Page 1 of The Rancher's Addiction

Chapter One

Jenny followed Nicoleand Elise into the massive barn and was instantly bombarded with the smells of barbecue and beer, the sounds of conversations, the country music band on the far end, and the sight of dozens of people milling around.

Nicole grabbed her hand and pulled her along.“Come on.”

Jenny chuckled.“I’m coming.I don’t have your energy, Nicole.”

Elise snorted.“No one does, but you’re damn close.”

Nicole pulled them over to an eight-foot rectangular table, where her parents and a few other older people were already seated.Jenny knew most of them because she’d been out to their ranches, or they had brought a pet into the clinic for her to see.

Jenny sat and answered questions about being a veterinarian for about an hour.She was used to it and actually didn’t mind.She loved being around people about as much as she did animals.

She was about done with her first and last beer when Nicole tapped her on the shoulder.

Jenny just about groaned at the mischievous expression on the woman’s face.She was grateful for these women.They had befriended her right from the beginning, making her feel like part of the community, and that had never happened before.

It had always been hard for Jenny to fit in.She’d always been the youngest in the class because her parents had kept her ahead in school.She knew why they had done it.She was at the lower spectrum of “genius” level and had surpassed all the students in her age group.

When she graduated from high school at the age of fifteen, the situation had worsened because she had moved to college.She completed her undergraduate degree in less than two years and then proceeded to veterinary school.

She had slowed her rush to graduate when she found the few kids in her class who accepted her, so she wanted to experience having friends.Everyone would be leaving for different parts of the United States, so the chances of seeing them again were slim.

There were only a limited number of openings for veterinarians, so they had to go where jobs were available.Jenny had to move from Chicago to Wyoming for her position.She’d been thrilled to get the job.She would eventually take over for Dr.Sherman when he retired in a few years.His practice had grown so much that he needed help, and thankfully, he had hired her.

So far, she loved the town and the people.She’d bought a small house she adored and had been renovating in her spare time.Her life was finally settling into something she’d only dreamed about.

Nicole’s smile brought her back to the present.

At the moment, she was frankly suspicious and a bit terrified of what her friend was up to.She narrowed her eyes on Nicole.She’d learned quickly not to trust that look in her friend’s eyes.The two had talked her into a dare-dare game, and when it was her turn, the other women would dare her to do something outrageous.

The first time they had dared her, they made her wear puppy ears all day at the clinic.The people who stopped in or had appointments had enjoyed it even if she hadn’t.The three had a match of wits going, and unfortunately, it was her turn to take a dare.

Nicole pointed across the barn at three men standing together.“You see the tallest one?”

Jenny nodded.“Yes.”How could she miss him?He stood a head taller than the other two men, and she could see his air of authority and arrogance from where she stood.

“I dare you to go ask him to dance.”

Elise gasped.“Are you talking about Mr.McKenzie?”

Nicole’s grin grew, and she nodded.

Jenny looked back and forth between the two women.“Why?”

“He’s just really ...intimidating,” Elise told her.

“Is that all?”Jenny asked.

Elise stared over at the man.“It’s just ...oh, I don’t know how to describe him.”

Jenny turned back to Nicole.“What’s my dare?”

Nicole chuckled.“Just to go ask him to dance.”

“Okay.What if he says no?”Jenny asked.

“It doesn’t matter what he says as long as you ask him.”

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