Chapter 5
Grace
“You have a deer in a cage.”
Mr. Man of Few Words made the statement as if I didn’t realize the little fawn was resting peacefully. “I know. She’s supposed to be there.”
“Why do you have a deer in a cage?”
“Well, I am a veterinarian, which means I treat more than just dogs,” I offered, grimacing when he cocked his head, offering the most chastising look I’d experienced since I was a teenager and my father had caught me dangling from a rope I’d used to climb out my bedroom window.
“The fawn was hit by a car and my godfather brought her to me. I care for animals often overlooked by everyone else. Including two of the horses in the corral. That’s the reason for the sanctuary I mentioned, although at this rate I’ll be eighty years old before my dream comes true.
The fawn’s condition was touch and go for a little while, but I think she’ll be okay. ”
“She looks emaciated.” His voice was still gruff with uncertainty, but I sensed he cared about her condition.
“We have hunters all over the forests, some ignoring the laws, which pisses me the hell off. No longer are deer simply considered food. The yo-bob assholes like putting trophies on their walls. And to top it off, killing a baby fawn rates right up there with being awarded a gold medal at the Olympics.” I was breathing hard, my hand fisted, moving into what Darlene had started to call my explosive haze.
I thought the sexy but annoying man would take the opportunity to make fun of me. When his eyes clouded over, an obvious memory driving into the center of his brain, I was even more curious about him than before.
“Yeah, I know the type. They think they’re all bad boys who can do anything they want. Fuck ‘em.”
Wow. There was a story to tell there.
“Even in the wild, abuse happens, but the little girl’s mama is no doubt looking for her baby. I’m going to try to ensure they get back together.”
“How? Wasn’t she taken from her natural habitat?”
Viper was genuinely interested. Another shocker. “Yes, but animals have a way of sensing their own from miles away. They also know when a person is decent or dangerous.”
“By the scent.”
“Exactly.” The brief second where we managed to connect was powerful.
And terrifying.
“Why do you have a veterinary clinic in the middle of nowhere? State of the art too.”
Now I was beaming. “My father’s doing. He had no desire to set up shop in town.”
The way he was scrutinizing every exposed beam and every seam almost became irritating. I didn’t need to hear about the roof leak I hadn’t noticed until the last rain or about the way the overhead fluorescent light flickered every once in a while.
“What about the horses?” Now the same voice was deeper, gruffer.
More demanding.
Shaken that my nipples had immediately hardened, I moved toward my computer to see Sailor’s test results while Viper crouched down by the little fawn’s crate. “Two came from an abusive situation in Billings. I was lucky to get them, although caring for them takes a lot of time.”
With the way he remained on his toes, hunched over and staring through the bars, the tee shirt was stretched across his back, revealing just how muscular he was. I was momentarily at a loss for how to do anything, including breathing.
Only the not-so-subtle barking the two dogs were doing as they enjoyed romping around together brought my attention back to where it should be.
“So this sanctuary, it’s a mess. I’m surprised a couple buildings haven’t fallen down or that they passed community building inspection.”
“At least you’re frank.” My natural mothering instinct kicked in, even if it was all wrapped around a group of buildings and a piece of land. “I guess it’s a good thing the place isn’t for sale. Huh?”
After throwing me a look that could melt glaciers but for all the wrong reasons, he stuck his fingers through the bars, rubbing the little fawn’s head. “There’s no reason or enough time to mince words, Grace, but my intention wasn’t to offend you.”
When he said my name, a slow and steady shudder trickled through my body, which I wasn’t used to. “I get it and I suppose you’re right. Yes, the sanctuary is a dump and I don’t have the money or the knowledge to fix it up completely just yet, but that’s not going to stop me.”
“Your place?”
The answer hitched in my throat, causing a knot in my stomach. “My parents’. Or at least it was. The place is mine now. Anyway, I need to make sure Sailor is calm so I can give him an IV. I have a feeling he’s picked his person for life.”
“What’s that mean?”
He genuinely didn’t know. I tipped my head, nodding with a smile. “You’re his family now.” The fact Viper seemed pleased, even proud of the fact an injured dog had found him desirable as a parent did unfreeze a few ice crystals in my bloodstream.
“How long will the procedure take?”
“Honestly, I want to keep him for a few hours.”
He looked away, his brow furrowing.
