My Sexy Veterinarian: The Texas Kincaids #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance; Western Romance

Synopsis

A man broken by love and the woman determined to heal him.

Nate Kincaid, wants to get out of debt and get his family off his back over his non-existent relationship status. The first means his fledgling veterinary practice must be successful. Business before anything else. Always. The second means he needs a serious girlfriend, but after the death of his fiancé, he isn’t ready. No one knows about his nightmares. The ones that chase him into the dark places of grief. Maybe a pretend relationship would solve his second problem so he can concentrate on the first. 

Full-time psychologist and part-time model, Lauren Royall, has the perfect life. As a therapist she helps people. As a model, her free spirit can flourish. When Nate suggests she pose as his girlfriend, she accepts on a lark. Lauren senses his pain and wants to help. She hadn’t counted on falling for the guy or having to face painful memories from her past.

Can she convince him to take a second chance on love? That love is worth the risk?

Settle in with this second book in the Texas Kincaids series. If you like stories filled with heart, heat, and emotional impact, then you will fall in love with these books!

Buy My Sexy Veterinarian today and get ready to laugh, cry, and let this delightful cast of characters steal your heart!

Release date: June 18, 2017

Publisher: Self Published

Print pages: 221

Content advisory: Steamy

Sample

Chapter One                            

Heat from the grill hit Nate Kincaid like a blast furnace. He had to wonder whose bright idea it was to make Labor Day—when temperatures routinely climbed into the high 90’s to low 100’s in the Texas Hill Country—a day for barbecuing. The tantalizing aroma of the ribs he basted with his family’s secret sauce almost made up for the heat. He swiped a bandana across his forehead and back of his neck, then shoved it in a pocket of his swim trunks.

Glancing up at the clear, blue sky, he admired the fingers of white clouds stretching across the horizon. He appreciated the contrast between the manicured backyard of his parent’s ranch compound and the rugged pastures and the gray outlines of the distant hills beyond. The sound of children cannonballing into the pool drew his attention and a smile as those seated within striking distance shrieked at the inevitable dousing they got.

Lifting the lid on a second grill, he used the tongs to turn the corn on the cob, transferring the done ones to a nearby platter. His stomach rumbled as the earthy scent of the charred husks filled his nostrils. His taste buds eager for the first taste of the sweet kernels dripping with butter and dusted with salt.

Must be about time for someone to relieve him so he could eat and mingle. He’d especially like to mingle with the cute brunette by the pool. He’d dated her once, or was that twice? He shrugged. No matter. She was fun and didn’t expect professions of undying love, but if he didn’t get over there soon, one of his cousins was sure to swoop in. Then he’d either have to battle for her attention—possibly leading his mom to incorrect assumptions and false hope—or he’d have to target one of the other lovely single ladies in attendance. He swept the area like a hawk searching for prey. Option two would work just fine.

Contentment filled Nate like air in a balloon, expanding and light. Yup, life as it should be. Surrounded by family and friends. Plenty of food to fill hungry bellies. Laughter, friendly gossip, casual flirting, the women tending the little ones, and the men tending grills and talking sports. Everything in its place. Exactly the way he liked it.

The sight of his mom, Gloria June, marching at him like a battalion of determined soldiers, his youngest brother in tow, made his shoulders sag and resignation sink into him like syrup on a pancake, sticky and thick. He was reminded peace and contentment could flee in the blink of an eye into the nearest dark cave like bats at dawn. That sweet smile on her face didn’t fool him one bit. The fire in her eyes signaled loud and clear she’d talked to Jennifer’s mom and discovered he’d side-stepped her latest attempt to hog tie him to what she hoped would be the woman of his dreams. A burning sensation lodged at the top of his stomach, dissolving the quiet order of his life.

Why couldn’t his family butt out and let him be? He was fine. His life was fine. Why did everyone want to fix what wasn’t broken. Didn’t he have enough to deal with building his business and paying off the debt on his place? Couldn’t they see that’s where his focus needed to be right now?

His lips curved up in what he hoped was a disarming smile. “Hi Mom. Just in time. I’ve got ribs, burgers, and corn on the cob ready to go. Want to take this platter over to the food table?”

“In a minute. Brought Josh over to take his turn at the grill and give you a break.” She tugged her youngest son forward and slapped the barbecue tongs into his waiting hand. Wrapping an arm around Nate’s arm, she gave him little choice but to fall in step beside her.

He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head down so he could look into her face. Not liking what he saw, he dug his flip flop clad feet into the ground and refused to budge his 6’5” frame. “Where, exactly, are you leading me?”

“You haven’t eaten yet and Jennifer is sitting all by herself.” She waved at the pretty young woman sitting at one of the tables set out on the lawn. The lady in question waggled her fingers in return, hope in her face. “I thought you could keep each other company.”

