Chapter Six
Markie entered the Everyday Grind to get a cup of coffee. She was going to explore the stores today.
“Welcome to the Everyday Grind, someone will be right with you,” a woman behind the counter said.
“That’s fine. Is Celine in today?”
“No, she’s off today. What can I get you?”
After ordering her coffee, Markie left the shop, then crossed the street to enter the bakery. She’d never been there and it was time to check it out. When she entered the shop, she groaned at the smell of baked goods.
She saw the ticket dispenser, removed one, sat at a small table and waited along with everyone else. When the bell chimed, she looked toward the door to see the livestock agent she met not long ago, Caysen Anderson. He glanced at her, then did a doubletake.
“Hello, Dr. Russell.” He touched his hat.
Markie smiled. “I’m impressed you remembered.”
When he grinned, her heart hit her ribs. What was it with this town?
“I never forget a face or a name. How are you?”
“I’m just fine. You?”
“Same.”
“Are you working today?”
“No, ma’am. I’m usually off on weekends. I just wanted something sweet this morning.”
“I can understand that. This is my first time in here and I think I just made a big mistake.” She grinned when he chuckled.
“I understand that. I need to get a ticket.” He nodded at her, then walked toward the dispenser and removed a ticket.
“Hi, Case,” a pretty blonde behind the counter called out.
“Good morning, JoJo. How are you and Brett doing?”
“Just great. I’ll be with you soon.”
“No problem.”
“You just reminded me I need to make a doctor appointment.”
“I’m not sure how to take that, JoJo,” Caysen said with a laugh.
“Well, your aunt is my ob/gyn.”
When Caysen shook his head, everyone in the bakery laughed. He walked to where Markie sat.
“Do you mind if I sit down?”
“No, please do. So, your aunt is an ob/gyn?”
“Yes. She’s married to my father’s brother. Everyone calls her Doc Anderson.”
“I need to find one.” Markie grinned as Caysen shook his head.
“I know she’s my aunt and I know what she does, but I am not discussing her job.”
Markie laughed. “I’m teasing you. I do need to see her though.”
“Please stop.”
“It’s too easy, but I will stop. I get it.” Markie sighed. “Although, I would rather see a woman gynecologist than a man.” She giggled when he narrowed his eyes at her. “I’ll quit.”
“Thank God.” Caysen sighed.
“So, I noticed that woman called you Case.”
“Most people do. Deacon goes by Deke, and Hudson goes by Hud. Except when we’re in trouble.”
“With your parents?”
“Our dad or our boss. Our mom isn’t around.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She left when I was just a baby. I wouldn’t know her if I fell over her.”
Markie didn’t know what else she could say, so she didn’t say anything. When her number was called, she got up and smiled at Caysen when he got to his feet.
“It was nice talking with you, Agent Anderson. Have a good day.”
“Yes, ma’am. You do the same.” He waited until she walked away then resumed his seat.
Some of the men around here knew their manners and it impressed the hell out of her. Nate wouldn’t sit until she did and stood whenever she did.
Even when she was engaged, her fiancé never opened doors for her, stood when she entered a room, or walked on the outside of the sidewalk and she’d bet her last dollar that Nate would.
She remembered the first time Sydney had taken her to Dewey’s, the local cowboy hangout and she told her she wasn’t into cowboys. She was more into white collar men, but after seeing and meeting some of the local cowboys, she quickly changed her mind. When she saw Sam for the first time, she was sure her mouth dropped open. Not only was he tall, dark, gorgeous, and had amazing blue eyes, he was so polite. He removed his hat when he shook her hand.
She thought about Nate removing his and wiping his feet on the welcome mat last night before entering her apartment. That was manners and that seemed to be the cowboy way.
As the day wore on, she finally headed home, then decided to check on Bobo to see how he was doing. If all was well, he’d be able to go home tomorrow.
She walked around to the back door, unlocked it, and quietly entered the hospital and smiled when she heard the dogs barking.
“Who needs an alarm system?” she muttered as she entered the code to turn off the silent alarm, locked the door, then headed toward the recovery room.
