Chapter Four Jake
Chapter Four
Jake
Damn Gran and that dog! I’m pissed, and my head is still reliving the events of the last thirty minutes back at Heatherbrae, when instead of my gran and some grocery bags, she unloads a German shepherd of all things.
A dog that is half the size of a cow, with the brains of one too .
. . she doesn’t sit, stop, or fetch. Just races around unchecked across the vineyard while I holler, making myself look ridiculous.
Then I walk into the vet’s and who should it be but that damn farm girl!
She doesn’t seem any happier to see me, but I can’t seem to stop getting distracted by her.
Maybe it’s because for some reason, despite the fluorescent lights, she might have the most beautiful eyes I’ve seen in Abbey Falls . . . no, scratch that, ever.
I’ve tried to tell myself I’m here in Abbey Falls purely to help my grandmother and to take a break from the problems I left back in my normal life, but the more this fiery little thing opens her mouth and yells at me, the more it turns me on.
Even the insults she’s hurling my way about what kind of man she thinks I am don’t seem to change the way my gaze is fixated on her.
She shows no indication of backing down and as she turns away from me, I can’t help but notice her tight little ass perfectly sculpted in those body-hugging jeans. And even in work boots and a dark green shirt, she can’t hide her femininity.
Turning back to face me, I see that same little flash of hesitation I saw on Friday night, as though she’s trying to decide whether to hate me or to accept there’s something about me that she wants to know more about.
I hate to admit it, but I’m having the same thoughts .
. . damn, I know I’m about to regret this.
Pulling back my aggressive attitude, I take a deep breath and start again.
“I know we didn’t get off on the best start, but we’re neighbors, so I have a feeling we’re going to keep bumping into each other.
Now, about Rosie.” My tone is a little softer this time, which I can tell catches her off guard.
She’s ready to throw the next insult at me, but I don’t give her the chance.
“Look, we got off on the wrong foot the first time we met. Well, actually, every time we’ve met, but can we maybe put that aside and talk about my elderly grandmother and that huge dog she just arrived home with?”
“What’s the problem?” She’s still standing her ground but drops her hands from her hips, giving me the first sign that she might also be backing down a little.
“Firstly, Gran has never owned a dog in her life. Like me, my gramps wasn’t a big fan of them.
” As the words slip out of my mouth, it’s like a light bulb goes off in my head—maybe that’s where I get it from?
“Anyway, she has no idea how much work is involved in caring for dogs. Secondly, Rosie is going to need walking, because from what I’ve already seen, that dog has plenty of energy.
Gran might still be very mobile for her age, but it’s a recipe for disaster; Gran falling as she tries to keep up, or getting tangled in her lead as Rosie starts running around her legs. ”
Taking a deep breath, I voice something that I don’t even like to think about.
“And I don’t want this ever repeated. But we don’t know how long we have left with Gran, so what happens if she goes before Rosie does?
Who looks after her then? Or worse still, what if Rosie dies before her?
Gran is trying to look like she’s coping with the loss of Gramps, but we all know she’s not. ”
And I want to add that we are all struggling with his passing, and that might have had something to do with why I have been such a jerk.
Sighing out loud, I realize that I just unloaded a lot on this woman, and I still don’t even know her first name.
“Jake.” The way my name rolls off her lips is the softest I’ve heard her voice sound since meeting her, and something in my stomach unfurls. Fuck I want her to say that again. Slower.
“What’s your name?” I ask to distract myself, and it brings a smile to her face for the first time. “I mean, other than Doc, or Doctor Alleyne, which was all Gran cared to share with me.” I shrug a little as some sort of apology for assuming she was a man.
“Ashley. Ashley Alleyne, aka Doc, town vet.” Her body relaxes a little as she leans back against the exam table that she was pretending to clean a moment ago.
Taking a few steps toward her, I hold out my hand.
“Jake Davis, nice to meet you, Ashley. Well, properly this time. I think I might owe you an apology for being a bit of an asshole that first day.” Feeling the softness of her hand in mine reminds me to step back and keep my distance.
No attachments. That’s not why I’m in Abbey Falls.
“You think?” She laughs easily, like it comes so naturally to her.
“Yeah, okay, I deserve that,” I admit, feeling my lips curving up into a smile.
