Chapter Ten Jake #3
“Most of the time she’s fine, but when I catch her sitting on the porch swing watching down the drive, it’s almost like she’s waiting for Gramps to come rattling up in his truck, or on the four-wheeler from the vineyard.”
To most people, it would look like Gran is just enjoying the fresh air, but to those who know her, the look of longing in her eyes is heartbreaking.
“Man, I can’t even imagine what she must feel like. They had the kind of love you can only dream to find.” Declan’s words send us both into silence for a few seconds.
Stupidly, I thought I had that kind of love with Danika, but I’m starting to understand that it wasn’t even close.
Looking back, I’d describe it as a comfort relationship.
She made me happy, it was easy, we didn’t argue that often, but in a way, it was just because we didn’t care enough to fight.
There wasn’t the passion that I’m discovering should happen every time the woman you love walks into the room.
Like I want to climb out of my skin when the electricity pulses through my body from just the way she looks at me.
I am so screwed.
I’ve found a woman who’s worth fighting with and for, and the timing is just so messed up.
“Jake!” Declan’s voice echoes through my truck.
“Shit, sorry, what’d you say?”
“How is Rosie? I can’t believe Gran adopted a dog. I mean, I love dogs, but Gramps was always against them.” He’s chuckling to himself.
“He wasn’t the only one, but I’ve got to admit she’s good for Gran. Drives me crazy, but Gran loves her.” With one hand on the steering wheel and running my other hand through my hair, I’m thinking it’s not just Rosie driving me crazy but a certain vet that can join that club too.
We talk for another ten minutes before Declan hangs up and my music starts playing through the truck’s speakers.
I lower my window and lean my elbow on the door as Kane Brown’s “What Ifs” starts playing.
Turning up the volume, I just keep driving the back roads of Abbey Falls, feeling the cold air rushing through my hair as visions of Ashley play on repeat in my mind, something I want but just can’t have.
But still, I have that stupid smile on my face that I can’t seem to change every time I’m around her, and a cock that is still hard as stone.
I’m in for another long night.
It’s been two weeks since my battle with Daisy in the kitchen, and I’ve seen Ashley a few times but not as often as I would like.
I’m guessing we both thought that a bit of distance between us might be best right now.
I do keep checking in with her every day, though, to see if she has heard any more from Jeremy, but it’s been quiet and she has assured me she will call if anything happens.
I just don’t trust that’s the end of it, otherwise why would he have reached out like that?
Her ankle has healed nicely, and she has been busy at the clinic, but I’m now on the way into town to take Rosie for a checkup that Gran insisted she needs.
I’m in Gramps’s old truck because there is no way the hairy beast next to me is sitting in the front seat of my truck.
My truck is the only nice thing I have left.
Gran told me that Ashley asked to see Rosie to make sure that she’s all healed properly from her surgery.
Said that she couldn’t take Rosie today, as she has her weekly knit and natter get-together with her friends.
I would not want to be in that room, that’s for sure.
It would be just one big gossip session, comparing notes and merging stories that just keep growing.
I’m no expert but looking across at Rosie sitting happily in the truck, even I can tell that she’s fine.
You just have to watch her chasing the birds out in the vineyard, reminding them it’s her farm now and they need to go sit on the fence lines someplace else.
But I’m not complaining about a reason to see Ashley.
Rolling down the main street, it’s like Rosie is royalty in this town already, sitting up tall as everyone calls out and waves to her.
I mean, it’s not like you can miss Gramps’s truck, and I’m sure Gran has introduced Rosie to every local she’s come across.
It’s like Rosie is another grandchild for her to spoil and make a fuss over.
Walking into the clinic, Rosie trots straight over to the reception desk, tail wagging and waiting for a pat.
“Hi, Adi,” I call out as I close the front door.
“Hello, my beautiful Miss Rosie. Oh my gosh, you look so healthy now. I think Betty is feeding you too well.” Adi looks up from giving Rosie all her love. “Hi, Jake, she’s ready for you. You can go on back.”
“Thanks, Adi. Come on, Rosie, let’s go and see our favorite girl—your favorite girl, I mean.” I correct myself in front of Adi, but it’s too late, as she already has that stupid smirk on her face.
My hand is on the door, and I must be taking too long because Rosie’s paws are dancing up and down, and she gives a bark as if to say, “Hurry up, I want in.”
“Alright, alright.” Turning the knob, I barely get it open before Rosie is through the gap and off running to Ashley.
“Whoa, Rosie, hi, look at you, happy girl.” Ashley crouches down, which is probably not the best idea as Rosie plows into her and almost puts her on her ass with her strength. “Did you miss me?”
“You are definitely missed, Ash.” And I’m not just talking about Rosie.
Ash stands up and gives me a quick hug, like friends do. She’s close to me just long enough for that sweet floral scent to go straight to my head and have my heart thumping a little harder.
“Hi, Jake, Betty called and said that Rosie didn’t look well, but she seems fine now. What’s been going on?”
I can’t help but laugh out loud.
“What?” Ash looks confused.
“I think we have been snookered by sweet little old Gran. I was told you wanted Rosie to be brought in for a checkup on her healing from the surgery.” Still chuckling, I lean back against the exam table, and everything dawns on Ashley.
“Oh, the cheeky old thing.” She leans down and pats Rosie on her head again. “Well, since you are here, we may as well give you a once-over.” Ash grabs her stethoscope from the counter.
“Do you want me to lift her onto the table for you?” I ask.
“No way. She weighs a ton. Here is just fine.” Bending over, Ashley listens to Rosie’s heart and feels around her abdomen while Rosie relishes the attention.
“If she wasn’t so old and the scare might give her a heart attack, I’d be going home from here telling Gran that Rosie really is sick, just to see her face for the moment of panic. Teach her not to meddle.”
