Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Jude
My pulse had no business revving as I made the turn for Second Chance Ranch, my old truck bumping down the long gravel road past the ranch sign.
I was here on veterinary business, not to see Carson.
We’d had some texts back and forth since the support group meeting, but I’d been punting on the truck purchase yet again and had been too slammed with calls to have him over for gaming.
As August opened, rodeo season was in full swing, which meant more visits to my clients who ran rodeo stock for local events, as well as the usual assortment of injuries, emergencies, fertility management, out-of-season pregnancies, and routine preventive care.
More of that busyness awaited me at the horse barn as Kat had several new patients for me. At least this was my last call of the day.
“I can’t believe you talked Maverick into taking on four more rescue horses,” I said after we exchanged greetings. Old Melvin Lovelorn had seldom indulged in charitable impulses, but luckily, Maverick was a different story.
“He has a big heart.” Kat smiled innocently, like she wasn’t equally soft-hearted or the instigator behind the recent rescues.
“As do you.” I chuckled.
“Big heart. Little brain. It wasn’t my smartest decision.” Kat shook her head in mock judgment. “All four horses are in rough shape. But no one else in the rescue group spoke up to take them.”
“I know.” I was a member of the same forum for a local horse rescue and had seen the plea for fosters for a group of horses seized in a recent neglect case.
“And I’m happy to look them over. I’ll do exams, then vaccines and deworming all around.
Since their temperaments are unknown, we should probably use the arena like we do with Cinder rather than risk panic in a stall. ”
“Already on it.” Kat headed in the direction of the arena as she added, “I asked Carson to assist you. He’ll bring them out one at a time.”
“How’s he been getting on?” I kept my tone casual even as my pulse gave another unwelcome gallop.
“Remarkably well.” Kat took on a proud tone. “He kept a level head when we were unloading the rescues yesterday, even when one proved extra stubborn. Carson’s got a way with horses, better than some seasoned hands.”
“That’s great.” I smiled warmly as we reached the arena where Carson was already waiting with an underfed gelding with dark-amber coloring. “Hey there.” I offered Carson a wave before setting my bag down. “Kat said you’re up to help me examine the rescues.”
“Yep. Happy to.” Tone less curt than usual, he returned my smile. Maybe he’d also been looking forward to interacting, a thought that made warmth spread across my chest. Carson cocked his head toward the horse. “This is RC.”
“Wonder if they named him after the cola, the toy cars, or rodeo cowboys,” I joked as I slowly approached the horse. I circled him, noting the visible ribs and poorly maintained coat and mane. No visible injuries, but RC’s left foreleg caught my attention. I bent for a closer look.
“He’s got a bump on the front leg here.”
“Noticed that.” Carson nodded as he held the lead. “Cyst?”
“Maybe.” I gently felt around the bump, which was about half the size of a tangerine. “Too firm to be fluid-filled. Could be inflammation or some sort of growth. We might need a biopsy to determine next steps.”
“Cha-ching.” Kat made a clucking noise behind me. “Could we try some meds and careful observation to see if it subsides before deciding on the biopsy?”
“Yeah.” I was big on watchful waiting, but I didn’t care for the location of this growth. “However, if it impinges on his movement, we won’t want to wait too long.”
“I know.” Kat gave a weary sigh. “I’m just hoping we can avoid a costly surgery.”
“Amen to that.” I could do a great deal in the field, but procedures involving anesthesia and surgery required special facilities and more personnel.
Moving on to the rest of the exam, I made recommendations on feed to help bring RC back up to a healthy weight, noted some minor dental issues, and prepared the vaccines.
Since no medical history was available for the horses, we had to assume they were behind on everything.
I turned toward Carson. “Ready to help?”
“Ready.” Carson had been attentive throughout the exam, making thoughtful noises and keeping RC calm.
He stepped right up next to RC, distracting the horse as I readied the needles.
The process of inserting the needles first before attaching the vaccine vial could freak some people out, but Carson stayed steady as ever, soothing RC through each vaccine until I was finished. He patted RC’s nose. “There. All done.”
“You two certainly make a good team.” Kat made an approving noise as Carson led RC out of the arena. “Seeing as you seem to have everything in hand, I’m going to go check on some things. I’ll circle back.”
“Sounds good.” I was inclined to agree that we made a good team, but didn’t want to come off as overly enthusiastic about being left alone with Carson. Hell, I needed to temper even my own inner anticipation as Carson returned with the next horse.
Unlike the mainly docile RC, the next gelding was a tall pale-gray horse who kept digging in his hooves as Carson attempted to lead him into the arena.
“This must be the stubborn boy Kat mentioned.” I moved closer in case Carson asked for assistance.
“Yep. Linus.” Carson tried again to lead the horse forward, making the sort of clucking noises that usually worked, but Linus only shook his head from side to side. Carson frowned. “Only likes going left.”
“Hmm.” I took a few more steps so I could peer into the horse’s eyes. Linus looked more confused than stubborn or scared. “Any other quirks you’ve noticed?”
“Head tossing. Blinking.” Carson tapped his temple with his free hand. “A horse TBI?”
“Huh. That would be rare.” Rather than dismiss Carson’s question, though, I used a thoughtful tone. “Definitely neurological symptoms. You’re right about that. Likely viral. I better run some bloodwork.”
“EPM?” Carson squinted like he’d had to work to remember the name of the horse virus.
“Possibly.” I went to fetch my bag. “Might as well do the exam here. Meet him where he’s at.”
“Good idea.” Carson gave an approving nod. “How’s your truck?”
“Limping along.” Slightly embarrassed at my reluctance to sell, I quirked my mouth. “Your connector fix held.”
“That’s good.” Carson raised an eyebrow as if he knew full well it was only a matter of time before another breakdown. He wasn’t wrong.
I released a heavy sigh. “I know I need to stop dawdling and start shopping. Just been extra busy.”
“Tomorrow’s Friday,” Carson observed with a shrug. “Payday. Owe you…dinner.”
“You do.” Brain whirling, I mentally reviewed my schedule for the next day, along with how late truck dealers might be open. Carson wasn’t the type to make repeated offers, and I didn’t want to miss my chance for more time together. “Pick you up at five-thirty?”
“Sure thing.” He grinned at me, and something opened inside me, like a tight muscle finally releasing.
Carson’s normal, serious expression gave him a world-weary air, making him look more like his somber older brother.
However, when Carson smiled, his whole expression transformed, giving him a younger and more mischievous demeanor that was nothing like Colt’s.
And Lord help me, I was already planning ahead, dreaming up ways to earn more of those dangerous grins.