He swallowed past the lump in his throat. Deliberately disappointing another person twisted his insides like a pickle jar lid and left the same sour taste.

If he was getting out of this, he had to start tap dancing—and fast. Defer. Deflect. Divert. He hated when people pushed him.  He would decide when, where, and with who he would do things.

“You’re right, Mom. Jennifer is a great girl.” He crossed his arms against his chest and angled his head. He paused a beat, like he was thinking. “But don’t you think she’s more Zach’s type? Comes from a rodeo family and is much closer to his age than mine. Strikes me as someone who’d be happy following him around the country. Adventurous. I don’t have much in common with her.”

“Doing your brother a favor, are you?” She eyed him like he was as transparent as a jelly fish.

“Exactly.” His middle brother was a master at casual relationships. The tiny prickle of guilt he felt at passing this problem along to Zach, hardly registered on his personal Richter scale. “I think you should go find Zach right now and introduce him to Jennifer.” He cupped her shoulders and rotated her in the general direction of the party. His brother was sure to be in the thick of the action, or out behind the barn with his latest conquest.

He felt his mother’s resistance and prepared himself for the assault.

Gloria June turned to face him, hands on hips. “Nathaniel David Kincaid. Do not try and bamboozle me. I know all your tricks.” She paused and a thoughtful expression crossed her face. His stomach felt like someone had attached lead weights and tossed it into the lake. She was going to fight him on this. He wasn’t about to get serious about Jennifer just to make his mom happy. She wasn’t—his mind closed like a steel trap. No, he wasn’t going there.

His mother patted his cheek. “I’ll let you off the hook—this time. She probably is a better match for Zach.”

He couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face. Dodged one this time.

A finger flicked like a pendulum in front of his face. “But I’m not giving up on you.” She took a deep breath and gently grasped his arm. “Son, we worry about you. It’s time you found a way to move on. Sharon’s gone. Nothing can bring her back.”

The sucker punch of fear and pain sliced through his gut, anger close on its heels as heat flushed up his neck. He knew the anger he directed at his mom was irrational. She wanted him to be happy, but people needed to stop pushing him.

“Mom, I am moving on with my life. I’m building my career. I’ll find the right woman eventually, but Not. Right. Now.” It was time people stopped treating him like a kid. He knew what was best for him.

“Honey, we appreciate how responsible you are, but don’t you see, you’re marking time, not living.” A sly smile crossed her face. He braced for her next words. “Besides, it’s about time you settled down and started a family. You’re not getting any younger and I want more grandbabies.” She patted his arm. “I’ll go find your brother and practice my match-making skills on him.”

Nate watched her stride away. His heart rate slowed with each step she took. Finally he was able to draw a deep breath and fill his lungs. He closed his eyes and massaged his throbbing temples with his fingertips. What did a man have to do to get his family off his back?

A steady girlfriend would do it. He didn’t want one of those. What he needed was someone he could pass off as a serious love interest. Someone believable, who wouldn’t set off his mom’s BS meter. Someone who wouldn’t expect more than he could give. Surely there was a woman like that out there somewhere.

****

Lauren Royall unfolded her 5’10” body from Crystal Kincaid’s Jeep Cherokee and stretched her arms over her head, bending from side to side to work out the kinks. They’d arrived at the Rocking K Ranch, about 45 minutes outside town for the Kincaid family’s annual Labor Day barbecue. She closed her eyes and assumed a Namaste pose, palms together in front of her chest. Serene. Confident. Slowly becoming one with the sounds and smells around her. People might look askance, but she didn’t care.

The bright sun warmed her. Sweet alyssum must be somewhere nearby, its spicy smell drifting by on the light breeze, mingling with what? She inhaled deeply. The aroma of meat on the grill floated by, faint but inviting. Even though she didn’t eat a lot of red meat, she was willing to indulge when the urge struck. She wasn’t about to let herself be defined by any one lifestyle choice, happy to mix and match as whim led her. Her friends knew she was unpredictable and loved her for it.

She opened her eyes. Hands on hips, stance like a conquering general, she surveyed the scene. A hacienda-style home spread out in front of her. The sweet alyssum she’d smelled trailed along the veranda backed by the bold colors of geraniums, Mexican sage, purple corn flowers, and bright yellow marigolds. A large vegetable garden dominated an area on the far side of the house. Several barns sat nearby. Huge oaks unfurled their massive limbs in an adjacent pasture. Children jostled for their turn on the tire swings suspended from the trees. Quintessential Americana.

Lauren grinned at her friend. “Thanks for inviting me. Can’t wait to experience my first authentic Texas barbecue.” She executed a quick two-step hop that made Crystal laugh.

“If you’re expecting cowboys with chaps and spurs and a cow roasting on a spit, you’ll be disappointed. Our annual Labor Day event looks a lot like ones you’d see anywhere in the country—just bigger.” She hooked her arm through Lauren’s and led the way to the backyard. “I’m glad you changed your mind and decided to come.”

