Cupid Cures: Small Town Western Contemporary (Return to Cupid, Texas Book 5)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  "Wise choice."

  "How many puppies?"

  "Six, hungry healthy babies. Not even a runt among them that I can tell," she said, gazing at the tiny moving animals. Mewing and stretching and searching for a nipple, they would have to wait.

  "Excellent," he said, taking a pair of clippers and tying off the last stitch. "Good as new." Picking up the syringe of pain medication and antibiotics he gave the mother dog a shot.

  "Are you ready for me to give her oxygen?" she asked.

  "Yes," he said.

  Turning on the air, the mother began to move her head. "Come on momma, your babies are hungry. You've got a full time job ahead of you."

  The dog's eyes fluttered open and she stared at Tempe, her heart swelling with relief. "Sweetie, it's all over and there are some sweet babies waiting for you."

  When she looked over, Kyle stood watching her as he pulled his gloves off. "Why aren't you a veterinarian? It's obvious you love it. You did very well in here today."

  So many reasons why she didn't have a vet business of her own. Mainly, money. The fact that it was difficult for her to get a loan, without answering concerning questions that would reveal her identity. Difficult because she feared someone in the financial industry would recognize her face. Hell, she was shocked so few people didn't call her out even now.

  "I do love working with animals and being a vet. But starting a clinic takes a lot of money. So instead I work for the government."

  Shaking his head, he smiled at her. "Good job, Dr. Tangier. We saved several lives today. I'm glad you were here to help."

  "Me too," she said grinning back at him, her heart clenching at what they'd done together as a team. Saving the mother dog and her puppies made up for the lousy visit they had earlier.

  "I better go tell her owner she's okay."

  "Why don't I clean up while you're gone and then you can bring her back to show her the momma dog and her babies."

  "My client would appreciate that."

  "Give me a few moments to remove the blood."

  Nodding his head, he stared at her with admiration in his eyes. "You really should have your own practice," he said. "You're an excellent vet."

  "Thanks," she said and began to throw away the bloodied gauze. How could she respond? In the worst way, she wanted her own clinic. This was the goal. The very reason she lived.

  Still the fear of someone learning her identity held her back in so many ways.

  Chapter 3

  Amazed at how well he and Dr. Tangier had worked together to save poor little Missy's life. The surgery a great end to a lousy day. Last time she had a difficult time, but not to the point she needed a c-section.

  But this second litter one of the puppies was breach and larger than she could handle. This time they would have lost the mother dog and the babies. Losing any animal was tough, but especially a long time patient.

  This time he told the owner, Missy didn't need to be having more puppies. The little dog couldn't do this again. And she agreed. Now, the momma was recovering with six babies to feed.

  Reaching into the refrigerator he pulled out two beers. Tempe sat outside on the balcony checking her emails on her phone. Opening the sliding glass patio doors, he walked out onto the apartment's narrow balcony.

  "Want a beer?"

  A quick glance at him, he watched the way her emerald eyes twinkled in the light. A beautiful woman, but why did she have to hurt his friends. No, it wasn't her personally, and he recognized that. Putting aside his personal feelings for the good of the community, while remaining objective was hard. These were his family and friends.

  "Thanks," she said, taking the bottle of alcohol from him.

  Cody was like a brother.The loss of the cattle would be devastating. Though Tempe had nothing to do with the reason, except for being the bad news deliverer of the diagnosis. Brucellosis.

  He needed to talk to Jim and make certain that the old bull hadn't gotten into any of their herd.

  With a graceful plop he sank down on the swing beside her. A gentle breeze blew keeping the skeeters at bay as they listened to the early evening, night sounds and gazed at the stars glittering in the night sky.

  "Are you going streaking again tonight?" she asked, not looking at him, but out at the lights in the distance.

  After everything that happened today, last night seemed like a long time ago.

  "Haven't decided. It seems like a nice enough night, but Ryan is probably sitting up there waiting for my brother Drew to do his Cupid stupid dance. We could go together. At midnight, strip down to your birthday suit and see what the God of love has in store for us."

