Crashing Into Tess (8 page)

Jake followed her out of the barn, whistling for the
dogs.
The sun was a blazing ball of orange now, dropping
into the western sky. It was getting dark earlier, but tonight,
the air was still warm. Standing next to her, he asked, “Do
you have plans for dinner, Tess?”

“I take Cassie back to her mom’s at seven. Want to grab
a burger at Green Forks with me afterward?”
“Sure, Jake, thanks.” She flashed him an easy smile.
The dogs ran up then, panting.
“Thanks for all your help here today,” he said, as Tess
walked with him back to the barn.
“Sure thing. It was a great experience. I learned a lot.”
“You ready to take off?”
“I think Cassie wants me to watch her ride.”
“She does likes an audience,” he admitted.“I really
appreciate the interest you’ve taken in her, Tess. She
mentioned that she stops by your place sometimes. I hope
that’s okay. You’d let me know, if it was an imposition?”
“Cassie’s good company, Jake. I enjoy spending time
with her, and she’s really something with animals. I’ve
never seen a kid handle a pony as naturally as she does.
Nothing fazes her.”
“Wait until you see her ride,” he grinned.
Carrying two folding chairs from the tack room, he
followed as Cassie led Sparky into the corral, brushing dust
from the chair seats before Tess sat down, then giving
Cassie a leg up.
After she put the pony on the rail at a brisk walk, he
took the chair next to Tess. Quietly, he said, “I don’t let on
to Cassie, but Sparky behaves better when I’m in the ring.
He was pretty frisky last time she rode.” He watched as
Cassie picked up a jog. “Lookin’ good, Cass,” he called,
“Keep a leg on him, so he doesn’t scoot sideways.” Turning
to Tess, he asked, “Do you ride?”
Tess kept her eyes on Cassie as she jogged across the
diagonal. “As a kid, I bugged my parents for a pony
relentlessly. They finally let me start lessons in fourth
grade. When I was twelve, I talked them into leasing a
hunter for me, a thoroughbred gelding, fifteen and a half
hands. I showed in my teens, not the A circuit, just with a
group of kids at the local hunter shows in Chester County. I
was on the equine team in college, and did some eventing
through vet school.”
“So you are an equestrian,” he said approvingly.
“I guess you could say that,” Tess answered, shrugging.
“It’s a loaded term. You always want to be a better rider,
wish you had more experience. I didn’t come from a horsey
family, so that was a disadvantage.”
Cassie legged Sparky nicely into the corner, picked up
a little lope, and made an even, tight circle. “Wow, Cassie,
you are amazing!” Tess called, her face radiant. She turned
to him. “What about you and horses, Jake?”
“Well, you could say my family was horsey, though I
wasn’t coddled. I grew up handling horses of all kinds, the
mean ones, the ugly ones, and the sweet-tempered ones. By
the time I was fourteen, I’d saved enough for a good
broodmare, and my dad let me start breeding Quarter
Horses. I rodeo’d as a kid, broke two year olds through
high school and college, for extra cash. I got my business
degree from Colorado State, but came right back here after
college. My heart has always been on the ranch, and I’ve
never really strayed.”
“I can see why,” Tess said. “This is a great place. I’d
have killed to spend summers here when I was Cassie’s
age.”
