Chapter 6 #2
“Sam’s the comedian of the family,” I said.
“He’s the knuckle-headed youngest kid who always loved making everyone laugh.
He’s also a damn fine vet, and an asset to this community, honestly.
But don’t tell him I said that. He already has a swelled head.
I think you’ll like him, that is, if he’s around the office today. ”
It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized Sam used humor to defuse the tension between our father and our brother Bowie.
Dad was a rather domineering figure, and Bowie reacted to that like a rattlesnake backed into a corner.
Things didn’t get really bad until Bowie was in high school and truly embraced the role of teen rebel.
My reaction was to be the perfect eldest son, doing everything I could to please our parents and keep the peace.
My sister Faith relied on her boyfriends to rescue her from the arguments at our house, and Sam told jokes. Good times.
“What do you want to do with the rest of your day when we get back to the ranch?” I asked. “You’ll have the afternoon ahead of you. Maybe a trail ride or a hike?”
She bit her bottom lip. “Maybe. I’m still nervous about getting on a horse.”
I wanted to tread gently but still encourage her. “I think you’ll find that it’s like riding a bike. It will come back to you.”
She dipped her chin and stared at me. “My older son recently had a biking accident and broke his wrist.”
“Okay, maybe that was a poor example.”
She looked out the window for a few minutes before saying, “I used to be adventurous in my youth, believe it or not. I always loved swimming out into the breakers in the ocean, and I even hiked on the Appalachian Trail with my college boyfriend.”
“So, what happened to that girl?” I asked.
She exhaled. “I got married and had children, and it felt like someone had to stop doing all the things that could potentially get them injured or killed.”
“Is your husband a daredevil?” I asked.
“He races sailboats and likes fast cars.” Her expression turned grim. “I guess I kind of became a killjoy, which probably wasn’t much fun for him. I’ve changed a lot since we first met.”
There was obviously more to that relationship story, but I certainly wasn’t going to pry.
“We’ve all changed since our twenties. Parenthood will definitely do that to you.
You can’t avoid all risks, though.” I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel.
“I told you my parents died in a random car accident, and one of my friends was killed in a freak electrical accident a few years ago. He was forty years old.”
She reached over and touched my arm. “That’s terrible, Matthew. I can’t say this conversation makes me less scared of riding a horse though.”
“My point is that you’re at risk simply by being alive, no matter how small you make your world.
I think it’s better to live a full life, using good sense about your choices, obviously.
Riding can be dangerous, but we can give you a gentle horse and a helmet, and you’d be with a guide. I think that’s a risk worth taking.”
“Right.” She turned to look out her window. “I guess you have a point. I’d like to ride again. I used to love it as a kid.”
“How old are your children?” I didn’t always ask my guests so many personal questions, but the more I found out about Lauren, the more I wanted to know.
“They’re in their twenties. Fully grown and out in the world. So if I get thrown by a mechanical bull while I’m out here, then I guess they’ll be fine.”
“I wasn’t planning bull riding just yet,” I said through my laughter, “but it’s good to know you’re up for anything.”
She chuckled and leaned her head on her window. “I’ve been so exhausted. Mostly, I’m hoping to get my energy back this week.”
She might think a spa was the best way to re-energize, but in my opinion she needed some joy in her life.
As the owner and manager of a guest ranch in one of the most beautiful places in America, I could definitely provide the opportunities to find that joy.
It was up to her whether she let herself experience it.
“This is it.” I pulled the Suburban into the parking lot at Sam’s office. “You don’t have to come inside if you’d rather wait here.”
“Do you mind if I come in?” She smiled, looking slightly embarrassed. “I’m a huge fan of the show All Creatures Great and Small , and I’d love to see a country vet’s office. I know that probably sounds silly.”
If Sam saw me with a beautiful guest, he was either going to flirt with her or tease me, but there was no backing out now. “It might be a disappointment, but c’mon in.”
Sam had only one employee, a woman in her sixties named Cherise who was his receptionist and vet tech.
Having been raised on a farm, she wasn’t intimidated by any animal, including ornery ranchers who wouldn’t pay their vet bills.
She looked at us over the rims of her reading glasses when we walked in the door.
“Good morning!” I called out to her.
“Hey, Matthew.” She was already eyeing my companion up and down.
“Cherise St. Clair, please meet one of my guests this week, Lauren Wagonblast.”
Lauren shot me a surprised look, as if I’d gotten her name wrong. Was there another way to pronounce Wagonblast?
“Good afternoon, Cherise.” Lauren pushed back her sunglasses on her head, so they drew the sheet of silky dark hair away from her face.
Cherise dipped her chin without smiling. “Nice to meet you.”
For her that was a warm welcome. If she said nothing, that meant she didn’t take a shine to you. If she really disliked you, well, you weren’t coming any further than the door.
“I guess you’re here for Elijah’s medication?” Cherise pulled a little brown bag off a shelf. Maybe we would avoid Dr. Samuel Hart on this trip after all. “You need to bring that tomcat in here to get fixed before he impregnates other strays.”
“How dare you talk that way about my faithful barn cat.” I took the bag from her. “He’smy mouser, not a stray, and I’ll bring him in to get neutered when I can convince Walt it needs to be done. Then I have to coax Elijah into a cat carrier without getting scratched to death.”
Cherise folded her arms across her chest. “Sounds like no one told Elijah he’s been domesticated.”
“Very funny. What do I owe you for this?”
She shook her head and waved me away. “Sam told me I’m not allowed to charge you anything.” Clearly, she thought this policy of giving freebies to family members was ludicrous. I agreed with her, but Sam wouldn’t let me pay him.
“You’ve got enough expenses,” my brother told me recently when he came out to the ranch to do routine dental exams on our stable of horses. He was right about that.The bills kept on coming.
“I’m going to total it up for our records anyway,” Cherise said, making notes on a receipt pad and figuring out the tax on her calculator.
No fancy spreadsheets for this lady, although there was a laptop sitting on the counter that my brother had tried to get her to use so their record keeping would be easier.
No luck with that one yet. Cherise kept meticulous paper records though, and she could also wrangle rowdy cats like Elijah into carrying crates, so my brother wasn’t letting her go any time soon.
Just when I thought we were in the clear, Sam stepped through the front door with his mischievous dog, Jake, at his heels.
As soon as Jake saw me, he tore over on his little legs, springing up for my attention.
Being a Jack Russell/dachshund mix, he could only reach my ankles with his front paws, but for a little guy, he had a big presence.
Today he was wearing a blue sweater vest with the word diva knitted onto the back.
I reached down to scratch his ears. “Hey, buddy. How’s the most spoiled dog in Three Rivers?”
Jake looked up at me with his soulful brown eyes, as if he were telling me that tales of his lifestyle were greatly inflated. Nonsense. I knew he got treated like a little prince.
“What a cutie pie,” Lauren cooed, as Jake scurried over to demand her attention next.
“Good afternoon, big brother and guest.” Sam’s eyes sparkled with interest when he saw I had a lady friend with me. Damn. I was in big trouble.