Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch Book 7)

by Vivian Arend

  Her look of distrust tightened as her gaze narrowed. “The last time we talked I called you a lazy son of a bitch, along with other things.”

  Steve laughed. “You have a very good vocabulary, Melody. Along with other things encompassed quite a lot.”

  “And you agree with all of it?” She had her hands on her hips, the leash tangled in her fist while on the other end, her dog tugged in vain to reach the ditch where wonderful smells must have been taunting it.

  He’d never get another chance to confess this straight out. “I don’t know if this is the time or the place to talk about it, but yeah, I agree. I was a son of a bitch, and I’m sorry.”

  If he’d turned pink and sprouted wings, she couldn’t have looked more astonished. Melody blinked a couple of times before shaking herself and shifting uneasily on her feet. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Steve hurried to reassure her. “I don’t expect anything right now. But I wanted to say it, and since you refused to answer my emails this is my first chance. With you back in town, we’ll probably see each other around.”

  She nodded.

  The shock of having her stumble into his day unannounced faded rapidly as the hopes he’d shoved aside over the past year galloped to the forefront. He was a lot smarter now than he’d been, so he knew better than to reveal his intentions too soon.

  But there was nothing wrong with planting a few seeds, or at least that’s what his father always told him. He had been too stupid before to understand.

  Melody glanced back at the tractor stopped in the middle of the field. “You don’t have to wait. I’ll be fine.”

  Steve shook his head, pointing down the highway. “Let’s walk the dog. I’m not leaving you stranded.”

  She turned reluctantly, moving closer to the road edge, much to Lady’s delight. The dog shivered with excitement before plunging headfirst into the tall grass at the side of the road.

  “Did I hear you right? The Thompson family still runs the garage?” Melody asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Some things never change.” She slowed her stroll to almost nothing to let the dog sniff.

  And some people only change when they have to. Steve didn’t say that part out loud, though. He held it in as myriad images and memories flooded through him. They walked in silence for a few minutes, Steve scrambling to come up with the next thing he needed to say to pave the way.

  For two years they’d been together, him and Melody. Years he’d pissed away being that thoughtless son of a bitch she’d called him. By the time he’d woken up and grown up enough to know that she was something special, she was gone.

  It wasn’t a busted-down truck at the side of the road he’d seen today, it was a second chance, and damn if he’d let it slip through his fingers.

  “How’s your family?” she asked.

  “Good. Mom and Dad are well, Trevor’s a pain in the ass, and Lee is twice as bad.” He grinned. “And Anna—you won’t believe who she’s seeing these days.”

  They talked about not much for a while. Small-town gossip. Ordinary conversation. It was exactly what they needed, and yet nothing at all what he wanted.

  The tow truck approached from the distance, dust rising behind the solid metal frame.

  “Thanks for staying with me,” she said, offering him a hesitant smile.

  He waited until the truck had pulled into place and Mitch joined them. Steve made sure she felt comfortable, but he shouldn’t have worried. She was coming home as well—and whether she admitted it or not, Rocky was home.

  The entire time Mitch worked to hook up Melody’s truck, Steve helped, ignoring the questioning glances from the other man. He should have gotten back to his chores, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave.

  When he tugged open the passenger door for Melody, she finally realized he’d stuck around. “Thanks, Steve. I’ll see you later.”

  He offered her a wave, and then stood until the tow truck rattled off down the gravel road, disappearing behind a veil of dust as they headed into town.

  Melody was back.

  Steve didn’t have to think too hard about what he was going to do next. He’d screwed up a year ago. Scratch that, he’d screwed up long before she’d officially called them off. Now he could make things right, and Melody would find out exactly how important she was.

  He hoped she’d enjoyed her time away, because this time, he wasn’t letting her go.

  Chapter Two

  Melody gazed around the familiar lab space, happily inhaling the pungent scent of antiseptic and cleanser. The tow truck had stopped by the small residence she’d be moving into, and Mitch Thompson had helped unload her gear before dragging the smoldering mess of her truck away.

  She reeked of smoke, and everything she owned needed a washing, but considering how much worse it could have been, she wouldn’t complain.

  “It’s good to be back,” she said with a sigh as she settled into a chair, smiling across the room at her mentor.

  “You do know how to make an entrance.” Mathis Wisniewski grinned, easing his back muscles with a slow stretch. His dark hair had more lines of silver than before she’d left, age catching up with him in visible ways. His smile was still as broad, though, the lines by his eyes formed from frequent grins as well as years of work in the outdoors in all kinds of weather.

  She wondered if down the road she’d have that as well—enough wear and tear to transform the baby-faced features she’d been cursed with.

  In the meantime, she counted herself fortunate to get to work with the man. “You’re lucky you were out on a call when I got here,” she teased. “I could have used your help wrangling boxes.”

  “That’s why I made sure I was wrangling chickens.” He winked. “It’s good to have you back. Did you have fun during your year away?”

  “Fun?” Melody wrinkled her nose, thinking back to the hours she’d put in updating the large-animal license of her veterinary training. “Is that what we call it? Slogging through fields full of cattle shit and narrowly escaping being crushed against the sides of stalls by our patients?”

