Unrepentant Cowboy

But not for him.

The sooner he got out of Oak Grove, the better. He wanted no part of any attachment that would bring him back into R.J.’s world.

* * *

JONI GAVE LEIF directions to Sam Loden’s ranch and then leaned back with her eyes straight ahead. The car, with its soft leather seats, had that invigorating new-car smell. She felt as though she were riding on a cloud. So why was she so uncomfortable?

Because R.J. had practically forced her on the man, that’s why. Driving a vet around who smelled of horseflesh and antibiotic ointment was probably the last thing Leif wanted to be doing today.

Worse, he smelled of musky aftershave and was wearing a shirt that probably cost more than anything in her wardrobe. His jeans no doubt carried a designer label. Hers had a rip in the right leg and not the fake kind people paid extra for.

She raked her fingers through her short hair, tucking the right side behind her ear.

“You really didn’t have to do this,” she said, then was immediately sorry when she feared it made her sound ungrateful.

Leif turned toward her, a half smile playing on his lips. “I’ve heard all about Texas cowboy chivalry. I’m just trying to measure up.”

“Is there no chivalry among attorneys?”

“Not a good day to ask me that.”

“Why not?”

“I won a case yesterday that has me reconsidering my choice of professions.”

“I’ve had days like that. But shouldn’t winning have had the opposite effect?”

“One would think. But enough of my complaining. Let’s talk about you.”

“There’s nothing much to tell. I’m an Oklahoma gal who wound up in Texas making barn calls and trying to convince the local ranchers that a female can be as capable as a man when it comes to dealing with sick horses.”

“You’ve already won R.J.’s heart.”

“I spent the night helping one of his favorite mares get through a difficult birth my first month here. That made me a golden girl in his mind.”

“How do you fit in with the rest of Oak Grove?”

“So far, so good, except for the day of the UT/Oklahoma football game.”

“Understandable. We Texans do take our college football seriously.”

“Don’t tell me you’re a Longhorn alum?”

“No. I went to UCLA and then law school at Stanford. I’m barely a Texan except by birth. After Mother divorced R.J., she moved to San Francisco with my brother, Travis, and me. I only moved back to Dallas five years ago.”

“Born a Texan, always a Texan,” she said. “So say the natives.”

“Is this the turn up ahead?” he asked.

“Yes, and then look for an old church that hasn’t been used in years. It only has half a roof and seriously leans to the left. Just past that you’ll come to the gate of Sleeping Dogs Ranch. That’s the Loden spread.”

Leif slowed and took the turn. “So what’s it like dealing with cranky old ranchers all day?”

“I wouldn’t know. Most of the time I deal with terrific guys who just want the best care for their horses. It’s my dream job. However, there are times when I’m standing knee-deep in mud with my arms up to my elbows in horse while I try to coax a contrary foal into the world when I think I should have become a rock star.”

“Do you sing?”

“Nothing that doesn’t make the dogs howl. Hence the choice of becoming a vet was probably a wise one. What about you? What would you like to be on days you wish you weren’t an attorney?”

“Independently wealthy or maybe a Walmart greeter. Those guys usually look pretty chipper and there’s always junk food nearby.”

She laughed, surprised to find that the tension she’d felt earlier was quickly dissolving.

Leif slowed as they approached the gate to the Sleeping Dogs Ranch.

“The gate has an automatic lock,” she said. “The code is 6824. Enter it in that control box on your side, and I’ll call and let Sam know we’re here. That way he can meet me at the barn, tell me what needs attention and we can get right down to business.”

“That sounds a little kinky,” Leif said, his voice teasing.

A slow burn crept to her cheeks. The possibility of a kinky encounter in a barn definitely had potential.

But not with Sam Loden.

“Have you been in a lot of barns, Leif Dalton?”

“None in recent memory, but I’m always open to new experiences.”

And new experiences usually sent her back into her shell. Maybe it was time she opened up to something besides work.

But not with Leif Dalton. He was a heartache waiting to happen. She didn’t have time for that.

Still, there was no denying the buzz of awareness she felt just sitting next to him in a car.

Who knew what the day might bring?

Chapter Four

Leif had totally expected the afternoon to be a drag. As it turned out, the hours were flying by.

The doc was a pixie in jeans whose gentle persuasion with four-legged patients ten times her size was amazing. More impressive, not one of the seasoned ranchers had questioned her techniques or treatments. She undoubtedly knew her stuff.

This was their third stop, this one an emergency. Joni was tending a colicky horse that hadn’t responded to the rancher’s attempts to alleviate the pain.

The fretful horse was a two-year-old gelding. The panicky owner was a girl named Ruby, who appeared to be about Effie’s age. Joni’s stall-side manner was equally as reassuring to Ruby as it was to the horse.

His phone vibrated. Leif stepped away from his viewing spot just inside the barn door and checked the caller ID. Serena. He started to ignore the call. But if he didn’t answer, she’d call again. Serena was a very persistent woman.

Besides, he felt a little guilty about ignoring her while he was pretty much mesmerized by a female vet.