Fresh-Start Ranch

by Leann Harris

  “Oh, Mom.” Tessa threw her arms around her mother again.

  Tessa turned to Doc. “I guess you’ve met my mother.”

  He nodded. “I have.”

  Her mother’s eyes went to Ethan. “And this is...”

  Tessa gasped and turned toward Ethan. “Mom, this is Ethan McClure.”

  Her mother’s brow arched, making Ethan curious.

  “Ethan, my mom, Joan Grant.”

  Ethan shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. Your daughter’s made quite a splash.”

  Joan cocked her head. “I sense a story.”

  “I’ll say she made a good impression on my horse.” Ethan and Tessa laughed. Doc smiled.

  Tessa waved away the story. “Let’s go see my graduation present.” She hurried outside to the parking lot with everyone trailing behind her.

  Tessa stood staring at the truck for a moment before she ran her hands over the front fender. “My old truck’s going to be jealous.”

  Did he hear right? “Your truck has feelings?”

  “I talked him through the last winter at school and he didn’t fail me.”

  Ethan grinned and turned to Doc. Oddly, Doc looked torn, as if he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

  Tessa ran her hand down the side of the truck, around the back, and came up to the driver-side door.

  She opened the driver’s door and stepped up on the running board. The seats were leather, with all the bells and whistles inside—GPS, radio/CD player, everything anyone could want. “Oh, my, Mom, you put all the goodies in this.”

  “I did,” Joan answered.

  Looking inside, Ethan whistled. “That’s a top-rate setup.”

  Tessa slid into the captain’s chair and ran her hand over the dash, then leaned her head on the steering wheel. “You must’ve saved for a long time.”

  Joan smiled at her daughter. “I think you deserve this with all the work you’ve done.” She opened the passenger door of the truck and pointed to the dash. “One of the perks I had them add was heated seats.”

  Tessa stared at her mother. “Really?”

  “Absolutely.” Her mother slipped into the passenger seat. “There were too many times that you had to do without and you never complained. I wanted to give you this now because I could.”

  Ethan glanced at Doc. The older man’s mouth was turned down in a frown.

  “Besides,” Joan continued, “I thought with the weather in Kentucky or wherever you ended up, you’d need the extra heat if you got called out in the middle of the night during the winter, or early in the morning.”

  “I like that idea,” Ethan commented, thinking of the cold mornings he drove out to meetings or out to deliver feed on the range. “It won’t take long for you to find the benefits of heated seats living around here.”

  Tessa beamed as if it were Christmas morning. “Well, I’ll just have to drive my present to church tomorrow.”

  Ethan said his goodbye, then pulled Doc aside. “Is everything okay?”

  Doc frowned. “Everything’s fine. Why?”

  “Well, you look a little out of sorts.”

  “You’re imagining things.” Doc stomped away.

  After saying goodbye to Tessa and her mother, Ethan headed home. Seeing the joy in Tessa’s eyes as she hugged her mother and investigated her graduation present, he knew that whether he liked it or not, his heart was involved with a five-foot dynamo who didn’t know the meaning of the word no. She’d overcome the odds against her. But could she overcome his wariness when it came to relationships?

  What a surprise Tessa’s mother had been. Giving her daughter a new truck was one of the best gifts he’d heard about.

  But as he thought about it, he wondered at Doc’s tempered reaction to Tessa’s reunion with her mother. Was he mad that Joan showed up unannounced? That didn’t make any sense. Doc wasn’t a prickly kind of guy. Then what was the cause of his odd reaction?

  Was something going on that he should know about?

  * * *

  Tessa watched as Ethan drove away from the clinic. Turning back to her mother, she felt a blush rising in her cheeks. “The truck is a dream, Mom,” she said, trying to dispel the odd feeling running up her spine.

  Her mother beamed. “I got it for you because we’ve made it, sweetheart, despite the odds.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Tessa glanced at Doc, who stood in the breezeway. His bleak expression surprised her. She didn’t think he minded her mother visiting, so why did he have that expression?

  “How long are you going to be able to stay?” Tessa asked, as they walked inside.

  “I’d planned on staying for a week. I wanted to have some time with you since we haven’t had some really good mother-daughter time since you started school.”

  Most of Tessa’s vacation time for the past few years she’d spent at stables where she’d housed her horse or the veterinary practice close by. “Great.”

  Later that night as they were getting ready for bed, Joan walked out of the bathroom, rubbing lotion into her arms and said, “So that’s Ethan.”

  Tessa looked up from the journal she was reading, putting her finger on the line where she stopped. Apparently, she’d put more in her voice when talking about Ethan than she realized. “Yes, that’s him.”

  “So tell me about him.”

  She explained about the McClure family, Ethan’s reaction to her caring for Ranger, and Hope’s birth. “I think after he’s worked with me, I’ve won his respect. And—”

  Her mother sat on the edge of the bed and waited for Tessa’s answer. “And what?”

  She ran her hand through her hair. Tonight, something changed between Ethan and her that she couldn’t identify. “I don’t know. I’m just—” her mind searched for the word “—aware of him. It’s something I’ve never experienced before.”