  Her brows rose over her rich, dark green eyes like she was warding off evil. "Look charm boy, that may work on some women, but it's not going to cut it with me.

  Yeah, he didn't think so, but what did he have to lose. He'd been jesting, never planning on doing that stunt again.

  "Never hurts to ask. Would hate for you to be left out."

  "And why do you do this? What's in it for you besides frostbite or mosquito bites and the possibility of arrest?"

  "Lost a wager to Cody. He bet with me and my brothers that Kelsey would agree to marry him and we didn't know they were dating. So we said that if she said yes, we would do the Cupid stupid dance."

  With a shrug of her shoulders, he wondered how much she understood about the superstition, but he would never tip her off. Because she was the first woman he laid eyes on after running around the statue. The realization sunk in and he shook his head.

  Sure, Kelsey and Cody believed they were together because of her streaking and fell in love because of that night. But Kyle and his brothers, had no intention of searching for forever after. Who bought into such nonsense?

  None of them would be influenced by the belief that dancing naked around the Cupid statue, found them the woman of their dreams. This was why he didn't believe in silly superstitions. The stuff of legends. Hocus pocus, mumbo jumbo.

  The tale was a legend in the small town, nothing more. While the good doctor was beautiful, smart and quite capable, that didn't mean they would spend the rest of their lives together. He knew so little about her.

  "What made you become a veterinarian," she asked.

  A positive factor, they were in the same profession. Yet, she worked for the government. Nuff said.

  "Loved animals," he replied, the memory of his early years on the ranch with his brothers and his mother and father. Those days had been the best. "Grew up on a ranch not far from here and we had all kinds of animals. Loved working with them, helping to cure them. Seemed like something I enjoyed and would never have to leave the little town I love. What about yourself?"

  A deep, throaty laugh came from her. "Same. My school guidance counselor said I was intelligent enough to go into medicine. Compared to veterinary medicine that's easy. This is more challenging."

  "Didn't you find the curriculum, demanding?"

  Becoming an animal doctor was the hardest program in school, but somehow he managed to get through and graduate with honors.

  "Definitely. One of my professors was determined to show me that a woman shouldn't be a vet, but I proved him wrong."

  "Oh, there were always teachers who tried to weed out the weaker students. Those you learned as long as you held your ground with them, you were okay."

  "True. Makes me even stronger, when they tell me, I can't do it."

  "You are a stubborn person."

  In the day they'd spent together, he witnessed her strong, stubborn side that lived by the rules. Yet she had also been the most thorough, meticulous vet to ever assist him in surgery.

  "I am."

  "How long are you going to work for the USDA? Seems a waste."

  Lifting the beer bottle to her lips, she regarded him. "As long as necessary."

  What did he expect? An honest answer? Perhaps she didn't feel comfortable enough to tell him the truth about her plans for the future. After watching her today, she
needed her own clinic.

  "How soon do you think before this is over?"

  "Oh, you're ready for me to leave already?"

  This evening sitting out on the balcony he enjoyed her company, but still the results of today hung between them. In some ways he could hear the tick tock of a ticking bomb in the background just waiting to explode.

  "No, I enjoy having a top notch veterinarian here to help with emergencies. What I don't enjoy is having some bureaucracy tell me I've got to put down my best friends herd."

  "Maybe it won't come to that."

  "Maybe," he said. "Maybe the sun won't rise tomorrow or the moon tonight."

  Lifting the bottle, he took a swig and gazed out at the twinkling lights of the little town he loved, knowing they had no idea of what was possibly spreading in the cattle.

  "Oh no, not the moon," she said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "I like looking up and seeing him smiling down on me. Check him out sometime."

  Turning towards her in the swing, a strong surge of awareness flowed over him. Sitting outside in the moonlight, after a day of highs and lows a feeling of contentment came over him. Gazing at Tempe in the darkness, the urge to get under her skin, rattle the confident woman overcame him.

