Harlequin Heartwarming March 21 Box Set

by Claire McEwen

  Molly, her head technician, was working today and she emerged from one of the exam rooms. “Wes, the early bird, has most of those files memorized, I think.”

  “Good morning, Molly.” Emily glanced at Wes. So he’d charmed Molly, too. Lily had already made a point of pulling Emily aside yesterday to tell her how much she liked him. “Are you okay holding down the fort until we get back here after lunch?”

  “No problem,” Molly said. “I just have a few nail trims coming in, a flea inspection, stuff like that. Dan will be here in an hour to help me out.”

  “Great. Call me on my cell phone if you need anything. Wes, want to bring those files?”

  Wes loaded them into the portable file box and whistled for Rex. Emily followed him out the back door and around the building to the parking area. Before he opened the door to the truck, she put a hand on his arm to stop him. “Can we talk for a moment?”

  “Of course.” He motioned for Rex to go explore and the dog obliged, skirting the parking lot to mark it as his personal territory. “What’s up?”

  Emily launched into the speech she’d prepared while she drove here. “Last night I made a mistake. I’m so sorry. I should never have kissed you. That was a terrible choice on my part. I promise it won’t ever happen again.”

  “Ever?”

  Was it her imagination, or did he look a little disappointed? “You work for me. It is completely inappropriate. I didn’t even ask your permission. I feel awful.”

  “I don’t.” He was smiling and that sparkle in his eyes… Was he laughing at her? “I liked the kiss.”

  “Okay, good. I’m glad.” Wait…he’d liked it? For a moment she forgot what she needed to say as the memory of his warm cheek under her cool lips resurfaced. Nope. She could not go there. “I’m very relieved that you’re not upset. I can promise you that I will keep things strictly professional from now on.”

  “No more kissing?” Wes shrugged. “Okay. If you say so.”

  “Great. We’re clear, then.” This had been easier than she thought. Thank goodness. “I’m truly sorry. I think it was the cider. I’m not a big drinker.”

  He leaned back against the truck and folded his arms. “Are you sure that was the only reason?”

  “Of course.” Emily couldn’t quite meet his gaze, so she looked at his shoulder. He was wearing a plaid flannel shirt with a mix of blue and beige. Why had she kissed him? Because the stars were out and she was tipsy and he was being sweet and funny? Or because he was Wes and kissing him felt as natural as a sunrise or the starlight or the crickets calling in the fields around her house.

  “Do you normally kiss people after you’ve had a drink?” He was smiling now, that teasing glimmer in his eyes.

  “No!” She cast around for a reason. Any reason that didn’t have to do with the way she’d felt drawn to him, or how much she’d wanted to kiss him again. “I think I got caught up in what you were telling me. About caring for your brother. About all the hardships you’ve endured. I’m so sorry you went through all that.”

  His smile faded and the spark in his eyes went out. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want pity, Emily.”

  “I wasn’t pitying you, I just felt…” She trailed off. The way she’d explained herself…it did sound like pity.

  “We’re not all born in a perfect town, to perfect parents, with the family business waiting for us when we grow up,” Wes said.

  Emily took a step back. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “It’s not bad. But don’t feel sorry for me because I had to make my own way. That doesn’t make me someone you should pity. If anything, it should be something to admire. But how would you know? You’ve had everything handed to you.”

  What did he know about how easy or how difficult she’d had things? “That’s not fair, Wes. Nothing has been handed to me. I’ve worked hard for everything I have. I work too much. You’ve said that yourself.”

  “That’s a choice you make. When you live like I did for so many years, you don’t have that choice.”

  “Wait, so you don’t want me to pity you, but now you’re bringing up your hard life to make me feel bad about mine?” Emily put up her hands to stop the mess she’d made. “It doesn’t matter why I kissed you. All that matters is that it won’t ever happen again.” She pulled her keys out of her coat pocket and unlocked the truck. “If you still want to work with me, we’d better get started.”

