Take Me Again (11 page)

The ringing stopped, but immediately started up again. He cocked his head and listened. The sound seemed to be coming from the overstuffed chair. Bending low, he saw a glint of shiny metal and reached for it.

Tracy's?

He pressed the call button and placed the phone to his ear.

"Tracy?” a masculine voice asked. Immediately Dolan felt his gut tighten.

"No,” Dolan snapped.

"Who is this?” the man on the other end demanded. “Where's Tracy?"

"Dolan Crane.” He wasn't giving any information out until the caller identified himself. “Who is this?"

"Crane. Thank God. This is Carl Epps. I'm looking for my niece.” There was a moment of silence. “Why the hell do you have her telephone?"

"Didn't know it was hers. Guess she misplaced it.” Dolan was used to irate fathers. Now he could add uncles to the list of individuals worried about his soiled reputation.

"Where is she?"

A lie was probably better than the truth that he and Rowdy had just spent several hours wrapped in his niece's arms. “Don't know. Is something wrong?"

"Yes. It's Ice Princess. She hasn't eaten since I picked her up three days ago. First thought she just needed time to adjust. But—not now. She seems lethargic and wandering around in circles. I came out to check on her and she acts like her legs are weak.” Frustration and desperation heightened Carl's voice. “Damn the girl. Where is she when I need her?"

"Tell me where she lives. I'll fetch her and we'll head over to your place.” Dolan listened as Epps told him she had purchased the old Cartwright homestead. He knew the place well. Trudy Cartwright, the previous owner, was a hoot. “Be there in twenty.” He closed the telephone, pocketed it and headed for the door.

Lights shone in the windows of the small ranch home. Dolan smiled. After Trudy's husband passed in the fall, her spirits had dropped. Lonely, she had called Dolan several times on false pretenses, a limp or sneeze from her last remaining horse, nothing that required a veterinarian.

Hell. He didn't mind.

Truth? She was the closest thing to a mother he knew.

As he maneuvered his truck in front of the house, he saw the weathered siding and remembered the paint he purchased sitting on the floor-bed of the truck. Guess he'd have to return it or maybe Tracy—

Nah. What was he thinking?

Still she was lucky. The house was a homey place. Flowers in window boxes and a porch that surrounded the entire structure. A swing gently swayed in the cool breeze. By his recollections, the inside was just as charming.

Wasting no time, he opened his door and exited. His boots sounded hollow against the stairs as he climbed toward the front door. The doorbell was newly installed and so was the screen door, the last things he had completed before Mrs. Cartwright left. He gave the door a couple whacks.

A dog barked. In mere seconds, light flooded the porch. Dressed in an overnight shirt that barely covered her, Tracy stood before him with a gallon of Rocky Road ice cream in one hand, a spoon in the other and an expression of surprise on her face. The smudge of chocolate on her upper lip caught his attention immediately. What he would give to lick away the ice cream and maybe just make her dessert.

He wedged open the screen door. “Midnight snack?” A little ratty-looking dog darted out, yipping as he ran around Dolan's feet. He couldn't stand staring at the dab of ice cream on her lip. Ignoring the ankle biter, he reached out and wiped the chocolate from her mouth with his thumb.

Her tongue followed the path of his finger. “Uh.” She blinked and looked down. “Foxy. Get back in here.” The terrier-mix was quick in minding. She bounded through the doorway and sat quietly at Tracy's feet. Glancing over his shoulder once more, she asked, “You alone?"

He took the spoon from her hand, dipped it into the ice cream carton, retrieved a big scoop and then stuck it into his mouth. Rich and cold, but he would rather taste the sweetness of her lips. “Yep,” he said, licking the spoon.

It took a moment for her to respond as she stared at his mouth. Was she thinking the same thing? Did she want him to kiss her?

The prettiest shade of pink dotted her cheeks when she caught herself staring. Clearing her throat, she straightened her backbone, which raised the hem of her shirt to give him a better look of her long legs. “It's late. Why are you here?"

Dropping the spoon back into the carton, he fished her telephone out of his pocket and held it out to her.

"Crap.” She grabbed the telephone. “Thank you. I was wondering where I had left it."

"No problem.” He started to step inside, but she move into his path.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Their eyes locked.

"Well good-night."