“Oh, you will do no such thing. She means well.”
Groaning at Ash’s words, I roll my eyes. “I’m thirty-nine years old and pretty sure I can manage to find someone on my own.” My words just spill out before I even think about what I’m saying.
Ash stands up and quickly turns her back to me, then starts to type Rosie’s results into her computer. “True, I’m sure you can.” She keeps typing, but I’m not sure if she needs to be putting any information into the computer or if she’s using it as a way to hide her look of discomfort.
“Rosie is fine. You can take her back to Betty and tell her I don’t need to see her any more unless she is sick.” Ash now has her vet persona back on as she turns to look at me.
“Thanks, Ash. I’m sorry Gran wasted your time, but we both know Rosie is important to her.” Smacking the side of my leg to get Rosie’s attention, I say, “Come on, girl, we need to get you home.”
Rosie reluctantly makes her way over to me, because we all know if she had to choose, she would rather spend time with Ash than with me.
Just as we are about to head through the door, I look over my shoulder to Ash.
“What are you up to tonight? My cousin Chase is arriving. Do you want to grab a meal together, invite Tiff officially this time?” I don’t know why I’m punishing myself by doing this.
And to be honest, I’m sure Gran will want to see Chase.
“Sorry, I’m busy tonight. Maybe another time.”
I can’t see one bit of disappointment on her face, and I doubt she has anything organized unless it’s work. But my words have been enough to upset her, so I guess she doesn’t want to spend time together while thinking about me looking for another woman.
I’m an idiot.
“No worries, yeah, another time. Thanks, Ash. Come on, Rosie.”
We walk out of the back room of the clinic, ready to go home and listen to my gran try to deny her little scheme today.
Ashley
“Shit, I’m going to be late if I don’t get out of here shortly.” Looking down at my bloodstained work clothes, I know I can’t wear these to dinner.
It might be a work dinner, but it’s disgusting to turn up covered in animal blood. Thank goodness I grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a shirt off the chair in my bedroom this morning. They aren’t clean, but they also aren’t dirty. Perfect for tonight.
I’m not trying to impress this guy I’m interviewing. I just need to make sure he isn’t a complete douchebag and then cross my fingers that he takes the job and can start tomorrow.
Grizzly’s is too noisy, so I decided to make it a little more formal and told Beau to meet me at Alberto’s Restaurant, just down from the clinic.
Pulling on my blue jeans and tucking my black tank top into them.
I fasten a couple of the buttons in the middle of my black shirt with red roses on it, leaving it open just a little at the neckline, showing the tight tank top, and then take the rest of the shirt and tie it in a knot at my waist. Then I pull on my cowgirl boots that I don’t wear all the time, but they complete the look.
To be honest, they are comfortable, and I would wear them more often if I wasn’t working all the time and actually had more of a social life.
“Hi, Julie.” I come rushing through the front door of Alberto’s.
“Don’t panic, Doc, you’re only five minutes late. Your hunky guy is already here and sitting at the table in the middle. Jeez, you really are picking up all the hotties at the moment, aren’t you. Good for you, love.” Julie, who’s our waitress for tonight, starts wiggling her eyebrows up and down.
In my head I’m screaming, “No, please, no, don’t let him be good-looking. Just let him be an average-looking vet like me. Nothing special and just good at his job. I don’t need that extra drama.”
Taking a deep breath, I approach the table, and he looks up, pushing his chair back to stand. His hand is out ready to shake mine, and, shit, his hands are large and he’s as tall as Jake. Why do I have to always be the short one?
“Doctor Alleyne, Beau Robinson. Nice to meet you.”
Oh, I love the accent already. It will make for a bit of fun around the workplace hearing his voice and all the weird slang words he will probably say.
“Beau, thanks for meeting me tonight, and please, call me Ashley or Doc. Actually, Doc might get confusing if there are two of us.” I blush a little, realizing how stupid it sounded.
Beau pulls my chair out for me, and as I’m sitting, I take in everything about him.
Tall, dirty-blond hair that is pulled back into a man bun.
Oh, I can just imagine the comments on that hairstyle around Abbey Falls.
Freckles across his nose and a big mouth.
Not sure why I’m even looking at his mouth, but the moment he smiles, I also see dimples.
Seriously, what is it with me and dimpled men right now.
Snap out of it, Ashley, and stop checking him out. Be professional. You are here to interview him.
“Let’s order and then you can tell me a bit more about yourself, Beau, and why you think Abbey Falls is somewhere you want to work.” I pick up the menu to give me a little time to get myself together.
“Sounds like a great idea,” he replies.
Both of us quickly place our order with Julie and I get comfortable as he starts the hard sell about himself. And the more he talks, the more relaxed I feel. I don’t know what I was worried about, because Beau seems perfect for the job.
He has so much experience and will be a great asset to the clinic.
Beau tells me that he grew up on a cattle station in Australia but wanted to get out of the family business and travel the world.
The only downside is that he won’t stay here forever, but I’ll take the couple of years that he has promised me.
It will give me time to find another vet before he moves on.
But the thing that I really like about Beau is that he’s funny. And when you have a tough day in the clinic, a sense of humor really helps.
My sides hurt from one of his hilarious stories, and I decide not to wait any longer.
“I’m excited to have you come and work for me, Beau.” I hold my hand out so we can shake on the agreement. “Can you start tomorrow?”
To which we both crack up at how desperate I am for the help. He continues talking, telling me everything he owns is in his car parked outside, so he’s ready to make Abbey Falls his home.
“Great, I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” I can feel the smile on my face and relief in my shoulders.
Until I hear the murmur of a few male voices from a couple of tables away, and I look across to see two brown eyes boring into me like a laser.
Jake’s here, and he looks pissed.