  Her mother leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “You get that tingly feeling in the pit of your stomach when you’re around him.”

  How’d she know that? “That’s it.”

  Her mother’s eyes went soft and her lips curved slightly upward. “I know that feeling.”

  Tessa had never seen her mother with that expression on her face before.

  “It was that way for me with your father. If he walked into the room, I knew it. We laughed and found joy in just walking in the park or sitting in lawn chairs and looking at the sky. Of course, that was all we could afford.”

  Tessa gaped at her mother. Never had Joan mentioned falling in love with her father.

  “It was a wonderful summer.” Joan seemed to come back to the present. “I understand those feelings.”

  Tessa wasn’t ready to acknowledge “those feelings,” so she turned the focus back to her mother. “You’ve never told me about how you and Dad fell in love.”

  Joan stared down at her hands. “It was a long time ago.”

  Tessa waited. “I’m not that old.”

  “True.” Her mother thought about it, then nodded. “It was the summer between my junior and senior year in high school. I was at the local burger drive-in, having a root beer float. He was the new guy working in the kitchen. I saw him through the window and caught my breath. Later that day, I found an excuse to go back to the drive-in without all my friends.”

  Tessa had never seen that relationship between her parents. By the time she could remember, there seemed to be a strain between them.

  “He noticed me, and after his shift, he bought me a shake.” Her mother shook off the memories. “And the rest is history.”

  It hadn’t all been a good history, though it was nice to hear her mother still had some pleasant memories. To change the subject, Tessa set aside her journal, swung her legs over the side of the bed and grab
bed her mother’s hands. “I’m so glad you’re here to see where I work so I can to share it with you.

  “Doc Adams has been great. He’s treated me as a partner from day one. Of course the man is old-fashioned but if I can get him in the twenty-first century with computers and doing things the easy way, I think he’ll like it.”

  “So, he’s been fair with you?”

  Tessa sat next to her mother. “He has. More than fair.”

  Joan slipped her arm around Tessa’s shoulders and drew her close. “I’m glad things have turned out so well.”

  “I think you’ll be impressed with the ranchers around here when you meet a lot of them tomorrow at church.”

  Her mom nodded, but there just seemed to be something off about her reaction. Tessa didn’t understand, but decided not to push and ruin the precious time she had with her mother.

  But sleep didn’t come quickly as she couldn’t keep the doubts at bay.

  Chapter Eight

  Tessa bounced into the kitchen the next morning. Her joy and excitement at having her mother visiting buoyed her spirit. The new truck sitting outside the kitchen window only added to her elation. “Good morning,” she cheerfully greeted everyone.

  Her mother sat at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in her hands. Doc sat across the table from Joan with his own coffee. Between them was an apple streusel coffee cake, given to Doc yesterday at Llutz family ranch. Ranchers in the area kept them well stocked in baked goods. Tessa had joked with Doc the first time he came back to the clinic with a brisket, asking if that was the payment. He simply smiled.

  When Joan looked up to greet Tessa, for an instant Tessa saw a deep sadness in her mother’s eyes. Instantly it disappeared. “Hello, sleepyhead,” she teased.

  Tessa kissed her mother’s cheek, wondering if she’d mistaken the sad expression. Could her mother miss her that much? She’d been away from home for the past eight years getting her DVM degree. That didn’t make sense.

  “That looks great, Doc.” Tessa nodded to the streusel, then walked over to the coffeemaker and poured herself a cup. When she turned around, she caught Doc stealing a glance at Joan. Tessa couldn’t interpret Doc’s expression. She joined them at the table.

  Tessa cut herself a piece of the coffee cake and put it on one of the napkins in the center of the table. Taking a bite, the flavors of cinnamon, sugar and apples burst onto her tongue. “Oh, my.”

  Her mother and Doc smiled.

  “As far as I’m concerned, Mrs. Llutz can pay in pastries from here on out.”

  “Tessa always lived on her stomach. My little girl wasn’t afraid to chow down.”

  Doc laughed, but there was that hint of melancholy in his eyes.

  Although it was a joke that Tessa never left food on the table, there had been times when there wasn’t anything to eat. Love and understanding filled Joan’s eyes.

  “Greta has a gift for cooking,” Doc added. “And you’ll find the residents of this part of New Mexico are very proud and will always pay whether in trade or money. You won’t often get a thank-you or approval after you’ve doctored one of their animals, but they’ll pay in one way or another.” Doc took another sip of his coffee. “One time, I had one of the ranchers tell me he’d pay me throughout the year with hay once his crop was harvested.” He shrugged. “I didn’t have to buy hay the next year. Same with Stan down at the garage. I saw his daughter’s dog—”

  Tessa arched her brow.

  “I do treat dogs and cats. Anyway, the dog had heartworms. The treatment was expensive, but Stan serviced my truck until he paid off his debt. That’s how things work out here.”

  Joan smiled. “It’s not only out here. Farmers in Kentucky and in the Smoky Mountains do it, too.” She nodded at Tessa. “Ask your new hire there.”

  Doc turned to Tessa.

