Page 60 of Tough Love

I guess navigating business partners is my job now, too. I take the receiver from him.

“Morley,” I grunt. I’ve never liked this little upstart. Went off and got a degree; comes back and thinks he is better than the folks he grew up with. It doesn’t sit right.

“Hudson? Your father said you were handling the clinic now? That was quick.”

“Is there a reason for this call?”

“Yes, I am calling to talk about the prospect of letting the current equine vet go and finding another, more suitable one.”

My hand whitens around the receiver.

“Why the hell would we do that?”

Harry shakes his head at me.

“I mean, why?”

“She’s not performing. Her work is okay, her methods are off script sometimes, for around here, at least. You know what I mean. Clients expect their vets to behave and work a certain way and she is a little too... modern.”

“So, what I am hearing is that you have a problem with Dr. Howard because she follows the most up-to-date practices and has good bedside manner? Is that really what you’re going with?”

“Well, yes, but there have been. . .Complaints.”

“Who’s complaining, Morley?” I grit out.

“Well, some of the other ranchers and?—”

“There isn’t anyone who’s complained apart from you, is there? Afraid of being showed up, is all. Stop wasting my fuckin’ time.”

I slam the receiver on the cradle, sucking in a long, steadying breath. Fuck Justin Morley. Fuck his whiny, stupid, little-man syndrome. Addy has done nothing wrong. She earns her keep and more. We have had many equine vets over the past twenty years; she is the best one yet.

Harry opens his mouth to say something, probably about to ream me out for flipping on a business partner. I hold up a hand. “Don’t, Pa.”

I stalk out of the study. Ma’s gaze snaps to me, closely followed by Harry.

“What did you tell him, Huddy?”

It sounds different when she says it. But that nickname will always be tied to Adeline now. Fuck me—if this doesn’t work out with her, I’m going to be a shattered man.

“Nothing. Morley being a little bitch.”

“Language!” she scolds.

“I’m not eleven, Ma.”

“No, but you have a pretty girl in orbit. Behave yourself. No woman wants a foul-mouthed redneck for a husband.”

Harry grunts, throwing her a side glance. I school my face, partly because of Pa’s current scowl and partly because my mother is trying her hardest to have me hitched to Adeline Howard, scolding me like some schoolboy.If only she knew.

“And you, Harrison Rawlins, you butt out. Our children come before your business interests.” She is pointing with her chopping knife now. Poor man doesn’t stand a chance.

“Yes, ma’am,” he growls.

She gives him a cheeky smile. But the glare he gives me is a reminder that he expects me to uphold his order to not get involved. Period.

“Now, you two. We need to get to organizing my birthday party. It ain’t gonna happen all on its own. Can Addy and her friend help? They are invited, after all.”

“I’ll ask, Ma.”

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