her chin resting on Cheyenne’s feet. “I suspect she needs you as much as you need her.”
“She did attach to me pretty quick.”
She’s not the only one. Man, he was in a pile of trouble.
“I’ll fill out the application later today.”
“You’re also off the hook for our deal. You can move out on your own. Even get another job if you want.”
“Whoa. Hold on there.” Cheyenne’s eyes widened, and her voice rose to a frantic pitch, as she clasped her hands in her lap. “The truth is, I don’t have a lot of job options. I had a seizure waitressing at The Horseshoe. It was awful. Food everywhere. People panicked. That rules out waitressing or working at art, antique, or a touristy-type shop in town.”
She slumped back in her chair. Her gaze focused on her hands. “People don’t bring up the fact that I didn’t graduate as much nowadays, and new folks don’t know. But if I look for another job, I’ll have to fill out applications and it’ll start talk again.” Her chin rose, and she met his gaze. Determination and honesty shone in her eyes.
Backed up against a rock and an even bigger rock, Cooper resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. “You’ve got a job here as long as you want.”
“I consider a deal’s a deal. You may not have to train Penny much, but you still need my help with the prototype, and I honor my word.”
“You don’t have to live here to do that.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and her unwavering gaze pinned him like a bug to a kid’s science project. “What’s going on here? Are you trying to get rid of me?”
You got that right, because a man can only resist temptation so long, and I’m close to losing the battle.
“Is this because we kissed?”
There it was. The other rock, leaving him boxed in good and tight.
*
Geez. If Cheyenne had known telling Cooper Penny was a service dog would cause such an uproar, she would’ve kept quiet and tossed the vet records.
She stared, waiting for him to answer her question. The one she hadn’t wanted to ask, but couldn’t avoid once he said she could move out.
His eyes filled with what looked like regret, Cooper said, “We should talk about what happened.”
“If you’re waiting for me to apologize for kissing you, you’ll wait a long time.” Like hell-freezes-over long.
“I’m not asking you to.”
Okay, that barrel caught her unaware. “Then I don’t get what the problem is.”
“Us getting involved isn’t a good idea. Relationships started when someone is under a lot of stress rarely work.”
Damn his logic and her health. Lord, she was tired of not having a real life because of her seizures, but not about to let him see her disappointment, she locked her gaze with his. “Is starting a new business that stressful?”
When he smiled and the mischief returned to his eyes, her stomach fluttered. Maybe this wasn’t a lost cause. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
“You mean me?”
He nodded. “Stress can mess with your judgment.”
“Hello? So will a brain tumor.”
He sucked in his breath, and worry clouded his features. “A brain tumor’s causing your seizures? I’m so sorry. That has to be a lot to take in.”
She nodded. “I guess I forgot to mention that. The tumor’s causing pressure on my brain, which then causes my seizures. The good news is it’s benign.”
At least for now, but how long would that last?
“What’s your prognosis? Is there anything I can do?”
She didn’t want to go there with Cooper now. She could only handle one issue at a time, and right now she was focused on avoiding having to move back in with her mom. “I’m not sure yet.”
“Since we’re both under stress, the last thing either of us needs is another complication. You sure you don’t wa
nt to move out?”
“Living here is perfect for me because I can walk to and from work since I can’t drive. Can’t I stay and we keep things like they are with us being roommates and coworkers?” When his resolve didn’t appear weakened, she rushed on. “If I can’t stay here, I’ll have to live with Mom again. Don’t force that horror on me.”
Cooper rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “You do go for broke, don’t you?”
Hell, yes. It was the only way to win. The panic making her heart race eased.
Cooper’s gaze filled with resignation. “Only a complete ass would say no to that plea. For now, we’ll leave things the way they are.”
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Cheyenne woke feeling like laundry hung out to dry in a Texas thunderstorm. Erotic dreams of what could’ve happened if Dot Griggs’s call hadn’t interrupted her and Cooper taunted her most of the night. The best one had been of him sitting in bed, muscled, proud, and naked, waiting for her. She’d shed her clothes one by one as he watched mesmerized. When she stood beside his bed, she’d crawled on his lap and taken charge.
If dreams left her this worn out, what would making love with Cooper do to her?
Putting the thought aside for her sanity, she crawled out of bed. After a quick shower, she threw on jeans with a turquoise and orange plaid western-style shirt and made a mental note to ask Cooper about office dress. Not that she suspected he wanted her to wear fancy, girly clothes like a skirt and blouse to the clinic, but maybe he wanted her to wear scrubs. Once dressed, she ran a brush through her hair, braided it, and sank onto the bed.
Penny, still curled up there, opened her eyes and crooked her head as if to say, “You’ve got to face him some time.”
Yeah, yeah, but first she had to screw up her courage. She could do this.