Once they rounded the corner of the house the noise level increased substantially and a sea of humanity flowed across several acres of lawn. Lauren stopped. Her mouth dropped open and it felt like her brows got stuck in her hairline. “Big is an understatement. There must be a couple hundred people here.”

Crystal grimaced. “Probably closer to 300—and more are out by the corrals doing cowboy stuff.” She sighed and shrugged. “The four Kincaid brothers who settled here in the late 1880s had large families. Multiply that by several generations and…” Her hands swept out in front of her. “Voila. You get this.”

“Lead the way,” Lauren said. They’d only taken a few steps when she placed a hand on Crystal’s arm to stop her. “Who’s that big, tall, handsome guy flipping burgers?”

“You mean the one closest to us?”

Lauren looked heavenward. “Do you really think I’d be asking about one of the older guys or the teenagers?” Droll rolled off her tongue smooth as silk. “Yes, I mean the one who looks like Thor.”

A prickle of excitement skittered up Lauren’s spine at the thought of tangling between the sheets with that hulk of a man. Her reaction surprised her. She’d never felt an instant attraction to a man before. Intuition? She’d followed it before and it hadn’t failed her. Yet.

“Okay, stupid question. That fine male specimen is my oldest cousin, Nate. Come on, I’ll introduce you. He’s currently unattached.” They’d only taken a couple more steps when Crystal halted. “Uh, oh. He’s being corralled by my Aunt Gloria June—his mom.” She glanced at Lauren and cringed. “I think introductions will have to wait.”

“Tell me about him.” Unattached? Crystal led with that? There was a story here. Lauren could feel it.

Crystal inclined her head toward two chairs under a nearby tree. “Follow me.”

Lauren eased herself down onto one of the Adirondack chairs, stretched her long legs in front of her, and loosely curled her fingers around the end of the chair arm. “Okay, I’m listening.”

“Bear in mind that because Nate is the oldest of the cousins, he was always put in charge so childhood grudges could cloud my assessment.”

“I’ll do my best to read between the lines.” Lauren laughed and laced her fingers in her lap as though she were interviewing a client. “I’m a psychologist. That’s what I’m trained to do.”

“He was like a bossy, Mr.-Know-It-All.” Crystal rolled her eyes. “Think conscience police. For him guilt was like peanut butter—the thicker you spread it, the better. And when boys started sniffing around his female cousins…” Crystal’s hands formed claws. “Grrr. He was beyond annoying.”

Memories of her own brothers interrogating her dates brought a soft smile to Lauren’s lips. “Ah, the challenge of big brothers. I hear you, girl. It was their mission in life to make mine miserable.” She idly twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “What else can you tell me?”

“You can’t ever tell him I said this because I’ll deny it.” Crystal leaned in and whispered. “He’s one of the good guys. Loyal, trustworthy, responsible to a fault…”

“Boring. You make him sound like a German Shepard.”

Crystal started to laugh. “To someone like you, I guess he does sound dull.”

“Someone like me? What’s that supposed to mean?” Lauren figured she knew, but wanted to hear her friend say it.

“He’s very conventional. You, not so much.”

Lauren grinned. “I don’t knock conventional. It’s a choice. What else?” Lots of guys in this part of the country could be described that way. Why did Crystal think she and Nate wouldn’t get along? Lauren might be a teensy bit daring, and she might have a touch of wanderlust, but it wasn’t like she went cliff diving.

“He’s a veterinarian and formed his own group. Most of his time and energy over the past few years has been focused on building up the clinic’s client list. When he lets go, he can be charming and funny—though that’s been in short supply since…” Crystal paused, sighed, and her face melted into sadness.

“Since?” Lauren scooted to the edge of her chair and instinctively placed a comforting hand on her friend’s arm. Obviously there was some kind of heartbreak in his background. She’d seen it often enough in her practice.

“He was engaged and his fiancé died a few months before the wedding. He’s never quite made it back to his old self.”

“Maybe he just needs more time.” Lauren’s heart ached for his loss. So young. Then that warm familiar glow filled her chest. She could help.

“It’s been eighteen months since Sharon died. Isn’t that enough time?” Crystal asked.

“None of us are ever the same after losing someone so important to us. Maybe this is the new Nate, but I’m sensing worry?”

“We all love him to pieces, but since Sharon’s death he’s been the poster boy for all work and no play. It’s like he’s locked his emotions in a box and tossed it into the quarry.”

Lauren glanced over at the man in question. “Looks like the coast is clear and from the scowl on his face, I’m betting he’s not happy about what his mom had to say. Should we go offer aid and comfort?”