  “Hell, yeah,” the older man said, the twinkle in his eyes growing brighter the longer she spoke. “You know there’s nothing else like it.”

  Her expression probably mirrored his, both of them fools for thriving on the utter joy they found in the midst of backbreaking labour. “You’re right. Although I do wish the animals would try not to get sick in the middle of the night every damn time.”

  Mathis plopped onto the edge of his desk and settled in to catch her up on everything he’d changed over the past year.

  The clinic was as up-to-date and modern as any that she’d worked during her practicum. She still couldn’t believe her good fortune in having been taken on by Mathis. He’d built the practice from nothing, slowly gaining a solid reputation with the local ranchers so that he and Rocky Mountain Animal Care were the first place many turned for help.

  Two other full-time employees and a handful of part-time rounded out the clinic staff. Tom Van Horne, a single man in his late thirties, had started on with the clinic a few years before Melody. Callie Hager worked the front desk and dispensed medication, and as a whole, they and the part-timers got along fine. Like a well-oiled machine, their different degrees of training allowed them to care for small-town pets and the bigger rural needs.

  Melody enjoyed the challenge of both sides, although before she’d gone away, she and Mathis had been working together to handle most of the larger ranching jobs.

  She listened intently as he caught her up on some of the major changes in local ranchers’ situations. Who’d retired, who’d expanded their operations. It was fascinating to have him share information without glancing once at any kind of notes.

  Mathis knew these people, and he cared for them like they were a part of his soul.

  He rose and led her through the office into the small-animal area to show off the new equipment he’d purchased, and a sense of deep satis
faction struck.

  This was why she’d come back. The familiar setting was the closest thing to a home she’d ever had. Memories from the years before she’d taken off for training rushed in, triggered by the meeting with Steve Coleman.

  Out of all the people to run into on her first day back—although, if she was honest, she’d kind of been asking for it. Driving past Coleman land like she was looking for trouble. She shook her head for a moment as if to knock the cobwebs loose.

  Mathis caught her, frowning as he paused in the middle of boasting about the great deal he’d gotten on a sterilizer. “Did you want to finish this tomorrow?”

  She hurried to reassure him. “Sorry. Just a little distracted. I look forward to getting into the swing of things as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll be glad to have you. The people I had in on relief were necessary, but they weren’t you.”

  Her cheeks flushed at his compliment. “Go on with you, you silver-tongued devil.”

  Mathis laid a hand over his chest as if in shock. “Me? Oh, hell no.” He shook a big beefy finger at her. “Don’t you go running your skills down. You’re one of the best. And if you aren’t the best, I don’t want to know about it.”

  Melody laughed. “I’m the best, that’s right. Because I was trained by the best.” She bumped him with her shoulder as she made her way to the sink to wash her hands. “You know I never would’ve gotten as far as I have without you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

  The older man shrugged. “Don’t have any family to get involved in the trade, so I figure you’re the next best thing. Someone who is just as close, but better because you choose to care.”

  He cleared his throat gruffly then switched the conversation. Melody hid her amusement at his deflecting from such an emotional topic.

  “Melody?”

  She and Mathis turned toward the door, Melody eased forward to offer a hand to Tom. “Hey. I hoped I’d run into you, but I thought you were done for the day.”

  “Just dropping off equipment.” The dark-haired man hesitated, rotating his hand to show fingers covered with dirt. “I need to wash up before I go.”

  “Messy comes with the territory.” She offered him a smile instead, pulling her hand back.

  Mathis eyed his watch. “You have troubles out there today?” he asked. “I thought you’d have been done over an hour ago.”

  Tom shook his head. “Spent an hour doing a couple of extra jobs for Sean Dalton. He’s been harping about how long he’s had to wait lately, so I figured I’d drop by before he complained this time.”

  “Sean is always complaining about something,” Mathis pointed out. “But good for you. Have to keep them happy, I suppose. Just make sure you charge him for your time.”

  He offered Melody a wink as he spoke, and she smiled. Mathis cared for the locals, but he didn’t let them run ram-shod over him, either.

  Meeting over, she breathed deeply of the warm June air as she wandered across the yard to her new home in the residence behind the veterinary clinic. Unpacking boxes gave her plenty of time to mull over their conversation.

  The real reason she was back in Rocky was perfectly clear. Not just to work at the clinic, but because Mathis was family to her. She’d come to Rocky Mountain House and spent two years under his tutelage, taking what she learned in school and putting it into practice in a real, live, shit-on-your-boots ranching community. She’d loved every minute of it.

  Of the work, that is.

  So many memories. She laid another box on the kitchen table and opened it, emptying the contents as she puzzled over where to stash stuff in what amounted to a one-bedroom cabin. Having someone on site meant it was easier to keep track of emergency cases, or animals being observed overnight.

  She smiled wryly. It also meant everyone knew where to track down the vet for those God-awful three-a.m. emergency moments, and yet even those heart-pounding moments she couldn’t begrudge.

  She pulled out another coffee mug and placed it on the shelf next to the ones she’d unpacked. Her fingers smoothed over the brilliant colours on her favourite ceramic mug as she thought back to the county fair where she’d found it, which of course triggered more memories of Steve.

