Chapter 2
Chloe parked in front of Cooper Montgomery’s house and smiled, the sight of the farmhouse made her smile, a pleasant memory of home popping into her mind. She stepped out of the truck and took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, the chill of coming night brushing her cheeks like a gentle caress. Living in LA had been one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do. And while most people loved the temperate weather, she missed the change of the seasons, and the pollution was something she’d never get used to. She longed for wide open spaces and fresh air more than anything else and here in Coldwater Canyon she’d found both those things.
Although she’d been thrilled to be accepted to the veterinary medicine program at the university, she’d never planned to stay in California, couldn’t imagine living anywhere but South Dakota. But looking around her, she realized that if she could live here, California might not be that bad. Which was a good thing since she’d signed a two-year contract.
She stepped around the truck just as Cooper and Paige came out the door, Paige with a smile on her face and Cooper with the scowl she was beginning to think he wore all the time. “Welcome, everyone’s inside, they can’t wait to meet you in person.” Paige said, putting her arm around Chloe and leading her into the house.
Chloe had been warned about the Montgomery and Terrell clan but she wasn’t prepared for the reality of them all together in one group. “The kids and the animals are all with Marissa’s sister at the school, we didn’t want to overwhelm you.” Paige said, when she saw the look on Chloe’s face.
Like anyone with access to a computer she’d done some digging into Coldwater Canyon and its residents. She knew as individuals they represented billions of dollars and united, well that much money was beyond her scope of reality. She knew that each had not only put a large amount of their fortune into the park, but supported several other charities. What she hadn’t expected was to feel both small and plain when she walked into the room, the men all towering over her and the women all beautiful in some exotic way.
Paige introduced them one by one, explaining the role each played in the canyon, finishing with Carter and Faith. But she noticed one more man standing a little bit away from the group. When she made eye contact with him, a strange feeling passed through her almost as if she’d met him before. When he cleared his throat, Paige blushed only then realizing she’d missed the man during the introductions.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. This is Jack Montgomery, he’s from Australia. We’re cousins a few generations removed. Jack’s going to bring Merino wool to the canyon, it’s quite exciting.” Paige said, then frowned when she saw the look on Chloe’s face.
Chloe met Cooper’s eyes across the room, remembering the conversation they’d had during her interview, and narrowed them at him. She could clearly remember the conversation they’d had about sheep. She hadn’t exactly said she didn’t want to work with them, but she’d made it pretty clear that they were her least favorite animal on the planet.
Cooper had been reassuring, “Well as far as I know there are only a few in the canyon, I think you’ll be dealing with cattle more than sheep. There’s not exactly a big market for wool anymore, but I’m curious why you dislike them so much.”
“I grew up on a sheep ranch, and not only are they stupid but they’re stubborn. I spent my entire childhood trying to get sheep to go from one place to another, so if I can avoid them for the rest of my life I’ll be happy.” She explained.
“Well, I can’t promise that you won’t run across a sheep or two around here, but I don’t think we’ll have herds of them running around the hills.” Cooper said, trying not to smile when Chloe seemed so serious. In reality, he had no idea how many sheep there were in the canyon, but he’d already decided that Dr. Barton was exactly the person they were looking for so he told her what she wanted to hear.
She enjoyed dinner, feeling more welcome than she could have hoped among strangers, but Cooper’s deception was still in the back of her mind. Determined to have a little discussion with him, she jumped at the first opportunity to get him alone and confronted him.
“You told me that there wouldn’t be any sheep in the canyon.” She accused, catching him off guard.
“Well, there weren’t then.” He said, trying not to smile.
“And now? What are we talking about a hundred, two hundred?” she asked, scowling at him.
“Not that many, well not at first anyway.”
“Did you know this then? I specifically asked you about sheep.” Chloe was getting frustrated with Cooper’s answers.
Cooper decided it was time to stop teasing Chloe, who was clearly in the right, but it had just been too tempting. “Okay, okay calm down Dr. Barton. I didn’t know about the sheep until after we’d chosen you, and if you want to back out of your contract we’ll let you, but you really are perfect for the park.”
Cooper’s words had the effect he’d hoped for, “Well, I guess it’s not like I’ll have to take care of them all the time, but you owe me.” She said with a big sigh, then stomped off, resigned to the idea of sheep.
Chloe had been avoiding Jack all night hoping that if she pretended he wasn’t there he’d disappear along with the strange feeling she got when she looked at him. But now it looked like she’d have to deal with him, so she crossed the room, the frown still on her face and introduced herself.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Barton, I’m the new veterinarian. Sounds like you and I will be working together.” She said, holding out her hand.
When Jack took her hand a frisson of desire rushed through her making her draw in a deep breath, then embarrassed she blushed, shocked at her response to a total stranger. “I’m Jack Montgomery, it’s nice to meet you.” He said, looking at their joined hands then into her eyes.
If Chloe had been shocked by her response to his touch, she was lost when his blue eyes met hers. Absolutely speechless, she stared at him for nearly a minute before realizing that it was her turn to say something. “So umm, you’re from Australia?” She asked stupidly, his dreamy accent making that all too clear.