 

Chapter Two

Nate looked down at his feet and rolled his shoulders. As his body gradually relaxed, he shook his head, his lips a thin line. No matter how good intentioned, his mom managed to push his buttons when she got on the topic of his love life. The problem was, she was right. It was high time he settled down, had that family he’d always wanted, little ones trailing after him, a wife waiting for him at home.

But the thought of what he could lose wound him up tighter than a Chihuahua in a crowd of strangers. Was it possible to care about a woman, live with her, have children with her, but be okay if life went south and he lost her? He couldn’t survive being dragged back down into the dark, black hole of grief he’d been living in the past few years.

When he looked up, his heart did a rapid rat-tat-tat. Well, well, well. What have we here? His cousin, Crystal, was walking toward him and at her side was one of the most drop-dead gorgeous women he’d ever seen. She was tall, with a mass of wavy platinum blonde hair tumbling around a face that was at once sweet and sexy. And talk about curves. Sensuous enough to make a man want to get down on his knees and beg her to notice him, yet sleek and classy like a high-price race horse. He shoved the anxiety he felt at being pressured about his love life back in the cubby where it belonged. Maybe today wasn’t going to suck after all.

When Crystal reached him, she gave him a quick, friendly hug, then stepped back and looked him up and down. “No obvious bruising, no blood, so it seems you escaped your mom relatively unscathed.”

Nate’s chuckle felt more like a piece of bread stuck in his throat than any humor at the situation. “You saw my mom?”

“Yes, and wisely kept my distance until she’d finished raking you over the coals. What did you do to piss her off this time?”

“She was chewing me out because I thwarted another one of her match-making attempts.” He did his best to keep his tone light, like this was no big deal, but the assessing look in the blonde’s crystal blue eyes told him he wasn’t fooling her. Empathy and understanding radiated off her like the rays of the sun. Not his usual type, but if she wasn’t looking for anything serious, he could see himself dating her and hopefully shift his mom’s focus off his relationship status.

When it appeared Crystal wasn’t going to add anything, the mystery woman discretely elbowed his cousin in the ribs. He knew it. Crystal wasn’t standing in front of him by accident. He buried the inward sigh and kept his face neutral except for his brows raised in question.

Her moment of hesitation passed and Crystal launched in to what she’d come to do. “Nate, have you met Lauren yet? She’s come to church with me a few times, but I haven’t seen you lately.”

“No, this summer’s been crazy. Animals need attention when they need it and could care less about my plans. Now that Sue Ann has gotten her license and joined the practice, things should ease up a bit and I can get out more.”

“In that case, Lauren Royall, meet Nate Kincaid.”

He stuck out his hand and felt a jolt of pure energy travel up his arm as he enfolded her soft, delicate hand in his. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Her voice was soft, soothing, with a drawl he couldn’t quite place. She looked him directly in the eye. This woman met life head on. Maybe dating her wouldn’t be such a good idea.

“Lauren moved here a few months ago to join a marriage and family counseling practice and hasn’t had time to meet many people,” Crystal said. “Why don’t you two find us a table and get acquainted while I grab food. I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.” Nate reached out and pinched her ribs. “Don’t know where a little thing like you puts it all, but grab some for me while you’re at it.”

  “You got it.”

Nate hooked his thumbs in his front pockets and watched his cousin bustle away. Huffing out a breath, he muttered, “Is there any female in this family who isn’t trying to hook me up?” Keeping his hands in his pockets he resisted the strange desire to go cave man and carry Lauren off somewhere. Instead, inclining his head toward the tables, he asked, “Should we find a place to sit?”

He felt her gaze on him and turned his head. The mischief dancing in her eyes made him feel alive and interested for the first time in a long time. Unease skittered across his scalp. He didn’t want to feel attraction.

“I can’t speak to Crystal’s intentions, but I spotted you as soon as we arrived and asked her to introduce us.”

“You did? Why?”

“You’re attractive.” She tilted her head and those lush lips formed a curious pout. “There’s something about you intrigues me. I want to find out what.” She shrugged. “I’ve made it a policy to let instinct guide me.”

“Isn’t that a bit risky? Acting without thinking it through?”

“Let me guess. You’re an analysis and reason guy?”

“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?” His body tightened and he stepped away. His tone sounded like a rusty hinge.

“Absolutely nothing. In fact I admire the trait. Sometimes wish I had a little more of it.” Her head bobbed side-to-side in a carefree way.

“I sense a ‘but’ at the end of your sentence.” He pulled out a chair for her at the long, folding table. Instead of sitting beside her, he moved to sit across from her. She made him skittish as a horse in a thunder storm, but an idea began percolating. He needed a fake girlfriend. She must be unattached or Crystal wouldn’t have introduced them. He’d think on that for a while. There was also something familiar about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“We can find ourselves facing difficult, painful, even frightening situations, whether we carefully plan our lives or fly by the seat of our pants. Life has a habit of throwing us curve balls.” She crossed her arms and lifted her shoulders. “The ‘going with my gut’ approach has worked for me, but it’s not for everyone.”