“Unless you have somewhere you need to be. Or you can come back.” Why was I hoping he’d stay? What in the world would I do with him? When a tickling sensation from naughty thoughts drifted down my legs, I bit my lower lip. Pain always worked to keep the filth away.
Not this time.
“No. I don’t have anywhere to go. Just… That’s fine.”
Wow. The statement held a sense of the forlorn, but I knew better than to ask him to clarify.
“How about this? I can make us some dinner. I mean, if you’d like.” I’d stopped at the store and picked up a few things, not that I was going to share that with him.
What are you doing? Are you crazy?
Well, now I couldn’t take back the invitation. That would be impolite.
With his snort, my annoyance was on high. “If that’s not too much trouble.”
“No, not at all. I didn’t warn you how long it would take. Why don’t you take Ellie May out and walk around? You can critique just how much of a dump the place is. I’ll join you when Sailor is settled.”
Yes, my voice held the tone of someone who was resentful, but I didn’t need a bitter, angry stranger to tell me I had my work cut out for me. I did that all the time.
“Sure. Do you mind if I take a look at the gate and see if I can do anything with it?”
As he rose to his full height, my eyes followed the trail with far too much heat and throbbing between my legs. Just like the swooning, the ridiculous longing I felt wasn’t like me and I was bound and determined to drive it away no matter the great lengths I needed to go to.
I had too much to accomplish and a lot to prove to myself.
And a goddamn killer to find since the police hadn’t made my parents’ murders a priority.
“You can find a few things in the barn by the corral. A few tools that were my dad’s and I did purchase a few fence boards already. I admit it. I’d make a terrible contractor.” There was something about Viper that allowed me to feel comfortable with him using my dad’s tools.
“Yeah, I can tell.”
“Thank you for the insult. I was fresh out today.” Even though I pretended to return my attention to the computer screen, I snuck a look at him every few seconds, hating the weakness.
He stroked Sailor’s head before heading to the door. “Come on, Ellie May. By the way. I wasn’t trying to insult you. You’re a damn good dog doctor. You weren’t meant to be a contractor. You should leave that to assholes who can’t do much else.”
I didn’t bother answering him as in my head, that would encourage his ungentlemanly behavior. Or maybe entice the desire that continued to furrow inside my overheated body.
“But I will tell you this,” he continued. “You’d be the most beautiful contractor in the state.”
When he left, I had to think about what he said before lifting my head. Just when I was strongly thinking I could learn to dislike him, he had to go and give me a compliment.
What did my body do in response?
The heated throb between my legs only intensified.
With a deep sigh, I glanced at Sailor, giving him the good news. “You’re a lucky little boy. You don’t have any awful diseases.” I knelt and he immediately gave me his paw. His scent filtered into my nostrils and when I leaned over, I was pleasantly surprised.
The pup had been given a bath.
Maybe there was hope for the grumpy man after all.
Thankfully, the furry patient was a good boy, allowing me to give him both the light sedative and the IV without causing me any trauma. I remained right by his side, stroking his fur until he fell into a nice slumber. Even then, I stayed a little longer.
When I finally glanced at my telephone, I realized over an hour had passed. Maybe I was trying to avoid my guest now that I’d locked myself into dinner with him.
What could be so bad about that?
He’d remain silent and brooding. I’d chat about nothing.
Talk about a match made in heaven. Wouldn’t Darlene have a lot to say about the predicament I’d put myself in? I’d invited a stranger to dinner and I didn’t know anything about him.
I couldn’t stay locked inside the clinic, for God’s sake. After gathering what courage I could muster, I headed outside, noticing he’d brought his truck closer. But there was no sign of him anywhere.
Ellie May finally barked, pointing me in the right direction, which was the corral. As soon as I was close, I noticed he wasn’t working on the gate. Instead, he was repairing the fence. What the hell? I dared inch a little closer, shocked at the work he’d already completed.
My mouth was hanging open, which wasn’t the greatest look for a woman under the best of circumstances.
He’d taken it upon himself to try to make my life better when I was attempting to find additional reasons to keep him at arm’s length. Who was this man?
And why had he removed his shirt, allowing me to enjoy the view of a big strong hunk of muscle consumed with doing a job?
I loitered a little longer than I should or maybe I should have stopped him, but I didn’t, instead returning to the house before Ellie May, who seemed content in supervising, noticed me. Once inside the house, I leaned against the door.