Page 37 of The Wedding Ranch
“Better watch it. That’s probably a marriage proposal in a small town like that,” Pam joked. “But seriously, I’ve been telling you to get better work-life balance for half our lives. I’m glad you’re finally working on it.”
“I am. I also set up my painting stuff up in the loft.”
“Is this Lorri Walker?” Pam teased. “Did you hijack my workaholic best friend?”
“No. It’s me. I’m learning how to enjoy this new life I’ve got and feeling pretty darn thankful about it.”
“I promise I’m coming to see this for myself. I can’t wait.”
“Me either.” Something about this day had changed her priorities.
She hung up, feeling excited about the reunion with Cody. At least the knot on her head would be long gone by the wedding.
What am I going to wear to a celebrity wedding?
Chapter Eleven
Ryder walked into his sister’s veterinary practice on Main Street at noon. Ruby, the receptionist, was on her break as he knew she would be.
He’d gone to the county fair every day last week but hadn’t crossed paths with Lorri again. She hadn’t shown up to buy the quilt on Sunday either. He’d even asked the guys down at the mill if she’d come in looking for big bags of large-breed dog food, but so far, she hadn’t.
Soft instrumental music played in the background. Diane swore it kept the animals calmer. He was uncertain of it. He played a lot of George Strait in his barn and his animals seemed fine with or without it.
He walked around the counter to the reception desk where the file cabinet with the patient charts was. He knew this place as well as the back of his hand. He’d built this animal hospital for Diane a few years back when she’d outgrown the small building where she’d started her practice. Here they’d expanded thekennel for long-term stays and added stalls for larger animals so folks could bring their horses to her. It saved her customers money, and cut down on driving time to make farm calls for a quick Coggins test—a win for everyone.
He slid open the metal drawer and began flipping through the files. He’d only gotten through the first few when a woman with a cat in a light blue carrier walked in through the left entrance.
“Hi,” he greeted her politely, as if he were the one who was supposed to be behind this desk.
“Hey, Ryder. How’ve you been?”
He didn’t recognize her. “Good. How’s your mom and them?” That worked on just about anyone around here.
“Everyone’s doing great.” She nodded to the pet carrier. “Well, except for Tux. He’s here to get fixed. Poor little guy has no idea what’s getting ready to happen to him, but I know it’s the right thing to do.”
“It is,” he agreed. “Don’t need more feral cats running around.”
“No. That’s not good for anyone, although I’m grateful to have found him. He didn’t take a week to tame down, and he’s an excellent mouser.”
Diane walked out with a lady leading an old swaybacked Basset Hound toward the front.
Ryder leaned back against the file cabinet closing it without suspicion. Perfect timing. He didn’t want to have to make small talk with the cat lady any longer than necessary.
Diane glanced over at him. “Everything okay, Ryder?”
“Yeah, fine. I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d take my favorite sister to lunch.”
“Really? I’d love that. I’ll be free right after this next appointment.”
The cat lady smiled.
Ruby came in carrying a takeout box. “Hey, Ryder.” The smell of good North Carolina barbecue filled the air. The Basset’s nose wiggled as he inched toward the scent.
Ruby edged by Ryder and sat in her chair. “I can finish going over the follow-up with Barkley’s mom,” she said to Diane.
“Thanks, Ruby.” Diane turned to the cat lady. “Ginny, you can bring Tux right on back.”
Ginny Matthews. The librarian. That’s her. No wonder I couldn’t place her. Haven’t read much more than the farm auction brochure in a long while.
