Chapter Twenty-Six

 

 

 

 

Two days later.

Sitting behind Matt’s desk, Carolina stared at the laboratory results. The preliminary reports had arrived and the final one didn’t detour much except it identified a viral strain.

The report was over four hundred pages long. She was almost through, making notes, highlighting text, plus typing up her own report in more user-friendly language.

Each sample taken from one of the diseased cows generated a slew of DNA markers. Those were entered into a spreadsheet. The markers were crosschecked against the control samples they’d collected from the bull and cows.

Carolina stared at the graph, sensing the answer stared back at her. Yet she couldn’t, with absolute certainty, make a call as to how related the respiratory disease was in terms of genetics. Definitely, the same virus was affecting the herds but only two distinct stock lines were susceptible. Evermore could treat the herds about to be vaccinated with an antiviral bovine flu med. It was new on the market and delivered by injection. The rest of the herd, grazing and not expected back before next week, wouldn’t be in danger.

Carolina put in an order for the meds to be expedited to Evermore.

But why had this outbreak occurred? That was the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question and Carolina didn’t have an answer. If she were a ranch owner, it would be the next logical question that she’d ask. Slowly, she rocked back and forth in the leather swivel chair.

Matt needed answers, not an educated guess. She picked up her cell phone and auto-dialed him.

“What’s up?” The sound of his deep voice made her pulse quicken.

“I’m reviewing the lab results and had a thought about getting another opinion.” She hated having to go this route, but this wasn’t about her past, this was about Matt’s cattle and Evermore Ranch.

“Any clues to why the cattle are dying?”

“From the sampling, a viral strain was identified. It can be highly contagious once the infection has been around for a year or so.”

“How do we deal with it before it takes root?” he asked.

“Vaccination. The meds are good and available. Did you want to call in an expert who could give you definitive answers about why the viral infection occurred, in the first place?”

“We need answers. Who do you suggest?”

Carolina looked out the window. The sun was shining and temperatures were expected to hit 105 degrees by noon. “He’s a pathologist. Not local. Unless you have a connection around here or the West Coast?”

“What’s got you shifting gears?” Matt asked.

“I’m not. I want to contact the best person in the field of pathological genetics. That includes checking around Texas or Louisiana. It wouldn’t be a bad idea of re-establishing a connection, maybe to Texas A & M. You’ve got family alumni. Or UCLA, I think I heard that university mentioned.” Actually, it had come from Cory and at the time, she was certain his sister’s comment had nothing to do with cattle.

“Carolina, I’ll be there in a minute. Otherwise, just call whoever you know, the sooner the better.”

In a minute? She’d need a week to get her game face on. “I’ll start to send out feelers, but this is your decision.” They hung up.

This wasn’t the time to get cold feet. From this morning’s log, she’d read that another cow was on watch. The cow’s calf was listed, too. If the cow died, the calf would probably die as well.

Matt entered the office. “We don’t have any more time to waste. I thought we covered this issue when we first met.” His words were uttered in that strained tone she’d heard when he was containing his frustration.

“I remember clearly.” He was right. All she had to do was pick up the phone and call Jeff. Call the man who had said she’d do just that.

This wasn’t about her screwed up past, this was about Evermore ranch. She inhaled, putting aside her emotions. All she had to do was make one small call. Staring at Matt didn’t make the call any easier to dial. “I’ll call Dr. Haverty.”

She didn’t miss the slight narrowing of Matt’s eyes. “Wait a minute. The asshole who had you dancing on the end of a string because of some contract BS. Find someone else.”

“That might not be possible.”

“It had better be possible. I don’t care what it costs. I don’t care who you consult. Just do it. I hired you to get me answers, now I need you to do your job like a professional. Someone who won’t stand by when animals are dying.”

Matt’s words struck her harder than any hoof stomp ever had. Brutal and forceful, the conversation cut through her waffling. He brought her here to do a job, first and foremost. They both wanted more, but that was beyond this office. As a professional, he was calling her to do whatever was required and that included stepping up to the plate as a professional. A woman who could stand on her own two feet. It had been a mistake to admit that she’d had a contractual problem with Haverty. Now Matt’s perception was tainted. Time was closing in on them.