He had no trouble imagining Tess at McGreer Ranch
during summertime. “We have a pool out behind the house.
You can bring your suit and swim whenever you want next
summer, if you’re still around, Tess. Alice does. We like the
company. And you must miss riding. You can hop on my
horses anytime. They’re all sound, and safe. Just let me
know you’re here.”
“I do miss it, so thank you. I figured once I got settled, I
might start riding for real again.”
“Sherri Tarleton has some nice hunters, and a big
indoor arena. She rides all winter. We get a lot of snow up
here, but it doesn’t usually stay that cold. Mine are all
Quarter Horses, so they don’t mind a trail ride in the snow.
In fact, it suits them. I can teach you how run barrels, or to
rope and cut, if you want.”
“That would be a blast,” Tess nodded, her eyes still on
Cassie and the pony. Cassie switched directions at the lope.
“Sparky does flying lead changes?”
“I’m a sucker for horses in general, but my kid brings
out the worst in me,” Jake admitted under his breath.
“Sherri Tarleton found him, and he cost a bundle, but he’s
worth it. Sparky jumps, too. Did you see the little English
saddle in the tack room?”
“I did. I’m super jealous. Cassie is going to be some
rider, if she sticks with it.”
Cassie brought Sparky back to a jog, circling in front of
them, then stopped. “Daddy, I’m getting tired of all this
ring stuff. Why don’t you and Dr. Tess tack up, and we can
take a trail ride? Dr. Tess should ride Butterscotch. He’s
lonely. Nobody ever rides him. I bet she’d like to see the
ranch, and the view from the ridge.”
Cassie was persuasive, and she sure knew how to
charm him. It was hard to be practical now that he saw so
little of her. “That’s a nice idea, Cassie. Maybe we’ll plan
that for another time. It’s going to be dark soon. You have
homework, right?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” Cassie said, with great emphasis.
“Ah, watch it. Dr. Tess is here. Don’t you remember
hearing how hard she worked in school? That meant
homework, too, didn’t it Dr. Tess?”
“It did. You’ve got to balance work and play, Cassie.
It’s tough sometimes,” Tess said, giving her an encouraging
smile.
“I’ll set up a few barrels. You can run them while I get
the horses in and fed, then it’s time to get over to the house
and buckle down,” Jake said, turning to Tess. “You still
want to stick around?”
“I can’t miss the barrel race,” she smiled, her blue eyes
dancing. He handed Tess a stopwatch, paced off and set up
three barrels, and then went for the horses.
Tess stayed with Cassie as she ran the barrels. Leading
the horses in, he watched them whooping and carrying on.
While he was haying, Cassie groomed Sparky and Tess
groomed Butterscotch, and they chatted the entire time.
He couldn’t help smiling as he hosed the dogs down in
the heated wash stall and started Tess’s truck. When Tess
said goodbye, Cassie hugged her slim waist, and looked up
at her beseechingly. “Thanks, Dr. Tess. We’ve got to ride
together soon, okay?”
“Sure, Cass,” she said, touching his daughters head.
Their faces glowed.
They sure have some connection.
“Thanks for keeping an eye on Cassie,” he said intently,
walking her to her truck.
“It was fun, Jake. I like kids, and kids and ponies are
even better. Cassie’s a real gem.”
“Well, I think so, and she’s got a real soft spot for you.
