I swallowed hard, my voice breaking as I whispered, “This was better than any time before.At least for me.”
He leaned back just enough for me to see it—the slow, cocky grin that always undid me.But this time it wasn’t just confidence.There was warmth in it.Relief.And something dangerously close to hope.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
JOSH
“Hang on,”I called out to Timothy.I trudged slowly to answer the door to give Erika time to flee out the back, not that I liked it.I would have preferred she stay all night.Okay, maybe a few hours since she had to get home to Vinny.
I opened the door and leaned against the frame.The cold wind burned my skin.For a moment I felt terrible sending Erika out in this.
“Why did you ignore my messages?”Timothy yelled.He wore green farm coveralls and black boots covered in orange mud.His red baseball cap was slightly askew.
“You’re yelling.”I pointed at his shoes.“You’re also getting mud all over my porch.”
Timothy scowled and stared at my naked chest.“Didn’t you just break it off with Milly?Now you’re getting it on with someone new?”
“I have a busy social life, unlike you.How long has it been sinceyougot laid?”
Timothy sucked in his cheeks.
“Might help you be less angry.”I threw an arm across the door frame to keep him outside.In my peripheral vision I watched Erika get into the white work truck I’d parked on the street a few doors down.Fortuitous that the street had been full when I pulled in earlier.She started it up and maneuvered out of the space.
“I got laid last week, not that it’s your business,” Timothy said.
“Didn’t help,” I muttered.“Who are you seeing?”
“None of your business.”Timothy glared.“I need you to come out and stitch up a cow.The stupid beast somehow managed to slice her neck open.The skin is hanging off.There’s blood everywhere.The girl is due to deliver any day.”
“I’m not on call.”I couldn’t hide the smugness in my tone.
Timothy’s phone rang.He answered.“What?”
I could hear Erika on the other end.“Sorry for the delay.I was on another call.I can be at your place in about twenty minutes.”
“I don’t wantyou,” Timothy snarled.“I’ve got a cow with a laceration.I need someone who knows what they’re doing.I want Josh out there.”
“You either accept my help, or you call another mobile service.Josh is not on call this weekend.He needs rest.”
“Doesn’t look like he’s getting muchrest,” Timothy quipped.
“Are you at his house?”Her voice came through loud on the other end.“Timothy Hurst, you will leave that poor man alone.What he does on his personal time is his business.Not yours.”
I bit back a smile when Timothy’s face darkened in frustration.
Erika asked, “Am I going to see you out at the farm in twenty minutes or would you prefer to call a different vet?”
“Fine.I’ll see you then.”He jabbed a finger into the phone to end the call.He pointed at me.“If she screws this up, I’ll sue her.”He stormed off the front porch.
“Be nice to her or I’ll screwyouup,” I called after him.
He threw me the middle finger as he got into his truck.
I phoned Erika as soon as he drove off.“Timothy is in a bad mood.I’ll text you what I’d use to sedate if the cow needs it.”
“That’s helpful.Thanks.I can handle a laceration.If your brother behaves like a jerk, I won’t help him.”
* * *
