Chapter 12
Kate had been on eggshells until Lawrence got back from the doctor’s appointment on Monday. Lawrence didn’t say much about it other than he had another appointment scheduled for Thursday and again on the following Monday. Kate didn’t push him. That he was going was more than enough. She started a deep clean of the house to keep herself busy. Tegan had said Senior was very receptive to her using the stockyards but wanted to look and see if he had a better arrangement for her. She had no idea what that meant, but she was willing to wait.
In the meantime, she baked, looked up equipment prices, determined the bare minimum she’d need to start a clinic, developed a business plan, and fenced money for Lawrence’s appointments. She checked online about her license, which was pending approval, and reached back to a couple of handlers who had emailed her about their dogs and the new vet they didn’t like.
And she talked to Tegan every night. He’d agreed to bring a horse over and ride with her and the kids. She was grateful because it had been a good number of years since she’d ridden. She’d packed a big lunch for all of them. The weather reports were saying it would get cold again, and then snow, and snow, and snow. Lawrence had put chains on his truck and had the snowplow attached to the tractor. They’d both worked to lay in feed and get everything ready for the rest of winter.
Saturday morning broke sunny and crisp. It was in the mid-thirties and a perfect day for riding. Craig and Hailey zoomed through their chores, and they were all off to pick up Cody, who was waiting at the front door of the diner. Ciera came out, and Kate rolled down her window. “Just bring him home when you’re ready. I’ll be working until about two, and then I’ll be upstairs.”
“We’ve got a picnic lunch packed and will probably head over to the lake. There are windbreaks in the area if it gets cold, but it looks like a perfect day for a ride.”
Ciera smiled. “He has his stocking hat and gloves. Right, bud?”
“Yes, ma’am!” Cody said eagerly.
“All right, then, we’re out of here. Have a good day.” Kate drove them back to the house, and when she arrived, Tegan’s truck and horse trailer were there. He was talking to Lawrence, who had five horses saddled. Five? After Kate parked the truck, the children ran over to Lawrence. Tegan met her halfway and kissed her. Of course, he kept it chaste, but dang, she wanted more.
“Lawrence is going riding with us.” Tegan’s eyes widened a bit when he told her.
“That’s wonderful.” She beamed at her brother, who rolled his eyes at her as he adjusted the stirrup length for Cody.
They walked to Tegan’s horse trailer, and he opened the door. Doodle sprung from the back and did a little buck and kick show. Hailey squealed when she saw him.
“Sorry, he needs some exercise. I figured he wouldn’t be too much of a bother.”
“Not at all. Come here, sweetie,” Kate called the little horse over. He trotted right up to her and sniffed her hand. “Sorry, no treats.”
Hailey walked over. “Can I pet him?” Cody and Craig walked their horses over.
“He’s so little,” Craig said as he kneeled and held out a hand. Doodle walked over, and Craig took hold of his halter. “Here, Hailey, you can come over, but be slow, so you don’t spook him.” Cody copied Craig”s position, and the three children fussed over Doodle while Tegan got his horse out of the trailer.
“What’s his name?” Hailey asked Tegan when he was done unloading his horse.
“His name is Doodle.”
Hailey giggled. “That’s a silly name.”
The little horse lipped at her hand, and she turned around. “Daddy, can I get him some treats from the barn?”
“If you make sure to close the feed bin and shut all the doors behind you, yes,” Lawrence said as he walked over with his, Hailey’s, and Kate’s horses.
Hailey came back with a pocket full of treats. “You can have some now and some later,” she said as she held her hand out flat for Doodle to take a treat.
Lawrence made sure the kids were on and all the tack was good to go before he mounted his horse.
“The food is in the saddle bags, right?” she asked Lawrence before they left.
“Yep. Did you make enough? I figured the entire county was going on this ride.” He chuckled. “My bags and yours are both full of food. Water in all the canteens.”
“Well, then, let’s go, but you better lead. I was going to rely on Craig to get us where we were going.”
“I figured.” Lawrence touched his heel to his horse, and they all fell into line, with Kate and Tegan last. Doodle ran forward and back, stopping here and there to explore.
When the trail widened, Tegan caught up to her. “It’s good to see this. Him, I mean.”
“He’s had two appointments. He doesn’t say much after they’re done and usually hides in the barn for a couple hours afterward. Says he’s processing what he talked about and thinking about questions the doctor asked him.”
“That’s good, right?” Tegan pointed at Doodle. “He’s a mess.”
The horse had a small stick in his mouth and was carrying it as he pranced in front of them.
“He thinks he’s a dog, doesn’t he?” Kate chuckled when Lawrence laughed at the little horse’s actions.
“I don’t know what he thinks he is other than spoiled.” Tegan shook his head. “Can you come over tonight?”
“Yes. I’ll run Cody home and then head to your place.” She smiled at him. “If you ask real nice, I’ll spend the night.”
Tegan glanced up at the kids and Lawrence. “That okay with them?”
“I don’t care.” Kate smiled at him. “I can have time for me. They’ll be fine for one night.”
Tegan leaned over and kissed her; although her horse didn’t like his horse that close and took a nip at his horse. They separated a bit. “I need to stop by the stockyard on the way home and check on the cattle. We have the sick cows, which turned out to be four in that first semi, isolated, and then we moved the other two loads to the Hollisters’ to quarantine them in a pasture by themselves. We’ll feed the others from the first truck and keep them happy until everything sorts out.”
“I’m sure the kids will want to play after we get done. How about we meet at seven tonight at your place?”
“Deal.” Tegan brought his horse closer again and leaned over for another kiss. Kate could hardly wait to be in his bed again. As much as she loved spending time with her family, she couldn’t wait to be alone with Tegan.