  Wes called Rex, who jumped into the back seat of the cab. As they drove out of the parking lot, Emily stole a glance at Wes. He was looking away from her, out at the misty morning. She’d blown that conversation. If she was going to work with another veterinarian, she’d better work on her people skills. Though Wes hadn’t exactly helped them have a smooth chat.

  It didn’t matter. There would be no more kisses. From here on out their relationship was strictly professional. And if that thought caused a pang of regret, well, she was used to feeling regret when it came to Wes Marlow.

  * * *

  EMILY WAS QUIET on the drive to their first client and Wes didn’t try to make small talk. Out his window, the coastal fog was clearing, revealing faint patches of blue sky. A seasonal creek rushed down through the winter-green hills. Those sights would usually bring comfort. But not even the three horses galloping along the hillside could sweeten his sour mood.

  When Emily kissed him last night, he’d taken it as a message that maybe what he’d suspected all these years was true. They were meant to be more than each other’s first love. He’d thought of that kiss as he fell asleep last night, and again upon waking up this morning. It had felt like hope.

  But now he knew what that kiss had been about. She pitied him for what he’d gone through. He wanted those hardscrabble years where he’d kept himself and Jamie afloat to be a source of pride, not pity. He wanted that kiss to be about the future, not just a reflection on his sorry past.

  But it wasn’t just the pity that got to him. Emily had thrown a mirror up into his face and he didn’t like what looked back at him. Ego. He had to admit the truth to himself. He’d come back here not just because he loved the town and the picturesque landscape, but because he’d wanted to present Emily with this new successful version of himself. He wanted her to fall in love with the man he’d become. Returning here had been all about how he felt, and what he needed. He hadn’t stopped to think about what Emily might need.

  Maybe what she needed was for him to back way off. He’d shown up, begged for a job, and she’d graciously given him a chance. Then she’d kissed him and he wanted more. But he couldn’t bend her to fit this dream he’d carried all these years. He couldn’t show up here and demand that she welcome him. What she needed was someone to help with her work. She didn’t need him to make her busy life more complicated.

  Rex leaned forward from the back seat and nuzzled his arm. Wes rubbed his ears. His dog was way too perceptive.

  His pride had made him lash out at her just now. That shamed him more than her pity. It wasn’t her fault she was born to the loving, supportive family she had. Just like it wasn’t his fault that his parents had gotten so sucked into drugs they forgot they even had kids.

  “We’re here,” Emily said as she turned the truck up a gravel drive. Wes could see the ranch house in the distance, perched on a flat saddle between two hills.

  “Nice piece of property this guy has out here.”

  “His name is Bobby Tillman and he’s quite a character. He loves those Renaissance fairs where everyone dresses up in costumes. He’s a good man…just a little different.” Emily glanced at him over Rex’s furry ears. “We’ll be okay, right? We can be professional with each other?”

  “Of course.” That she even had to ask annoyed him. He’d really blown it. “I’m sorry, Emily. I got defensive. I said things back there that were plain unkind.”

  Emily sighed. “We bo
th messed up, I guess. Let’s just try to do better going forward.” She parked the truck near a weathered barn. The red paint had worn off in places but the yard around it was neat as a pin.

  A man came out of the barn. His long gray hair hung in a ponytail down his back. He waved to Emily and called out. “Welcome, fair veterinarian.”

  Wes glanced at Emily, who shrugged and whispered, “I told you he was a character.”

  Wes put Rex on a leash and they walked toward the barn.

  “And who is this fine beast and the young man he has on his leash?” Bobby held out his hand and Rex sniffed politely.

  “This is Wes. He’s working with me this week. And this is his dog, Rex. Do you mind if Rex joins us?”

  “If he’s well behaved, he’s welcome.” Bobby smiled warmly at Wes. “You’re a lucky man, apprenticing with the best.”

  Apprenticing? Wes glanced at Emily, but she didn’t correct him. Fine. He could be an apprentice. He sure felt like one when it came to dealing with his feelings about her.

