Page 13 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

I want to pry more, to understand what’s changed, but Wyatt’s closed expression tells me I won’t get any more answers from him. Plus, I can’teverlet Wyatt know how close we were, I think that’d kill him.

I swallow my frustration and focus on the horse in front of me. As I make my initial assessments, I try to push thoughts of Beau to the back of my mind. The horses need my attention, and I need to prove that I’m good at my job, not dredge up old memories.

The first horse, a beautiful bay mare, nuzzles my hand as I approach. I smile, taking comfort in the familiarity of the work. Running my hands along her sides, I check for any signsof injury or illness and fine none. She seems healthy, her coat gleaming under the barn lights.

Wyatt stands nearby, watching me work. “She looks good, right?” he asks.

I nod. “She’s in great shape. Well cared for.”

Wyatt beams. “We do our best. Let’s move on to the next one. She isn’t really the one we’re worried about anyway. It’s Daisy.”

“Well, then take me to Daisy.”

Wyatt leads me through the barn. We stop at a stall at the end of the row, and I peer inside to see a mare lying down, her breathing labored.

“Daisy’s been having trouble for a few days now,” Wyatt explains handing me some bottles. “We thought it might be colic, but nothing we’ve done has helped. There are the meds she’s currently taking.”

I nod, pushing my anxiety aside as I switch to vet mode. I step into the stall and approach Daisy slowly, murmuring soothing words to her. She watches me with wide, pain filled eyes.

“Hey there, girl,” I say softly, kneeling beside her. “Let’s see what’s going on. Hmm… she’s in a lot of pain. We need to get her up and moving. I’ll administer some medication to help with the pain and start her on fluids. I’ll work with her over the next few weeks. I don’t think what she’s been prescribed will do good, so we’ll stop that for now.”

“Good. Glad you’re here, Clara, because no one else seems to know what to do with her.”

After finishing my rounds, Wyatt and I head back to my car. I gently lift Thomas from his car seat. He blinks up at me, still sleepy. As soon as he sees Wyatt, his face lights up.

“Uncle Wyatt!” Thomas exclaims, reaching out for him with chubby arms.

Wyatt’s face splits into a wide grin as he takes Thomas from me, swinging him up in the air. “There’s my little man! How’ve you been, buddy?”

Thomas giggles, his joy infectious. Watching them together, I can’t help but smile. Despite the tension with Beau, seeing Wyatt with Thomas makes me feel a bit more at ease.

Wyatt looks at me over Thomas’s head. “Come on, let’s get you two settled in the guest house.”

I follow them across the yard, my eyes scanning the familiar landscape. It’s hard to be somewhere that I know so well, but that I don’t want to think of. Wyatt leads us to a cozy little guest house tucked away from the main buildings. It’s quaint, with a small porch and flower boxes under the windows. Much cuter than anywhere Wyatt has lived in before.

Maybe this is why he has no desire to leave Silver Ridge. He’s got it made here.

“Here we are,” Wyatt says, setting Thomas down. “Home sweet home.”

Thomas looks around, his eyes wide with wonder. “It’s so big, Mommy!”

I smile, ruffling his hair. “It is, isn’t it?”

Wyatt helps me carry our bags inside. The interior is charming, with a comfortable living room, a small kitchen, and two bedrooms. It’s perfect for the time we’ll be here, however long that might be.

“Make yourselves at home,” Wyatt says. “If you need anything, just holler. I’m not far.”

“Thank you, Wyatt,” I say sincerely. “This means a lot.”

He gives me a warm smile. “Anything for you and Thomas. We’re family, after all.”

Family.

That has always been a weird concept for me. I’ve spent so long being alone, but maybe it doesn’t need to be that way anymore.

He rubs the back of his neck, looking slightly sheepish. “I, uh, arranged a date tonight. I didn’t know it would beyouarriving today. I can cancel if you need me to stick around.”

“Ooh, a date, huh?” I tease. “Anyone I know?”

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