Jack had been watching Chloe all night wondering why she seemed to be avoiding him, then telling himself that he didn’t care. He too had felt that feeling of recognition when he saw her, but what had been even more disturbing was the instant desire that came with the feeling. The woman was quite a package, he’d noticed that the minute she walked into the room, only a little over five feet tall, she was curvy in all the important places.
The desire he’d felt came as a bit of a shock, but then he rationalized it, after all he hadn’t been with a woman since months before Josh had been born. But as the night wore on, he couldn’t deny that he was attracted to the Doctor, a situation he was completely unprepared to handle. So when she came stomping up to him, he was already on the defensive, and from the look on her face so was she. Feeling cornered, he tried to be polite when all he wanted to do was get away from her.
He was in the middle of a lengthy explanation about why he’d come to America when Marissa joined them. She waited until he was finished before saying, “I’m glad to see you two getting along, especially since you’re going to be neighbors.”
“Neighbors?” They said in unison, making Marissa laugh.
“Well, it only makes sense. If we’re going to build a new road in the canyon for your ranch Jack, then I think we’ll put the vet clinic there as well. So you’ll be neighbors.” She finished with a big smile, watching them carefully.
Jack and Chloe looked at each other both clearly unnerved at the idea of living close to one another. “Oh, well I guess it might be nice to have a neighbor.” Jack finally said, when Chloe was clearly still speechless.
“And it will make construction so much easier.” Marissa said, thinking that they made a cute couple. Chloe’s fresh faced beauty a contrast to Jack’s rugged good looks, but just looking good together didn’t make a match. Still, it might be worth considering even though Jack was quite a bit older than Chloe and had Josh to think about.
Chloe didn’t like the way Marissa was looking at her, suddenly feeling like she was being evaluated for something other than her ability to keep animals healthy. Knowing that it was her turn to say something, she groped for some kind of response still completely thrown by her sudden attraction to this older man and the prospect of being his closest neighbor.
“Oh, umm yeah that will be nice. I hear you’re going to try and raise Merino sheep here in California.” Chloe finally managed to say, reverting to animals as she always did when she found herself at a loss of words.
When Chloe finally fell into bed that night she was exhausted and positive that Jack thought that she was an idiot. He’d talked for 45 minutes about raising sheep and she’d stood and listened speechless, unable to believe that not only was there going to be sheep in the canyon, but they’d be living only a few miles from the dream clinic they were building for her. What had seemed the perfect opportunity was now going to be soiled by hundreds of bleating, stupid creatures that she’d be expected to take care of.
She was relieved when Paige pulled her away to show her to her room for the night, promising that tomorrow they’d get her moved into the cabin where she’d be living until the clinic was finished. “I know it’s not going to be anything like what you’re used to, but it’s a nice little cabin. Just remember, it’s only until fall, unlike Jack who’d going to have to wait until next summer for his house.”
The temptation to hide in her room was strong, but she returned to the group downstairs, relieved to see that everyone was packing up to leave. As nice as it had been to meet everyone, she was exhausted and needed some time alone to absorb all she’d learned that night about her new home and her soon-to-be neighbor, with the dark blue eyes and dreamy accent. Her last thought was of Merino sheep and the man who was going to bring them into Coldwater Canyon.
She woke late the next morning, but when she stumbled into the kitchen it was clear that the morning was just getting started. Paige was just pouring a cup of coffee and handed one to her, before sitting down at the table with her. “How did you sleep? I’m sorry about the noise, the kids were up early this morning. The older boys have a field trip today, they’re already gone, but the little ones woke up when they did.”
“I didn’t even hear them; the house I grew up in was always full of kids. I learned to sleep through anything.” Chloe said, shrugging her shoulders and giving Paige a sleepy smile.
Paige laughed, “I wish I could sleep though all that noise too.”
“Well I can sleep through it because I don’t have to worry what the result of all the noise might be.” Chloe said, taking a bite of the eggs Paige had set down in front of her.
“I thought maybe you’d like to explore the canyon a little bit today.” Paige suggested, then when she saw the disappointed look on Chloe’s face she added, “Cooper won’t have your cabin ready until tomorrow, he didn’t want you to see it until it was ready.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Cooper I know.”
“Oh, Cooper puts on a tough front, but he’s really not like that. He wants the cabin to look nice, it really is pretty small.” Paige explained.
“I’ll be fine. I grew up in a house that was always full. Privacy was something you went outside to find.” Chloe said, laughing, then added, “Even in LA I had room mates, so it’ll be nice to have a place that’s all my own.”
“The apartment at the clinic is going to be really nice, and I think they’re planning on building a house there eventually too.” Paige hoped that Chloe wouldn’t change her mind when she saw the cabin.
“So since we’re playing tourist today, can I see the burial ground and the cave?” Chloe had been curious about that part of Coldwater Canyon since she’d read about the treasure they’d found years ago; it had been quite the sensation at the time.
