8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Joy
N ot to be dramatic or anything, but Mondays are stupid. Aside from Monday representing the official end of the weekend, I have to work my real job after being away for three days. As much as I enjoy helping people, I’d much rather hang out with the horses.
I haven’t heard from Tate since Saturday and that’s only adding to my shitty mood. He never said he would call, but the way he marched into the barn demanding my number, I kind of expected to hear from him sooner rather than later. I stare at the coffee pot as I wait for it to brew enough coffee to fill my giant travel cup. The way I’m feeling, I’ll need every last drop.
Rayna is already at the front desk when I walk in. “Hey, girl. Did you save a horse yesterday?”
I stare at her in confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Give me at least another few minutes for my coffee to kick in.”
“Oh, come on. You know. Save a horse, ride a cowboy.”
I roll my eyes. “I haven’t ridden any horses or cowboys. I was off yesterday. Sunday is the day of rest.”
Rayna cackles as she types something into the computer. “There are donuts in the break room. And coffee, in case you get through that gallon.”
I walk past her and toward the breakroom so I can put my lunch in the fridge and grab my sweatshirt from my locker. The weather outside is mild, but they like to keep the office set to arctic. I feel sorry for any patients who have to get undressed in here. Emerging a few minutes later, coffee cup in one hand and donut in my mouth, I shrug my sweatshirt on.
“You really didn’t see him? He didn’t call you?” Rayna demands.
I blink at her as if I have no clue what she’s talking about. She’s talking about Tate. I’m not stupid. If I pretend like I don’t know who she’s talking about and like I didn’t spend the previous day hoping my phone would ring, maybe she’ll leave it alone. The only thing that makes coming to work less miserable is the hope that I’ll be so busy, that I forget about stupid, sexy cowboys.
“The way he came to find you after his first ride had me certain he’d have found a reason to see you yesterday. What a dick. No worries, there are plenty more cowboys where he came from.”
“Oh, my god,” I groan giving another full-body eye roll. “I don’t have a thing for cowboys. And I’m sure I’ll see Tate around. Stop making this into a thing. It’s not a thing.”
The bells on the door jingle, drawing our attention to the entrance. Tate Garrison walks in and I immediately wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere else. His gaze meets mine, and it’s like a magnet. I’m stuck staring into his eyes like a lost puppy. And not only do my eyes follow him, but I don’t snap out of it until Rayna smacks my arm from across the counter. Real fucking smooth.
“Hi,” I say in greeting. But it isn’t a normal greeting. My voice comes out all breathy, betraying the emotions I’m trying my damnedest to hide.
“Hey.” He looks directly at me as he walks the rest of the way to the front desk. “Dr. Robinson told me to just stop by sometime today to follow up with my hand. I hope this is a good time.”
I swallow hard. “Oh. She, um… she didn’t mention anything, but it’s fine. You’re the first one here, so no worries. Follow me.” I nearly slap my hand over my mouth so I can shut the hell up.
It’s first thing in the morning. I’m still half asleep because I only had a few sips of coffee during the short drive in. Wearing a pair of perfectly fitted Wranglers, a button-down shirt, and cowboy boots, Tate looks like he already won Monday. It takes everything in me to hide the spark of awareness I feel just being close enough to smell his earthy scent.
“So, how does your hand feel? Better than it did a few days ago?” I ask once we reach the room.
“Like I said, I’ve suffered worse. It’s sore, but it’ll be alright.”
I reach for his hand to inspect it, doing my best to ignore the jolt my body feels when we touch. I’m a professional. I just need to take a quick look at his hand so I can do my job. As many times as I tell myself that, I can’t stop thinking about the last time we were alone together. The way his lips felt on mine. The way he looked at me as though he was really seeing me.
“If you aren’t comfortable with me touching you, just tell me, okay?”
He’s watching me carefully when I finally look up to meet his gaze. “You can touch me anytime you want.”
Jesus. There’s no stopping my smile as I pump some hand sanitizing foam into my hands and rub it in. He’s flirting with me. We spent an evening dancing and having fun. He drove me home and kissed me goodnight. I’m not sure why his flirting has thrown me so far off balance.
“Good to know.” Once again, real fucking smooth.
“You’re nervous,” he says quietly, pointing out what I’m sure must be painfully obvious.
“I’m sorry. I’m not awake yet, and I didn’t expect to see you. Also I didn’t hear from you and… I don’t know. I’m going to touch your hand now.”
We’re both quiet while I get to work checking his pulse while taking a quick look at his hand. My hands shake as I wrap the blood pressure cuff around his arm. I need to get a grip. I take a few measured breaths while recording his results.
“Okay, Dr. Robinson will be right with you.” Turning on my heel, I make a beeline for the door.
“Wait.” His deep voice stops me in my tracks. “I wanted to call you yesterday.”
