Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) (3 page)

****

Jack was good company and had done so much for her peace of mind just by being there tonight that she found herself telling him all about that day in the apple orchard, something she’d never told another living soul. “I was so scared. I’ve had nightmares ever since whenever there’s a storm.”

“I would imagine. That would be a terrifying experience for anybody, let alone a ten-year-old girl.”

“Thank you for that.”

“Hey, that wasn’t meant as a platitude. I’m serious.”

She searched his features and found the truth in the concern registered there. Jack was an extremely handsome and caring man. Would the neighbors talk about a man being here this late at night? She didn’t care. Although she had a reputation to protect, her peace of mind at times like this meant more ... much more. “Then thank you. You’re very understanding. Why hasn’t some lucky woman grappled onto you before now?”

His expression changed in an instant, and he groaned. “To have someone grapple onto you who doesn’t want to let go is no picnic. I learned that the hard way.”

“Oh. I’m sorry if I unearthed some bad memories.”

He shrugged. “The girl I’d been dating this past year became a little too possessive, so I broke it off. She interfered with my studies, always wanting to party, or whatever.”

His face turned beet red, and she caught the innuendo.

“Then today, she showed up as I left the dorm. She actually jumped into the back of my truck and wouldn’t get out. I had to flag down Campus Security. Once he was on the scene, she even tried to say she was pregnant.”

“Maybe she is,” she said in a soft voice.

Jack shook his head as he spoke. “If she is, it isn’t mine. I
always
use protection. And besides, we haven’t been together since before Christmas and her figure hadn’t changed a bit … no baby bump in sight.”

“That must have been a relief. What did the security guy do?”

Jack snorted a laugh. “He fell for it even as she flirted with
him
. Gave me a dirty look and carried her to his car as if she was the most fragile thing on this Earth. At that point, I drove away as fast as I dared before she changed her mind and jumped back into my truck.”

“At least you don’t have to go back. Your mom told me you graduated yesterday.”

“Yes, and there’s a blessing in that for sure. I intend to keep in touch with a few of my classmates, but she’s definitely not one of them.”

“Sounds like a good plan from where I’m sitting. I have a few cans of pop in the fridge. Do you want one?”

“Sure. Let’s close up the leftovers and put them in the fridge, since we’re going there anyway.”

They made short work of cleaning up her desk and, with the aid of the lantern, made it to the kitchen and back with no problem.

“Come sit on the couch with me. It’s more comfortable,” she said.

Jack hesitated and shot a quick glance at the chair he’d vacated.

“Come and sit. I don’t bite.” She smiled up at him.

“Keep smiling like that and
I
might,” he teased.

She felt the heat of a blush color her cheeks as she thought of places he might nibble. With luck, Jack wouldn’t notice in the dim light. “The storm seems to have moved on. Do you need to go home?”

“No, I’m not in any rush,” he said as he moved to sit beside her on the couch. “I’d like to apologize for waking you, but I’ve had such an enjoyable evening that I can’t.”

“Oh, you didn’t wake me. I had my earplugs in and I didn’t hear anything until you pounded on the door. It did startle me, though.”

“It certainly wasn’t my intention to scare you, but I’m glad we’ve had this chance to get to know each other.”

“Yes, I am, too. And I’m thankful that first impressions aren’t always right.” She grinned at him and felt an impish urge to rattle his chain. “You sounded as if I was there solely for your benefit, as if I had to secure the approval of your family.”

“For what it’s worth, that sounds exactly like something my mother would do. She’s always trying to pair me up with somebody when I’m home. It’s even worse since Michael got married. He and Rena are expecting, and twins to boot.”

“Awesome. I always wanted to be part of a big family, but it just wasn’t in the cards.”

“Big families aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, but we’ve been lucky. Mom and Michael both married into the Manning clan, and it’s as if we’re one big happy family.”

“That’s nice. Where do you fit in?”

Jack grinned mischievously and worked his eyebrows up and down. “I’m the baby in my generation. Everybody loves me.”

