by Verna Clay
Victoria Amelia Genevieve Martinique, otherwise known as Freckles to her friends, of whom there weren't many, had been eyeing the broad back of the cowboy in front of her and thinking all kinds of rotten names for his species. Just by his swagger and build, she'd known he was handsome. She hated handsome cowboys. It was one of his kind that had gotten her stuck in this Podunk town. He'd sweet talked her with, "Come on baby, let's leave the big city behind and find our roots in Colorado. There's this town called Paxtonville that my granny lived in. I used to visit her sometimes. I'll never forget the festivals in the park. We'll start over and build a good life."
Well, his good life had lasted exactly one month and then he'd taken off with some pretty li'l filly—the words he'd once used to describe Freckles—and now she was stuck because he'd cleaned out their bank account.
So, when the cowboy walking in front of her had suddenly stopped and turned around, almost stepping on Pookie, and he'd been even more handsome than she'd imagined, she'd been even more pissed. Her ratty ex-boyfriend had often commented on her quick temper and attributed it to her red hair. Whatever the cause, it had flared and she'd been horribly rude to the cowboy veterinarian. She didn't care. All cowboys were alike. "Sweet talk 'em and leave 'em," seemed to be their life's mission.
She sighed and returned her attention to walking her "babies." In Anaheim she'd had a profitable business house-sitting or pet watching, sometimes both at the same time, but now she had to start over in this hick town just to make enough money to get back home. Home? Hell, she'd never found a place that felt like home, but at least she could make a living in Anaheim—and go to Disneyland now and again. Sometimes she'd just go and pretend she was part of a big, happy family, or she was married to a guy who treated her like a queen and they had a couple of kids.
Chica suddenly nipped at Weiner and she had to stop and gently reprimand her charges.
Chapter 11: Close, but no Banana
After leaving Tessa at the vet booth and sparring words with Preston, Sean had walked around the park, but he'd soon been swamped by females, young and old, wanting his autograph. The girls who had tried to get a bodygraph were part of the group and once again started lifting their shirts. Even a couple of grandmotherly types began raising their blouses. He'd been appalled and reiterated what he'd told the girls before. "Sorry, ladies, I can't touch you. It's part of my contract. I'll be happy to sign on paper, but not your bodies."
That had elicited moans and groans and pleadings from his fans, but he'd remained firm. After he'd escaped, rather than go through the same thing again, he'd returned to his beater truck and taken off. A drive in the country had mellowed his anger at Preston. Heck, the guy was just crazy about Tessa, always had been, and who could blame him. Sean was crazy about her, too.
At one o'clock he returned to the festivities that were now in full swing so he could just meet the guy who wanted to adopt Lucky, and then get the hell out of Dodge. Maybe he should have worn his hippie disguise.
As he approached Tessa's booth, he saw her talking and smiling with Fannie Levinworth, the woman who had once been his father's neighbor before he'd moved to the outskirts of town. She had a gruff manner, but he knew from experience that she was a sweetheart. Why, she'd even helped him and his dad plan a Christmas party several years back when his dad needed to grovel to get Cecelia back in his life. It had worked and his father had been given a second chance at happiness with a second family.
He stepped up beside Mrs. Levinworth and she said, "My, my, if it isn't our local movie star."
Sean rolled his eyes and the woman laughed. "Were you planning on coming to see me, or has the big time ruined your manners?"
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Nothing could keep me away from you. You're at the top of my visit list."
The old woman punched his arm. "You just made my heart go pitter-patter, but I don't believe a word of it. Anyway, come over tomorrow morning and I'll make you coffee. That is, if you're not headed out to church."
"I'm not. And I'll be there. What time?"
"Nine. And I'll be sure to have some Fluffy-Puffys from Dixie's Cuppa Joe."
While Sean was talking to Mrs. Levinworth, a heavyset, middle-aged cowboy had stepped up to the booth and was talking to Tessa. He could hear them discussing Lucky and when Mrs. Levinworth walked away, he turned his attention on them.
