Page 2 of Home Hearts Hooves

With Chewie back in his enclosure and the camera set up, we’re hopefully on our way to uncovering the secrets to his escapes. I hardly have time for real work on the ranch, let alone wrangling wayward lamas, but like I said, I really couldn’t say no.Likephysically, my bodyjustgoes all stupid when I’m around Preston.All rational thinking goes out the window, so I’d probably agree to go on tour as a burlesque dancer if he asked me to.

Preston was the guy everyone loved in high school. Me included. Not that he would have known it, except for the almost kiss at the graduation bonfire party. But he was drunk and had just broken up with his long-time girlfriend. I was drunk, too. Not that it would have made a difference. I would have kissed him any day, any time, any sobriety. Then he just left. Ran away, I guessfromthe pain of the break-up, from the small town of Bellerelle, Georgia, where everyone knows everyone’s business. Isabel moved, too. Some thought she ran after him, but she was back a few years later with a husband and kid that looked a lot like Preston, not that she ever confirmed it was his, but you know…small towns talk. I grew up. Got over him. At least that’s what I thought I did. But he moved back to town last year when his dad died, and all the feelings Ithoughtwere put to rest a million years ago came flooding back. It’s like a bad country song, the lonely rancher in love with the straight vet.

My phone rings, and I answer without checking the screen.

“Beaker Brothers.”

“Dean, hey, umm, I need you. I’m on my way to the ranch.”

It’s Preston, and the second I hear his voice and the way he says my name with that sexy rasp, my head is in a spin, and it takes me a second to find my tongue.

“Are you there?” he asks, and I force a cough, pretending to clear the lump that I know won’t budge no matter how hard I try.

“Yes. Err, um,” I manage to reply, but my voice is all high and squeaky. I cough again. “You’re where?”

“I’m on my way to your place; can you meet me?”

“Meet you at my place,” I repeat like a total fucking tool. Why does he have this effect on me? I’m a grown-ass man.

“Yeah.Mightbe a good idea to get Atlas, too. I’ll be there in five.”

He hangs up, and Skye and Nial are just standing there watching me, but while Skye looks worried, Nial looks like he’s about to burst out laughing. Fucking brothers.

“Sky, run over to the stables and grab Atlas. Doc’s on his way.”

“On it, boss,” Skye says, taking off without question.

Nial, on the other hand, is just bursting to ask about the call I just hung up from.

“Doc is on his way, is he?” Nial asks, the smirk on his lips only growing.

“Caught that, did you? Good to know your ears still work. Come on, he’ll be here in five.”

“Did he say why?”

“Nope, but he asked for Atlas, so it has to be a horse thing.”

“We have enough horses.”

“I didn’t say he wanted us to take in a horse.”

“Do you need me to be there to tell him no when he does ask you?”

“He’s not going to ask us to take in a horse. It’s probably something about one of the mares in the stables. Atlas called him last week for something to treat the horsefly bites.”

“Sure, that’stotallywhy Preston is stopping by on a Friday night. Horsefly ointment.”

I spot the light blue van on the horizon,onlyit’s not just the van I spot. He’s pulling a horse trailer behind him. Fuck. Looks like Beaker Brothers Ranch is about to get a new addition. I wonder what’s weird about this one.

Chapter two

PRESTON

WHEN MOVING FORWARD MEANS GOING BACK

“It’ssonicetosee you keep this place going,” Castor says, handing over the clinic’s mail. “I’m hoping my boy will be taking over for me at the post shop before long; these old dogs are tired.”

He’s referring to his legs. At least I hope he is. He tells me the same thing every second morning when he brings the mail, and to be honest, I’m not sure he remembers, so it’s probably not a bad idea if he does retire soon.

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