  “I had a horse. Things got tight when I was growing up and when we couldn’t pay for the horse’s feed and stabling, I went to the stables and offered to work free in exchange for my horse’s room and board. The owners agreed.”

  Doc glanced at her.

  “I wanted to keep my horse, and thought of a way to do it.”

  Approval shone in the older man’s eyes. “I knew I liked your style when I interviewed you on the phone.”

  The compliment warmed Tessa’s heart. She felt her mother’s glow of pride.

  She glanced at the clock. “Oh, I’ve got to see to the horses before we go to church.”

  “Not a problem,” Doc answered. “I fed them. You just get ready.”

  Tessa sat back in her chair. With the exception of her mother, Tessa had never been able to count on another person to take up the slack in her duties. She felt tears sting her eyes. “Thank you.”

  He nodded, acting as if it was nothing special. “And I think you should drive that new truck of yours. Show it off.”

  “But I don’t have my equipment transferred over.”

  Doc smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll drive mine, just in case we have an emergency.”

  Tessa liked the idea. How thoughtful of Doc. It was a new experience for her to have a man show consideration for and pride in her. What would it have been like if her dad had been like that?

  * * *

  After the church service, Ethan’s family gathered around Tessa’s new truck, oohing and aahing at the beautiful vehicle. Several of the ranchers that Tessa had already dealt with also came by to admire the truck. She felt like a new mother, showing off her baby.

  “It won’t stay new-looking long,” Steve Barlow drawled. “Looks mighty nice now. Enjoy.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “I think I need one of those vehicles,” Ken McClure stated, once the crowd had diminished. “It even has seat warmers, doesn’t it?”

  “It does.” Tessa grinned at her mom. “And I’m going to enjoy them, particularly on those winter days when I’ve got an emergency.”

  “And in the dead of the night,” Doc added.

  Lynda McClure stepped forward. “Tessa, why don’t you and your mom come and join us for lunch?”

  Tessa opened her mouth to refuse, but Lynda held up her hand. “I’ve made enough to feed an army and both my Beth and Sophie are coming, and bringing food. Remember, this is the only socialization we get. Please come. We’d love to have you and your mom join us.”

  “What about Doc?” Tessa asked.

  “Not to worry. He has a standing invitation to come to lunch every Sunday. He’ll be there.” Lynda glanced at Doc. “Won’t you, Vince?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.” Doc turned and headed for his truck.

  “What do you think, Mom?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “And you can share the dirt about Dr. Tessa,” Beth teased.

  “There are stories,” Joan replied.

  “Mom!”

  Joan tried to look innocent.

  Tessa could only pray her mother didn’t pick anything she couldn’t live down, because there were some doozies.

  * * *

  While the men sat in the den watching a pregame football program, the women organized the food and placed it on the table.

  Joan thanked Lynda again for the invitation.

  Lynda waved off the comment. “We’re so glad that Doc found a partner and a talented one, too. Doc’s been our vet for the last twenty-some-odd years.” Lynda lowered her voice. “The man’s not moving as fast as he once did, and we encouraged him to bring in another vet.” Lynda looked at Tessa. “She’s not quite what we expected, but I think she’s going to work out fine.”

  Joan studied her daughter. “She worked hard for that degree. If she hadn’t had the scholarship, she couldn’t have gone.”

  “You must be proud.”

  “I am.”


  Lynda grabbed the platter of brisket and walked to the table. “Lunch.”

  The men filed into the dining room. When Zach started to sit by Tessa, Ethan gave his brother a dark look. Zach shrugged and sat by his wife. Tessa looked around at the seated couples, Zach and Sophie, Beth and Tyler, Lynda and Ken, Doc Adams and her mom. She stopped there, looking at the two of them.

  “Let’s pray,” Ken said.

  He offered a short prayer for the couples at the table, the abundance of food and for God’s grace.

  “Amen,” they said in unison.

  As the dishes were passed around, Ken asked, “Joan, what do you do?”

  “I work for Kingston International. I started as a secretary and worked my way up to VP of my division.” Her mother described the company and what they did.

  Afterward, the talk turned to horses and the equine therapy ranch. Everyone had a story to tell about their adventures with horses.

  The laugher and fellowship around the McClure table made Tessa yearn. This is what a family should be, with jokes and smiles, shared concerns and prayers, instead of sullen meals with a father who was either too drunk to appreciate the meal, or too animated, his breath smelling of whiskey. Tessa watched as each of Ken’s children joked and talked with him. He knew about their lives and asked questions and offered help. It was Tessa’s dream of a family.

  She traded glances with her mother and knew her mom had the same thoughts.

  Not only was the happy family dinner a new experience for Tessa, her awareness of Ethan was a first for her. She never had this “awareness” before, even with her fiancé, and kept on thinking of things she wanted to ask Ethan, or things she wanted to tell him.

  Ethan leaned close and whispered, “Don’t let the arguing fool you, they love each other.” Zach and Beth had been arguing about how stubborn she was and how she’d made her brothers’ lives miserable.

  “I’m not fooled,” she answered. “I see the love.”

  “Good.” He nodded. “And you be sure to put in a good word for Zach and me to my sister. Bethy needs to appreciate us.”