Page 9 of All Grown Up at Mountain Creek Ranch
“Landon Holloway.”
I can see almost the moment when recognition as it clicks in his brain. He takes my offered hand and shakes it.
“Of course, Landon. Please, take a seat.”
I slide into the seat across from him. “Sorry if I startled you. I didn’t mean to interrupt your reading.”
He looks down at the paperwork and frowns at the mustard stain but doesn’t say anything. I’ve already got one strike against me; why not risk it and talk to him about Delaney.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, Del came by the ranch this week to help us with a breech birth.”
He frowns. “Yes, I heard. I’m sorry about the confusion. I know that you were calling for me and got Delaney instead. She's still new to vet work, and I would have like to have been there as well to oversee her work.”
“That’s just it. I wanted to tell you how well she did and how grateful we are for her tremendous job. I’ve never seen a breech birth get handled so quickly and seamlessly. Greta and the calf are doing great.”
“I'm happy to hear there weren't any problems, but all the same, I would like to have been there.”
I feel the defensiveness start to rise in me.Why is he so stubborn?Does he not know that he is pushing his daughter away?I open my mouth, and before I can stop myself.
“Del has an offer in Wyoming.”
Dr. Morgan’s eyes narrow on me. “When?”
“I don’t know, but they want an answer by Friday.”
Realization flashes in his eyes. “How do you know all this?”
Uh oh.I don’t know what Delaney and I are just yet. I know what I want, but I don’t know if she is there too. Let alone me giving what we have a name to her father first.
"She mentioned it when she stopped by to do a check-up on Greta." Not totally untrue.
He stares at me with a penetrating look like he can tell I'm not being totally honest with him. I do what I can to keep my face neutral and not fidget.
“Landon, honey!” Mirabelle yells over to me from behind the counter. She’s holding up a bag with my order.
I let out the breath I’m holding, grateful for the interruption so I can leave. I stand and wipe my sweaty palm against my jeans before reaching my hand out to Dr. Morgan. He waits a couple of seconds before taking it.
“I’m glad my daughter has afriendlooking out for her,” he says the wordfriendlike he knows there is more going on between us.
"Yes, sir." I nod once and turn to grab my to-go order from the counter.
I’m not sure if telling Del’s dad about her offer was a good idea, but I had to do something. I’m not ready to give up on the chance of us yet.
7
DELANEY
I’m sliding on my boots as Landon walks in the door of his cabin holding lunch. The smile on his face slips and is replaced with a frown when he sees I’m getting ready to leave.
“Are you going somewhere?” he asks, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“My dad called while you were out. He asked that I stop by the office because he wants to talk to me.”
“Right now?”
"He said he has a few appointments in Eagleton later this afternoon, and this is the only time he has to talk."
A look crosses Landon’s face that I don’t recognize. “Why don’t I drive you?”
