Cowboy Doctor

by Rebecca Winters

  “Shall we get back to the ranch and take a look at Chief?”

  “Please. I’m anxious to see if his hoof is any better.”

  Darkness had fallen by the time he drove them back to the house in his truck. “I’ll follow you. Give me a minute to load the radiography machine so I can take X-rays.”

  Once that was done, he helped her into her car. “It’s starting to rain. Drive safely and remember I’m right behind you.” Unable to stop himself, he kissed her long and hard before shutting the door. Once behind the wheel of his truck, he phoned Eli to let him know they were headed to Hamilton.

  “I’m on your tail, bro. What’s the latest news?”

  “Craig Simmonds and Grady Cox are both spying for Wes Hunter.” Roce talked to his brother about Tracey’s conversation with Simmonds in the Laundromat. “I wish to hell we knew where Wes’s father took him last night.”

  “That would help. We’ll just have to figure out another way to track him down.”

  “Tracey’s going to talk to Fran. Maybe we’ll learn something. Be sure to tell Wymon what I found out.”

  “I will. Right now he’s working with a detective to learn what he can about the guy who owns the truck Simmonds is driving.”

  “I can’t thank you guys enough.”

  “Forget it. It’s our pleasure.”

  Roce hung up and phoned Tracey. “When we reach the dude ranch, drive straight to the barn. We’ll go in together. I’m going to need you to help steady Chief while I take the X-rays. If Grady is around, just act as normal as you can.”

  “Don’t worry.”

  To his surprise he saw Sheldon Hunter on the premises when they pulled up outside the barn. Roce turned off the windshield wipers. The rain was coming down hard. There was no sign of Grady.

  Tracey got out of her car and hurried over to carry his doctor bag while he took in the portable X-ray equipment.

  Sheldon waited for them outside Chief’s stall. “Dad told me he has hired you to be our official vet. Welcome aboard. I’m glad you’re here. Chief needs attention.” He turned to Tracey. “For the time being I’ll be in charge of the trail rides. You can choose whatever horse you’d like on Monday morning.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Hunter.”

  “Both of you call me Sheldon.”

  Everyone avoided the mention of Wes as Roce brushed the raindrops off his bag and opened it. While Sheldon got him a bucket of warm water, Roce unwrapped the poultice. There’d been more drainage, which meant the hoof wasn’t free of infection yet.

  Following that, he set everything up to remove Chief’s shoe before he took an X-ray. He asked Tracey to hand him the hoof rasp and clippers from his bag. After ten minutes the shoe came off and he filed down the clinches.

  “Now we’ll take a picture from half a dozen angles and find out if there’s been some serious damage done.”

  Tracey patted Chief’s neck and spoke in gentle tones while Roce worked. When he was ready, he told her how to hold the plate. She made a great assistant. Before long he finished up and then soaked the hoof in more warm water and Epsom salts. Lastly he applied a fresh poultice.

  “I’ll take a look at these pictures back at the hospital and we’ll see what else might have to be done.”

  Those fantastic violet eyes beseeched him. “What do you really think?”

  “I don’t like the way Chief is favoring his leg. His pain has affected his whole stance. My gut tells me he’ll probably go lame, but I’ll do everything I can to prevent it.”

  Tears glistened on the ends of Tracey’s eyelashes. She was so beautiful he wanted to pull her into his arms, but he still hadn’t finished taking care of the horse.

  Reaching into his bag, he drew out the balling gun with the antibiotic and helped Chief swallow it. “There you go, buddy. We’re going to get you better.”

  “We are,” Tracey cooed with her arms around his neck.

  Sheldon eyed the two of them. “I’ll empty the bucket and tend to Chief. My son should never have brought him back from Darby this early.”

  “Well, he’s getting the help he needs now,” Roce said. He gathered up his equipment. “Come on, Tracey. I’ll follow you to your cabin.”

  They said good-night to Sheldon and went outside. The rain had turned to a drizzle. Roce followed her in his truck, keeping an eye out for Simmonds or Grady. He purposely drove past Simmonds’s cabin, but the blue truck wasn’t there.

  Tracey held the cabin door open. He walked inside and headed to the kitchen to wash his hands and arms. She brought him a towel. Roce thanked her. “You’re a terrific helper, you know that?” He studied her for a minute. “How would you like a job with the newest vet on the block?”

  Her eyes lit up in amusement. “You mean helping you while you X-ray your patients?”

  His mouth curved. “That and other things, like answering the phone, making appointments. The money wouldn’t be great at first, but there would be insurance and perks.”

  “Really?” she drawled. “What kind?”

  “Besides taking care of Daisy when I’m out on calls, you’d live at the family ranch house and have your own horse to ride whenever you want.”

  “This sounds like a genuine job offer.”

  “A temporary one for as long as you need to stay away from the dude ranch.” He folded the towel and put it on the counter. “When I left the hospital in Missoula, I knew I’d need an assistant. That time has come. Before I start advertising for one, I thought I’d let you know about it in case you were interested. Another scare from Wes is one too many.”

  Her expression sobered before she absently rubbed her hands over her hips. “You’re serious.”

