Fresh-Start Ranch

by Leann Harris

  Ken rang the triangle hanging by the stone grill. “Dinner’s ready, folks. Why don’t we give thanks, then grab a steak and the other fixings and find a place to eat.” Ken bowed his head and prayed over the food. “Lord, thank You for this bounty, these friends and Doc’s new partner. Amen.” He raised his head. “Let’s eat.”

  It took several minutes for the crowd to get their meal. Tessa settled at the table with Ethan’s family.

  “Have you met everyone?” Beth asked Tessa.

  “I have. And I talked with everyone who is caring for one of the horses we rescued. There are a couple of problems. I’ll go out tomorrow and see about them.”

  “I do need to warn you about something.” Beth looked around. “If either of them tells you something about me, don’t believe it.”

  “Why is that?” Tessa asked.

  “Because they’re my brothers. Need I say more?”

  Zach opened his mouth to protest, but Sophie elbowed him.

  Beth laughed and Ethan grinned.

  “It serves you right,” Beth told Zach. She turned to Tessa. “Don’t your siblings give you grief, too?”

  “I was an only child.” Tessa tried not to put too much emotion in her answer, but when she was growing up, she’d envied all of her friends who had brothers and sisters. Her childhood might have been easier with a brother or sister to share some of the hard times when her father would get drunk and claim her mom really didn’t love him.

  She felt Ethan tense beside her.

  “I stepped in that, didn’t I?” Beth gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I had friends who wished they were an only child, but that’s just part of growing up, wanting what the other guy has.”

  The conversation flowed easily around her. The teasing that went on between Ethan and his brother and sister warmed Tessa’s heart. She felt the love flowing among the three.

  “I hope you’ll join us at church tomorrow morning,” Beth added.

  Tessa smiled. “I’d like that.”

  Beth and Sophie explained about the church and its beliefs.

  “Sounds like a good fit. I’ll need directions, but I’ll be there.”

  “I have a better idea.” Sophie glanced at Beth. “Ethan can pick you up and drive you to church.”

  Zach frowned. “But Dr. Adams—ouch.” He turned to his wife. He reached down and rubbed his leg. “Why’d you do that?”

  Beth bit back a grin while Zach looked at his wife.

  The “ah-ha” expression that crossed Zach’s face made his sister laugh. None of the men at the table smiled.

  They looked at Ethan.

  “Sure, I’d be happy to pick up Tessa,” Ethan offered.

  Tessa squirmed, aware of all the eyes now resting on her. “That’s not necessary.”

  “You’re right. It’s not necessary,” Beth said, “but I think it would be neighborly of Ethan to drive you to church. Don’t you think so, Zach?”

  Zach’s eyes twinkled. “I do.”

  This was a losing battle and Tessa wanted to be gracious. “That sounds good. What time is the service?”

  Ethan looked pointedly at his siblings. “Eleven, but Sunday school is at nine-thirty, so if I pick you up at nine, we can go to Sunday school and you can meet more of our neighbors.”

  Tessa felt the need for the fellowship and agreed. “Nine it is.”

  * * *

  That night as Tessa was getting ready for bed, her cell phone rang.

  “Dr. Tessa Grant.”

  “Oh, I never get tired of hearing that, sweetheart.”

  “Mom, are you back in the country?”

  “I am. I just flew in from Brussels and my first thought was to call you. How are things in New Mexico?”

  Tessa told her mother about her initial meeting with Ethan and the horse rescue. “You’d like Dr. Adams. He’s a steady, calm man. And he trusted me and put me to work right away.”

  “I can’t wait to come out there and see you. I should have a couple of weeks at the end of the month when I can get away. I also got a few more days of vacation along with a raise.”

  “That’s great, Mom. You deserve it with all the work you’ve put in there.”

  “I might go on a Missions Trip later this year. Pastor Tim wants to finish working on the orphanage they started last year. Have you found a church yet?”

  “Tomorrow, I’m going to church with Ethan.”

  “Oh? That sounds promising.”

  “Don’t make too much of it. His sister and sister-in-law volunteered him.” But he is a nice-looking man, she thought to herself, but didn’t say.

  “And what’s this man look like?” her mother asked, seeming to read her mind.

  “Mom, stop reading something into this. The man’s six foot three and I’d have to stand on a ladder to ki—uh, see eye to eye with him.” Tessa had finally broken down and asked Beth how tall her brother was.

  Her mother sighed. “Well, sweetheart, you’re through school, got your veterinary degree, so it’s okay to think about dating now.”

  “Mom.”

  “Don’t let that selfish man who you were engaged to sour you on all men. You have to let go of the past, like I have. Not that I regret everything that happened—I certainly don’t regret having you.”

  Tears clogged Tessa’s throat. Her mother got pregnant her senior year in high school. Apparently, her parents didn’t approve, because Tessa had never met her mother’s parents. Her father’s parents had died when Tessa was a baby and there’d only been her great-grandmother who hadn’t been able to help much when her father walked out, leaving them with nothing. It had been a struggle and her mother always encouraged Tessa to get her education first before getting married. And the one time she was tempted, the guy shot himself in the foot. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “I want you to know, Tessa, I never regretted having you. You are the greatest blessing in my life.”