  “Good to see you again, Bobby,” Emily said. “Let’s take a look at that cow you were concerned about.”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s mastitis. Her udder is swollen on one side.” Bobby led the way into the barn, where a big black-and-white Holstein cow was standing in a bed of thick, clean straw. Emily knelt to look at the udder. “That looks painful. She needs an antibiotic to start.”

  “I can get it.” Wes went back to the truck. When he returned with the medicine, Bobby was telling Emily about a Shakespeare play at the community theater in Shelter Creek.

  “Ah, fine apprentice. You’ve brought the elixir.”

  Wes grinned. “Something like that.”

  Emily administered the medication and turned to Bobby. “If this doesn’t have her up and moving and a lot more comfortable by first thing tomorrow, call me right away. There are a lot of ways to treat mastitis, and if it’s really taken hold we’ll have to try some other steps.”

  “Will do, fair Emily, will do. Thanks for getting out here on short notice.”

  “Of course. Can’t let this pretty girl suffer.”

  Bobby cleared his throat. “I hate to trouble you with anything else, but do you have a minute to look at a horse?”

  Emily’s brows went up in surprise. “A horse? I didn’t know you kept horses.”

  “I don’t. But I found one on the road early this morning. It’s in pretty sorry shape. I suspect someone dropped it out here to be rid of it.”

  “Oh, no.” Emily frowned. “Let’s take a look.”

  Wes grimaced. This was a part of his job that never stopped hurting. Abuse and neglect were always tough to face. He put a hand to Emily’s arm. “Are you all right with this?”

  The look on her face had him instantly regretting his protective gesture. “Of course I am.”

  They followed Bobby around the side of the barn to a corral built along the back of the building. Standing inside, its head buried in a pile of oat hay, was the sorriest horse Wes had seen in a long time. It was a paint horse and it must have been beautiful once. Chestnut and white splotches covered its starved body. Ribs, hips, spine, every possible bone was protruding out from its gaunt frame. It looked up from the pile of hay and regarded them with startling blue eyes. Normally they’d be gorgeous, but on such a mistreated animal the pale eyes added an eerie touch.

  “It’s a mare,” Emily said. “The poor thing. Good choice, Bobby, to just offer oat hay.”

  “I figured it isn’t much used to eating, so I’d better avoid anything too rich.”

  “Exactly.” Emily opened the gate and stepped into the pen, motioning for Wes to follow. “Come with me.” Then she turned to Bobby. “Wes has a real talent with horses. They love him.”

  Wes tied Rex’s leash to a post by the barn and the big dog flopped down in the dust for his first nap of the day. Wes stepped inside the corral. The horse’s head instantly came up high, and its ears went flat back. “Hang on.” He put a hand to Emily’s arm. “I’m not sure I’m the person for this. She might be afraid of men.” He turned to Bobby. “How’d you get her in here?”

  “I just walked behind her. She didn’t want anything to do with me, so she went right up the driveway. Once she saw the hay, she was happy to go into the corral.”

  “She may not even be used to people,” Wes said. “If you want to approach her, Emily, be careful.”

  Emily nodded and Wes left to go stand with Bobby outside the corral. Once he was gone, the mare’s head came down and her ears tilted forward a bit. She looked at Emily with more curiosity than fear. Emily held out her hand and the horse backed away.

  “Turn your back to her,” Wes advised. “Look like you’re doing something else. If there’s a problem with her, I’ll yell run and you hightail it for the fence.”

  Emily looked at him with doubtful eyes. “You’re sure?”

  “It’s what I would do. She needs to know that you aren’t going to come at her. Or demand anything from her.”

  “Okay. If you say so.” Emily turned her shoulder away from the horse. The mare backed away a few paces, but her ears were forward now. She was still frightened, but she wanted to find out more about Emily.

  “Just stay there and let her come to you. I think she’s interested.” Wes kept his voice quiet. Just loud enough for Emily to hear.