  “I wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise. Why don’t you think about it?”

  She turned and went into the living room. He trailed her. Tracey wheeled around, looking stunned. “I couldn’t live at your family’s ranch house. I wouldn’t dream of imposing on your family like that.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “A lot of people have lived there at one time or other for indefinite periods, including the woman Wymon married. My mother has to put business people up all the time who need to stay over. We have a housekeeper, Solana, who’d take care of you.”

  “If the improbable happened and I did decide to work for you, I would find a place in Stevensville to live.”

  “But you wouldn’t be on Clayton land, where you’d be protected. It’s a two-minute drive from the ranch house to mine.”

  She lifted her head and the lamplight made her silvery-gold hair appear to glow. “When you do hire someone, will you tell them they can live in your mother’s home?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because they won’t be Wes Hunter’s target.”

  She averted her eyes, making Roce wonder if he was moving too fast for her, especially if she wasn’t completely over the death of her fiancé.

  “Tell you what. I’ll be by at seven thirty in the morning to check on Chief. Afterward, we’ll eat breakfast on the way to the ranch. Depending on the weather, I’ll ask Solana to fix us a picnic and we’ll take a long ride in the mountains. I want you to see where I grew up.”

  His phone rang, interrupting them. He checked the caller ID. “I’ve got to go, Tracey. Are we set for tomorrow?”

  It took a few seconds before she said yes. Roce knew she hadn’t been expecting a job offer from him. It was too big a decision after what she’d lived through.

  “Good.” In a few swift strides he reached for her and kissed her fully on the mouth before leaving the cabin.

  As soon as he climbed in the cab, he returned Eli’s call. “What’s up?”

  “Five minutes ago Simmonds drove in to the ranch. He dropped another man off in front of the barn before going to his c
abin.”

  “It was probably Grady. The pot has been stirred.” Roce turned on the engine and headed toward the highway. “Grady’s going to find Wes’s father inside and learn I was there to take care of Chief.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on both men tonight. Tomorrow morning, Wymon will take over for me. We’re going to hunt Wes down and discover what he’s up to.”

  “I take it Wymon doesn’t have any new information yet.”

  “Not yet. But he will.”

  “You two are the best. I’m headed home. I’ve asked Tracey to spend the day with me on the ranch tomorrow.”

  “Nice.”

  Nice didn’t cover it and both men knew it. In all these years, and all the women Roce had dated, he’d never brought one back to the ranch. He was in so deep with Tracey, he’d already offered her a job. Until he felt she’d accept a marriage proposal, he’d do whatever it took to keep her close and safe.

  Geez. Has it only been a week?

  Chapter Eight

  Sunday morning turned out bright and clear. The storm had moved on, ensuring a beautiful day in the mountains. Though tempted to talk to her grandfather about Wes Hunter and the situation, Tracey put it off, because Roce’s job offer had really thrown her.

  She was crazy in love with him, yet he wanted her to work for him. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate his trying to help her out of a potentially dangerous situation. But she didn’t want to be his assistant. She’d hoped he couldn’t live without her, either, and wanted her for his wife one day!

  Was there something wrong with her, to love him this much after just one week? Did it mean she wasn’t over the pain of her dreams being shattered a year and a half ago? A psychiatrist would probably tell her she needed therapy before making a decision that could bring on more pain.

  If it became clear she was in more danger, she could give John her notice and return home to Polson. But that would allow Roce to hire someone else—probably a lovely young woman who would fall in love with him on sight. Neither alternative was acceptable.

  Roce, Roce.

  Tracey showered and dressed in jeans and a Western shirt. With her makeup applied and her hair brushed, she put her phone in her pants’ pocket. After pulling on her cowboy boots, she donned her Stetson and left the cabin for the barn.

  She could see Roce’s truck in the distance. The sight of it caused her breath to catch. Anything to do with him had the same effect on her.

  No sooner had she reached the barn than Wes’s wife approached her, the very person she’d wanted to talk to. “Hi!” Fran’s smile seemed forced. Tracey couldn’t imagine how hard this had to be for her.

  “Hi, yourself. It’s nice to see you.”

  “John told me I’d probably find you here. Since you haven’t been to the ranch house for a few days, he asked me to come out here and give you this present from the Briscoe family.” She handed her a small, gift-wrapped box.

  “What a surprise! Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. See you later.”

  “Wait, Fran.” She hurried after her. “I’m so sorry for what has happened. John told me Wes has found another job somewhere else. That must be so hard on you to be separated from him during the day.”

  “But we’re together at night.”

  “Of course. Are you going to continue working here?”

  She nodded. “For the time being.”

  “Where did he go?”

  “To a farm outside Hamilton.”

  “Oh, good. Then he’s close.”

  “Yes. He has to be.”

  “I’m sure he wants to be near you.”

  “I hope so, but he’s been getting therapy for a drinking problem he’s tried to overcome for several years. He can’t miss his sessions.”

  “I’m sorry you’re going through such a tough situation right now.”

  “So am I. Thanks for caring.”

  “Of course. See you later.”

  After Fran ran off, Tracey walked into the barn and found Sheldon with Roce, who was already soaking Chief’s hoof again. He looked up and their eyes held. “Good morning. What have you got there?”