Somewhat mollified, he decided to switch topics. “Where did you move from?”

“Raleigh, North Carolina, where I went to college, but home is Charleston, South Carolina.”

“I thought I detected an accent. I like it. A different cadence than we’re used to around here.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Crystal said you’re a counselor. Does that mean you’re some kind of shrink or something?” Suspicion tightened his throat. Was his family sicking her on him to fix him?

He figured he’d stepped in it when she narrowed her eyes and with a quick movement shook the hair away from her face.

“Do you know how the term ‘shrink’ originated?”

He shrugged. “No, but I bet you’re going to tell me.” Yup, he’d hit a sore spot and a playful smile tugged at his lips. This playfulness was something else he hadn’t felt in a while.

“In the field’s infancy people used to think psychiatrists actually shrunk peoples’ minds and started comparing practitioners to the aboriginal tribes that shrunk heads. It was as though the process of addressing mental health issues was somehow mystical and at the same time— nefarious.”

“You don’t say.” Feisty —so unlike his fiancé’s unflappable demeanor. Sharon had been steady and he’d always known what she’d been thinking.

“I do say.” She rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin in her fists. She leveled a discerning gaze at him that made him want to squirm. “If people called you a ‘quack,’ how would you feel?”

A sharp pain stabbed him in the gut. “I wouldn’t like it. I worked hard to get the education and training I needed to be a vet and I’m proud of what I do. I’m guessing the same applies to you. So how do you describe what you do?”

“My job is to help clients develop strategies to address whatever is holding them back from being the person they want to be.”

“Basically, talking them down from the ledge?” Thoughtfully he ran his finger across his chin just below his lips and saw her eyes track the movement. She had to refocus before answering and a jolt of excitement made his breath catch.

“Sometimes the situation is critical and as you say, we talk them down.” She leaned back in her chair. “But the vast majority seek therapy because they realize something is missing in their lives, things could be better, they could be better—and they want better. My goal is to help them find it. Does that help explain what I do?”

“I think so. You help people who need someone to hold their hands, instead of sucking it up and moving on.”

“You don’t think too highly of my profession, do you?”

He shrugged. “I can’t imagine sitting around spilling my guts to a stranger.”

“So if you felt like something was missing in your life, but had no idea what it was or how to change, you wouldn’t want help trying to figure it out? You’d prefer to stay stuck?”

He grunted in response and shifted in his chair. “Are you always so certain you know what’s best for other people?” She made him feel uncomfortable. He didn’t like being reminded a big chunk of him was gone. He wanted the better she talked about but was he willing to risk getting it?

“So far my clients have been happy with their results, so yes.”

“Hi guys. Sorry it took so long. I ran into Aunt Bootsie and she talked my ear off.” Crystal plopped the tray she carried on the table. “You two seemed deep in conversation. Glad you’re getting along.” She shuffled plates piled high with food in front of each of them along with beverages, napkins, and utensils. “Dig in.”

Crystal served as a buffer and the conversation turned to safe topics like family, sports, ranching, and the weather. Lauren was charming, amusing, and intelligent. He liked her company and she intrigued him. His fake girlfriend idea just might work. He did have reservations though. Would dating a therapist—even if it was a superficial relationship—make him dig into parts of his life he’d prefer to ignore?  

Once they’d eaten their fill, Lauren stood up. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready for a dip in the pool. It’s hot out here.”

“I’m right behind you,” Crystal announced.

At poolside, Lauren dropped her bag on a lounge chair then grabbed the bottom of her t-shirt, tugging it over her head. Her action exposed a smooth expanse of creamy skin that rippled softly with each movement. When Lauren shimmied out of her shorts, Nate’s mouth went dry and his lungs stopped getting the message from his brain to breathe. Womanly perfection, hourglass curves, hips swaying like shore grass, she walked slowly toward the pool. When his brain cells started firing again, he couldn’t move fast enough to catch up with her.

He shucked his shirt, kicked off his flip flops, and turned in time to see his own personal Aphrodite descend the concrete steps into the pool, trailing her fingers behind her. From the looks on the faces of the other males, he’d better join her quick. Three long strides and a shallow dive brought him face-to-face with this unwitting siren—and she splashed him. Laughing, she dove out of reach. He followed. They spent the better part of the next hour taunting and teasing. After he leveraged himself out of the pool, he stuck out his hand, to pull her out.

They walked over to where Crystal was sitting. She tossed them each a towel. Lauren rubbed her hair and wrapped the towel demurely around her body, tucking the corner in her bikini top to secure it. She looked up at the setting sun, the sky blazing in orange and yellow. He surprised himself by slipping an arm around her waist. He wasn’t usually one for public displays of affection. He liked it when she rested her head on his shoulder.