She giggled. “I can tell there’s no conceit in your family.”

“None at all.”

His grin went straight to her heart. And having him close, like when he held her, made her feel special. She rather liked that feeling.

Thunder boomed overhead and she shivered. “Sounds like the storm’s starting up again.”

“Scoot over here and I’ll keep you safe from the storm.”

“You must be getting tired of me by now,” she said when all she wanted to do was cuddle next to him and let him hold her.

“Nope.” He reached for her and pulled her close. “Now isn’t this better than waiting out the storm by yourself?”

“Mmm, much better.” As a matter of fact, she felt safe, warm, and comfortable. Allison was so relaxed with his heart beating a steady rhythm beneath her, she drifted off.

Chapter Three

Allison’s even breathing told him she’d fallen asleep.
Guess I was boring company.
But then again, she’d just paid him the highest compliment. As afraid as she was of the storm, she trusted him to keep her safe. And he would.

He snagged the corner of an afghan and pulled it up over her shoulders. She didn’t stir, not even when loud thunder boomed overhead. It was fascinating that she could sleep that sound—and without her earplugs too. He’d seen them on the end table before he’d sat down, and they were still there.

Jack smiled to himself and shifted to a more comfortable position. He’d hold her all night if need be. Her fear had reached him on a level he didn’t quite understand. All he knew was that he had to keep her safe.

He dozed off to the sound of thunder echoing overhead and thought how he’d never welcomed a storm more. Then the phone on the desk rang and jarred them rudely awake. Allison stiffened in his arms and pushed to a sitting position.

“You stayed.” One simple statement, yet it was filled with awe.

“Of course I stayed. I didn’t want to leave you alone with the storm so fierce.” He nodded toward the desk and the still-ringing phone. “I guess the phones are back in service. Shouldn’t you answer that?”

“Yes, but I don’t know why the answering machine isn’t picking up.” She rose gracefully and crossed the room. “Wakefield Clinic,” she said by way of answering. As she listened, her face turned red. “Yes, he’s here.”

She walked over and passed him the phone. “Your mother.”

“Good morning, Mom. You’re up early.”

“We’re always up early. You know that. Why aren’t you answering your phone?”

He felt his shirt pocket. It wasn’t there. “I must have left it in the reception area last night. Why? Is something wrong?”

“No, other than me being half sick with worry. Why would there be anything wrong?”

“I’m sorry, Mom. It was late when I decided to stay. That was some fierce storm.”

“Yes, it was. The worst we’ve had in years. Will you be home this morning?”

“Is the sun shining?” He couldn’t tell for the heavy drapes as he glanced toward the window.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be home shortly.”

“All right, and Jack?”

“Yes?”

“I hope you’re not planning to break that poor girl’s heart.”

Leave it to his mother to get right to the meat of things. “Of course not. I’ll see you when I get home. We’ll talk then.”

“Oh, all right. Drive safe, dear.”

The dial tone sounded in his ear. He pressed the button to end the call and passed it back to Allison. “Sorry about that. It’s been so long since I had to answer to anyone, I never even thought to let her know I was staying.”

“Did you know you were staying before I fell asleep on you?”

“Not really. I just knew that if you needed me, I’d be here. So, in that respect, I suppose I had considered staying.”

“Well, thank you. That was a real nice gesture on your part. Now, I hate to rush you out the door, but I have to get to the motel so I can shower and change. It’s going to be a busy day today.”

“What time does your assistant arrive?”

“Dorothy is out on maternity leave and my ‘on call’ guy hasn’t been answering his pager.” She turned and scowled at the phone. “And now it appears that the answering machine’s not picking up my calls.”

“How about we indulge…” he let the word hang for a moment and heard her quick intake of breath, “…in a coffee and breakfast before we start the day?”

“Jack, you are a tease.”

“Don’t I know it.” He grinned, wide awake and full of mischief. “So, how about we drop by the coffee shop around the corner?”

“The clinic opens at eight.”

He checked his watch. “That gives us almost two hours to eat and be presentable for your customers.”