Pushing the door open, she laughed when she saw Bobo wagging his tail when he saw her. She knelt in front of the cage.
“Hi, baby. You look so good. I know you hate that cone of shame.” She smiled when he licked her fingers. “I bet you can go home tomorrow. Your mommy and daddy will be so happy to have you home. I know you miss them. Let me check your pain meds.”
She checked the bag and decided to give him a little to take the edge off. He still had to be in pain, though dogs rarely let someone know. After using a syringe to add the medicine, she watched as he leaned his head against the side of the cage and fell asleep. It was best to keep him calm, so he didn’t try to do too much. She really hoped he could return home tomorrow.
As she made her way toward the back door, she set the alarm, opened the door, then locked it behind her and made her way up the stairs to enter her apartment.
When she got inside, she immediately kicked off her shoes, headed toward the bedroom, and changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt. She planned to be lazy the rest of the day. She wondered what Nate was doing and had been hoping he’d call her today, but she hadn’t heard from him.
When her phone buzzed from the end table, she picked it up and groaned when she saw Jarrett’s number, but she had to answer in case there was something wrong with her mother.
“Jarrett?”
“Hello, Markie. I just wanted to make sure you were going to make it to your mother’s birthday party.”
Markie clenched her jaw. “You know I am.”
“I had no idea for sure. Your mother didn’t say.”
“That’s a lie. I told her and since she tells you everything, I know you’re aware that I’ll be there,” she snapped.
“I look forward to seeing you,” he said in a low voice.
“Fuck you.”
He laughed. “Anytime. Goodbye for now, Markie.” He hung up.
She wanted to throw her phone. How could her mother not see what a creep he was? It did Markie no good to tell her, she refused to listen to anything negative about Jarrett. How he’d wormed his way in, Markie didn’t know but hoped that one day, it would come to a head and her mother would finally kick his ass to the curb.
When the phone buzzed again, she thought about ignoring it, but she knew he wouldn’t call back. She picked it up to see Sydney’s number.
“Hey,” she said.
“You didn’t tell me how last night went, or is he still there?” Sydney asked.
“No, he didn’t spend the night, and it is after one in the afternoon.”
“I’m sorry, but what does that have to do with anything?”
“I don’t know.”
“I suppose you think he’d hightail it out of there first thing?”
“Not really. I’m sure he’d stick around for breakfast.” Markie laughed.
“Maybe breakfast in bed, if you get my meaning.” Sydney chuckled.
“You are so bad, Sydney Wright. Oh, guess who I saw today?”
“Who?”
“Agent Caysen Anderson. I was in the bakery this morning and he came in. Damn, he’s good-looking.”
Sydney’s sigh came across the phone. “I know. I want him.”
“Did you know his aunt is the local ob/gyn?”
“Doc Anderson?”
“Yes.”
“I go to her. In fact, I have an appointment next week. I love her.”
“He said she’s married to his father’s brother.”
“How in the world did that conversation come up?”
Markie laughed and told her how it came about and how she teased him about it.
“That’s funny. She’s great though. You should see her.”
“I should. I’ll call and make an appointment. Send me her number if you have it.”
“I do. I’m going to head to the store for a little while. I’ll talk to you later. Oh, I’m glad you and Nate got past everything.”
“Me too. We’re supposed to go out next Saturday to The Hartland, I think he said.”
“Oh, they have fantastic food. I’m sure I’ll talk to you before that. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Markie hung up, placed the phone on the end table and decided to watch a movie to make the day go quicker. Monday morning would be here before she knew it.
****
Nate entered the barn Monday morning and checked the stalls to see they hadn’t been mucked out yet. What the hell?
With a deep sigh, he called Jobe.
“Hey, boss.”
“Who’s supposed to muck out the stalls today?”
“Me, but I haven’t been able to get to them yet. I’m sorry. I just got here. There was a wreck on Copper Ridge.”
“I see. Well, get started on your other chores. I’ll start on the stalls.”
“I’m sorry, boss.”
“Is it your fault there was a wreck, Jobe?”
“No, sir.”
“Then don’t be sorry. I’ll talk to you later.” Nate hung up, put his phone in his pocket then headed toward the toolshed.