If she thought she was getting rid of him so easily she'd better think again. “Your uncle called."

"Carl?"

"Something's wrong with one of his horses."

Her eyes softened with concern. “No."

"Get dressed.” He extracted the ice cream from her hand. Stepping past her, he headed toward the kitchen. “I'll take care of this and then haul you over there."

"That isn't necessary,” she insisted following, the dog hot on her heels.

"It sounded serious. You might want to hurry."

"Serious? What's wrong?"

He raised a brow. “We'll talk about it in the truck."

She frowned, hesitating as if she thought to argue with him, but in the end she turned and hurried off to the bedroom.

Dolan struck his thigh with a palm. “Come on, Foxy. Let's put this away."

The dog yipped, wagging her bushy tail and followed him into the kitchen.

The place looked like a hurricane had hit. Boxes lay strewn about, some open, some not. Crumpled newspaper was thrown around the room. Dishes, pots and pans, and knick-knacks covered the counter and butcher block table.

Trudy would have blown a gasket. She was always so neat and organized. Of course, he didn't know enough about Tracy to start making assumptions. Clearly she hadn't finished unpacking.

Opening the freezer, he chuckled. He set the ice cream down between three other gallons of the frozen dessert. Obviously she had a sweet tooth. He closed the refrigerator and started to unwrap a glass out of one of the boxes on the table. As he grabbed another, she came through the doorway dressed in jeans and a light sweatshirt. She held a black bag in her hand.

Her tennis shoe squealed against the tile floor as she turned. “Let's go."

The look on Uncle Carl's face said he was worried. Fast, agitated steps carried his stout frame toward the stables as she and Dolan followed. He threw open the barn doors with a little more strength than was necessary, causing them to crash against the sides of the barn. “She hasn't eaten. Seemed listless. Thought she was just anxious about her new surroundings. Now this.” He stopped before a corral.

Ice Princess's big brown eyes were dull. She looked confused as she gazed around. Her back legs quivered, too weak to hold her. Tracy opened the gate and stepped inside. The animal didn't stir or acknowledge her existence until she touched the horse's neck. Muscles twitch beneath her palms.

"Hey girl.” Tracy stroked the mare feeling the heat of her body. Even before she started to take vitals she knew a fever existed. There was a lot a veterinarian could learn by watching. Ice Princess took an unstable step forward, pressing her head against the wall for support. Her muscles continued to twitch and become weaker as Tracy watched.

Dolan stayed outside the corral. He perched a boot on the lower wrung of the fence and watched.

"Spent a fortune for this animal.” Uncle Carl continued to ramble. “Should have known something was amiss the moment she didn't eat. Looks like something is wrong with her nervous systems."

"No,” both Dolan and Tracy answered at the same time.

"West Nile encephalitis?” She looked to Dolan for agreement.

He nodded. “That would be my guess.” Taking his foot off the fence, he joined Tracy. “There was a recent case in San Diego. Epps, do you have any standing ponds? Places were mosquitoes might breed?"

"Hell no. I take care of my stock. They're all vaccinated. Water troughs and ponds are treated.” Color bled from her uncle's face. He looked nothing like Tracy's mother, who was short and petite. At six-foot-three he was a big man. He tore off his hat and ran his fingers through short brown hair. “Shit. The damn mosquitoes nearly ate me up when I picked her up from the seller. What are you going to do for her?"

"The disease is unpredictable in its course, but we need to reduce the inflammation in her brain,” Tracy explained.

"She needs to be sedated,” Dolan added.

Tracy pushed up her sleeves. It was going to be a long night.

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Sprawled on a bed of fresh straw, Ice Princess lay on her side. Her breathing was shallow. The occasional involuntary muscle spasm rippled beneath her skin. Feminine hands moved skillfully, hooking up an intravenous line and making sure the sedated horse was comfortable. After ensuring that Tracy didn't need his assistance or any of his employees, Epps had left to seek his bed.

Tracy pulled a wool blanket over the animal, tucking in the loose ends like one would a child. “You'll be just fine, girl,” she promised.

Dolan watched her with a new sense of respect. Clearly she cared for her patient, knew what she was doing and didn't need his help. Yet he asked anyway. “Would you like me to start the antibiotics?"