An awkward pause descends between us, like we are both trying to navigate where we go from here. Do we keep being hostile, or can we find some common ground and actually behave civilly toward each other?
Seeing as I was the one who started us off on the wrong foot, I think I need to be the one to move things in the right direction.
“So, you aren’t just a farmer. You also moonlight as the local vet too,” I say, pointing out the obvious.
“Ha, more like the other way around. Being the town vet keeps me so busy that trying to fit anything else in is too hard. But I wouldn’t exactly call myself a farmer.
More like an animal lover who can’t stand to see them being mistreated or neglected.
People can be so cruel. So, when I can’t find an animal the right home, I end up taking them in. ”
“Ah, so Rosie needed a home, and you thought Gran would be a good fit?” I’m keen to hear her answer.
But I’m caught off guard by the slight blush appearing on her cheek and the little dip of her head.
“Partly. I mean, Rosie took to her straight away, and they bonded in front of my eyes. I think she can be good for your gran. But I do have to confess there was a little part of me that hoped it would piss you off. Because I know a lot of the care is going to fall on you. Sorry about that.”
She lifts her head a little to look at me. I can see she doesn’t regret it that much, though, and I can’t help but laugh. “Well, at least you’re honest.”
And as the tension eases between us, she joins in with a laugh that makes me feel lighter.
“Well played, I have to say, but I’ve got to admit something that is going to make you think less of me than you already do.” I’m hoping I’m wrong as she looks at me with a puzzled face.
“A few minutes ago, I probably would have answered that’s not possible, but you’ve been making an effort here to redeem yourself. Don’t wreck it.” Her smile and the way it lights up her face makes me want to see it more often.
“Damn it, this could wreck that.” Taking a breath, I try to play on the fact that it is something more major than it is. Well, in my eyes anyway. “But here goes: I’m not an animal lover. I’ve never owned a pet and would prefer not to start now.”
Ashley’s eyes widen, and I can tell that is not what she expected.
Her mouth opens and closes a few times before she finally gets some words out. “What . . . how can you not like animals? Everyone loves animals.” There is no frustration there, just confusion.
I hold my arms out wide. “I’m proof that’s not always true.”
“But why? What happened? Did you get attacked or something?”
I can tell the only way she can rationalize it in her brain is if something has made me dislike animals.
“No, nothing like that, and it’s not like I hate them. I’ve just never really been around them and have no deep desire to change that. Plus, I’m only here for twelve months, so then who walks Rosie after that?”
Shaking her head at me, I can tell she doesn’t understand, but at least she isn’t yelling, calling me an asshole. We must be getting somewhere.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about that because Rosie is Betty’s dog, and by the time you leave Abbey Falls, she will be perfectly trained. I’ll make sure of it. Just think how comforting it will be knowing that your grandmother has company and is being kept safe.”
“Why do I feel like I’m swimming against the tide here?” Linking my hands together and resting them on my head, I try to think of another angle.
“Because you are.” Not a scrap of empathy shows on her face. “Betty has been my neighbor since I bought the farm a couple years ago, and I’ve known her since I moved here. She approached me looking for a puppy, which in my opinion would have been far more dangerous and hard work.”
I can tell she has her vet persona in full operation as she reasons with me.
“Look, Jake, animals have a special ability to choose their person. Rosie picked Betty, and as soon as Betty ran her hand over Rosie, the bond was sealed. Who am I to get between that?”
“Sounds like there was encouragement from you, though. Surely you could’ve dissuaded Gran.
I mean, any person in their right mind would understand this is such a ridiculous idea.
A big dog and an old lady. Just because you needed to offload her doesn’t mean you should’ve ignored the obvious.
” I can’t help but still be frustrated, even though I’m supposed to be trying to play nice.
“No, that’s not what I meant before.” Ashley arches up at me. Her hands are back on her hips and that glare is staring me down. “Once Betty decided she was taking Rosie home, I just enjoyed picturing the horrified look on your face when she rocked up in the truck with a big hairy dog.”
There is a wicked sense of humor hidden behind the tough vet facade she has while in this office.
“Well, you were right. But Christ, Ashley, don’t you think it’s a bit irresponsible?”