As he pushed the wheelbarrow toward the stalls, he saw Beau enter the barn.
“Morning, Nate,” he said as he strode toward him.
“Hey, Beau. On your way out?”
“Yeah, I’m heading to the office. I thought you did this on Wednesdays or Thursdays?”
Nate sighed. “I do. Jobe was to do it, but there was a wreck on Copper Ridge, so he was late. I’m going to hire another guy.”
Beau nodded. “You do what you have to. You’re the boss.”
Nate grinned. “Well, I’m one of the bosses.”
Beau chuckled. “Yeah, but trust me, they fear you more than they fear me. They know you’re the one who can hire and fire. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, sir.” He chuckled when Beau shook his head as he walked from the barn, then Nate picked up the rake and shovel, and entered the first stall.
As Nate finished the first stall, his shirt was already wet with sweat, so he removed his hat, took the shirt off and hung it on a peg. He pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket, wiped the sweat from his brow and placed his hat back on his head.
When he started on the fourth stall, his phone buzzed from his pocket to see Jobe had sent a message.
Bart quit.
“Damn it,” Nate swore, then sent a message back.
That’s his choice. I’ll be cleaning the stalls.
Yes, sir.
Nate didn’t mind mucking out the stalls. It came with the territory, but now they were a man down. With all the work on their plate, they couldn’t afford to be short-handed.
By six o’clock, Nate had made his way back home, exhausted and covered in grime. He entered through the back door and sat down on the bench, removing his boots with a sigh. Standing up, he peeled off his dirty clothes and watched as dust and dirt particles floated in the air.
Making his way to the bathroom, Nate turned on the shower and let out a groan as the warm water hit his sore muscles. Placing his hands against the wall, he closed his eyes, leaned his head under the spray and allowed the water to wash away the physical and mental exhaustion from working two chores. As he glanced down at the drain, he couldn’t help but notice the water turning brown from all the dirt and sweat.
After washing his hair with shampoo and then his body with soap, Nate couldn’t deny how drained he felt. Doing the work of two men was taking its toll on him. Tomorrow, he knew he would have to take matters into his own hands by posting a job opening at The Feed Store.
After drying off and wrapping a towel around his waist, Nate headed to the mirror and wiped away the steam with his hand before shaving. Even that simple task felt like a job.
Once finished, he tossed the towel onto the shower rod and made his way to his bedroom. After slipping on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, he walked to the kitchen in search of something to eat. He didn’t have much of an appetite after such a long day, but he knew he couldn’t go to bed hungry.
****
Markie sat at her desk, looking at charts on the computer and was happy to see that Bobo had gone home. She knew his owners loved him and would take good care of him. As she looked at a file on a kitten being dropped off by its owners, she clenched her jaw when she read the reason, she meows too much .
“Idiots,” she said.
“Who?” Tess asked from the doorway.
“The people who dropped off the kitten because it meows too much.” Markie looked at Tess. “Don’t some people know that cats do meow?”
“I’ve been doing this for years now and I still can’t get over the reasons people have for dropping off an animal.”
“It’s only three months old.” Markie blinked back tears. “I know I’m not supposed to get emotional, but this is just so wrong. Some people should not be allowed to have pets of any kind.”
“Sam gets angry about it too. He found a kitten tossed out of a truck in a garbage bag once. He brought it in here to get it checked out. I don’t think we were a couple yet, but I took the kitten home with me. I still have her. Sam was ready to choke the person.”
“I’m sure.” Markie grinned. “So, how many have you taken in, Tess?”
Tess laughed. “We have five dogs and three cats. Three of the dogs were surrendered here. I even talked Sam into taking a husky. He said no at first, but Whiskey is still with us. He had a Rottie at the time and said he didn’t need another dog.”
“And now he has five.”
“All in the house too. Neither of us like the idea of dogs or cats having to live outside. Though for some people, that’s the only way they’d have either.” Tess shrugged. “To me, they’re our family. Sam feels the same way and needless to say, the kids love the animals as much as we do. We do have a few barn cats though, but they’re in out of the cold since the barn is warmer than the cold temperatures in the winter.”
