Page 11 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

She elbowed him. “But you like them. You’ve never turned a critter away.”

“I’m going to have a menagerie like Stone McCartney soon, but he runs the animal rescue. I’m trying to make a living off the farm.” Andrew folded his arms. Maddie was stalling. He knew the tactic well. “Why aren’t you with Ross? Isn’t he supposed to be the guy you’ve wanted all your life?”

She stuffed her hands into her back pockets. “I did, but he didn’t agree with me.” She shrugged. “He wanted to be with someone else.”

“You were tight.” She lived with Ross, and Andrew had thought they were getting married. “What happened?”

“He said it was a fling and wouldn’t happen again, but he’d been texting a woman named Tara for the last three months. It wasn’t just work stuff. He’d told her he loved her and wanted to get away from the nag.” She met Andrew’s gaze. “I guess that’s me.”

“I’m sorry.” He opened his arms, then hesitated. “I’d hug you, but I’m sweaty and dirty.”

She nodded. “You’re fragrant.”

At least he hadn’t been hauling shit all day. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She swatted his arm. “I thought it’d do me good to be here rather than at the apartment alone. I can be of use here.”

“You can. I need to refill the water pans for the cats and check the water levels for the girls.” He planned on dumping the water from the stock tanks and adding fresh once he’d put the tractor away for the afternoon. “Pull the plug on the left tank, and while it’s emptying, fill the right one. I’ll grind the feed.”

He filled the bucket with feed, then emptied the contents into the grinder. Maddie pulled the plug from the water tank and stepped back. While the water drained from one tank, she refilled the other.

“What happened with the guy from the market?” She waved the hose. “You don’t look happy.”

He stepped back from the loud machine. “He called me to come over, but I wasn’t there long when Liam Blackwell showed up. I don’t care that Liam was over, but why call me and say he’s lonely if he knew he’d have company?”

“You do realize Liam’s a celebrity.”

He turned off the grinder. “I know.” Andrew emptied the contents into the bucket. The four cattle he kept stood at the gate, watching him. “I think the girls are ready to eat.”

“They are.” Maddie replaced the plug, then rinsed the left tank. “Liam’s famous. The cutie might want to hang out with a celebrity. It might fascinate him.”

“I suppose.” He headed into the barn to disperse the feed. The cattle happily noshed on the ground corn while Andrew surveyed the bedding in the pen. He’d have to replace it tomorrow.

“Or maybe you misinterpreted the situation,” Maddie said, joining him in the barn. “It might have been a miscommunication.”

“I doubt that.” He knew when guys weren’t interested, having been the recipient of the cold shoulder enough times.

“Give him another chance.”

“If I run into him.” He hooked the bucket handle on the nail, then wiped his hands. Andrew closed the gate, penning the cattle in for the evening. “There we go. Cats are good. The girls are safe.”

“Call him.” Maddie followed Andrew out of the barn. “What are you afraid of?”

“Nothing.” He was embarrassed that he’d escaped the situation instead of standing up and demanding attention. He spotted Gabby trotting across the lawn. “What’s my dog got in her mouth?” The canine shook something floppy. Andrew’s stomach churned. “She’s got another groundhog. Check the water and stay here.” He fought the urge to sprint across the lawn. If he chased Gabby, it’d become a game, and she wouldn’t give up the critter. “Gabby.”

The dog spotted him, and her tail wagged faster.Shit.The game was on. Andrew slowed his pace. “Drop it.” He hated having to bury the groundhogs she caught, but at least she kept them out of the corn cribs. “Gabby. Drop it.”

Gabby spit out the helpless lump of he wasn’t sure what and hopped forward, charging the clump. Her tail swished faster.

“Gabby.” He approached the dog. “Thank you. You helped out and did your job. Good girl.” He glanced back at Maddie. “Get a shovel.” He turned his attention back to the dog. “Good Gabby.” What in the hell did she get? He focused on the object the dog had dragged across the lawn. He knew that form. A doll?

“What is it?” Maddie brought the shovel. “What’d she get?”

“Not a critter. She found one of the stuffed toys you gave her.” He pointed to the ragged orange and brown form. “I think it’s a football player toy.”

“Oh my.” She crinkled her nose. “That thing stinks worse than you do.”

“It does.” He’d have to pitch the toy and buy Gabby a new one. He took the shovel from Maddie. “I’ll toss it. Take her to the house and rub Gabby down with those cleaning towels.”

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