“Us? My customers?”

“Yep. I may not be a vet, but I’ve been around animals all my life, and besides, my studies included a degree in business management. If nothing else, I can answer the phones and schedule appointments.”

She didn’t say anything for a minute or two, but her teeth worried her lower lip so he knew she was considering his suggestion.

“I don’t think I can afford you.”

Jack laughed. “No charge. Just helping out a neighbor.”

“Then there’s no charge for tending to your mother’s horse yesterday.”

“Fair enough. Grab your keys and let’s go.” He spied his cell phone on the reception desk and stuck it in his pocket. While he waited for Allison, he pulled on his boots and set his Stetson on his head. Since it was a beautiful morning, he slung the jacket over one shoulder to leave in the truck.

“I’ll take my truck so we can leave from the coffee shop and go our separate ways. I should be back here by quarter to eight. You come whenever you’re ready.”

He cleared his throat, her words giving him naughty ideas. And if the blush infusing her cheeks was anything to go by, the same ideas had occurred to her.

“I mean…”

“It’s all right, Allison. I know what you meant. Come on. Our table is waiting.” He held the door open for her, and they walked outside. She turned to lock up and bumped into him. His arms automatically went around her waist to steady her.

“How is it that I always seem to end up in your arms?” she joked.

“Maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be, darlin’,” he said, using his best Western twang.

She gave him a friendly punch to the shoulder, locked the door, and said, “Come on, cowboy. Time’s a wastin’.”

Laughing as if they were old friends, they went to their trucks and were soon ensconced in a booth near the back of the diner.

****

Breakfast was a hurried but rather entertaining affair as Jack regaled her with outrageous stories from college. Allison laughed so much she had an ache in her side. She wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up with indigestion as well.

Several of the morning’s coffee goers stopped to chat with Jack, and he was good about introducing her. A few of them she’d already met through her practice. None of them implied anything indiscreet about them meeting for coffee at such an early hour, for which she was grateful, although a few of the women gave her what she called ‘catty looks’. She put it down to jealousy. After all, Jack was a very handsome man, and lean and muscular to boot. She’d never felt so safe as she had while in his arms.

All too soon, it was time to be on the move. She gave him the money for her share of the bill although he resisted.

“What will people think if they see you paying your own way?” he asked.

“They can think what they want. If I’d been in my right frame of mind, I would’ve insisted on paying for half the Chinese food last night as well.”

“I hear ya, but darlin’, I have a reputation to uphold. We can’t allow people to think that I can’t afford to pay for your breakfast.”

“Jack, you’ve done so much for me already. Please don’t make a fuss.”

He’d taken the money and walked to the cashier’s desk, but he wasn’t happy about it.

“Come on. Let’s blow this joint,” he said with a smile as he turned to take her arm in his, and to her it seemed as if all was forgiven.

He opened the door to her truck, waiting until she climbed in before closing it. She rolled the window down. “Are you sure you want to hang out at the clinic?”

“If I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t have offered. So go and get yourself prettied up. I’ll see you…” He paused to glance at his watch. “In about forty minutes.”

“Okay. See you then. And thanks.”

Allison started her truck and backed out of the parking space. As she pulled away, she saw him wave. She waved back and smiled. He sure was a handsome devil. And nice, too. If he wanted to hang out with her at the clinic, who was she to complain? She laughed aloud in the silence of the cab, happiness filling her soul and ever so glad she’d moved to Alberta.

****

Jack whistled a happy tune all the way home. He couldn’t remember the name of the song, but the tune always lifted his spirits. Today he didn’t need the lift, but he whistled anyway.

Cameron Manning, Lucas’s brother and Jack’s step-uncle, must be visiting. That looked like his truck parked beside the house. Sure enough, when he went inside, Cam and his wife, Lacey, were having morning coffee with Lucas and his mother.

“Hello, Cam, Lacey. How are things?”

“Just great, Jack. You sure sounded good giving that speech at your graduation. Guess you learned something from all those years of studying.” Cam smiled to take any sting out of the words.