If there was a resource, it was her duty to find and use it for her client’s benefit. Dying cattle and a ranch’s reputation were more important than any pride, false or otherwise. Carolina typed veterinarian pathologists into the search engine and hit enter. Of course, not only did Dr. Jeffrey Haverty appear at the top of Google—the man bought in big when it came to advertising. And being part of a university meant Jeff published far and wide in journals. He was quoted for pages and pages on each search engine.

Matt watched her. “Well?”

“Just checking. I’m making a professional call. We don’t have a choice,” she murmured, dialing Jeff’s number from memory. Never say never.

“Well, strike me down. Gracious Lord, but I was just thinking about you,” it sounded as if Jeff were speaking in a Texas drawl. No, it had to be a coincidence.

“Hello, Dr. Haverty.” Carolina’s stomach pitched and rolled, forging forward to establish this was not a social call as Matt took a seat across from the desk.

“What do I owe this pleasure to?” Jeff chuckled arrogantly. “God, I knew you’d call. What’s it been, fifteen days?”

His self-absorption knew no bounds.

Clenching her jaw, she spoke between her gritted teeth, “Jeff, this call is professional, straight down the line. I’ve got a client who could use your help.”

“Of course you do. We’re the perfect team. Seriously, I’ve missed you, mi corazón.”

She was not ‘his heart’ and told Jeff point blank, “Let’s check the baggage. You’re one of the best VMD pathologists according to you and your Google ad. I’m calling for your opinion. Not a favor. Are you available or not?”

Matt’s expression darkened and he frowned at her. In two seconds, he was about to ask her what the hell kind of rap was that to get help on a genetic cattle problem.

“When you talk like that, how can I resist?” Jeff purred.

She had to bite back a retort. “I need you to look over some genetically detailed lab analysis. Do you have time or can you recommend an associate? I need answers ASAP. This one can’t sit around and wait. We’re talking fifteen hundred head of cattle, a commercial ranch.”

“Sounds important. I was working on a project, but for you, I’ll switch gears.” He went from jerk to professional vet. Probably his ego got the better of him. But then again, if he was true to form, he’d switch back to jerk without notice.

Not wanting to waste time, Carolina said, “I’ll send over the reports. We’re looking at a bovine respiratory disease. Cattle keep dying and I think there’s something up with the breeding. None of the cows appear to weaken over time. It just hits them. There’s no physical components prior to onset of illness that would indicate any of the cows should expire. Then there’s the coincidence that only two stock lines are prone to this disease. Before I can make a final recommendation, I need to pinpoint the specific reason behind the breeding combination. Are there others in danger? If so, this ranch and others like it, might continue with past breeding practices.”

“Why would breeders continue to breed animals that are subject to mortal illness?”

“It isn’t done on purpose. It was a fluke. These cattle bring in top dollar but the sto—” She stopped short of saying the stock line was tainted. “These are prime cattle and breeding has been exclusive. The ranch isn’t exactly losing money, but there’s a reputation to protect.”

“Send me the reports. I’m actually en route with a layover in Chicago. I’ll take a look and get back with you. I’m at the same email address.”

“I’m sending them right now. We need them by five. Today, Jeff, even if there’s an upcharge,” she said, emphasizing the deadline.

“No prob,” he replied. “No matter what you think, you still turn me on. I don’t mind house calls, princess.”

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Jerk. No surprise.

Feeling her face heat, even her ears felt hot, Carolina snapped, “Jeff, I’ll send you the lab sampling analysis. Please issue an expedited report and send me your bill. I appreciate your time.”

She already had her email up and she typed in Jeff’s name at the University of Miami. She uploaded the lab files and gave him instructions on where to send his digital and hardcopy reports.

Her finger hovered over the mouse. All she had to do was click and send. She hated the thought of reconnecting with Jeff. The award for biggest idiot was hers alone. She’d been stupid to put off locating another pathologist as a resource just in case. Now she had no one in the wings to help her when it mattered most. It was either Evermore Ranch or her pride, and Matt needed her help as a client.

She clicked the “send” icon.