She forced a smile that didn't make it to her eyes. Instead he read concern in them. “Please. Thank you. I should have checked her when Carl brought her home."

He hung the bag of antibiotics on the IV pole, straightened out the line and began to adjust the connection. “Were you aware he had purchased a new horse?"

"Well—” She stroked the mare's neck gently. “No."

"Then you can't beat yourself up over it."

She sighed. “I know.” The sadness in her voice revealed it still bothered her.

Conscientious. He liked that about her.

"Did you want me to get you a blanket? A pillow?” If she was anything like him she wouldn't be leaving the horse's side. “It looks to be a long night."

"Thanks, but I'll be okay. You don't have to stay."

He knelt beside her. “I know I don't. I want to."

She cocked a brow. Her backbone stiffened. “Because you don't think I can handle this alone?"

He didn't blame her for becoming defensive. All he'd done since they had met was second guessed her actions. “No. It's obvious you can. I thought perhaps you'd like some company. Besides you might need some of my supplies."

Her expression changed from anger to skepticism. “Don't you have calls tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but I can sleep anywhere."

"I bet.” An unladylike snort slipped from her mouth. “Tell me you'd rather sleep on straw in a drafty stable than a soft mattress in a warm house."

"Won't be the first time; doubt it will be the last.” He sat down on his hip upon the straw. “So when did you decide you wanted to treat animals?"

She licked her lips drawing his attention. “Small talk?"

He shrugged. What he really wanted was to take her into his arms and kiss that stubborn mouth.

A pause lingered between them before she gave in. “We lived on a farm with all the typical farm animals. I remember doctoring the livestock, even when they didn't need it. Add the fact that I was the type of child who brought home every stray in town. Dog, cat, goat, it didn't matter.” She laughed, appearing to finally relax when she eased next to him, her arm brushing his. “I thought my father was going to kill me when I snuck home a baby skunk. Hid Stinky in my bedroom. When Dad discovered him he started yelling and scared the little shit. He sprayed everything, including me.” He felt the shudder that shook her. “Ohmygod. It took forever for the smell to disappear.” She chuckled, again growing quiet and a little solemn.

He smoothed his hand along her jaw line, lifting her chin with a finger. “You okay?"

"Yes. It's just—” She inhaled deeply. “Dad's been gone for four years. I miss him. He encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a vet, and then he never—"

An involuntary spasm forced Ice Princess's leg to shoot out, nearly striking them as he and Tracy scrambled to get out of the way. They rose at the same time, bumping into each other. Losing their balance, they began to fall. He reached, pulling her to him. The sweet scent of straw and woman assailed him as they tumbled together, twisting so that he shielded her from the majority of the impact. Pain splintered in his right shoulder as he struck the ground and rolled to his back, Tracy atop him.

Chest to chest, hips to hips, they lay in each other's arms. He gazed into her eyes. They were like magnets drawing him as he pressed his mouth to hers. He caressed the seam of her lips with his tongue and she opened to him. He swept inside to taste her.

Mmmm ... Like honey against his taste buds. He savored her, slanting his head to deepen the kiss. She whimpered, the sound soft and yielding and so fuckin’ arousing.

Rotating, he changed their positions until she lay beneath him. It felt so right—where she belonged. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he pulled her arms above her head. She surrendered without a struggle. Wedging his knee between her legs, he pressed into her, needing the clothing barrier between them gone.

Their tongues dueled. The kiss intensified, as well as the pace of his hips rubbing steadily against the V of her thighs. He wanted her—now.

Turning her head, she broke the kiss. Breathlessly, she whispered his name.

"Shhh ... Darlin'. Let me make love to you."

"We can't—not here—not now. The mare—"

He stole her objection with another kiss. The horse was resting quietly now. There was nothing they could do unless her condition worsened. It was a waiting game. Why not take advantage of the moment?

Dragging her wrists together, he held on to them with one hand while he smoothed his other hand between their bodies. He held his breath, hoping she wouldn't stop him as he slid his hand down her jeans. He pushed further to feel her curls between his fingers. She inched her thighs wider giving him more access and he smiled. It thrilled him to know she wanted this as much as he did. He slid his fingers across her softness. She was already wet—slick with need. He slipped a digit inside her and she cried out, pulling from his grasp to wrap her arms around him.