Chapter 14
Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On drifted through the barn as Magnolia pulled on the elbow-length set of rubber gloves. “Really, guys?”
Finn slid in beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Ready to knock up some cows?”
“Is the music necessary?” She rolled her eyes and twirled out of his grip.
“It relaxes them,” Dax teased as he too pulled on an elbow-length set of gloves. He patted the large cow that stood with in the tight stall. If they were going to inseminate a cow, they had to contain her first. “Betsy here like’s a little something to set the mood. As do most women, if I recall correctly.”
Heat flooded her cheeks and she turned away from him. Long ago when they’d been a couple, he always used to play songs for her during intimate times. Was he trying to remind her of those times, or was he just trying to flirt with her? “I guess it all depends on the music. Death metal doesn’t exactly inspire intimacy.”
Dax tilted back his head and laughed outright. “No, but, you have to admit there is a certain rhythm to it.”
Finn handed her the tube she needed to inseminate her first customer. On average, it should take her anywhere from thirty seconds to two minutes to make this happen. Her hands shook as the approached the heifer. If she messed this up, she could ruin their turnout for the next season. No pressure. Just as she was about to back away and let Dax take over, she felt him standing behind her. He bent low, whispering in her ear, “You can do this, Maggie.”
I love you, Maggie. Be mine, Maggie. His words in her ear brought those memories back to the forefront. Shaking away the thoughts, she took a deep breath and stepped forward. With him at her back, he gave her the confidence she needed to try. Again, he leaned into her. “Now don’t go too far and don’t fall short.”
She nodded. “I remember.”
At her side, Finn chuckled. “Yeah, you know how some women don’t like when you stick it in too far.”
“Ugh, you are such a pig.” She withdrew the long tube. “Finished.”
“Oink, oink, baby.” Finn wagged his eyebrow at her. “I’ll go get our next customer. Congrats on knocking up your first cow.”
“We don’t know if it took or not.”
“Don’t worry, Maggie. I know you’re doing great.” Adam opened up the front of the small cage and led the heifer back out toward the herd.
Silence surrounded them, and Maggie could feel the tension as though it pressed against her. When she turned to look at Dax, his heated gaze was on her. Swallowing around the nervous ball in her throat, she gave him a half-smile. “How’d I do? I don’t want to let down my dad. Or those corporate guys from Starling.”
“Ah, well, Thomas hasn’t made up his mind about those guys. I’m sure if he does do any business with them, it’ll just be to sell off stock.”
“I sure hope you’re right. I’ve been worried about where Hayden and I will go next.” She looked around the barn. “I’m not sure what we’d do without Triple R.”
“Maggie, no matter what happens or where you go, you’ll be fine. But if you want to keep workin’ as a big vet, I know a fairly large ranch that’d love to have your services.” He gave her that half-smirk that always melted her when they were younger.
“I was so nervous.” A giggled escaped her lips. “I hope I did all right.”
“I had no doubts.” He peeled the gloves from his hands and tossed them away.
“You didn’t?” Magnolia too took the gloves from her hands.
Dax shook his head. “No, I think you can do anything you put your mind to.”
The last time anyone had such blind faith in her, she couldn’t remember. But here Dax stood with his melting maple eyes, muscular stance and heady scent telling her she could do anything. When had she gotten so used to being held in one place? Yes, her arm was elbow deep in a cow, but this was what she’d always wanted—to be a vet for big animals and come into her own. She’d given up a piece of her independence for Eric, but standing here with Dax, she knew he never would expect that. “That means a lot to me.”
“I know we’ve had our moments over the past week. But I want you to know, it’ll get easier over time. I think we can work together.”
Would it ever get easier? Could she ignore the feeling she’d repressed for so long? If he felt nothing for her, then she would have to. There were still so many unanswered questions she had about him. And each one kept telling her to stay away from him. Why? “I think you’re right. We’ll be fine.”
He took a step closer to her. “Yes, we will.”
“I agree.” She leaned into him.
“Not a single problem at all.” He shifted his weight, his chest nearly pressing to hers.
His woodsy scent enveloped her, his maple eyes melted her from the inside out, and all she wanted was to wrap herself around him. “Nope, we are all good.”
“Okay, turn on the red light. I got your next customer,” Finn called as he walked in the next cow with Adam at his side.
Magnolia jumped back from Dax and knocked into the table they had set up. The contents clanged together in a bit of chaos. She reached back, trying to right them before everything fell over. “G-great, I’m all set.”
Finn narrowed his eyes at Dax. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Nope, not at all.” Dax looked him in the eye. “What took you so long?”
“Me? I was rustling up a two-ton animal. What the hell were you doing?” He maneuvered the next cow into place, locking the cage around her.
“Dancing with my demons.” He winked at Magnolia. “What does it look like I’ve been doing?”
Does he consider me a demon from his past? The playful smile she felt before slipped away. Even though he joked with her, it still hurt. “Just getting things done, boys. How about you?”
She really needed to stop thinking about Dax. Clearly he didn’t want to think of her anymore. When Dax looked at her, she turned her attention back to the table, readying the tube for her next customer. She could feel his eyes on her.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yeah.” She still didn’t look at him. When he stepped in behind her, she squared her shoulders. “I think I got it now.”
How could she think with him this close? When he stepped away from her it was as if he’d left her completely. The heat from his body seeped from her skin. Farther away, Dax cleared his throat. “I always knew you would.”
She sighed while trying to fight her attraction to him and failing miserably. Perfect. Just perfect.