“Yes, I know a lot of people have barn cats to keep the mice out. Your kids will learn how to treat animals too.”
“Definitely. Have you seen the kitten? She’s so cute. A fuzzy ball of black fur and four white paws. I hope someone takes her or we’ll have to get her to the shelter.”
“I might take her, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, I don’t. I know you’d give her a good home.”
“Let me look at her and see if she likes me, then I’ll let you know.”
“I appreciate it. I’d better get to work. You need to get your lunch, Markie.”
“I will in a minute.”
“Doc Russ? There’s a man here to see you.”
“A man?” Markie’s stomach clenched thinking it was Jarrett but why would he come to Montana?
“Yes, he said his name was Nate.”
Markie grinned. “Thanks, Jodi. I’ll be right out.” She stood from her chair and saw Tess grinning. “What?”
“Well, apparently he doesn’t rub you the wrong way anymore.”
“I refuse to answer that. I’ll be right back, then I’ll head for lunch.” Markie walked out of her office and grinned when Tess snorted behind her, then she heard her walking along the hallway toward her office.
Markie entered the lobby to see Nate leaning against the counter, but he straightened up when he saw her and smiled.
“Hi, Nate.”
“Markie. Have you had lunch yet?”
“No, I was about to go in a few minutes.”
“Well, will you have lunch with me at the diner?”
“I’d love to. Just let me get my purse. I’ll be right back.” She passed Jodi as she walked to her office.
“That man is sexy,” Jodi whispered.
“I could not agree more. We’re going to lunch, so I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Alright. Have a nice lunch, Doc Russ.”
“Thanks, Jodi. Did you need anything brought back?”
“Oh, no thank you. Doc Mac brought me a salad back.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a while.”
Markie walked toward Nate, and he opened the door for her to go, then he followed her. She smiled when he moved around to the outside of her, then he took her hand in his as they strolled toward the diner.
“I can smell the burgers from here,” she said.
“Me too. I wasn’t planning to have lunch here today, but I had to make a trip to town and when I passed the hospital, I thought I’d ask you to lunch.”
“You could not have timed it better.”
When they reached the diner, he pulled the door open for her and they entered the restaurant. She chuckled when people who knew them waved or called out.
“Booth, table, or counter?” Nate asked.
“Booth.”
“Alright.” He took her hand again and led her through the tables to an empty booth. Once she slid onto the bench, he did the same on the opposite one. He removed his hat and hung it on the hook on the side of the bench, then raked his fingers through his hair.
Markie clenched her fists to stop from doing the same thing. The scruff on his face was so sexy.
“Are you ready to order?” the server asked.
“I’ll have my usual, Lanie. Markie, are you ready?”
“Yes.” She gave her order to the server.
“I’ll be right back with those.”
“Thanks, Lanie,” Nate said, and Lanie smiled at him.
“She has to be related to Deidra and Rissa.”
“Yep, Lanie is the youngest sister.”
“She’s as beautiful as they are.” Markie cocked her head. “Was this an unplanned trip to town?”
“Not really. I had to put a help wanted card on the corkboard in The Feed Store.”
“So, the ranch is hiring?”
“We need another ranch hand. One of the guys hasn’t shown up in days and we finally heard from him. He quit. We have way too much to do, so I have to hire someone.”
“He just quit?”
“Yeah. He sent one of the ranch hands a text. It’s obvious he doesn’t want the job.”
“Did anyone try calling him the first time he didn’t show up?”
“Yes, but he ignored calls and texts. I guess he finally figured out he didn’t want the job.” Nate sighed.
“I hate that you have to replace him. It’s hard finding good help.”
“You got that right. A lot of young men think that’s what they want to do… until they do it.”
A few minutes later, Lanie set the plates on the table.
“Do you need anything else?”
“Markie?”
“No, thank you. I’m Dr. Markie Russell by the way. I work with Dr. Garrett.”
Lanie smiled. “Lanie Donovan. It’s nice to meet you. Enjoy your lunches.”
“Thank you.” Markie smiled.
