Harlequin Heartwarming March 21 Box Set

by Claire McEwen

  Trisha, Vivian, Maya and the eagle came to join them. “Speaking of which,” Trisha said, bustling to disinfect the table. “There’s a fundraiser for the center this Saturday night, Wes. A big, fancy party. We’re all going and you should come, too. Especially because you’re the hero who took a dive in the mud to save our national bird.”

  Wes glanced at Emily. She hadn’t mentioned it, but big parties probably weren’t her thing. Helping animals was what made her happy. Part of him wished he could just stand aside and watch her work right now. She was a sight to behold, so calm and focused on their upcoming task, obviously used to leading this team. But he was also looking forward to assisting in his first wildlife surgery.

  “Trisha, can you handle the anesthesia?” Emily was studying the eagle carefully. It was restless in Maya’s arms, occasionally reaching its beak up to try to bite her face.

  “I like how much energy he has,” Maya said, moving the bird lower so it couldn’t reach its target. “He’s getting feisty.”

  “Good,” Emily said. “That means he’ll do well in surgery. Trisha, will you please take a quick look in the binder over there and see what we gave the last baldie we had in here?”

  Trisha flipped through the records in the binder. “Got it.” She scrubbed her hands, pulled on a gown and gloves and went to get the anesthesia machine ready. Emily and Wes scrubbed up and put on caps, masks and gloves.

  “All right. Maya and Vivian, here we go. Can you lay him down?”

  “One, two, three,” they counted, and as if they’d done this many times, they laid the poor eagle on its side all in one motion.

  Vivian put the anesthesia cone over its bedraggled white head and Trisha adjusted the readings on the machine. “Here we go, big guy. You’re going to take a nap while we fix you up.”

  The next hour passed in a flash as Wes and Emily searched the eagle for injuries. There were two puncture wounds on its abdomen and a slash to its leg that they cleaned and bandaged. Emily examined its wings and pointed out the missing flight feathers that had grounded the bird in the pond. When they’d finished up, Vivian and Maya moved the eagle to a cage in the hospital room, where it could begin its recovery.

  “What will happen with those flight feathers?” Wes slipped off his surgical gown, cap and mask and threw them in the basket Trisha provided. “Those wounds aren’t horrible. It should be fine in a few weeks if there’s no infection. But the feathers won’t grow in until after it molts.”

  “It’s a problem.” Emily turned to Maya. “Do you think you and Trisha can call around to other rescue groups?” She looked at Wes. “If we can exactly match those flight feathers, we can graft some on. It’s called imping. The grafted feathers will stay until he molts, then he’ll grow new ones of his own.”

  “That’s incredible.” Then Wes remembered. “I think I read about this once, in a book about falconry.”

  “Exactly. It’s an ancient practice,” Maya said. “Most wildlife centers and zoos with bald eagles that can’t be released to the wild will save their flight feathers when they molt, so rescue centers can use them for imping.”

  “I’ll call around tomorrow,” Trisha said. “Once this guy’s feeling a little better, we’ll give him another exam and write down all the feathers he’s missing. It would be great to get him flying again soon.”

  Wes glanced at the clock above the door. “Emily, we’d better get back to the clinic. Our window of time is just about up.”

  Emily glanced at the clock and gasped. “That went by fast. Maya, Trisha, Viv, I’ll come by and check on our eagle friend at around six this evening. But call me if you notice any problems when the sedative wears off.”

  “Trisha’s a pro at this,” Maya said. “But we’ll call you for sure if we notice anything unusual.”

  They said goodbye to Carly on their way out and walked toward their trucks. Wes was quiet, thinking about the eagle and everything it had been through today. Emily nudged him gently with her elbow. “What did you think of your first eagle rescue?”

  “It was pretty great. I can see why you like working here.” Wes didn’t have the words for it, really. “It feels kind of like an honor to help a bird like that.”