  Bobby had his hands together as if he were meditating, or saying a prayer. He was a character, but he actually had the right idea. This horse needed to feel some peaceful energy right now.

  The mare took a step toward Emily and blew out a loud, stressed breath. But her ears stayed forward and she took another step. Then another.

  “Almost there,” Wes murmured.

  Emily’s face was lit with nervous excitement, a half smile tilting her mouth as she looked at Wes. “It’s so tempting to turn around.”

  “Be patient. If you can get her trust, we can help her. And boy, does she need help.”

  Just then the mare reached out as far as she could without committing to taking a step closer to Emily. Her nose made it to Emily’s hair. Her breath loud, she snuffled Emily’s shoulder, then her ear. Emily stood as still as a statue, her eyes on Wes.

  “This is going really well,” Wes said. “Let her sniff you for a few more moments and then turn around very slowly.”

  Emily waited for a few more nuzzles, then carefully turned around. The mare snuffed at Emily’s chest, her arm and her cheek, then seemed to decide that her visitor was okay. She put her head down and took another mouthful of hay.

  “Put a hand slowly onto her shoulder.” Wes’s heart was growing in his chest. This was the magic, watching trust bloom where none had been before.

  Emily reached out a tentative hand and placed it on the mare’s shoulder and left it there while the poor animal continued eating.

  “Good job.” It had worked. Wes breathed a sigh of relief. “I think you’ve got some horse whisperer inside of you, too.”

  “Amen,” Bobby murmured.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  UNDER THE MARE’S hide was a tiny bit of muscle and a whole lot of bone. Emily tried to keep the tears in her eyes from spilling over. She was a vet, she should be able to keep her emotions in check. But something about this horse, the level of mistreatment it had endured, the starvation… She swallowed hard. She couldn’t fall apart right now. This animal needed her, perhaps more than any creature she’d ever met.

  “Easy, girl.” Emily ran her hand over the mare’s withers, then slowly down to the top of her foreleg. An old scar marred the chestnut hair there—perhaps a barbed wire cut that, without proper treatment, had healed badly.

  The horse lifted her head and Emily took a step back to give her some room. She held out her hand, knuckles curled, and waited. The mare cautiously nuzzled her hand and Emily studied her face. It was mostly w
hite, the chestnut reserved for her cheeks and forelock. Both her eyes were blue, the pale mottled skin around them vulnerable to sun damage. “Can you see okay, with that fancy face?” Slowly Emily knelt and picked up a fist full of hay. Stepping back from the horse, she raised it slowly, lowered it, moved it left and then to the right. The mare’s eyes followed the hay.

  “You can see up close, at least.” She offered the hay and the mare reached out with her lips to delicately remove the oats at the end, giving Emily a peek at her teeth. “You’re not very old, are you?”

  She circled the mare carefully, looking for cuts and other injuries, but didn’t see any. Her hooves were unshod and had grown long. She’d need a hoof trim as soon as possible. Though when would that be? She seemed half wild. Someone needed to gentle her.

  Emily let herself out of the gate and walked over to where Wes and Bobby were waiting. “She’s beautiful. She looks to be about six or seven years old, maybe? But why would someone treat her this way?”

  “Could be anything,” Bobby said. “Maybe someone couldn’t care for her anymore.”

  “Her mane and tail are matted and there are ticks on her belly and legs.” Emily said. “We need to get those off, but there is no way she’s going to let us do that right now.” Her mind was racing ahead. If they could fatten the mare up for a few days and make sure she was healthy enough, maybe they could sedate her. Then they could take care of the ticks, her hooves, and anything else she needed.

  “She likes you, Emily,” Bobby said. “Given some time, she’ll probably let you help her out.”

  Wes was watching the horse through the fence. He turned to Bobby with a thoughtful expression. “I know you don’t keep horses, but do you have any other animals around here that might be able to bunk with her? Horses are herd animals and this one has been alone too long. Another animal might show her that she’s safe now.”