His lips against her ear, he whispered, “Look, I intrigue you. You intrigue me. For once, I’m going with my gut. Do you like to country dance?”

“I looove,” she drew the word out in a way that put a warm feeling smack dab in the middle of his chest, “country dancing.”

“Good, then I’ll call next week and set a time.” He sure hoped he wouldn’t be sorry about acting impulsively. One date didn’t mean anything. If it worked out, he’d explain his predicament and see if she’d be interested in pretending to be his girlfriend.

 

Chapter Three

It was after him. Snarling. Snapping. Terrifying in its ferocity. He couldn’t run fast enough, his feet like lead as he moved in slow motion. It was gaining on him. Intent on dragging him into the depths of darkness to devour him. Capture the very essence of his soul and snuff it out.

Nate woke in a cold sweat, heart racing, his feet ready to hit the floor in flight. He sat up, disoriented. Leaning on his elbow he stretched across the king-sized bed reaching for the bedside table to turn on the lamp. His gaze took in the sand-colored walls, the weathered-wood furniture, and through the shadows to the master bath. Moonlight flooded through the window across from his bed outlining the branches of the oaks. He was in his bedroom, in his house, on his ranch. Safe. Secure.

It was only a nightmare. Another panic attack, but so real. The pain, the heartbreak of loss clawed at his chest. He’d thought he was past all this. Hadn’t had one in ages. Could Lauren be the reason his bad dreams had returned? As busy as he’d been at work he hadn’t been able to get her out of his thoughts.

Maybe he shouldn’t have called her and arranged to go dancing. But he’d promised and he never broke his promises no matter what it might cost him. He’d thought he’d finally started to move on with his life. With sheer force of will he stuffed the nebulous fear back in its hole.

Sighing, he lay back down and prayed a dreamless sleep would claim him.

****

Nate’s smart watch vibrated against his wrist. A message from his after-hours answering service blinked on the readout. He scowled. He wasn’t supposed to be on call tonight. This was the first night he’d taken off in months. He and Lauren had just finished the first set on the dance floor and were heading back to their table for a beer. He’d been looking forward to spending the evening with her in his arms not out in a cold field or barn tending a sick or injured animal. But business came first.

“I need to return this call.” He raised two fingers to the server and motioned to their spot at the end of a long trestle table. “I’ll be right back.” He walked out of the dimly lit room that hummed with hundreds of conversations and reeked of perfume, fried food, and beer to find a spot where he could actually hear his message.

His spirits plummeted faster than a skydiver hurtling toward earth. He clicked off his phone and tucked it into the clip on his belt. It was good the practice was busy, he had debts to pay and people who depended upon the work for their livelihoods.

He swiftly walked back and joined Lauren. Regret tightened his throat like a too-tight necktie. He hadn’t brought up the idea yet that he hoped she’d help him fool his family into believing he had a serious girlfriend. Cutting their date short might decrease his chances of getting her to agree. Easing onto the bench beside her, he took a breath and dove in. He’d told her he had the night off and hated going back on his word, but he also couldn’t shirk his duty.

“I have to go. A horse is in labor and needs help. The other two vets are already busy so that leaves me.” Hunched over the table, shifting his beer glass back and forth in the condensation pooling on the table, he swung his head to look at her. “I’m sorry to do this, but I won’t have time to take you home. Every minute counts in a situation like this. Can I call you a cab?”

She crossed her arms and rested them on the table, looking at him with a frankness that didn’t hold much promise. “No, I don’t think so.”

His heart clenched and he swallowed hard. She was going to dump him. He deserved it and already felt the loss. Maybe it was for the best to end things now if this is how he reacted to her after only one date.

A smile played around her tempting lips. “Take me with you.”

“Are you kidding? You’re all dressed up. You really want to watch a horse give birth?”

“Sure, why not? Life’s only an adventure if you embrace new experiences. Come on cowboy, time’s a wasting.”

He captured her hand and brought it to his lips, relief pounding its way through his body. He sure hoped he wasn’t getting in over his head, but for once he didn’t care.

****

“Thank you for getting here so quick.” The weather-beaten rancher with a jaw like a lantern and a gut that rounded above his belt, stuck out his hand. Nate shook it and clapped him on the back. He watched the man’s eyes track to the entrance of the barn and his jaw drop. Nate ducked his head to hide his amusement. He knew what the sight of Lauren did to a man’s thought process.

Is that your date?” the rancher whispered. “I’m sorry to interrupt your evening out.”

“No problem George. Kincaid Veterinary Group always puts our clients first. Besides,” he glanced over at Lauren and grinned, “She wanted to come.”

He turned back to George, “Fill me in.” Nate stood with his feet wide, his arms crossed, waiting for George to continue.

“She’s been pacing which is normal, but she’s been rolling on her back a lot which isn’t.”