  Tessa’s throat closed up with emotion. “Thanks.”

  “And as for the ride to church, I can’t think of a better way to start.”

  A simple ride to church took on an entirely new meaning for Tessa. “Let me know when you’re coming.” After exchanging goodbyes, Tessa hung up.

  Doc knocked on the door frame. “Is there any emergency?”

  “No. It was my mom, checking on me.”

  He smiled. “Mothers do that.”

  “She was disappointed she couldn’t help me move, but she was out of the country on a business trip for her company. She wanted to know how things were going.”

  “And you said?”

  “I think things have gone well.”

  He nodded, folding his arms over his chest. Still a slim man, Doc Adams had a shock of white hair, vibrant smile and eagerly faced each day, but Tessa noticed the joints in his hands showed signs of arthritis. “I think I picked a winner. Good night, Tessa.”

  Tessa’s heart swelled with pride. Most of the veterinary practices who dealt with large animals around her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, didn’t need another partner, especially one that was only five feet tall. No matter her ranking in her graduating class, they would only look at her height and wouldn’t even give her an interview. “Lord, I was disappointed that no one in Kentucky wanted me, but I think You had a better plan for me. Thank You.”

  Life was looking good.

  * * *

  The next morning Tessa sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Doc wandered in dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “You made coffee?”

  “I also made an omelet. It’s in the oven.”

  Doc grinned. “Thanks.” He pulled the plate from the oven, and potatoes along with his omelet. “Tessa, you found my weakness.”

&
nbsp; A knock sounded.

  “Not on Sunday, before my breakfast,” Doc muttered. Before Doc could move, the door swung open and Ethan walked in.

  “Hey, Doc.” Ethan looked at Tessa. “You ready to go?”

  Doc glared at Ethan. “No, I just sat down to breakfast.”

  Ethan flashed Tessa a grin. “Not you, Doc. I’m here to take Tessa to church.”

  The look of irritation on Doc’s face changed to surprise. “Why, I could—” He swallowed the rest of the sentence, looking from Tessa to Ethan. “I’m sure that Tessa will enjoy the service.”

  Tessa frowned. Something was afoot, but what?

  Ethan stepped toward the door. Doc Adams dug into his breakfast. “Good job, Tessa.”

  “We’ll see you later,” she called out as she walked out.

  Doc waved with his fork.

  Tessa felt odd when Ethan opened the passenger-side door. She gave him a questioning look. He shrugged. “Blame my mother. She always insisted I open her door. I know you can do it, Tessa, but to make my mother happy, can we let this slide?”

  Tessa wanted to laugh. “Okay, just you remember, I’m the vet.”

  “That’s burned into my brain.”

  Tessa nodded and slid into the front seat. Ethan closed her door and walked around the front of the truck and got behind the wheel. Why did this suddenly feel like a date? They were just going to church.

  As they drove out of the clinic parking lot, Ethan asked, “How’d you like our shindig last night?”

  “It was nice to get to know your family. It occurs to me that the dynamics out here are different than city practice.”

  Ethan laughed. “Yup, out here we get up close and personal, but we also depend more on each other. You and Doc are our lifelines, so be prepared to become part of your patients’ lives—or more accurately, the owners’ lives.”

  Tessa hadn’t really thought about that. That angle of this practice appealed to her.

  “I think I’m going to like that part of rural practice. I think once the ranchers get to know me, they’ll come to trust me, in spite of my size.” She laughed. “I was really the odd man out in vet school. The other female students thought I was crazy to want to go into big-animal practice. At least the people here understand why I love big animals so much.”

  Ethan glanced at her. “So, I wasn’t the only one?”

  She understood what he meant. He wasn’t the only one who was stumped by her choice of big-animal practice. “Unfortunately not. But after doing all the work in med school, why not go with what you love? And I think I have a way with horses.”

  “I’ll give you that.”

  His answer surprised her. “Sometimes God drops something into our hearts and we know our call. I knew.”

  “Hey, I won’t argue with God.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” she mumbled.

  He shook his head as he concentrated on the road ahead. As they drove to church, she remembered how Ethan introduced her as Dr. Grant to the others last night. Tessa realized in that introduction was a note of respect.

  That was a point in his favor. Maybe she was winning him over.

  * * *

  Ethan watched as Tessa’s eyes widened when Doc Adams walked into the sanctuary. Doc grinned at them.

  Tessa leaned over and whispered, “He goes here?”

  Ethan tried not to smile. “He does.”

  She sat back and listened to the service. When they stood up for the scripture reading and prayer, she leaned close to Ethan and whispered, “I think I’ve been set up.”

  “If you remember, I wasn’t the one who ramrodded this.”

  Tessa didn’t know if she should be insulted, upset or perplexed. It seemed that Ethan’s siblings were behind the push for him to take her to church. That thought discouraged her.

  He added in a low voice, “I would’ve tried a different approach.”

  Tessa did a double take and her pessimistic view lightened. She felt unsettled and dizzy.

  “You may sit down,” the preacher said.