  “Wildlife work is so immediate,” Emily said. “That eagle probably wouldn’t have made it through the night like that, unable to fly.” She glanced at her truck. “I guess we should get back to the clinic. But speaking of rescuing things, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure. Go ahead.” Anything.

  “What do you think about that horse we met this morning? I can’t stop thinking about her.”

  Wes grinned. “Fancy Face? I think you two have a special bond. And now that you’re going to let me work with you some more, maybe you’ll have a little free time to spend with her. If you let me take some cases on my own, that is.”

  Her brow furrowed. “There’s really no reason why you shouldn’t. Your references all rave about what a great vet you are.” She paused and smiled. “You can take all the cats.”

  He started laughing. She was so funny when he least expected it. “You don’t like cats?”

  “I don’t dislike them. They can be very sweet. But when they come in to see me, they’re so scratchy.”

  “Scratchy?” Wes gaped at her. “You were just handling an eagle with giant talons who I’m sure would have loved to scratch you to bits.”

  “That’s different. He was just scared. Cats are…I don’t know…they always look so satisfied after they scratch you.”

  “I think you’re taking the cats a little personally.” Though now that he thought about it, she was right. Some cats did look pretty smug after they took a swipe at you. “I’ll take over the cat appointments, for a while, at least.”

  “But here’s the thing. I’m not even sure how we can transport Fancy Face to my property. She’s so scared. But we need to do it soon. I checked my email from my phone earlier and I had a note from Bobby, saying he has plans to go visit some relatives next week and he’s worried about leaving the horse there. He has someone coming by to take care of his sheep, but a half-wild, skeletal horse wasn’t in their plans.”

  “If we can bring the sheep in the trailer with us, she might be okay,” Wes said. “Let’s go up there tomorrow and check it out.”

  “I might ask if Caleb can come with us. Maya’s husband? He’s really good with horses. He has this horse named Amos that he rescued and trained. Plus, he has a big horse trailer.”

  “Sounds like the guy for the job.”

  “Will you help me out? Tell me how to work with her? I can pay you, if you want. A horse-whispering fee.”

  “You don’t need to pay me.” A flicker of frustration had him shaking his head. “Last time I checked, we were getting to be friends, right? I’m not going to charge you money for something I’d be happy to do for any of my friends.”

  She pressed her lips together as if she were trying not to say what was on her mind. “That’s great. I’m lucky to be your friend, then.” She pulled her keys out of her pocket and jangled them between her fingers. “Let’s get back to the clinic. We have so much to do.”

  Wes climbed into his truck, wondering if he’d said something wrong. She’d seemed kind of downcast for a moment there. He shook his head, started the engine and headed for his house to pick up Rex. When the dog bounded out the front door to greet him, Wes knelt down for an enthusiastic doggy hug. “Women,” he muttered to Rex. “I will never understand them.”

  Rex sat and offered him a paw to shake. Wes took it. “Thanks for the sympathy. Come on, buddy, let’s get back to work.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  EMILY DROVE UP to Bobby’s ranch with Wes by her side. It was a cool day, the breeze sending small clouds scudding across the sky.

  “It’s not the best day to transport a horse,” Wes said. “This kind of weather tends to make t
hem a little hyper.”

  “That’s reassuring,” Emily said. “Maybe if we can’t get her haltered and into the trailer we can just keep her here. I can come up and feed her while Bobby is away.”

  “It’s an option,” Wes said. “But let’s try this. Caleb is bringing a horse along. A really old, placid one, apparently. Maybe having a buddy to ride with will help Fancy out.”

  Caleb’s truck and trailer were already there when they pulled up to the barn. They spotted Caleb leaning on the fence, talking with Bobby. Emily parked her truck and they got out. “Thanks for helping us out today, Caleb,” she called.

  The big man regarded her with a slight frown. “That horse is a mess, Emily. You sure you know what you’re doing?”

  “Yup.” Emily stuck her chin out in defiance. She’d known Caleb forever. He was like a big brother to her. “I’m going to feed her up and give her a nice place to live.”