I remain frozen with one hand on the door handle as his words sink in. Finally, I turn around to face him, everything moving in slow motion as if I’m under water. He hasn’t returned his hat to his head, so I have a clear look at his face. He’s so good-looking, it hurts. He runs a hand through his hair, but the rogue locks flop back over his forehead as soon as he gives me a nod, confirming that I heard him correctly.
“Why didn’t you?” I immediately regret the question, but I’m dying to know.
Shaking his head, he huffs out a laugh before looking down. When he looks back up, his eyes are serious, and they never leave mine. “I’m not sure. I convinced myself you wouldn’t want to hear from me. I know how people talk in this town.”
“What do they say?”
His smile is just wide enough for one dimple to show. “That I have a woman for every day of the week. That I’ll never settle down. That I always leave the bar early but never alone.”
I find myself stepping closer. “And that’s not true?”
He’s already shaking his head before I’ve finished the question. “No. Not most of it. And not anymore. Not many people know the real me, so I guess they just like to get creative when they come up with shit to fill in any holes.”
“I’m sure people do that to me, too. I just haven’t heard their versions yet. Anyway, I guess I’ll see you around. I’ll let the doctor know you’re ready.”
This time he reaches out and grabs my hand before I can walk away, and there’s no ignoring the sharp breath we both take on contact. I look down to where his hand is grasping mine and then back up to his rich brown eyes. My mouth is completely dry as I swallow hard.
“I’d like to see you again, if that’s alright. Are you free tonight?” he asks.
“I’m not busy, but I have to be at the ranch first thing in the morning to feed the horses and clean the stalls.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you too late. When’s the last time you rode?”
“A horse?”
Once again, I want to smack my hand over my mouth, and his amused smirk only makes it worse. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or excitement at this point, but I can’t seem to get it together. I haven’t been on a horse in years. I still make it a point to visit my aunt, but it isn’t like when I was a teenager and would spend my entire summers and weekends riding and helping care for her horses. The thought of a ride has my heart racing with anticipation.
“Yes, a horse. But if there’s something else you’d like to ride…”
“Oh, my god. I know you meant a horse, I just got excited. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a chance to get on one.”
“You should come by tonight. We can ride. I’ll show you part of Cole County I’m sure you’ve never seen before.”
Looking around the exam room, I try to find a reason to say no. I don’t have to work. He was a perfect gentleman when he drove me home the other night, so I have no reason to be nervous around him; other than the fact that his very presence overwhelms me.
“I don’t even know where you live.”
“Drive like you’re heading to Boulder Ranch but keep driving for another mile or so. I’m the next drive on the left. Five thirty?”
“Okay. Five thirty,” I echo.
I leave the room in a daze, paying no attention to what I’m doing when I flip the plastic flag up signaling the patient in that room is ready. As I’m replaying the conversation for the twentieth time, I claim the empty seat beside Rayna.
“Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Rayna asks.
“I’m seeing Tate tonight,” I breathe.
Rayna’s eyes grow wide, and she spins the chair so she can face me. “As in, a date?”
“No. Maybe? Oh my gosh, I should have asked if it was a date!”
She holds out her hands and shakes her head, failing to hold in her laughter. “No. No you shouldn’t have. Don’t be weird. Tell me the plan, and I’ll tell you if you should treat it like a date.”
“He invited me to his place.”
Somehow, her eyes get even wider. It sounds much worse when I say it out loud, and her reaction isn’t helping me. I’m not even sure what’s happening. Three days ago, he hit my car, and I thought he was a cocky asshole. Now, I’m planning to go to his house.
“That made it sound crazy. I think he invited me over to show me his land on horseback.”
“You think?” Rayna has one eyebrow raised as she waits for me to explain.
“Yeah. He asked me how long it’s been since I’ve been on a horse, then offered to show me part of Cole County that I’ve never seen.”
“Well holy shit...”
Before she can say more, the exam room door opens, and heavy footfalls grow louder with each step. I turn in to see Tate walking in my direction… or in the direction of the door. Either way, I take the opportunity to look from his scuffed boots to the broken-in jeans, long-sleeved shirt, and finally his almost too-perfect face. Somehow, his beard looks both scruffy and neatly trimmed. His hat is back in place, with enough hair showing beneath to remind me it’s long enough to run my fingers through.
When Tate’s gaze meets mine, he tips his hat and flashes me a smile that nearly melts my panties. “I’ll see you later, Joy.”
And then he casually walks out the door, leaving me staring behind him. I’m going to need to give myself one hell of a pep talk if I’m going to survive the night. I’ve already spent time with him. I can do this. I know my way around a man. I’m Joy fucking Anderson.
“Yeah,” I say, agreeing with Rayna’s unspoken words. “He’s crazy hot. Maybe I’ll save a horse tonight.”
Rayna’s burst of laughter is exactly what I needed. Relaxed, I finally begin to look forward to the evening ahead. I didn’t need a pep talk. I just needed a reminder of who I am. Even if I don’t really intend to “save a horse” tonight.