Jesse immediately felt his blood pressure spiking, his jaw tensing. This was not how he wanted to do things. “Doc, you know I can’t just take him on—”
“I know, I know. He’s a young guy, about Zach’s age. His family is back in LA. I just wanted to introduce him to some good people before he’s off on his own.”
“This his first solo gig?” Jesse asked as he followed Dr. Vasquez back into the barn.
“Yes, but he was practicing up in Valencia. He knows his stuff.” Jesse looked at the tall, broad-shouldered Brown man standing beside Chris. The two of them were having an animated conversation, and Zach’s horse Steve had his head over the door of his stall, listening intently.
“Oh, here’s the boss man,” Chris said. He turned and led the young vet back in their direction.
“This is Fetu Kuaea. He’ll be taking over my practice,” Dr. Vasquez said. “Fetu, this is Jesse Pleasant, co-owner of Big Rock Ranch.”
“Nice to meet you,” Fetu said, taking Jesse’s hand in a firm handshake.
“Likewise. This is our assistant operations manager, Lilah.”
“Nice to meet you, Lilah.”
“Uh, all-pro linebacker Fetuilelagi Kuaea?” Lilah said, the awe in her voice obvious. Jesse realized then why he looked familiar. Dr. Vasquez’s replacement had had two amazing seasons with the Steelers.
“Yeah.” Fetu laughed. “Good eye. You ball?” he asked Jesse.
“Yeah, three years in college, but my knees had other plans before I could make it to a combine.”
“Looks like it worked out okay.”
“So far, so good.”
“I thought I’d introduce Dr. Kuaea to our toughest patient,” Dr. Vasquez said.
“Oh, you mean Majesty.” Jesse held back a cringe. Sam’s horse was a complete asshole, but for some reason she let guests ride her on the trails, so they kept her in the rotation. “I’ll hang back and let you do that.”
“She that bad?” Dr. Kuaea asked.
“Oh, you’ll see.” Chris laughed. “Come on. Lil, you wanna show him?”
“I’ll try,” she said. “She doesn’t love me either.”
Jesse watched as his cousin led the new vet and their ranch hand down to the other end of the barn where Majesty was no doubt plotting a murder in her stall.
“He’s a good egg, Jesse,” Dr. Vasquez said quietly.
“I don’t doubt that, but I gotta talk to Zach and my cousin Walker. Lilah’s brother. He’s two years out of vet school and I gotta at least offer it to him.”
“You think he’ll take it?”
“No. He’s out on the idea of family business, but I still have to go through the motions.”
“How does an interim gentleman’s handshake sound? You don’t find anyone you like better and you give Fetu a chance? And maybe let him tag along to Claim Jumpers with you every once in a while?”
Jesse moved farther down the stalls, walking down the center of the space. He could feel the doctor smiling beside him. Dr. Vasquez knew how much Jesse didn’t like the larger animals. Jesse ignored his laughing gaze though, and focused on Dr. Kuaea. He had to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Majesty poked her head out over the stall door and gave Dr. Kuaea’s shoulder a playful bump with her muzzle. Dr. Kuaea leaned closer and gave the horse a gentle scratch under her chin. She didn’t seem to hate it.
“See?” Dr. Vasquez said. “He’s got the touch.”
“Clearly.” Jesse turned, and held out his hand for that gentleman’s shake. “We’re going to miss you.”
Dr. Vasquez gripped Jesse’s palm. Jesse could feel the calluses among the wrinkles in the man’s hand. He’d done his work, done right by the ranch. He’d more than earned a break and time with his family.
Jesse hung around a little longer, sharing some small talk with the doctors and watching carefully as Lilah and Chris helped with more personal introductions to their exhibition steers and the new baby lambs who had just joined their petting zoo. Eventually he excused himself to get to his next meeting. Lilah and Chris would fill him in on their impressions of Dr. Kuaea.