  “With sheep,” Caleb said. “We already loaded them in the trailer.”

  “You won’t miss Beatrice and Rosalind?” Emily turned to Bobby.

  “I know you’ll take good care of them for me.” He grinned. “What better place to have those old girls stay than with the local veterinarian?”

  “I’ll make sure they’re happy, I promise.” Emily glanced toward the corral. “How’s Fancy doing?”

  “She won’t let us near her,” Caleb said. “Is she even halter broke?”

  “We’re going to find out.” Wes held up the soft blue halter they’d picked up at the feedstore earlier today.

  “Let’s go see if we can get it on her.” Emily turned to Caleb and Bobby. “Maybe give us a little space to work with her? She seems to be afraid of men.”

  “That’s fine, fair Emily. We’ll stay here. You and your apprentice can try your luck with the mare.”

  Caleb glanced from Emily to Bobby. “Apprentice?”

  “Don’t ask,” Emily said. “Thanks so much, Bobby. Wish us luck.”

  “Fare well and Godspeed,” Bobby said.

  Emily and Wes walked to the corral. Fancy was there, pacing nervously. “Maybe they shouldn’t have loaded her sheep already,” Wes said. “She looks like she’s missing them.”

  As if in reply, Fancy let out a loud whinny, then waited. Sure enough, Rosalind and Beatrice bleated back to her from the truck.

  Emily looked at Wes in surprise. “They bonded already.”

  “That’s good. She might be a lot easier to trailer if she feels that strongly about those sheep.” Wes looked over the fence at Fancy. “Go on in there like you did yesterday. Stand with your back to her again. Give her a minute to settle and I bet she’ll come up to you. When she does, pet her nose and her face. See how she reacts.”

  Emily let herself into the corral. Fancy went to the far side, paced back and forth and called to her sheep again. Emily stood still with her back to the mare and spoke to her softly. “Hey, girl. You want to go see your sheep? Come on over here.”

  The quiet words seemed to get the mare’s attention. She slowed her pacing, then stopped. When Emily glanced over her shoulder, the mare was watching her, ears forward.

  “Just wait,” Wes said quietly. “You’ve got her interested.”

  Emily waited and eventually heard the shuffle of the mare’s hooves in the dust. Then her pink nose came up and brushed Emily’s ear. Forcing herself not to react, Emily waited until the mare came closer, to stand beside her. Only then did she slowly reach up to pet her face. Fancy was so striking, with her white forehead and blue eyes. Her cheeks were chestnut under all the dust that permeated her coat.

  “Slowly hold up the halter,” Wes said. “Let her check it out.”

  Emily raised it up and Fancy sniffed it. The mare shook her head up and down a couple times but didn’t walk away. Emily lifted the halter and put it alongside the mare’s face and ran it along her neck. The horse didn’t flinch.

  “Doing great,” Wes coached. “I think she’s been haltered before. Go ahead and slide it slowly up her nose, but don’t buckle it yet.”

  Emily did as she was told. Fancy backed up a step, then stopped. Emily waited, heart pounding, and slid the halter a little higher. Finally she had it under Fancy’s chin. All that was left was to buckle it. Easing the strap behind the mare’s ears, Emily buckled it by her cheek.

  “Perfect,” Wes said. “Now attach the lead rope.”

  Emily lifted up the rope and Fancy backed away, ears back.

  “I don’t like that,” Wes said. “Someone probably hit her with a rope at some point. Try again.”

  It took twenty minutes and a few treats, but eventually Fancy allowed Emily to attach the rope to the halter. Once it was on, she seemed to decide that it wasn’t a threat. She walked out of the corral with Emily and they started toward Caleb’s trailer.

  Caleb was there, standing with a reddish-brown horse. “This is Newt,” Caleb said. “He’ll show your girl the ropes.”

  He led Newt up the ramp and into one of the stalls in the large trailer.

  “Come on, Fancy, let’s follow Newt,” Emily said.