I’m just sorry we’re only having burgers for dinner. You
want Mamma Boccini’s instead?”
“I like Green Fork’s burgers, and it will be fun to see
Alice and Lotts.”
“I’ll cook next time. After our trail ride,” he said,
feeling a slow smile spread across his face. “We’ll have a
fire then, too.”
She smiled back at him, shy now. “I’d like that.”
Two hours later, showered and shaved, he ambled into
Green Forks to have a beer with Lotts and wait on Tess.
“Hey stranger, how are things?” Lotts asked, tying his
apron on. “Alice might bring Tess over later. You sticking
around?”
“I’ll be here.”
Lotts raised his eyebrows, watching for his reaction.
“Like I said before, Tess is a nice girl.”
Jake grinned at the sales pitch. “You think so? She is a
nice girl. But Tess would not be a good rebound woman,”
he said definitively, doffing his hat and running his hand
through his hair.
“Why not?” Lotts asked.
“Too east coast, and way too pretty. Every time I see
her, I promise myself I’ll be able to resist her, next time.”
“Hah. How’s that working for you?” Lotts asked,
rubbing down the bar with a rag.
“Not so good.”
“Sounds like a catch to me. Rebound women can be
smart and pretty.”
“When they are as smart and pretty as Tess, they aren’t
rebound women, they’re keepers. And although I like the
idea of Tess as a keeper, she’s in a class by herself. She’s
young, and I don’t think she’s big on serious relationships.
Plus, she’s a tenderfoot. She won’t be around here for long.
Even so, I’m buying her dinner,” he admitted sheepishly.
“Hah. Sounds like a rebound to me.”
“Doc sent Tess out to the ranch today, to see our
branding operation. She pitched in like a ranch hand. I’m
just being neighborly is all,” Jake said, knowing nothing
escaped Lotts.
“Chickenshit,” Lotts grinned.
“Better a chickenshit stallion than a gelded bronco, I
always say,” he replied evenly.
Lotts set a draft in front of him.“If she’s so inclined,
she’ll be paired off in no time, I imagine. Plenty of hot
blooded stallions around here, eyeing up the pretty girls.”
“No doubt about that. Ron was glaring at me the night
of the accident, and again last Monday at the Grange,
acting real macho. I think he’d like to date her.”
“Ron Karachek, the cop?”
“He works for the Ag Department, deals with her
through work.”
“So it’s open season, then,” Lotts said, grinning. “New
girl in town has all the bucks fired up.”
“Like I said, too high stakes for me,” Jake said
determinedly. “She’s only here until spring, and she might
not stick around that long. Winters are tough around here.”
“Only when you don’t have a sweetie to cuddle with,”
Lotts fired back, grinning like a devil. “Alice is from down
south, where it’s warm. She never minded cold winters,
cause I never gave her the chance to.”
Jake sucked the foam off his beer, tempted by the
thought of cuddling Tess in front of his fireplace. A few
minutes later, she came through the door with Alice, a
white down vest over her fair isle turtleneck sweater, her
skinny legs in pale blue cords, buff shearling snow boots on
her feet. Her hair hung loose and curly over her shoulders.
Damn, she’s a knockout and she’s not even trying.
Tess spied him, smiling shyly, happy to see him, and
despite what he’d said to Lotts, he felt a familiar tug of
inevitability as he strode across the bar to greet her.

