Page 78 of Soldier Cowboy
“I don’t know. I’ll have to see about flights.”
“Thank God you don’t have to drive back! I still can’t believe you did that.”
“I can’t, either.”
But she’d never forget that road trip. The way Colton had quietly listened to her without once interrupting. It wasn’t that he didn’t have anything to say, he just wanted to listen to her. He’d bought her a coffee at the rest stop and let her sleep while he drove all night. She was so glad to have been a bit of a distraction for him and help him ease back into his old life.
It was time to leave now and go back to her little corner of the world. Maybe he could visit her in LA. She’d seen where he lived and worked, and now he could come see her. But of course, even if he did, that wouldn’t last. He wouldn’t stay and she couldn’t blame him. No one would trade these golden hills, horses, trees, and river streams for smog, congestion, and ridiculous rent.
She’d tell Colton tonight that she could go home. Maybe he’d even be glad to be alone again. Now he’d have the little cottage to himself. He was the type to crave solitude and she’d been one loud pain in his behind since day one.
When Colton walked in the door, early, he appeared to have been drug through the mud naked. He had dirt caked on his face, hat, his shirt, his jeans. And he…smelled. Not his usual delicious smell of leather, soap, and musk.
She covered her nose. “Oh my God, what happened?”
But he was grinning ear to ear. “The most fun I’ve had in years. We had to pull a cow out of a ditch.”
“That sounds really…hard.”
“You have no idea. I had a great time. There was a rope and a truck involved. And look at all this mud! Isn’t this fantastic?” He took a step toward her, and she took a step back. “What’s wrong?”
“Umm…” She waved her hand up and down his body, demonstrating.
“What? You don’t want to give me a kiss?” He wore a big grin, his arms stretched out wide.
“Well, it’s just…” She smiled, shook her head, and took a step back, holding up both palms. “Later.”
He studied her. “Not ready for mud wrestling. Check.”
“Why? Is that a thing?”
“Sure, all the women here love to roll around in the mud with their cowboys. There’s even an annual contest. I plan to win this year, so you better get ready to practice.”
She was about to make excuses that since she was from LA. such a thing shouldn’t be held against her when he burst into loud peals of laughter. He was teasing her again.
“I’ll go shower and drive you to the clinic.”
“That wasn’t funny, Colton!” She said to his retreating back. “Hey, is there really acontest?”
He laughed even harder. “No, but there should be!”
Eve’sveterinary clinic was truly impressive. While the outside was an ordinary and functional office building with suites, walking inside felt like being transported to the wild west. The walls were papered in green and gold and there were artist renderings of horses, cattle, goats and pigs. Every kind of domestic dog breed was showcased on another wall. The receptionist desk was L-shaped and a lady with silver hair, coiffed perfectly, rose to greet them.
For a second, Colton, who had been leading her inside, froze. It was Jennifer who extended her hand to the receptionist first.
“I’m Jennifer. Eve is expecting me. I’m here to take photos of the clinic for the website.”
The woman, whose name tag read, “Regina” and had a drawing of a cute puppy on it, ran from behind the desk straight to Colton, and threw her arms wide open.
“You sure are a sight for sore eyes! C’mon over here and give us a hug! Oh, aren’t you handsome. Always were.”
Colton accepted the hug but looked less than thrilled. “This is my fiancée, Jennifer Walker.”
“Hi,” Jennifer said.
The woman took the news like someone might take the announcement of a loved one’s death. Her face fell, her jaw gaped, and her eyes might have teared up a little.
“Oh. Well, congratulations, I guess.” She pointed to Colton. “I was almost going to be his mother-in-law.”
