Chapter 6 Katie
KATIE
I’m not surprised to hear the clacking of a keyboard as I step into the office, and I’m even less surprised to see Dr. Sarah already hard at work.
“Good morning, Dr. Sarah.”
The office is quiet, with only a few of the lights in the back turned on since we’re not officially open yet.
It’s a lovely change of pace from starting my morning with Wayne looming over my shoulder.
It takes Dr. Sarah a moment to respond, her brows furrowing as she reads over a report, so I hang up my bag and clock in while I wait.
“Good morning, Katie,” she replies with a vacant smile before turning back to her computer.
Dr. Sarah has probably been here since before sunrise, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already on her second or third cup of coffee.
Despite being middle-aged, she works like she’s 25, completely tireless and impossibly thorough.
I don’t know what she’s got on the schedule for today, but she’s sure to be busier than Angeline or I are.
She owns the clinic, and she sees all the typical dogs and cats, as well as being an avian specialist. Angeline mostly sees rodents and reptiles, and I handle the large animals.
We’ve got a few technicians that work in each section with us, and they keep things running smoothly.
“You’ve got the Chase stables on your schedule for the day, correct?” she asks as I fill up the water bowl for the clinic cat.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, quickly. “And Black Spruce Ranch.”
She hums in understanding as she tightens her blond ponytail, ensuring it won’t come loose throughout the day. How she keeps track of everything without losing her mind, I have no idea.
“Make sure you get new X-rays on that leg scheduled,” she reminds me. “David isn’t particularly patient, and I’d rather you give him an extended timeline than have him pushing an already short recovery time.”
I don’t have decades in the field like she does, but I know how to handle one of the most common racehorse fractures.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply. “I’ve got him on the schedule for X-rays in three days, today is just a quick recheck.”
Regardless, Chase’s Babe had a non-displaced condylar fracture that I already set and screwed back into place. She’s already 15 days into her 90-day rehabilitation program, and I expect her to be back in the ring quickly enough if there aren’t any complications.
“Good,” Dr. Sarah says with a sharp nod. “I need to check in with Anthony about surgery for this morning. I’ll leave you to it.”
She unfolds from her seat as I pull my own chair out and pats me on the shoulder as she walks past. Dr. Sarah is a strict boss, and she expects excellence, but she does believe I’m capable of delivering on that.
Some days, that’s all that gets me through, especially when I have clients like David Chase to deal with.
I like my days to be as low stress as I can keep them, and Everett’s ranch is usually one place where I can be sure I’ll be treated well, even if everything goes to shit.
Now that Wayne is home, though, my days there have become an exhausting balancing act.
He’s already been back for two weeks, and he’s been a relentless flirt the whole time.
I can’t do anything on the ranch without running into him.
It’s laughable, really, seeing Wayne Riggs trotting around in dusty fields after me, but the amusement of it is starting to wear off.
He keeps bringing me coffee, even though I show up with my own cup every day. If I’m in the office writing up notes or leaving Everett a list of heifers to keep an eye on, Wayne is right there, not-so-subtly tapping away on his laptop and shooting me glances every five seconds.
It’s more than a little pathetic, but I can’t deny that a part of me enjoys watching my high school bully obsess over me.
Today is a day for rechecks and planning, so none of my technicians are coming with me.
It’ll be nice to have the day to be alone with my thoughts.
I pack up everything I’ll need for today into my travel bag before heading out.
It should be a fairly slow day, so on the way I decide to stop at my favorite coffee shop, Daily Grind, to treat myself. I’m craving something sweet.
As soon as I step through the doors, I regret this decision.
A group of girls I went to school with are in line ahead of me. They’re talking loudly and sharing laughs. Most of them are fine — I’m even friendly with a few of them — but in their midst is the one person on Earth more annoying than Wayne.
Funnily enough, she’s his ex, Vicky, a curvy bombshell with straight black hair.
“Of course we’re hooking up again,” Vicky scoffs, loud and unashamed as the group orders their coffees. “He’s never been able to resist all of this. He was obsessed with me in high school, and nothing’s changed.”
Leaving might be a good idea. I have no doubt she’s talking about Wayne, and it’s not a surprise, but the thought still brings a sour taste to my tongue. I’m now feeling embarrassed I slept with Wayne in the first place.
Before I can step out of line and head back to my car, though, Jade catches my eye. She raises her hand in a wave, clearly looking for a way out of her conversation with Vicky.
I bite back a wince, watching my chance to escape drain away, and force a smile as I wave back. I like Jade, but I’m not in any mood to be social, especially not with someone like Vicky.
“Katie, how are you?” she asks over Vicky’s continued rambling about sleeping with Wayne. “It’s been a while.”
I saw her last week when she brought her dog into the clinic.
“Uh, yeah, ages,” I say, as they step out of the way. I glance up at the menu and quickly direct my attention to the barista. “Can I get a large mocha, iced?” I tap my card and type the code, then I turn my attention back to Jade. “I’m good. Busy with work, you know how it is. How are you?”