  Fancy dug her hooves in when she saw the trailer ramp. Wes suggested treats, but Fancy was too nervous to care about them. They tried loading Newt in again and having Fancy walk behind him. Nothing worked.

  Emily tried not to let her frustration show. The mare would pick up on it and it would make thing worse. Suddenly Fancy whinnied. The sheep answered, and the mare charged up the ramp to be with her friends.

  “I told you fair Beatrice and sweet Rosalind would work their magic,” Bobby said.

  Emily looked at Fancy, quietly munching on hay next to the sheep. “They can all ride together?”

  “It would be better if we keep them separate,” Caleb said. “Let’s move the sheep to the other side of the partition. The mare will still be able to see them.”

  “I’ll do it,” Emily said. Carefully she approached the sheep and shooed them toward Caleb. He maneuvered them into the section of trailer right next to Fancy and shut the metal door behind them. The mare immediately put her neck over the partition to snuffle at her sheep buddies. Satisfied that they were close by, she went back to eating.

  Outside the trailer, Emily breathed a sigh of relief. “Caleb, we’ll meet you at my house.” Emily turned to Bobby. “Thanks again. Please come visit them anytime.”

  “I will. After my vacation. Best of luck with your horse, fair Emily.”

  “Have a great trip.”

  She and Wes got back in the truck and followed Caleb as he slowly drove the trailer down Bobby’s driveway. “Thank you,” Emily said. “For helping me figure all that out.”

  “I’m not sure I was much use. That horse only responds to you and two ewes.”

  She smiled at his wordplay. “Well, I had no idea how to get the halter on. Or what to do when she was scared of the rope.”

  “Glad to help. That’s what friends are for, right?”

  “Speaking of friends,” Emily said, “I have a question.” She’d been meaning to ask him ever since Trisha had brought it up yesterday, but it was so awkward. “That benefit tomorrow night. For the wildlife shelter? Do you want to go? Pretty much everyone you know in town will be there.”

  She shouldn’t care what his answer was. They’d established that they were friends, but that didn’t change the fact that she was feeling so much more.

  “Can I pick you up and take you there?”

  She glanced his way. “We don’t have to do that. I was going to go with my parents. We can just meet there if you’d rather.”

  He shook his head. “I walked out on our prom. Let me do this right. I’ll come pick you up. I’ll treat you the way I should have treated you back then.” When she didn’t answer he added, “Come on, Em. Think of it as amends.”

  “I don’t need amends.” She didn’t know what
she wanted, but not that.

  “Then how about two friends, going to the party together?”

  Emily turned onto the main road. “Sure, that would be fine.” She wished that she could be content with Wes as just a friend. The more time she spent with him the more she wished for something more.

  “We’ll have something to celebrate,” Wes said.

  “What’s that?”

  “You’ve finally got yourself a horse.”

  Emily smiled. “That’s true. And I’ve wanted one for a long time now.”

  Wes shot her a lethal grin from under the rim of his cowboy hat. “See? Aren’t you glad I showed up? I’m making dreams come true.”

  She burst out laughing. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, there, cowboy.”

  He was unrepentant. “I know my arrival in Shelter Creek threw you for a loop, but I think you’re going to be glad I showed up.”

  Emily watched the road and tried to ignore the smile that wouldn’t leave her lips. She was already glad. That was the problem. If he left again it was going to hurt, and she didn’t want to hurt anymore.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “WEAR THE BLACK DRESS,” Emily’s mother said, sipping her tea as she sat in the armchair in the corner of the guest bedroom. Emily had brought her clothing over to her parents’ house to get ready, since she’d originally planned on going to the benefit with them. Her mother was already dressed in a sequined top and flowing black pants, the contrast striking with her white hair.

  “It’s frumpy.” Emily tossed it aside. Then picked it up again. “Or is it?”

  “Emily Fielding,” her mother said. “You know less about clothing than anyone I know.”

  “I wear jeans and T-shirts every single day,” Emily wailed. “I have no idea if any of these dresses look good on me.”