Chapter 9

Quinn

On Monday, I headed back to my animal hospital. It was a really wonderful weekend, the sex was great, the new friendships I was making were helping me feel wanted, but I needed to work and get some money coming in. My practice was less than a month old and my bills were beginning to pile up. Spending time away this weekend instead of marketing like I was used to doing with my other practice hit me in the pocketbook.

Elijah had to head back to the ranch now that his vacation was over and Mike needed to find some lost cows. In Minneapolis, I never would have heard from someone saying, “Come help me find some cows,” but I guess here it is a totally different life.

One that was growing on me.

I went to my apartment, put the overalls in the dryer (after smelling them to make sure they didn’t smell musty) and headed downstairs in my lab coat. I unlocked the hospital and walked in to see my voicemail blinking. I spent a good morning and part of the afternoon seeing clients – many of whom were part of the MC. Several dogs and cats, along with a rabbit, ferret, and two pygmy goats. Don’t ask.

I went to bed both exhausted and happy. Elijah wouldn’t be coming by as I knew he would be working until he found all the strays so he’d be out on the range for a bit.

Bright and early in the morning, my first call was from Mike. He wanted me to come over to the ranch and take a look at the inseminated cows as it had been about ten days. I got my overalls on and headed down to my truck.

As I drove over to Cougar Creek, my mind jumped all over the place. One second, I was elated; the next excited; followed by scared. It’s been a long time since I felt this way about anyone.

Maybe ever. Even Steve. Ten years of my life I wasted. If I had known that this was what it felt to be cared for and cherished, I would have left him years ago. That would have made my mom happy.

It scared the hell out of me. I don't want end up like my mom grieving year after year for someone is long dead. He took the best of her with him when he died. I didn’t want to be grieving Elijah like that.

I shook my head. I didn't need to think about anything happening to Elijah. Nothing is going happen to Elijah. I turned the radio on to something poppy and happy.

As I pull into Mike's ranch, I saw my man come over to me on a horse. That’s right. My man. I liked the way it sounded in my mind. And if he looked just as good on a horse as he did on his bike… Nah, he looked awesome on a bike.

He reined in.

“I got to head out about hundred acres I have to cover. Missed a couple yesterday. Want to make sure a cougar didn’t get to them.” He had a rifle in the holster by the saddle.

He leaned out of the saddle and kissed me. The electric charge shook me to my boots.

The morning flew by quickly with the number of cows; luckily pregnant cows. Not exactly ecstatic about the pregnancy as they crapped on my boots, but about 75% of them were inseminated. Not too bad.

As I was finishing up on the last cow, I feel the vibrator go off on my cell phone in my pocket. I didn’t know the number, but it was local so I answered it.

“Doc Hopson,” I answered.

“Hi, Doc. This is Ranger Wallace over at the Black Hills Ranger Station.”

“What I can I help you with, Ranger Wallace.”

“Frank, please. Ranger Wallace makes me feel like I have Smokey the Bear looking over at me.”

I laughed and waited for him to tell me what he needed.

“My wildlife crew is all over in Spokane for a conference. I got a baby elk over here that was caught in a trap. I don’t think its leg’s broken, but I would really like to see what you can do. Mike over at Cougar Creek says you’re decent.”

“Does he now?”

“That’s high praise coming from Mike.”

I noticed the man in question walking over to me through the barn.

Frank continued, “You’re about the closest thing we have to a wildlife specialist for about a hundred miles.”

“Frank, I’m not a wildlife specialist but I’m just finishing up here at Cougar Creek. I’ll get over there as soon as I get done. Can you text me the address or the GPS?”

“Sure thing. Look forward to seeing you, Doc.”

Mike had caught the tail end of the conversation.

“So are you a cow specialist or an elk specialist or a dog specialist or a…” he joked.

I held my hand up.

“I do appreciate the referral. Frank Wallace said you told him I was decent.”

“You are. Three-quarters of my cows are expecting. That’s good news for next year. Frank’s a fishing buddy. Good guy. He called me about an elk earlier. Is that what he wanted?”

“Turns out I'm the only one nearby that knows anything about large animals.”

Mike laughed and scuffed his hat against his leg.

“You just be careful out there.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, it's high fire danger right now and they have a fire not far away in the French Creek area. It’s miles away from where you are going so I don’t think you have anything to worry about but if the wind shifts,” he shrugged, “who knows.”

Elijah rode over, covered in trail dust. His dark hair had come unbound and floated on the wind.

“Looks like someone wants to talk to you, missy.” He turned and shuffled on off the way he came. “Eric Robinson was right. You’re a good girl. Glad I hired you.”

Mike shuffled away and his little stooped self disappeared into the barn.

“So what’s new?” asked Elijah as he got off his horse.