Nate wrapped his hands around the stall bars and peered through to survey the scene. Clean straw on the floor, the mare’s tail tied up, lights dimmed. As expected, the rancher had done everything right. Nate stepped back and flipped through this mare’s previous birthing notes.

George lifted his hat to scratch his head. “I’m worried. Ruby here has given us some of the top cutting horses in the business. I’d hate to lose her or her foal.”

“That’s not going to happen on my watch.” Resolve flooded Nate’s system as determination kicked in.  “How long has she been contracting?”

“The monitor went off about 45 minutes ago.”

“Good thing you called. Let’s see if we can figure out what’s holding things up.”

Nate turned to Lauren who had slowly eased closer to the action and offered up a lopsided grin. “Not exactly the way I pictured our first date ending. This could get a little messy. I don’t imagine George will mind if you wait in his office down at the end of the barn.” He glanced at George for confirmation. The older man nodded.

“For the record, Lauren Royall,” she pointed to herself, “is no sissy. With a whole slew of brothers who put the dare in devil, I’m no stranger to blood.” She rubbed her palms together and peeked into the stall. “What can I do to help?”

Nate wanted to kiss the living daylights out of her—but it was too public, too unprofessional. He settled for tugging a strand of her hair. “Okay. Buckle up buttercup.” He squatted down, washing his hands in a small bucket of antiseptic solution and mild soap. Finished, he picked up the bucket and handed it to Lauren along with a tube of lubricant. “Follow me.”

Lauren trailed behind Nate as he ran his hand along the horse’s abdomen, his voice quiet and soothing. He grasped Lauren’s free hand and moved her to one side, but within easy reach, slipped a shoulder-length surgical glove on up to his shoulder, and secured it by a loop over his head. “Would you squirt some of the lubricant on my arm?” He held out the gloved arm. She complied with quick efficiency.

After he’d finished the exam, he glanced at Lauren. “Would you get two plastic gowns from my kit? And you might want to put those plastic booties over your boots. George, the foal is presenting backwards, but I think I can get it out without surgery.”

From the expression on her face Nate could see she wondered what she’d gotten herself in to, but did as he asked. He stuck out his arms as she approached with the gowns. “Slip one on me and tie it in the back.”

Once his was on, he held out the other gown for her and they repeated the process. He leaned down and whispered in her ear and felt her shiver as his breath tickled sensitive nerves. “Just remember, when you’re sweaty, and dirty, and tired… I did offer to call a cab to take you home.”

“What, and miss all this? Not on your life buster.” Even though her smile telegraphed serenity, her eyes—twinkling like the stars filling the night sky—told him she was game for anything. She had guts, he’d give her that.

Hang convention. Nate kissed her quickly on the lips, then became all business.

“George, keep Ruby standing if at all possible... Lauren, I’ll need you to help me get the foal to the ground once it’s out. You may also need to help me pull.” His orders were brisk, but calm. “I’ll have to move quickly. Coming out backwards, the foal won’t have oxygen until its head is free.”

George looked down and shuffled his feet for a few seconds. When he looked up, Nate could see he was worried. “Will it be right in the head?”

Nate walked over to George, put a hand on his shoulder, and looked him straight in the eye. “Do you trust me?”

“Yeah,” George nodded.

“Believe me when I say I’ll do everything in my power to keep both mama and baby healthy. Okay?” The reputation of his practice depended on their success rate. Too many failures and he’d be out of business with debt up the wazoo. Anxiety swirled in his gut at the thought.

George nodded and pulled his shoulders back, ready to do his part.

“Everyone ready?” George and Lauren nodded. He rolled on a new glove and Lauren slathered more lubricating gel on his arm. “Here we go.”

Nate reinserted his arm into the horse this time half way to his shoulder. “I can feel its hip and I’m moving my hand down its leg. Lauren, get the nylon strap with a loop on each end out of my bag.”

She bent and looked into his birthing kit and pulled out a nylon strap. “Is this what you need?”

“Yup, that’s it.” Once the hoof appeared he reached for the strap and fixed one of the loops on the leg then handed the strap to Lauren. “Hang on tight. It will try and pull back and I need its foot to stay where it is until I get its other back leg out.” Nate kept his tone soft and low. He repeated the process until the left foot joined the right. “Now I’ll pull... Lauren, you need to help guide it to the ground.” He looked over at her. “Ready?”

Lauren breathed deeply and nodded setting her stance to accept the weight. Within seconds the foal lay in the clean straw and a whoosh of fluid covered their gowns.

George grinned from ear to ear like he was a new father. Lauren, kneeling in the straw, clasped her hands to her chest a look of awe on her face. She tried to brush away an errant tear by rubbing her cheek against her shoulder. He knew exactly how she felt. The miracle of new life.

“Let’s leave them be for a few minutes to bond.” Nate stood, peeled off his glove, and put his hand out to help Lauren up. Gathering up his birthing kit and washing bucket, he motioned for everyone to follow him.

