Chapter 2
Charlotte
“What are they doing here?”I whisper to myself when I see my best friends, Jenna and Zoey’s cars parked in front of my house. Between my schedule at the veterinarian hospital and working to get my clinic open, I haven’t had a moment to breathe. Let alone get together for our weekly movie night. All of that will be changing now that I am done with my residency and the remodel of my clinic will be done in a week.
I grab my bag and step out of the car. Taking a moment to look across the yard at my clinic. I say a quiet thank you to my grandparents for leaving me the land and the money to open my clinic and animal rescue. My dream is coming true thanks to their help and my determination. Owning my own veterinary clinic has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. My grandfather built me a play clinic when I was six. It grew to me helping him care for the animals on his farm as I got older. He instilled his love of animals in me. I know he is proud of what I’m building here.
I head up the steps to the house. As I open the door, a loud “surprise” makes my heart jump to my throat. Jenna and Zoey spring up from behind the couch.
“Not much of a surprise when I saw your cars out front.”
“I told you we should have park behind the barn.” Zoey jabs Jenna in the side with her elbow.
“If you hadn’t taken so damn long putting up the decorations, we would’ve had time to move them,” Jenna argues back.
“No arguing, ladies, it’s my surprise party. Speaking of which, what are we celebrating?” I drop my bag in the closet the. Join Jenna and Zoey in the living room. Plopping down on the sofa with an exhausted sigh. It’s then I notice the streamers hanging from the ceiling, balloons and a congratulations sign hanging from the fireplace mantle. There’s a spread of my favorite treats and wine on the coffee table. They are so sweet.
Both their heads snap in my direction. “Today was your last day of residency, and we’re celebrating.” Zoey says. She hands me a glass of wine and a cupcake before grabbing her own and joining me on the couch.
“Thank you for this lovely surprise.” I smile. “I’ve missed our movie nights.” I take a sip of my wine.
“Me too. All the missed nights will be worth it once you open your clinic. We are so proud of you, Charlotte.” Jenna tips her glass at me.
“You are going to be the best damn veterinarian this town has ever seen.” Zoey clinks her glass against mine.
“Thank you guys. Your support has meant so much to me.” Jenna and Zoey have been supportive from the beginning. Kicking my ass when I was ready to quit. Cheering me on from the sidelines. I don’t know what I would have done without their support.
“That’s what friends are for.” Zoey gives me a side squeeze.
“They are also for presents.” Jenna dangles a bright red envelope in my direction. The mischievous smile on her face has me slightly concerned what’s on the inside.
“You guys didn’t have to get me anything,” I say, taking the envelope.
“Yes, we did. Now open it.” Jenna demands.
I tear open the red paper and waiting inside is a first class plane ticket to Oklahoma and a brochure for some place called Iron H Ranch. “What is this?”
“We got you a weekend getaway to Iron H Ranch.” They say in unison. “We thought you deserved a chance to get away and relax before you open the clinic.” Jenna adds.
“My surprise is a trip to a dude ranch. You know I live on a farm, right?” I love my friends surprised me with a trip. But how is working on a dude ranch different from my everyday life?
“You won’t be working the whole time. Just one day with the cowboy we won you.”
I cock an eyebrow up at Zoey. “Excuse me? Did you say you won me a cowboy?” What have these two gotten me into? This has to be one of their crazy set up schemes. They are always trying to set me up on blind dates. That always blowup in my face. The last guy they set me up with spent the entire night crying about his ex.
“We sure did,” they say in unison.
“I read about this cowboy auction at Iron H Ranch last year.” Jenna goes into detail about the fundraiser and all the wonderful things they do for their rescue horses. “I got an email about them doing the auction again this year and thought my friend could use a break and I’d be helping a good cause I know you love. So win, win.” Hailey knows me all too well. How could I say no to helping animals?
“Plus, the cowboy we picked for you is gorgeous.” Zoey wiggles her eyebrows at me. Yup, this is a setup.
“Couldn’t you just set me up with a guy who lives in the same state?” Apparently, they are so desperate to set me up they’ve had to cross state lines. “This is a really sweet gift, but I’m not going.”
“Sorry, doll, but you are going. Ever since that dumb fuck Tony cheated on you and Mr. Perfect ass disappeared.” Mr. Perfect Ass, that’s one way to describe Dean. He had one hell of an ass. I still dream of that ass. “You have found every excuse not to date.”
Jenna is not wrong. Every guy they have set me up with, I have found reasons why they were not good enough. That has nothing to do with Tony cheating on me. I wasn’t sad when I caught him. Truth be told, I was relieved. Dating Tony was a mistake. The night I showed up at the botanical gardens to meet my secret admirer, I thought Dean was going to be there. When the sunflowers started showing up on my doorstep every morning, I secretly hoped they were from him. My hopes shattered when I saw Tony there waiting for me with a bouquet of flowers.
Against my better judgment, I continued with the date. Knowing full well I wasn’t into Tony. I was going to tell him I wasn’t interested in him that way the next day. Before I could get a word out, he said Dean had left school to go be with Millie, his ex, because she was pregnant. My broken heart made me do something stupid. It had me giving Tony a second chance.
We had nothing in common. He liked to party and spend his daddy’s money. I was focused on getting my degree and becoming a veterinarian. The biggest minus for Tony was that he wasn’t Dean. No one is. Six years later, my schoolgirl crush is still holding on strong. Comparing all men to Dean Winters. The kindest, gentlest man in the world.
Dean is with Millie and their kid. He has his happily ever after. I think it’s time I got mine.
I take a big gulp of wine, then say, “Okay, fine, I’ll go.” I better not regret this.