Chapter Two Ashley
Chapter Two
Ashley
It’s been two days since that arrogant jerk stepped foot on my farm, and I’m still seething.
How dare he be so patronizing.
He has no idea about me or my farm. Where does he get off questioning if I even know how to repair a fence?
Of course I do. I just need the dear animals of Abbey Falls to stop getting injured and sick.
How the hell am I supposed to find time to fix the fence that was like that when I bought this place when I can’t even find the time to fit in the recommended eight hours of sleep?
I’m tired. Correction, I’m exhausted. And with this type of exhaustion, I have no patience for men who think they can puff out their chest and dish out orders.
I haven’t had time to stop by Tiff’s Teahouse since his little visit. She’s been blowing up my phone, asking if I’m eating properly and getting enough sleep, do I need her to find me a new vet, and the best text was telling me she can feel it in her waters that the earth is about to shake for me.
I wanted to reply, Does it count if the earth is shaking with rage? But I know that will just result in my phone ringing nonstop.
Sighing, I note that my schedule is full today, but I can call the rural store and have them deliver some fencing wire to the farm. Until then, Daisy and Gerald are stuck hanging out together, because on top of everything, I do not have the energy for another showdown with the dickwad next door.
I’m still yet to get to the bottom of the “new neighbor” label he used. Should I be worried about Betty having to put up with living with him? That woman is the sweetest thing and wouldn’t even know how to raise her voice.
Maybe he came home for the funeral and is just staying for a few days to keep her company.
I felt so bad that I couldn’t be there to send Noel off, but I was caught up thirty minutes out of town helping deliver piglets to a prize-winning sow, and the farmer didn’t want me to do a caesarian and leave her with a scar.
So, it meant I had to stay for five hours and assist the poor momma as she struggled to birth the sixteen piglets.
I called Betty and apologized, telling her I would come around for a cup of tea soon, but now I’m not going anywhere near that house just in case I run into Mr. Patronizing. While I don’t even know his name, I can think of a few choice ones.
“The little Addison twins are so adorable with their twin rabbits.” Adi, my vet nurse, beams like she always does when we have kids in the clinic.
“I know, right? But let’s see how happy mom and dad are if the rabbits turn out to be a boy and a girl. Overnight, two become ten.” We both start giggling as we clean down the table and counters in the exam room.
“Got anything planned for tonight?” she asks me as I pack the last of the instruments into the sterilizer.
“Pray for me that I get the chance to sleep. Knowing my luck, I have now jinxed myself by saying that, but fingers crossed I get at least six hours.” On cue, the moment I mention sleep, the biggest yawn overtakes me.
“Yeah, I’m praying for you, but my biggest wish is for someone, anyone, to reply to your job ad. You can’t sustain this, Ashley.”
“Maybe so, but no matter how desperate I am, I’m going to be picky. Look at the last vet we had. What a mistake that was, in more ways than one. If I could choose, it would be a woman. I’ve decided men are the worst, period.” I lean back on the counter.
“Ah, but they are useful for some things.” Adi looks down at her watch, seeing it’s past her knock-off time. “Like cooking me dinner. Time for me to head home to my hubby.”
I’m so blessed to have Adi work for me. She never complains when she works late or if there is a big emergency and I need to call her in during the night.
I don’t do it often, but there are just some things I can’t do alone.
I haven’t told her, but I have also advertised for a new vet nurse, so we can lighten her workload too.
“Yes, go, please. Tell Tim I’m sorry you are late . . . again.” Luckily he’s such a great guy that he never complains, or so Adi tells me.
“Grab your bag, we can lock up together,” Adi says sternly and fixes me with a glare. I know that look. It’s the same worried one she’s had for a while now.
“It’s okay. You go. I’m going to spend a little bit of time with Rosie while I catch up on some paperwork.” I look down at the stray dog that’s recovering from the hit-and-run the other night and is now curled up on the bed I’ve given her to hang out on during the day.
“I can’t believe how quickly she’s recovered. It just goes to show what a little love can do.” Adi swings her bag onto her shoulder as she nods and starts heading toward the back door of the clinic.
I crouch down in front of Rosie. Her head lifts for a pat and I run my hand over her, scratching under her chin as she starts nuzzling into my chest in appreciation.