  She would have to deal with him at some point, but his out-of-the-blue appearance today, and his confession that she’d been right, was unexpected.

  It changed some things—but not all. She’d learned that lesson. Steve Coleman was off her list for good.

  “Hey, this is a private residence. What’re you doing in here?” someone demanded loudly.

  Melody’s head shot up as she glanced toward the open door to discover another familiar face beaming back.

  “Allison,” Melody shouted. “Oh my God, it’s been forever.”

  Her friend opened the door the rest of the way and rushed forward to offer a hug, squeezing Melody tight for a moment before she stepped back, her dark grey eyes examining Melody from top to bottom. “I can’t believe you’re home.”

  “I was going to call you as soon as I got settled. I’m done school, and yes, I’m home for good.”

  Allison cheered before brushing a strand of long dark hair behind her ear as she plopped herself down at the kitchen table, looking expectantly at Melody. “Spill. I know we talked a few times, but you really are terrible at keeping in contact. I want to know everything you did while you were gone.”

  “Everything?” Melody shook her head. “I don’t know what you think was happening out in Saskatoon, but trust me, girlfriend, it’s not some wild metropolis. I have no stories to burn your ears. You’ve probably had more excitement around here over the past year.”

  A rude noise escaped her friend as Allison picked up a magazine from the table and thumbed through it nonchalantly. “Rocky? Nothing exciting happens around here.” She glanced at Melody, her eyes shining. “Well, maybe that’s not true. We have some excitement, but it’s also just… You know, Rocky. We don’t want anything too out of the usual to happen.”

  That was the way Melody wanted it as well. She examined her friend closer, though, suspicions rising as Allison took care to keep her expression innocent.

  “What are you not telling me?” Melody demanded.

  The glow on Allison’s face only got brighter. “I do have a bit of news. I was saving it to tell you in person—”

  Melody waited, although she already had made a guess from the way Allison could barely keep still.

  “I’m pregnant,” her friend announced with a burst of delight.

  A suitably excited noise escaped Melody’s lips as she leaned forward to envelop Allison in another bear hug. “That is exciting. I’m so glad to hear it.”

  Allison sat back in her chair, beaming brightly. “I’m four months along. I didn’t want to tell anyone earlier because I had a miscarriage back in the winter, so it’s scary and exciting at the same time.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine this time,” Melody assured her.

  “I hope so.” She pulled an awful face. “If the old wife’s tale about morning sickness is anything to go by, this kid is going to be extremely healthy.”

  “You’ve got it bad?”

  Allison groaned. “Forget morning sickness, mine lasts most of the day, and by supper time when it finally goes away, I’m so hungry I eat nonstop between five and bed. I need to stop that soon or I’ll end up with heartburn and no sleep.”

  “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, but I’ve heard every pregnancy is different.”

  “Exactly. Nothing’s wrong, I’m just one of the lucky ones who gets sick for longer than usual.” She flicked up two thumbs. “Go me.”

  Melody smiled as she leaned her elbows on the table and changed the topic. “Things are good with you and Gabe?”

  Her friend didn’t say a word. The sheer joy on her face was more than enough answer.

  Melody waited for a flash of jealousy to strike. Across from her was a close friend who had so many things society said a woman
had to have to be fulfilled—a partner, a family on the way. Melody didn’t have those things and yet…

  Nothing. No envy. Just pure happiness for her friend, and the realization only made things sweeter. Melody laid a hand on top of Allison’s and squeezed. “I’m glad everything is working out well for you.”

  “It’s better than I’d ever dreamed possible. I thought taking off and getting my training was exciting, and I enjoyed my time living in Red Deer, but this?” Allison paused. “It’s like I’ve found my way home.”

  “That’s right. You moved away for a while.”

  Allison’s expression softened as she stared into space. “I had left for good, I thought. Came back for my mom, and ended up setting down roots. Now I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

  Melody wondered if she’d ever come to the same conclusion. “I can live anywhere, you know. There’s no family holding me back.”

  “Friends are family,” Allison insisted. “And heaven knows I’ve got enough extended family. You’re welcome to borrow some of them if you get the urge.”

  The comment brought Steve back to mind all over again.

  She must’ve made a face because her friend frowned. “Or…not. If you want, I can chase them away and we’ll pretend they don’t exist.”

  “As if I could pretend the Coleman clan doesn’t exist,” Melody said, laughing. “Probably half of our business comes from looking after their stock.”

  “True, but isn’t it good to know you don’t have to put up with anything you don’t want to?”

  “Oh, I don’t intend on putting up with anything, period.”

  Allison leaned forward, elbows on the table as she lifted her grey eyes to meet Melody’s. “I like that about you,” she confessed.

  “My no-bullshit attitude?”

  She was given a decisive nod followed by a warm grin. “I’m glad you’re back, whatever that looks like. I missed you while you were gone.”

  The sentiment warmed Melody’s heart. “Awww, I missed you too. And don’t worry about that certain someone who pissed me off so badly before I left. I’m over Steve Coleman. In fact, he gave me a hand this afternoon when I ran into him.”