Tess saw Jake coming towards her,
in dark jeans and a
flannel shirt.
He’s just a complete gentleman, and so damn
hot.

Resting his hand lightly on her back, he kissed her
cheek, and offered her a drink. After Lotts took their dinner
order, Jake led her to a booth, hanging her vest on the post
next to his hat and suede jacket. She wasn’t sure if this was
a date, but it felt great to be with him again.

By eight-thirty, they’d eaten burgers and sweet potato
fries, talked about their day and a little about Cassie, and
finished second drinks. The bar was packed and getting
louder, the games at both pool tables four deep.

She liked sitting across from Jake, watching the line of
his jaw as he spoke, the corded muscles on his forearms
and wrists and neck, his wide, broad shoulders, the wavy
dark hair that fell across his forehead. “Big turnout for the
tournament, tonight,” he commented, pulling his glance
away from her briefly to look towards the pool tables.

“I don’t think I’ve been here on Thursday night, yet,”
she answered, playing with a coaster. Gazing at him for too
long made her want to crawl into his lap and nibble his lips.

“You want another drink?”
“Sure, one more,” she smiled. Jake got himself a beer,
set an Alabama Slammer in front of her, and eased back in
the booth. She wanted desperately to flirt, but she had
something to tell him.
I better see how he takes my news
before I make a giant fool of myself.
Sipping her drink, she
glanced at him, toying with her straw. “Um, Jake, I have a
kind of weighty topic to discuss.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave her a lazyeyed smile of approval and leaned back in the booth. “A
weighty topic? We’ve already done an auto crash and a trip
to the ER. Then there was your move and meeting my
daughter. Today we permanently disfigured two hundred
calves. What else could there be?” he teased, tapping her
ankle gently with his foot.
She smiled nervously, distracted by the bulk of his arms
and shoulders and chest.“Van is neutered, right?”
“No, I use him for stud,” Jake said, raising his
eyebrows.
Tess felt heat rising in her face.
Oh, just shoot me now.
Biting her lower lip, she stared at the worn formica
tabletop, then up at him. “I didn’t realize Rhiannon was in
heat until I got her home tonight, Jake. I’d booked the
surgery to spay her next week.”
His deep brown eyes flickered with amusement. “You
are saying that what Cassie referred to as Van and
Rhiannon ‘dancing’ this afternoon means there will
probably be litter of pups sometime around Thanksgiving?”
“That’s what I’m saying.” Red-faced, she put her hands
to her burning face, still biting her lip. “The new vet gets a
personal fail for canine population control, on top of her
abysmal driving record. Please don’t tell anyone,” she
whispered. “I am so completely embarrassed.”
“You’re always bringing me trouble, aren’t you?” he
teased. “How did I ever get mixed up with you, Crash?”
“Hey, Rhiannon and I have to bear the responsibilities,
here,” she said, with a little pout.
“But I suggested you let Rhiannon out of your truck this
morning, remember?” he said smoothly. “And Rhiannon
was with me all day. I didn’t notice she was in heat, either,
silly.”
“That’s true,” she perked up.
“I’ll take my share of responsibility,” he said evenly.
“Australian shepherds are always in demand around here.
Rhiannon’s part collie, she has a good temperament, and
she showed herding instinct today.”
“Good,” Tess said, cheered considerably. “It’ll be a
shotgun wedding, then.”
“Van’s family won’t shirk their duties, Crash,” he
assured her. “I’ll mention it to Aunt Olivia, and Alice and
Bea and Doc will help spread the word, too. It’ll be just
after Christmas when the pups are weaned, we won’t have
any trouble finding them homes.”
“Thank you. I’m paying an extra fifty bucks a month to
keep Rhiannon at my apartment, and I don’t even want to
think about what Ernie’s going charge to let me keep a litter
of puppies there.”
“Aw, we’ve got you covered. I can set up a whelping
box at the ranch, so the pups don’t bother your neighbors,”
he offered. “Cassie will have a blast with the puppies, and
Tilda won’t mind pitching in.”
“Thank you, Jake,” Tess smiled appreciatively, eyeing
him shyly. “Bailing me out again.”
He leaned forward, his brown eyes on her, serious now.
The heat in them made her toes curl. In a low voice, he
said, “You can count on me, Tess. I hope you know that.”
She shivered, wishing she could dive onto him, glad
when he leaned back in the booth, out of reach.
“Everyone’s talking about the new vet in town. It’s a
very popular topic. They’re all impressed with what a great
job you’re doing, Crash.”
“Really?” she asked, pleased.
“Yup. Sherri Tarleton is in your cheering section. She’s
a hard sell, so that’s got the ranchers convinced. Here in
town, Bea is talking you up, and Gertie and my Aunt Olivia
are both raving about you to the church ladies.”
“I met your Aunt Olivia on Tuesday. She brought Buxie
and Susie in.”
“Did she?” Jake grinned. “I’m sure I’ll get an earful of
praise for you Saturday night at dinner, then. Was it worth
it, coming all this way for a vet job?”
“I wanted to use my skills where they seemed
worthwhile, and Doc said I was needed here. It’s nice to
feel needed, so yes, it’s been worthwhile. This still feels
like an adventure, and I’m learning so much. In the
suburbs, animals are mostly company, but here they’re an
integral part of people’s livelihoods.”
“So an auto crash, a hick town, a ton of hard work
branding, de horning and castrating calves and a stray dog
that’s pregnant qualifies as an adventure?” he asked fondly.
“Sure it does,” Tess said decisively, flashing him her
flirtiest smile. “I like it here. The work is interesting and I
lucked out with the people I’ve met. Alice and Bea and
Doc. And you and Cassie.”
He smiled at this
.
Catching his sober, intent gaze, she
let her lashes flutter, brushing her leg against his under the
table with a slow, inviting smile, determined to wear him
down.