Tessa said, "Mr. Robard, this is Sean Barfield, the owner of Lucky." The cowboy smiled and stuck his hand out for a shake. He seemed pleasant enough, and Sean watched his eyes for signs of shiftiness. The man appeared jovial and friendly.
Finally, the cowboy said, "Well, son, are you ready to let me adopt Lucky? I'll give him a good home and train him to work with my cattle. He's a smart dog. I checked him out good. And my other dogs are friendly and would welcome him."
The man's eyes remained clear and friendly.
Sean glanced at Tessa and could see that so far she approved of Mr. Robard.
"Ah, well." He started over. "Well, the fact of the matter is I've decided to keep him myself." He glanced back at Tessa's surprised expression.
Toby, who had walked into the booth halfway through the conversation, also looked surprised.
Mr. Robard shrugged. "I understand, son. He's a wonderful dog. Call me if you change your mind. Tessa has my number at the office."
Sean wondered when he'd lost his mind, but replied smoothly, "I won't change my mind, but thank you for offering to adopt Lucky."
The cowboy reset his hat, lifted a brochure off the table, and sauntered away.
Tessa exclaimed, "You're going to keep him!"
Sean answered sheepishly, "Yeah. I sure hope your dad doesn't mind. If he does, my dad will probably take him on until I leave."
"But I thought you didn't want a dog traveling on the road with you."
"I'm not crazy about it. But I don't want to give Lucky up to just anyone. With me, I know he'll have a good home."
"But we could have gone to Mr. Robard's place and–"
Toby interrupted. "Close, but no banana, huh, Sean?"
Sean shrugged and Toby continued, "I think Sean is making the best decision for the dog. Lucky is crazy about him, and vice versa. It'll work out."
Tessa studied Sean's face. "I think you're right, Toby."
A squeal interrupted their conversation and Sean grimaced.
"It's Sean Barfield!" a young female voice shouted. Sean rolled his eyes skyward and he could see Tessa and Toby stifling smiles.
Toby called, "Come on over, ladies. Sean is ready and willing to sign autographs. In fact, if you don't have a pen and paper, we do."
Sean glared at Toby before turning around to face his fate.
Chapter 12: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
At dusk, Sean was in the barn bedding the horses when he heard a car drive up. He was surprised when Tessa entered the barn. He stepped out of the stall he had been working in and walked toward her. "Hey, how did the rest of the festival go, and why aren't you staying for the fireworks.?
"It was great. The mayor gave his speech and there was a sack race and wheel barrel race and a pie eating contest, and lots of other things going on. I decided to pass on the fireworks because I need to study. You should have stayed, though."
"Yeah, and miss everything because I was signing autographs."
She cocked her head sideways. "You know, most guys would envy you, but you really don't like the limelight, do you?"
"Not really."
"So what is it you really want?"
Sean was tempted to blurt out, "YOU!" but knew that would scare the hell out of her and she'd hightail it out of the barn. He knelt and lifted a straw to his lips before glancing up at her. "I'm not sure. What about you? What do you want?"
She shuffled her feet. "I'm pretty satisfied with the way my life is right now. I have a good job. I'm saving money so I can maybe buy a small house in town. I have my animals." She shrugged.
"What about a husband and kids?"
>
A pained expression crossed her features. "I think I'll pass on that."
"Because of Jared?" he asked.
Her eyes shifted away from him and back. "I don't want to talk about it. Besides, it's none of your business."
He rose and walked toward her, stopping only inches away. "Maybe I want it to be my business."
Her eyes grew huge. Slowly, he bent and touched his mouth to hers. She inhaled sharply but seemed paralyzed. Gently, he grazed his lips back and forth across hers and then lifted away from her, holding her gaze. She blinked and he saw a tear.
"Please don't do that, Sean. I'm broken and I can't be fixed." With those words she turned and fled the barn.
Sean watched her go and more than ever he was determined to heal his sweet Tessa.
At breakfast the next morning, Sean broached the subject of bringing Lucky to live with him at the ranch.
Dirk grinned. "I had a feeling he'd get to your heart."
