Page 28 of The Rancher's Addiction

She ignored his growl and jumped into the crowd, which instantly surrounded her and her friends.

“That was amazing,” Nicole said, laughing.“Oh, my God.The look on both their faces was priceless.They’ll be talking about this for years.”

Oh, great.Jenny stopped when she thought she was far enough from him, as her beeper buzzed.She glanced at the number.“Sorry, guys.I have a call.I have to run.”

Both women laughed.

“I think it would be a good idea to make a hasty exit,” Elise said, a little worriedly.She looked around like she was expecting Mac to come at them at any moment.

Jenny hugged them both.“I’ll see you at the clinic in the morning.”

“Be careful,” Nicole called as she walked away.

Jenny was out the door in her vehicle and driving off in less than a minute, headed to a ranch twenty-five minutes away.

She gave herself a moment to reminisce about earlier.She laughed and shook the hand she’d used to hit Carly.It would ache, but in no way would it bruise or give her problems.

It made her miss her boxing class she’d attended in the city.Maybe she could put up a bag in her garage or basement?She’d think about it later.She needed to get into the zone she used to concentrate on her patient and nothing else.

Chapter Twelve

Jenny pulled herselfout of bed the following day.She desperately wanted to crawl back under the covers and sleep for a week.Just long enough to get over the oppressive weight of sadness because she had lost a patient.

Actually, the calf had been dead by the time she got there, but it still made her sad and debate with herself if she’d only been there an hour earlier.That’s the one thing she had always done was internalize every patient she lost.She thought after years of being a vet, she’d toughen up, but it hadn't happened yet.

She kept telling herself at least she had saved the cow, but some damage had been done inside of her, so it might be impossible for the cow to get pregnant again in the future.

Jenny rushed through her shower and grabbed an extra-large cup of her strong coffee before heading to the clinic.Elise was already starting to open when she walked in.

“Good morning...”Elise stopped, came around the counter, and looked Jenny over.“What happened?”

“I lost a calf last night.”

Elise pulled her into her arms.“Oh, hun, I’m so sorry.”

Jenny hugged her tightly, needing the human connection more than she thought.

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