  "The only time I need moon rays is when I'm courting a girl. I like to pull her in close, like this," he said, pulling Tempest on the swing, wrapping his arm around her. "Then I lean in and deeply inhale her perfume and think my oh my she smells wonderful. I let my lips linger on her ear lobe, letting my breath tickle the side of her neck."

  Surprising, Tempest didn't move and she smelled like heaven. In fact, she'd frozen with his arms around her. "Then I move my mouth hovering right above hers, before I swoop in for a kiss."

  For some reason he didn't understand, he wanted to kiss her. Layer his mouth over hers and drink from her lips like he was desperate for water.

  Without stopping, he covered her lips with his, tasting the beer on her, enjoying the fullness of her mouth, the way she fit against him.

  A zing of need spiraled through him and like standing in front of a speeding bullet, this could only be trouble. Oh no, she was the enemy. He had to remember the havoc this woman could inflict on the people he cared about, but damn she tasted so delightful.

  Slowly he released her lips and stared down at her, uncertain as to who was more shocked. She appeared cool and collected, while he felt like someone had just slammed into him, knocking the breath out of him. Not wanting her to see how much that kiss affected him, he went for sarcasm.

  "And that's how I use the moon."

  Her eyes opened, narrowing at him as she leaned back and laid her head against the cushion. "I'm sure a lot of women fall for it, charm boy. But not me."

  Stunned, he sat back and looked at her in surprise. No reaction to his kiss? No pounding heart or constricting lungs? No racing pulse or desire surging through her loins? Was he the only one sitting her reeling from the after effects?

  Had he lost his touch?

  Picking up her beer he noticed her hand trembling and then he started laughing out loud. Oh yeah, she felt the connection. She could deny the sparks all she wanted, not only to him, but to herself, but her soft, firm lips left a definite impression.

  "You're right a lot of women do fall for it. Glad we got that out of the way."

  "Me too," she said.

  When Tempest walked into the Braxton family restaurant she gazed at the decor. Just inside sat a bubbling water display with the man in the diaper aiming his arrow straight at you. Though the town was named Cupid, several times she'd overheard talk of the fountain in the square. What was going on with this statue? Did she really want to know?

  "Hello Kyle," Taylor said. "Great to see you. Who is this?"

  "This is Dr. Tempe Tangier."

  "Nice to meet you. Are you a veterinarian?"

  "Yes, I'm a vet, but I work for the USDA."

  "Come on you two, everyone is here, there's room at the table for the two of you," Taylor said, leading them through the busy diner.

  Tempe turned to give Kyle an examining glance. If the tests came back positive, she would be the most disliked person in town for delivering bad news. That's why she avoided socializing with the locals. "Are you sure?"

  "What? Oh come on," Kyle said. "This is the whole gang."

  Walking towards the group, Tempe frowned. Just what she didn't need to do, fraternize with people on a social basis who could possibly be harmed by her decisions. "This is not a good idea and I don't think I should. I'll wait for you out in the car."

  "No. No choice," he whispered in her ear, his breath sending a delicious little shiver down her spine.

  With a sigh, they arrived at the table and she smiled at his friends, jealous of the his life with family and friendships, knowing the demands of her job might not be in their favor. Even now, Cody Graham glared at her and she gave him a smile.

  How difficult must it be for him to remain quiet about his problem and yet be friendly to her at a public gathering. For this reason and others, she never became friends with the people in her investigations.

  "Let me introduce you to everyone," Kyle said.

  "This is Meghan and Max Vandenburg who are expecting their first child. Kelsey, my sister and her fiancée Cody Graham who you know. Ryan Jones, the sheriff who you met the other night."

  Shaking hands with his friends she noticed Kelsey seemed a little cool. Since Cody was her fiance that was to be expected. How many sitting here understood her reason for being in town. What had they been told?

  "Jim and Kyle did the stupid Cupid dance night before last."