  Tessa sat and scolded herself that she was here to listen to the sermon and see if this congregation was where she should be.

  “In 1st Corinthians 8:35,” the pastor began.

  Ethan opened his Bible to the scripture.

  Tessa read the verse along with Ethan, but her brain was focused on what Ethan had just said. He would’ve found another reason to be with her. So his opinion of her had changed? There had been a note of pride in his voice when he introduced her last night.

  A warmth spread through her chest. She tried to concentrate on the pastor’s message, but kept thinking back to last night. A smile crept across her lips. Was he beginning to believe in her skills? Could be, but was there something else involved?

  After the service, Ethan’s family sought them out. She was introduced to dozens of people by Ethan and his family, in glowing terms. The ranchers she hadn’t met before came by to say hi. That glow she felt earlier expanded. Doc Adams wandered over to where Tessa and Ethan stood. Her eyes narrowed on Doc. “You didn’t tell me you came here.”

  “It never occurred to me. I was surprised when Ethan showed up this morning, but he seemed determined to be the one who brought you, so I let him. Besides, I wanted to finish the omelet. Good job, by the way.”

  “Well, I can go back to the clinic with you.”

  “Nope. I just got a call on my cell wanting me to drive out to the Jessup ranch and look at one of their cows. There’s a problem. Ethan can take you home.”

  Ethan heard his name and turned back to Tessa and Doc. “What?”

  “I’ve got a call. You take Tessa home.” He didn’t wait for an answer but simply waved and left the church.

  Tessa turned to Ethan. “I smell another setup.”

  He leaned down and whispered, “It’s easier to go with the flow, than to have my family try and try again to throw us together. Why don’t we take the reins and decide what’s right for us?”

  She liked the sound of that. “For today.”

  He raised his hands. “I’m only going to take you back to the clinic, with maybe a stop for lunch.”

  With work waiting for her at the clinic, she preferred to eat out. “Okay, but remember, today’s okay isn’t tomorrow’s.”

  * * *

  As they finished their lunch at a small trendy hamburger joint on the southeast edge of Albuquerque, Tessa’s phone went off. Ethan watched as she talked with the rancher on the other end.

  “Okay, I’ll be there ASAP.” When she hung up, she turned to Ethan. “I need to get out to the Barlow ranch. Apparently, William showed up at their place, trying to take one of the rescue horses. As he was trying to load the animal, the horse cut his leg on some metal on William’s trailer. The horse got away and William drove off. I need to get out there. Can you drive me back to the clinic so I can get my bag and truck?”

  “Sure.” Ethan left enough money for both of their lunches. When Tessa started to object, he shook his head. “For a new visitor to church, it’s my treat.”

  “This time only.”

  He mumbled something under his breath that sounded like “being plagued with stubborn females.”

  They drove back to the clinic and Tessa got her gear together in less than twenty minutes. Ethan waited for her.

  “Do you know the way out to the Barlow ranch?” he asked.

  She stopped dead in her tracks. She’d met the Barlows last night, and knew their ranch was close to the McClures’ place, but she’d never actually been there. “Actually, no.”

  “Follow me.”

  “Thanks.”

  She tried not to think about anything but the roads they were driving as they made their way to the Barlow place. When they arri
ved, Steve Barlow had the horse in a stall and his leg wrapped. One of the sheriff’s patrol cars sat beside the house. Steve and his wife and the deputy waited outside the barn.

  The instant she walked through the doors, Tessa forgot all the people standing around watching her. “Did you see this happen?” she asked Steve.

  “As we were driving in from church, we saw William struggling with the stallion. When he saw us, he tried to force Samson into his trailer. That’s when the horse cut his leg. He reared and William let go, jumped into his truck and drove off with his trailer empty. It took us several minutes to chase this guy down.”

  Knowing how traumatized the horse was, Tessa calmly approached the animal. “How are you doing, big guy?”

  The animal backed up, his head high, his eyes wild. Tessa stopped and studied the animal. Steve Barlow had managed to wrap a towel round the stallion’s foreleg, but blood kept trickling down his leg and he was shaking.

  It was a standoff. She started to croon to Samson. He stopped shaking and allowed Tessa to come close. She took her time letting the animal get used to her. Once the horse accepted her touch, Tessa went to work, all the people watching her forgotten.

  * * *

  Tessa’s wonderful way with horses still awed Ethan. She was a natural. Each time he watched her work, his respect for her grew. When she asked for his assistance, he knew the woman put the animal first and wasn’t into grabbing the glory for herself. Watching her, it was obvious she loved her work. He understood her on a deeper level.

  When Tessa finished, she rubbed the horse’s nose. “You were so good. And despite your injury, you’re looking better, big guy.” She turned to Steve. “You’ve done a great job with him. I’m sure it hadn’t been easy. This guy’s got to be part Arabian.”

  “I agree. And I can see why William wanted him back. He’s a little high-strung, but I think with care, he’ll settle down. Why don’t you come into the house for a cup of coffee?”

  Ethan waited for her response. In the city, she’d immediately leave, but out here in the West, it was important that the vet take the time to get to know the ranchers.