“Love, a good bath, and some food, hey, my gorgeous girl?”
Rosie lets out a little playful bark, which has both Adi and me laughing.
“See you Monday,” I tell her.
“Sleep,” she yells over her shoulder as the back door closes.
“If only it were that simple, hey, Rosie? I think you like your new name. It suits you. You reminded me of a rose bush that night you arrived in the clinic. You looked rough and spiky, but really are as sweet and beautiful as a rose.” With another playful nudge in my chest, I land on my ass on the floor, losing track of time loving up this very affectionate German shepherd.
Her burst of energy now dwindling, she lays her head in my lap as I rest my back against the wall and slowly stroke down her long-haired coat while she begins to snore softly.
“What happened to you, Rosie girl? Did someone just get sick of you and dump you on the side of the road? It hurts to be thrown away like you meant nothing at all, doesn’t it. Life can be cruel sometimes.”
The longer I sit here, the lower my motivation is to get up off the floor.
“I wish I could take you home to Windemere Farm with me, sweet girl, but I know it would just bring more chaos. My menagerie of strays isn’t going to cope well with you trying to round them up and keep them under control.
And I’m not sure my heart could take it if something happened to you.
I’ve only had one dog in my life, Sally, and she was my whole world, and when she died, part of me did too.
I wouldn’t have made it through my childhood without her.
She was the only one who didn’t want to leave me, but it was her time to go. ”
I take a deep breath because memories of that time in my life are always hard.
I keep stroking over Rosie’s head as I push those thoughts out of my head.
“But don’t you worry, I’ll find you a good home.
You deserve to be loved. We all do.” I sigh as my head drops back against the wall and my eyes start to close.
Just five minutes . . . that’s all I need.
“Ughh, I hate that noise.” I try to drag myself out of the sleep coma at the sound of my phone ringing.
“Go away,” I mumble as it starts ringing again, and I know I need to get up because my pillow is moving under my head.
“Shit,” I chide myself and sit up straight. “Crap, sorry, Rosie.” I realize I have been lying on the floor with her, snuggling and resting my head on her warm body.
Her sleepy brown eyes look at me, pleading for me to shut up that annoying noise that is disturbing her sleep too.
“Hello.” I don’t even look at the phone screen as I accept the call.
“Are you avoiding me?” Tiff’s voice screams down the phone. “I haven’t seen you for days, and I know you are still at the clinic when you should be at home.”
“Can you stop yelling? I love you, but tone it down for a hot minute,” I reply, falling into the chair at my desk.
“Right, that’s it. Get in your car and drive home. I’ve spoken to Wade over in Rocky Cedars and he’s going to cover any callouts tonight and all day tomorrow for you. It’s his weekend off, so he’s doing it as a favor to me, and you too, I guess.”
I sigh. “Tiffany, you can’t just butt into my business and Wade doesn’t need to be working his days off to help me. And let’s be honest, he’s only doing it because he can’t say no to you. That poor man has been crushing on you for years.”
“Well, someone has to butt in before you work yourself into an early grave. And don’t you worry about Wade.
I’m not the right woman for him, and he certainly isn’t enough man for me.
I need a man who knows how to handle my big personality.
Wade’s too sweet for me.” Tiffany starts cackling to herself.
“Maybe so, but can we get back to the part about you meddling in my life? I’m calling Wade right now and apologizing for wasting his time.”
“Too late, he’s arriving in town in the next thirty minutes.
I’ve booked him a room at the bed-and-breakfast. All you need to do is transfer your calls to his number and drop the spare key for the clinic into the B&B on your way home.
Then you’re going home, showering, putting on some makeup, and doing your hair so you look like a hot single woman for a night instead of a hardworking vet.
I’ll be there to pick you up at seven thirty, and we’re heading to Grizzly’s bar and grill for a night of drinking and forgetting the world around us. ”
She’s talking so fast I can’t seem to get a word in.
“No, no, no,” I interrupt. “One drink and I’ll be passed out on the bar, drooling out the side of my mouth and snoring so loud you’ll hear it over the band.” Alcohol and a lack of sleep are a bad combination.
“Who gives a damn! At least you will get a nap. Or you might find some sexy-as-sin guy and take him home, let him fuck you within an inch of your life, and then have the best post-orgasmic sleep of all time.”