  The people around the table laughed and Tempe leaned into Kyle. "Dancing naked has been brought up several times. What is the significance of this dance?"

  "I'll tell you later," he said softly avoiding her gaze.

  None of them acted surprised the brothers danced nude around a decorative bubbler in the middle of town and she found this odd. Actually kind of creepy.

  "Where's Jim?"

  "Just missed him," Taylor said. "He and Shadow had to run some errands."

  "Shadow? That's her name ?" Kyle asked, glancing at each one.

  "Jim rescued her night before last," Kelsey said with a smile. "Did you meet Tempe last night?"

  Ryan started laughing. "Yes, we got a call that a nude man was breaking into the clinic. Guess who called and who was the perp?"

  Everyone at the table chuckled while Kyle went silent. Confusion swept over Tempe, why the snickers? It had something to do with Kyle dancing around the God of Love, but what was the sense of acting like a fool?

  "I thought maybe a homeless person was entering to steal drugs."

  This produced even more laughter and she observed his friends questioning what she didn't understand. "What is going on? All of you seem to think this is acceptable behavior."

  Kelsey's eyes widened as she stared at Kyle an incredulous look on her face. "You haven't told her?"

  "Of course not. Why would I tell her when I don't believe in this silly legend. She probably would jump back in her car and drive out of town."

  Cody smiled and she knew he would be happy with her pulling out of town But it wasn't going to happen. Regulations must be followed and in the end the rules saved many cows.

  The auburn haired woman, tilted her head at her sideways. "So Kyle hasn't told you the importance of the Cupid dance?"

  "No," Tempest said, curious how many sitting at the table had taken part in this strange act. "Anyone else here done this nude dancing?"

  Snickers came from the table and she peeked at Kyle, who looked everywhere in the cafe, but at her.

  Meghan laughed. "Oh honey, Taylor, Kelsey, and myself have found love because we danced. We have a superstition in our town that if you dance naked at midnight around the fountain in the square, the next person you see is your true love."

  Turning to stare at the vet, she'd come to admire, unable to believe that a man of his intelligence,
a man of science believed in such nonsense refused to look at her. "And you accepted this craziness and was naked in the town square?"

  Finally, he turned his dark brown eyes on her. "Remember, I lost a bet and thanks to Cody, to keep my word, I had to dance around the statue. But that doesn't mean I accept this as fact."

  Tempe's analytical mind was having a hard time grasping why anyone would condone such craziness. "The rest of you believe in this superstition?"

  Slowly they nodded their heads. The curly blonde, Meghan, appeared to be the most outspoken amongst them smiled. "All of us are in the process of marrying or have already married because of the Cupid legend. Max was the first person I saw after I danced in the town square. Ryan almost arrested Taylor and Cody picked up Kelsey running down the road."

  "Nice," Tempe said, wondering how many others in town claimed this weird practice and why would you admit to it.

  "Now you were Kyle's first," Meghan said smiling.

  The realization that they all supposed she and Kyle were a couple slammed into her. They thought he was her true love.

  Helpless to stop herself laughter bubbled up inside and spilled out. If only they recognized her face, they would be running and pulling poor Kyle away from her. She wasn't searching for love. Hell, she wasn't even interested in finding a man. Life had dealt her a blow that would make it impossible for her to ever have a normal life.

  The only goal achievable for her was to open up a Veterinary hospital, not find happiness with another person, dragging them into her troublesome life.

  "What's so funny?" Kyle asked, his expression one of hurt.

  "All of you believe in this foolishness," Tempe said. "It's not real."

  Sighing, she could see him visibly relax and knew he feared her reaction when she learned she was the first.

  "I'm with you on this."

  The couples all glanced at one another and smiled. Meghan laughed. "We weren't believers either until we fell in love."

  All she could think was not happening. Not today, tomorrow or anytime soon.

  "Absolutely not," she said. "Once my investigation is complete, I'll be returning to Austin. My work comes first. The government doesn't pay me to find love."