“Sure, we’ve even got a couple of graves open right now, but we have to be careful in the cave, it’s not very stable.” Paige said, getting up from the table. “But if we’re going to do all that we’d better get a move on. If you come with me to drop the kids off at school, you’ll get to see Cedar Ridge too, it’s quite a shock the first time you see it.”
By the time they made it to Cedar Ridge and Chloe had explored the little town it was lunch time, so they bought sandwiches and fruit from the store and sat on a bench in the middle of town to eat. It was hot that day, but the trees provided enough shade that it was comfortable. As they were finishing their sandwiches, Jack Montgomery came riding into town, and even from across the little square Chloe felt a pull when she saw him.
He looked like he belonged in an advertisement for men’s cologne, his rugged face made even more attractive by several day’s growth of beard. Chloe sucked in a breath when his eyes met hers as he approached them, then let it out slowly, attempting to still her beating heart. As he rode past, he tipped his hat, then dismounted in front of the store and went inside. She knew that Paige was looking at her, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the door that Jack had disappeared into.
“He’s a good looking man.” Paige ventured carefully, watching Chloe’s reaction.
Chloe realized that she’d been staring and quickly looked the other way. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Paige wisely kept her mouth shut about Jack, “Well, are you ready to go see some Indian graves?”
Jack stepped into the cool darkness of the general store, relieved to be out of not only the heat but also the sight of Dr. Chloe Barton. Again, he wished that he’d stayed up on the mountain instead of coming back to meet her, but Cooper had insisted since they’d be working together. His attraction to her last night could have been easily explained by a momentary lapse in control, but when he’d ridden into town and seen her sitting on the bench with Paige, the desire flared even stronger.
Then instead of looking away, he’d kept his eyes firmly locked on her until she met his gaze, which had been a mistake. The desire only got stronger when she looked at him with those chocolate brown eyes, and like an idiot he’d tipped his hat to her like some old west cowboy. It was such a clichéd move he couldn’t believe he’d done it, but then again whenever he was around Chloe his brain seemed to stop working.
He couldn’t quite understand his attraction to the woman, especially after she’d stood mute during their conversation about the sheep he’d be bringing to the park. If she was supposed to be the veterinarian helping him establish the flock, there was going to be trouble. Apparently, they didn’t teach anything about sheep at the American schools, or she was a complete idiot. He was relieved when Paige pulled her away and he could make his escape, the woman made him nervous but he wasn’t quite sure why.
After he’d made his purchases, he poked his head out the door, not caring what the clerk thought, and looked to where Chloe and Paige had been sitting, relieved when he saw that they were gone. Once he was back on his horse and headed back to Honey Hills where he’d been staying with Marissa and Scott Terrell, he realized just how ridiculous he was being. This wasn’t the first time he’d been attracted to a woman since he and Isobel broke up. He was almost 35 years old, too old to be hiding, too old not to be able to control his desires.
He’d have to learn to control these feelings for Chloe. She was the last woman he’d ever want to get involved with. She was much too LA for his tastes, probably couldn’t even ride a horse, what she was doing in the canyon he had no idea. But one thing was for sure, he wasn’t letting her get her hands on his sheep unless he was sure she knew what she was doing. Cooper might think that she was the best person for the job, but he was really beginning to have his doubts.
Bright and early the next morning all the adults were assembled in the barn, Cooper assigning horses for the trip to the sight of both Jack’s ranch and Chloe’s clinic. Once they’d explored that area, they were going to help Jack and Chloe move into their cabins. It really wasn’t something that required all of them, but the women had decided it was a good excuse to take the day off and have a picnic in the woods. They’d brought enough food for a week, intending to leave the leftovers behind in the cabins for Chloe and Jack.
They had the horses saddled when Jack finally ambled up already mounted and ready to go, “Are you all ready yet?” he asked, wanting to get up to his property as soon as possible.
“Hold your horses, Jack.” Calvin said, then waited for the pained laughter his joke was sure to bring.
“Ha ha, very funny.” Jack said, giving Calvin a dirty look.
When Chloe led her horse out of the barn, he did a double take; the horse was twice as big as she was. How she was going to get into the saddle was a mystery to him, but to his amazement she sprang up into the saddle with no effort at all. He couldn’t help but stare at her as she adjusted the stirrups, then whispered softly into her horse’s ear as if she’d been born in the saddle.
She must have sensed him looking at her, because she looked up and met his eyes, a look of defiance blooming to life. “What?” She asked.
“You just reminded me of a kangaroo, the way you bounced into the saddle. I take it you know how to ride.” Jack said, not sure why he’d stated the obvious.
“I’m not sure if that was a compliment or not, but yes I can ride. You don’t grow up on a ranch in South Dakota without learning how to ride.” She said, still a little bit defensive.
It was then that Jack understood why she knew so little about sheep; cattle would be the animal of choice in South Dakota. He’d heard stories about the battles between sheep and cattle ranchers back in the old days. Needless to say the sheep ranchers had lost and beef was the protein of choice in America. One thing was sure, he decided as they rode out of the yard and into the forest, there was no way he was letting a cattle rancher, veterinarian or not, touch his sheep.