  “A gift from the family I rode with all last week.”

  “Aren’t you going to open it?”

  Tracey smiled and undid the wrapping. Inside the box was a set of silver cowgirl earrings with a dangling bronco rider charm. “How sweet. Their daughter loved my earrings. These had to have been her idea.”

  “You made a big hit.”

  She put them back in the box and tucked it in her back pocket. “How’s Chief?”

  “His hoof is still draining, but not as badly.”

  “That’s good.”

  “I’ll apply a poultice and give him another pill, then we can leave.”

  “What did the X-rays show?”

  “He has a fracture that extends up the midline of the bone into the coffin joint.”

  She frowned. “Coffin joint?”

  “The fracture is deep inside, like a body in a coffin. In time he’ll be able to handle light riding and going out to pasture, but he’s lame. I fear there’ll be an onset of osteoarthritis as a result of the damage from the fracture.”

  “It’s a damn shame,” Sheldon muttered.

  Roce looked up at him. “I’ll send for the farrier to apply a bar shoe to the hoof. It will protect the rim. In the meantime, if you’ll supply some deep bedding, it will help pad Chief’s hoof and induce him to lie down. We’ll keep him in the stall and comfortable until he’s recovered.”

  Sheldon nodded. “I’ll take care of it.” He removed the bucket and left to empty it. Tracey carried Roce’s vet bag out to the truck and climbed in.

  He soon joined her and they left the dude ranch. “Where would you like to eat?”

  “Why don’t you let me do something nice for you? If you’ll stop at the grocery store, I’ll pick out the items I need to make us breakfast.”

  Roce flashed her a smile. “You’re on.”

  Within forty-five minutes they’d reached his house and she’d put the ingredients together for French crepes, one of her specialties. Roce ate half a dozen, along with a half pound of bacon cooked crisply, the way he liked it. When they couldn’t eat another bite, she told him to relax while she loaded the dishwasher. “Remember. This is my treat.”

  He watched her from the kitchen table. “Those crepes are my new favorite breakfast. What was the secret flavor?”

  She chuckled. “Spoken like a five-star chef. After cooking them, you spread on orange juice and powdered sugar before rolling them up.”

  “The citrus. That was it!” He got up from the table. “If you opened up a little French crepe shop here in Stevensville, you’d become a millionaire overnight.”

  Tracey darted him a covert glance. “First a vet assistant, now a chef. Are you trying to tell me my efforts are being wasted on the dude ranch?”

  He moved closer and cupped her face in his hands. “Are you really surprised?”

  But before she could answer, his phone rang. They were both frustrated by the interruption. Roce pressed his forehead against hers before he checked the caller ID and clicked on. It sounded to her like he was talking to one of his brothers.

  After hanging up, he said, “Wymon is on his way back from the dude ranch. He wanted us to know he did surveillance early this morning. Both Simmonds and Grady met at the barn before I arrived.”

  She moaned. “There was no reason for Craig to be there. He’s supposed to be helping in the kitchen with the meals.”

  “Wymon found out something else even more important. His friend at the police department phoned to tell him that the owner of that blue truck has just reported it stolen.”

  She stared at him. “You mean since
he checked the criminal database the first time?”

  “Yes. It just came in. Wonders never cease, do they?”

  She shook her head. “That means—”

  “The police are looking for it,” he stated, breaking in. “And we know where it is. I have to alert John, who will have to call the detective working on Wes’s case and tell him everything we’ve learned.”

  “This is terrible, Roce.” She sat down on one of the chairs. “If you hadn’t told Wymon, and he hadn’t called his friend, we wouldn’t know how far-reaching this is. Craig told me he started working here last summer. It looks as though two troubled souls found each other,” she confided.

  “Or they’d joined forces long before Craig applied for the job. Wes probably arranged it. John has unloaded to me. Because he’s a very wealthy man, Wes feels he’s entitled to everything. He doesn’t think his grandfather is being fair.

  “We talked about Grady and believe maybe he helped Wes steal that horse three months ago. For that matter, John is wondering if there are others working on the ranch who are tied up with Wes. It’s clear John no longer trusts Grady.”

  “To think Wes could do this to his grandfather and family is beyond heartbreaking. Poor Fran. She told me Wes is working on a farm near Hamilton.”

  “That’s important information!”

  “She also said he’s going to therapy for a drinking problem.”

  “At least that’s what she’s been told.” His features hardened. “What I can’t forgive is his lying to you and criticizing you.” The ice in his voice caused Tracey to shiver. “Excuse me while I call John.”

  For the next ten minutes she listened while Roce talked to him. When she became the topic of conversation, it didn’t surprise her, but her pulse sped up to think her job could be on the line because of the precariousness of the situation.

  Once again Roce handed her his phone. “John wants to talk to you.”

  She nodded and said hello.

  “The news Dr. Clayton has just given me forces me to make a decision I don’t want to make, but it’s for your best interest, Tracey. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you under my roof. Therefore, I’m asking you to leave the dude ranch today for at least one week, maybe two, while the police investigate everything.”