Matt was glaring at her.

“I sent the reports,” she said.

“What in the hell was that about?”

Carolina flinched at his biting tone. “Haverty is good at what he does, but he’s got an ego to match.”

“You basically dressed down the man I said not to call.”

A knock sounded on the office door. Saved from having to explain, Carolina swallowed, trying to dislodge what felt like a brick of indecision stuck in her throat.

Her cell chimed and she answered with a hoarse, “Hello.”

“I was serious about us getting back together,” Jeff said. “We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t.”

She watched Matt in the doorway as he spoke to Miller.

“Don’t be like this. I know you’re upset about how things ended. I was in a fucked-up place. Carolina, I’ve missed you. How about we go over the reports tonight over dinner. Or better yet, in bed.”

“Listen closely. Not in a million years.” It felt like her voice was cut off, strangled by irritation that Jeff was on the other end of this call.

“Tell me what to do and I’ll do it. Do you want to get married? Done. We can deal with this cattle thing and then fly to Vegas. Or big. We can have one of those marriages like your cousin and invite everyone on the planet.”

She turned toward the wall, away from Matt, and whispered, “What is so difficult to understand about the concept not in a million years? No means no.”

“You’ve always liked the chase. Isn’t that what this is? If you only knew how excited you get me.”

“Jeff, stop,” she hissed. “I’m not going to have dinner with you. That’s impossible.”

“It’s very possible if you’d bend a little.”

Good Christ! She needed this idiot’s help, not his attention. From her peripheral vision she noticed that Matt had turned. He was glancing over his shoulder at her and she sucked it up. “Jeff, I can’t. What happened in the past is water under the bridge. If you could look at the lab results and give me your opinion. I’d appreciate it.” Her fingers dug into the armrest.

“You always played hard to get. I can’t say it doesn’t work in your favor. I’ll do what you’ve asked, Dr. Rodriguez. Then, if I play nice, will you consider a drink? For old times?”

When hell was full of glaciers. With brittle politeness, she replied, “As I’ve said, that’s impossible.”

“Don’t act so cold. Sweetness, you aren’t a brick wall, at least not to me. I’ll be in touch.”

Carolina jabbed disconnect. She leaned over the desk, staring at the reports.

“Sounds like quite a call.” Matt stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. “Who were you talking to, Carolina?”

“Dr. Haverty. You’ve got a pathologist.”

“Sounds like you know him. And not just contractually.” Matt’s brow arched dangerously.

The hairs at the top of her neck stood at attention. “I did — I mean, I do. You know everything there’s to know about him from my references. I’m being a professional.” She twisted her fingers, wincing at her floundering. Could she possibly sound any guiltier? This moment would be better served if she kept silent.

“You just snap your fingers and men are too happy to bend over backwards.”

“Matt, I dated him. It’s over. I didn’t want to call him but you needed these samples looked at. He’ll do that. Jeff is the best in his field. You should be happy.”

“Who says I’m not overjoyed?”

A spark shone in the narrowing of her cowboy’s dark blue eyes. Enhanced by the twist of his lips into a wry smile. Matt looked damn close to exploding. His hooded eyes kept her frozen to the spot. And his flaring nostrils didn’t help.

“I-I-I bet you’ll have an answer by tonight.” Carolina hated the quaver in her voice. Taking a deep breath, she went on, “This isn’t about pride, it’s about your herd, Evermore’s reputation.”

Matt removed his work gloves and threw them on the desk. He ran his fingers through his hair, staring at her. “I didn’t come here to argue with you, even though you seem all too ready for a dustup. I trust you. If you say this guy is who we can use, then that’s good enough for me.”

Then why was he still scowling. “Haverty is,” she replied. “We want answers and we’ll have them. I ordered the meds. Soon, we might have something to celebrate.”

Matt seemed to consider her words and stopped glaring. “Would you like to? We can go out and kick back.”

She’d tap-dance on the barn roof if it would get him to stop frowning. Maybe they both needed a night out. It sounded like a great idea. “That would be fun,” she whispered, praying that Jeff would send the reports then slither back into whatever university research hellhole he currently occupied.