Page 10 of New in Town

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to plan for that. So, I haven’t.”

Grey laughs, he always appreciates how Brett handles things, straight to the point.

“We can test it out. I know it’s better when you’ve got time to settle into things and I respect that. Take on more duties until you have them all and then after a while, we see how it feels. Before announcing anything, before making anything official, we can check back in. Maybe before I leave for my honeymoon?”

Grey agrees and after Brett leaves, he steps inside the cottage and flips on a light. His home is more spacious than it looks from the outside. Inside, it boasts a large kitchen and dining nook, living room with a fireplace, bedroom large enough for his king size bed, and bathroom he remodeled to fit in an oversized walk-in shower. Having lived here fifteen years now, he is plenty comfortable. Not to mention the thousands of acres stretched around him that he spends his days roaming on his horse.

Remembering his finds from the feed supply, he heads back out to get them from the truck. He sits the dog bed beside the fireplace and Pip ambles across the oak floors to it. He watches the puppy settle into her spot and can’t help but smile. “You were an excellent impulse buy,” he tells her.

6

MADDIE

“If it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll just stick with Arlo.”

It’s definitely not all the same to me, she thinks, feeling a tension headache creep across her skull. Plastering on a tight smile, she nods and rises, and heads for Arlo’s office. His door is cracked open, so she suspects that he heard that whole interaction once again.

Looking up from his computer, she swears she sees a flash of sadness cross Arlo’s eyes just briefly. “Give it time,” he assures her, moving from behind his desk. “We’ll figure something out.”

She watches the elder vet reach the lobby before turning into her own office. Feeling defeated, she slumps down in her desk chair and opens her tote bag. She’d thrown the next letter from Henry’s stack into the bag this morning. And today, she’s been working up the nerve to read it.

Turning the cream envelope over in her hand, she slides a finger inside the flap and drags it across. The seal is aged, as if there had been a significant amount of time between this letter and the last. Hesitating for just a moment, she straightens her posture, lifts her chin, and unfolds the note.

Madelyn,

It’s May, so I reckon your college graduation is any week now. I didn’t go to college. But when I graduated from high school, your grandparents finally told me I was allowed to compete in my first rodeo. I had spent years dreaming, practicing, and preparing. Those few seconds out there, they were unlike anything I ever experienced. I knew I needed more. But no matter how far I traveled, there was nothing like the hometown Sterling Round-Up. That first year, your grandparents and I went to eat at Norma’s after. Your gran’s favorite place, run by her best friend and named for her best friend’s daughter. Even after I lost your grandparents, I still go back to Norma’s for your gran. And at some point along the way, it became a favorite for me, too.

But enough about me. Your mama sent me your graduation announcement. A veterinarian career is an honorable choice. And your love for animals is something we have in common. I hope college treated you well. To get into the program you did, I know you’re smart as sin. But make sure you have a little fun too. It’s important to find that balance. I would know, I lived unbalanced for years… too much fun was my problem. I found my footing though, eventually. And I know you will too, faster than me that’s for certain. I’m rooting for you, even if from afar. And one day, maybe you can forgive me for not staying in Denver with you.

Henry

Maddie’s eyes sting as she fights back tears. They are just words from a stranger, why is she reacting like this? Turning to look out the window behind her, she wonders about the places Henry mentioned. She was here, in his town, just like he wanted. And the truth is, Henry isn’t feeling like a stranger as much anymore.

Pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes, she exhales in a huff. She doesn’t want to think about this, she isn’t ready to feel things for Henry.I get to see Grey any minute though, Maddie remembers. The thought makes her heart flutter. Despite her best efforts, the smooth-talking cowboy has taken up residence in her thoughts for the past week. And then, when Arlo told her Grey called to schedule with her specifically, she had blushed like a smitten teenager.

Grey would be part of her thirty percent. Maybe the only patient towards it at this rate, but he is simply the first step towards her goal. “No cowboys,” she says with a determined nod. Folding up the letter and sliding it back into her tote, she swipes her fingers under her eyes and stands. It makes sense to wait out front in the lobby. The choice to head up there now has nothing to do with the excitement brewing within her.

As she rounds the corner to the lobby, Maddie realizes she’s not the only one with the thought to be early. Standing just inside the door, Grey adjusts the dog tucked into his arm, a sparkle in eyes as they meet hers. His free hand rubs along his strong jaw and she notices that his dusting of scruff is slightly more pronounced today. With honey brown hair cut shorter at the sides and just long enough to be swept back at the top, the subtle facial hair only adds to the effortlessly cool look of Greyson James.

“Hi Maddie,” he says, his voice like a deep, warm tendril wrapping around her.

“Hi,” she replies, embarrassingly breathy. “Arlo says you’re okay seeing me again today?”

“More than okay, I’d prefer it.”

“Oh, okay. Okay, then let's head back,” she murmurs feeling her face heat.

“How was your first week?” he asks from close behind her as they move to a treatment room.

“Oh, it was good,” she replies, hoping she sounds nonchalant.

“It was?”

She closes the door and turns sharply. Why would he doubt her? Leaning back against the door, she crosses her arms and quirks an eyebrow at him. “What?”

He takes a step towards her. “Nothing, just checking. But I was wondering if you have any equine experience?”

“A good amount actually. I thought about only focusing on large animals in college.”

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