Before she can answer, Vicky reaches out and squeezes my bicep. The gesture is friendly, but the subtle dig of her long acrylic nails into my skin isn’t, and neither is the bitterness in her eyes. Can’t she give up on the whole head cheerleader bit and develop a real personality? We’re almost 30.
“Oh, gosh, Katie,” she gushes, fluttering a hand over the low cut of her top. “I didn’t even see you there. I’m so sorry.”
My brows furrow in confusion, and I pull out of her hold.
“For what?” I ask hesitantly.
Her lips are painted bright red, and the way they twitch into a smile as she talks takes any sense of apology out of her words.
“You probably overheard about me and Wayne, right?” she asks, poisonously sweet. “You were, like, in love with him in school, weren’t you? I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I burst out laughing. Vicky looks hurt, and I stifle my guffaws into my fist, trying — and failing — to pretend it’s a cough.
As my mocha slides across the counter, alongside a few of the drinks from Vicky’s group, there’s an awkward silence between us.
Part of me feels like I’m back in high school, belittled and mocked and beaten down.
I refuse to let myself slip back into that headspace.
I’ve changed, and I’m not a little girl anymore. Vicky’s opinions don’t mean shit.
“Uh, no,” I say. “I couldn’t care less about Wayne.
” I pick up my coffee with a nod of thanks, and I’m not lying.
I thought he was hot, but I never liked him.
He’s an ass, and he’s always been an ass.
“You’re welcome to him, if that’s what you want.
I’ve got appointments to make, so I need to get going. Nice to see you all.”
I’m proud of how level I keep my voice. We’re not in high school anymore, and I’m not going to be bullied in the middle of a coffee shop by someone who hasn’t changed an ounce since we graduated.
“Oh, right, you’re a vet,” she says as I turn, like being a doctor is something to be ashamed of. “Are you heading to Wayne’s ranch? Why don’t you say hi to him for me?”
“Everett’s ranch,” I correct sharply, shooting a smirk over my shoulder as I raise my hand in a careless wave. “And I’d much rather spend the entire day covered in afterbirth than speak to a dumbass like Wayne. Again, feel free to have all the fun with him you like, Vicky.”
I shove the door open and step back out onto the sidewalk, taking a deep breath to calm myself down.
My grip on my coffee is far too tight, and I purposefully relax my fingers around the cup as I head back to my car.
My heart pounds in my chest, anxiety fluttering in my throat.
I remember the days when I would have locked myself in a bathroom stall and cried about this, and part of me is still tempted to.
Shaking off years of bullying isn’t as easy as it looks, but I’m not going to let this get under my skin.
The drive out to the ranch is a solid 20 minutes, and it’ll be a good chance to get my head back on straight.
I don’t even know why I’m so annoyed about this.
I don’t give a shit about Wayne, or where he sticks his dick.
There’s nothing between us, and I don’t want there to be. Vicky’s always been able to get under my skin, though, and her immaturity drives me insane. Plus, seeing anyone that desperate over Wayne is just revolting. God, have some standards.
I focus on my breathing as I drive to the ranch, taking in the familiar sights.
Things like this are important to me. The small, everyday occurrences.
Familiar drives and blooming flowers. I care about the birds and the trees much more than I’ve ever cared about who’s sleeping with who.
I just want my life to be what I’m used to: Calm, relaxed, and focused on work.
I’ll think about dating someone when I find a person who’s actually worth my time.
That’s certainly not Wayne Riggs.
I don’t even know why he’s sticking around. I thought he was just here for a vacation, but no one has made any mention of him going back to the city and getting out of my hair. It’ll be so much easier to forget about sleeping with him when he’s not around and bothering me all the damn time.
At least today should be relatively quiet on that front. I’ll be with Everett discussing plans for the next breeding season all day, and the two of them have been avoiding each other like the plague.
I park in my usual spot, ready to set all thoughts of Wayne and Vicky aside.
I don’t need my bag for this, so I leave it in the front seat and step out of the car.
The ranch is quiet, nothing but the lowing of cows and the chatter of various other livestock to fill the air.
The familiarity sets my mind at ease, and most of the tension drains from my shoulders as I walk up the porch steps.
I knock on the door and wait for Everett to answer. It’s late enough in the morning that I may get Mary instead, but I wouldn’t mind that. She’s a doll, and now that she’s mostly gotten over her fear of muck and mud, she’s really fun to be around.
The door swings open, and my smile freezes immediately.
Wayne stands in the doorway, jeans slung low on his hips and his chest completely bare.
His muscles gleam with sweat like he’s been working out for hours, a healthy flush in his cheeks.
He has a baseball cap on, his hair slicked back beneath it.
There’s nothing to focus on but the charming gleam in his eyes and that pearly white smile, aimed at me in full force. ..
…well, except for his bare chest, that is. I focus my gaze over his shoulder and refuse to look at his tanned, muscled skin.
“Katie,” he says warmly, heat and want obvious in the way his smile tilts up at once corner.
Oh, come on.
Can’t I catch a fucking break?