Nate picked up the ketchup bottle and squirted some onto his plate, then picked up a fry and dipped it into it. After taking a bite, he chewed then swallowed and frowned at her.
“Do you want the ketchup?”
Markie shuddered. “No. I hate ketchup.”
Nate sat back in the booth and stared at her.
“I’m sorry. Did you say you… hate ketchup?”
“I do.”
“What do you put on your fries?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Darlin’, those are reasons not to see you anymore.”
Markie laughed. “I want to taste the fry not the ketchup.”
“Damn,” he muttered as he shook his head, making her laugh again.
Her phone buzzed from the pocket of her scrubs, and she removed it, looked at the screen and groaned.
“I have to take this. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Honey, why don’t you take a few days off and stay longer over the weekend of my party?”
“Mom, I can’t do that. I don’t have vacation days yet and the hospital is busy. I’ll be there on that Saturday and leave Sunday. We’ve discussed this.”
“I just want to spend time with my daughter for my birthday.”
“Next year.”
“I might not be here next year.”
Markie snorted. “Mom don’t try to pull that on me. You’ll probably outlive me.”
“I’d better not!” Her mother sighed. “Alright, honey. I’ll see you then. It’s going to be a wonderful party.”
“I’m sure it will be. I have to run. I’m at lunch right now.”
“Okay, bye.” Her mother hung up and Markie put the phone back into her pocket.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“No problem.”
“She’s trying to make me feel guilty for not staying longer for her birthday.”
“When is it?”
“The party is the last Saturday of June, but her actual birthday is a few days before.” Markie sighed.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to go?”
“I do and I don’t. I love her and can’t disappoint her but…”
“Ah, her husband.”
“Yes. I hate being anywhere near him.” Markie stared at her plate. Her appetite gone now. “Just thinking about it makes me sick.”
“And she doesn’t believe you?”
“She makes excuses for him. I know we’re not supposed to hate people, but I despise that man.”
Nate reached across the table and touched her hand.
“I’m sorry, Markie.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I’ll get through it somehow. I even thought about asking Sydney to go with me, but he’d be all over her too.”
“I’ll go with you,” he said in a low voice.
“What?”
“I said, I’ll go with you. If you want me to. I don’t think he’d bother you with me there.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, Nate.”
“You didn’t ask, I volunteered. I don’t work on weekends, so I could go.”
“I would love that. Thank you so much.”
Nate winked at her. “You’re welcome.”
After they finished eating, Nate walked her back to the hospital, then opened the door for her.
“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said, then leaned forward and lightly kissed her lips.
“I hope so.”
“Of course, I still need to call for a reservation at The Hartland.”
“Can you get us in this late?”
Nate smiled. “Yeah, it helps to know the owner. If he can’t get us in for some reason, we could eat at the diner.”
“Okay. Whatever works. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Markie entered the building, waved at Jodi, who was on the phone, and headed for her office. After putting her purse away, she headed toward the back room to look at the kitten.
She entered the room, peered into each cage until she came to the one she was looking for, and smiled. She stuck her fingers through the wire.
“Hi, little baby girl.” She laughed when the kitten butted her head against her fingers and Markie could hear her purring.
She opened the door, lifted the kitten out, and put her close to her chest. The little kitten purred louder.
“I think she likes you,” Tess said when she entered the room.
“I love her already. I’m going to take her, Tess.”
“Great. I know she’ll have a good home.”
“I’ll run to The Feed Store after work and get what I need. I can come back and get her after I get everything into the apartment.”
“Alright.”
“How did the surgery go?”
“Good. Bosco is known for eating things he shouldn’t. This time, I removed a piece of a sock from his belly.”
“Oh, no!” Markie laughed. “It’s a good thing his owners bring him in here.”
“He’s a handful, but they love him. I’m going to head to my office if you need me.”
“Alright. I’ll take care of patients. I don’t think we have too many today.”
“It’s a slow day for sure. I’ll see you later.”
Markie nodded as Tess left the room, then she put the kitten back into the cage.
“I’ll take you home later.” She smiled when the kitten meowed at her, then left the room. She couldn’t wait to take her home.