They all stepped out into the wide central aisle of the barn. Nate snagged two towels, handing one to Lauren so they could wipe their gowns. They stood silently for a few minutes, marveling at mom and baby lying peacefully in the stall. When the mare stood up to sniff her offspring and the foal began struggling to its feet, Nate removed his gown, helped Lauren out of hers and neatly rolled them before placing them, and the dirty towels, in a plastic laundry bag.

Lauren glanced back and smiled at him. Nate joined her at the edge of the stall.

“Does this ever become routine?”

“Never.” He moved behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Every birth and death is humbling. It makes me realize what a tiny piece of the universe each of us is, yet how important we each are in the chain of life.”

Lauren turned to face him, cradling his face between her palms, and kissed him softly. “You are an amazing man and this was an amazing experience.”

He hugged her quickly, then busied himself packing up his gear. He’d expected embarrassment at even that moderate display of affection, but it hadn’t come. With his back to her he said, “You stayed calm under fire and didn’t sweat the messy stuff. A lot of women would be worrying about their nails instead of the animals.” He smiled at her. “And so far you haven’t given me grief about cutting our date short.”

Lauren walked up behind him, put her hands on his shoulders and leaned down to whisper in his ear, her voice silken as a river of warm chocolate. “Who said our date was over? The night’s still young.” She smiled and stepped back like she hadn’t just said something that put the thought of hot nights and sweaty bodies in his head. “We could always stop someplace for a nightcap on the way home.”

Nate felt his body contract from groin to throat and had to remind himself to breathe. In, out, in, out. Given the bulge forming in his jeans, other parts of his body longed to follow the advice he was giving his lungs. Her smile. Had it been flirty? Seductive? He couldn’t tell. He couldn’t read her. The first prickle of the fight or flight response tingled at the base of his skull. He turned his attention back to packing his case. He craved routine. Craved control over the chaos inside him.

Lauren stepped back, a puzzled frown on her face as though she sensed his shift in attitude.

Nate clicked the case shut, stood, and walked over to stand beside George. “I think we’re about done here so we’ll leave you to it. Call me if there are any problems. I’ll stop by tomorrow afternoon to check on mama and baby.”

The two men shook hands and did that man hug, back slap thing. Nate picked up his gear and turned to Lauren. “Ready?”

“Whenever you are.” She fell into step beside him.

She stood next to him while he stowed his gear in his panel truck. Taking her hand, he walked her around to the passenger side and helped her in. It was the gentlemanly thing to do.

Before he could close the door, she cupped his face in her hands. In the overhead light, he could see worry clouding her clear blue eyes. “Are you alright? I get the feeling something is bothering you.”

“Nope. I’m fine.” He started to back away, but she tightened her hold.

“You’re not fine. You shut down when I teased you in the barn about the night still being young. What gives?”

He lifted one shoulder. “I wasn’t sure what you meant.” Wariness crept into his gut and tension tightened his throat so his words came out raspy. “It sounded like… I don’t know… like maybe sex is an option on a first date…” His voice trailed off. He wanted to pretend he had no idea why it would matter if she did offer sex on a first date. But he did know. His family wouldn’t buy that he was interested in a woman who had a reputation for sleeping around. Besides, the man was supposed to make the first move.

“Okay, big guy.” She tapped him in the chest three times with her index finger. “You need to work on your people reading skills. I was flirting—not inviting you to spend the night. And for your information, I don’t have casual sex,” she tapped him in the chest again, “but if it had been an invitation, there is nothing wrong with a woman making the first move.”

Busted. Was he that transparent? “You can’t blame a man for hoping a gorgeous woman might invite him to linger.”

The serene and confident smile she leveled at him as she settled into the bucket seat kicked him straight in the solar plexus, then shot down to his crotch. He braced his arms on the door frame feeling the need for support. “I am sorry. Sometimes my views are a little old-fashioned. Forgive me?”

“Yes, you’re forgiven.” Her steady gaze made him think she could see into the darkest recesses of his mind. “Forgiveness, of ourselves and others, keeps our Chakra in harmony.” Her hands rolled in front of her as she took a deep breath.

“Never thought I’d date a woman who was in to that new-agey stuff.” Nate pushed away from the truck and closed the door. He dug the keys out of his pocket and he climbed into the driver’s seat.

“It takes a strong mind and body, grasshopper, to be our best.” She rested her chin on her shoulder and playfully batted her eyes at him.

He laughed and turned his attention to the road.

“Are you busy this weekend?” he asked.

“Unfortunately, yes, but I’d like a raincheck. You owe me a do-over for tonight.”

“True enough. Rain check it is. So, if you don’t mind my asking, what’s on your agenda?”

“My best friend is moving to San Antonio this weekend and will be staying with me until she finds a place of her own.”