Sean met Tessa's gaze and she quickly glanced sideways. "Yes, sir. He sure did. Tessa found a great home for him, but I just couldn't make myself say yes to the guy. So do you mind if I bring him here?"
Dirk's laugh was a deep rumble. "Hell, we got so many animals, what's one more. Bring him on home."
With a sigh of relief Sean said, "Tessa, when do you think he'll be ready to leave the clinic?"
She paused in lifting a bite of scrambled eggs to her mouth. "Um, he's getting around pretty good now. He's adapted to the apparatus that allows his broken leg to roll when he walks on three legs. I'll check with Toby, but Lucky can probably be discharged any time."
Sean sipped his coffee, black and strong, the way he liked it. "I'll call you at work later and verify he can leave. If so, I'll pick him up at lunchtime."
"Or I can bring him home when I get off work."
Sean considered her offer but decided against it. "No, I think I need to be the one to bring him here and introduce him to his new home."
"Okay. I can understand that."
Just as Tessa had surmised, Toby said Lucky was ready to leave their care. At one, Sean showed up to pick up his dog. Shaking his head as he got out of his truck, he couldn't believe he was doing this, but it was too late to go back on his decision.
He had arranged his lunch hour to fall after Tessa returned from hers and the waiting room was full when he walked in. Since working as a ranch hand, he looked like a full-fledged cowboy with his Stetson, jeans, chambray shirt, tooled belt with a large buckle, and worn out boots. Most of the outfit was clothing left in the small closet by whoever the previous occupant of his room had been. Dirk had given him a pair of old boots he said he wasn't using.
When Sean saw several people in the waiting room, he acted like he was resettling his hat so he could partially cover his face. He didn't recognize anyone and breathed a sigh of relief. He stood in line behind an elderly woman holding a tiny cage with a hamster in it and waited for Tessa to finish helping her.
Tessa said, "Now, Miz Doolittle, I assure you that Toby and Preston know all about hamsters and they'll take excellent care of Peewee. Hopefully, they'll be able to find out why he doesn't have an appetite."
"Okay, dearie, if you say so. But if the Tanner boys can't figure out what's wrong, maybe your pa can do his whispering magic on Peewee."
Sean could see Tessa was stifling a grin when she replied, "Let's just take things one step at a time."
"Okay. How long until they can see him?"
"Why don't you take a seat and I'll work you in as soon as I can?"
Mrs. Doolittle nodded, started murmuring comforting words to her hamster, and turned around. Sean slid out of her way and then stepped up to the counter. Tessa met his gaze, but wouldn't hold it. She said, "Come on back. Lucky is ready to go."
Sean stepped to the waiting room door and opened it. As he followed Tessa down the hall, he flashed back to kissing her the night before. It had barely been a kiss, but it was enough to ignite the flame that was always there for her. That slow burn had turned into a torch. He whooshed a breath. He needed to get his mind on the task at hand, which was to get Lucky signed out, sealed, and delivered to his new home. Tessa entered the room Lucky shared with about a half dozen other dogs.
When Lucky saw Sean, he barked and his tail wagged like a windshield wiper. Tessa opened his cage and Lucky hobbled out. She reached for the brace with wheels and gave it to Sean.
"You go ahead and put it on him, just so we know you know how."
Sean had no problem getting the dog strapped into the contraption which allowed him easier mobility.
Tessa attached a leash to Lucky's collar and reached for a large paper sack. "There's a bag of food in there, some pain pills in case Lucky looks like he's hurting, and his favorite squeaky toy."
Sean accepted the bag. "Got it. Do you think he can make it to my truck, or should I carry him?"
"He gets around pretty good. He can probably make it to the truck with a little help around objects."
The door opened and Preston and Toby walked in. Toby said, "I couldn't let Lucky leave without saying goodbye." Lucky heard his name mentioned and started wagging his tail crazily. Toby squatted and patted his head and haunches. Preston even gave the dog several strokes.