Jack smiled. “Six years and thousands of dollars. I hope I learned more than that. I’m looking forward to implementing a few ideas here.”

“Why don’t you sit a spell and tell us about those ideas of yourn?” asked Lucas.

“I can’t this morning. I told Allison I’d help out at the clinic. Gotta run upstairs and grab a shower.”

His mother shot him a gently confused look as he walked by. “Did anything get damaged in the storm?” she asked.

Jack shook his head. “Her receptionist had a baby and Allison hasn’t found a replacement yet. I figured offering was the neighborly thing to do.”

“Of course. You’re such a kind boy. Go along and get that shower. Have you had breakfast?”

“Yes, Mama. See ya later.” He took off upstairs knowing his mother wanted to ask more questions about his night away, but she wouldn’t while they had company.

He shaved and whipped through a shower and was back downstairs in fifteen minutes. His mother halted him on the way out the door. “Oh, Jack, I almost forgot. Some woman called here around ten last night looking for you. Lorrie something. I can’t remember, but I wrote it down on the notepad by the hall phone.”

“Loreena Wright?”

“Yes, that’s it. She sounded real disappointed that you weren’t here. We had a nice chat, despite the late hour.”

“I don’t know how she got this number, but she’s no one I want to talk to, Mom. And if she asks any questions, don’t answer them.”

“Ahhh, so that’s the way of it. All right, Jack, but I must warn you, she asked for directions to the ranch and I told her how to get here.”

He groaned. “I’ll call her and tell her not to come or call. I don’t want her here.” He glanced at the clock over the table. “I gotta go. See you later?”

“Will you be home for supper, dear?”

“I’m not sure. Don’t wait for me.” He left the house and jumped into his truck for the return trip to the clinic. What was Loreena up to now? If she’d told his mother the baby story … geesh! What a mess.

He arrived at the clinic before Allison, so he used the time to call Loreena. The phone rang and rang until her voice mail kicked in. “Loreena, this is Jack. I don’t want you anywhere near the ranch, and quit bothering my mother.” He disconnected the call and climbed down to pace off some of his anger. He began to believe that woman was capable of anything and, with a softie like his mother for an audience, well, she’d listen and give her the benefit of the doubt.

Damn! Why wouldn’t the woman leave him alone?

Allison pulled in and parked off to the side of the lot beside his truck. When she got out, she glanced over and smiled at him, and his day became a lot brighter. With all thoughts of Loreena pushed to the back of his mind, he followed her inside.

Allison had curves in all the right places and was beautiful and intelligent. Vulnerable at times, too, but he could handle that.

What was he thinking? He’d only met her yesterday, and he was already pairing up with her? No. Uh-uh. Finally freed from a rigorous studying schedule, he wanted to enjoy life a bit. Not commit to anything more than implementing a few ideas at the ranch.

“I’ll give you a quick rundown of the computer programs, and if you’re okay with it, I’ll get on with studying today’s charts before the patients arrive.”

“Sounds good.”

She took the seat behind the desk so he moved one of the waiting room chairs over and sat beside her.

“The schedule is on an Excel spreadsheet.”

“Great. I’m familiar with that one,” Jack said.

“We use Simply Accounting for day-to-day income and expenses. Payments are kept in the top right drawer.” She unlocked it to show him. “Deposit slips are here, too. Dorothy used to make the deposits on her way home, but I do them now.”

“Okay.”

“Patient files are in the right hand cabinet. Suppliers, personnel files, and such are in the left. If there’s anything you need and can’t find, let me know. Any questions?”

“How do you want me to answer the phone?”

“‘Hello, Wakefield Clinic. How may I help you’?”

“Got it. Do you take calls when you’re with a patient?”

“No, take a message. Anything else?”

He grinned. “Can’t think of anything at the moment, but the minute you walk away…”

She giggled. “Isn’t that always the way? Anyway, my office is just down the hall, so no problem. I really appreciate you doing this.” She rose and walked to her office.