Tessa said, "Preston, Mrs. Doolittle is here with her hamster and she's very concerned about him. She's a walk-in. Do you have time to look at Peewee now or should I tell her it will be awhile? Your scheduled appointment is here. It's Mr. Mercury with Finn."
Preston said, "Send Florence Doolittle back to room one, and put Mr. Mercury in room two. He's a nice man and I know he won't mind if I look at Peewee first."
"I'll do it right now." She glanced at Sean and a smile tugged at her lips. "Good luck with Lucky."
Tessa's dimple blinked in and out and Sean's heart melted. Preston cast him a sour look and left the room.
Chapter 13: Puppy Love
On his way out of the library, after picking up some books on hold for his mother, Preston paused to look at the bulletin board. He enjoyed seeing what was going on around his community. In high school, many of his friends couldn't wait to move out of the quaint town to big cities, but he'd never had that desire. He loved his family, his home, animals, and his town, in that order. The love he and Toby had for animals had begun early on with passels of dogs, cats, horses, cows, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, and an odd assortment of other animals living at the ranch. They'd even loved the occasional mouse or rat they'd seen scurrying for cover. Although some twins went their separate ways when grown, he and Toby never had. Their desire to become veterinarians had been sealed at a young age.
As for their personalities, however, they were as different as night and day. They may have looked identical, but that's were the semblance ceased. Whereas Toby had always been the happy-go-lucky life of any party, Preston was reserved. Toby just spoke aloud whatever he was thinking, but Preston weighed his words and considered the consequences. Toby loved dating lots of women. Preston had always had his heart set on one woman—Tessa.
A yellow hand-printed advertisement caught his attention.
HOUSE AND ANIMAL SITTER. VERY EXPERIENCED. REFERENCES AVAILABLE.
Below that was a hand-drawn picture of a smiling dog and a cat. The bottom of the sheet had small tear off sections with a name and phone number.
ASK FOR FRECKLES (555) 551-0111.
Preston grinned and tore off one of the sections. So, your name is Freckles. I should have guessed.
The next morning Preston was the first to arrive at work and frowned when he saw a small enclosed box on the front step. He figured someone had left a puppy or kitten. Squatting beside the box he gingerly opened it and sighed. The puppy couldn't have been more than a few days old and looked very weak. He gently lifted the box, unlocked the door, and made his way to ICU to check on his new patient.
Midge came in not long after him and he said, "We picked up a new patient last night." She peeked over his shoulder. "Ahhhh, he's so ti
ny. Have you fed him or do you want me to mix up some formula."
"I fed him a little to see if it stays down. So far, so good. He seems to be holding his own. We'll see what happens over the next few days."
The rest of the crew showed up and their day began.
At noon, Preston sat at his desk and fingered the tiny piece of paper with Freckles' phone number. Although his staff would care for the newborn pup, he knew it would only add to their already heavy load. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Freckles' number.
"Hello." She sounded breathless.
"Ah, have I caught you at a bad time? I can call back."
"No. I'm just running with my greyhound. Who are you and what can I do for you?"
Rather than say his name, Preston said, "I have a newborn pup that looks to be a Yorkshire terrier that was left on my doorstep. I need someone to care for him round the clock. I pay well."
He heard her say, "Rocket, heel."
Preston grinned. So she was caring for another of his patients.
She still sounded out of breath. "Who would leave a Yorkshire on a doorstep?"
"Beats me. People do strange things."
"Do you know where Dixie's Cuppa Joe is?"
"Yes."
"Meet me there at three and bring the pup. That's the only free time I have today."
"Why can't I just bring him to your house?"
There was a pause. "Because if you're a weirdo you'll end up dead. I don't do weirdos. I always meet prospective clients in public places. Those are my rules, take 'em or leave 'em."
Preston grinned into the phone. He'd never met such a caustic woman. "Okay. I'll be wearing a black Stetson with a blue band."
"Figures," she said.
He hung up before she could ask his name.
Preston went in search of Toby and asked him to cover his appointments from three to four and his brother frowned. "Only if you have a hot date. I'm beginning to think you're a sainted monk."