And the two dogs? Ellie May, a female golden labrador was playing with Sailor, a male black labrador. From what I could tell, they were a match made in heaven.
Out of breath and close to losing my mind from worry, I handled the situation almost as badly as I did at the pet store. I took long strides toward Viper, confronting him with full steam.
“Grace.” There he went using a tone when saying my name. Arrogant. Condescending.
“What were you doing? Didn’t you realize you could scare them to death?”
What slight grin he had faded, his hating the world expression returning. “Stopping them from getting hurt. Did you notice the barbed wire over there? They were on a collision course.”
Now his tone was flat. Elusive.
Annoying.
Why did he find it necessary to look so damn good in a pair of jeans all while managing to criticize me with a few words?
Exhaling, I glanced around him, forgetting about the stupid chicken coop. “That’s not barbed wire, but you obviously weren’t paying attention.”
Even his expression was flat. At least at first. Then a slow and steady smirk crawled across that chiseled jaw of his and I felt this big. “You wanna try that again, Dog Doctor?”
“Fine. You’re right. They could have gotten hurt. However, you shouldn’t have revved your engine around them. That could have induced a heart attack. Horses are emotional animals.”
“Evidently so are veterinarians.”
Oh, the man was going to drive me crazy. I opened my mouth to retort then stopped myself. That’s what he wanted. I was being silly based on sheer panic. There was no way I could handle losing another creature I adored. “I… Oh!” I almost stomped my foot, choosing to look away from him instead.
“I wasn’t close to them, Grace. I might be many things but I’m not an idiot.”
Great. He’d run the gamut from no emotions to the voice that screamed I’d hurt his feelings. “No, you are definitely not anidiot. I keep meaning to rip out the coop before someone gets hurt. Like half of everything around here that needs attention.”
He took a deep breath while staring at me. But the anger I’d seen in his eyes faded as he slowly lowered his gaze, smirking when he noticed my bright red tennis shoes.
The moment was entirely too awkward, more so than I’d been around anyone. I moved toward the horses, petting my favorite. “This is Thor, my baby. Camilla and Rusty. They say thank you.”
“How did they get out?”
“Oh, because of a broken fence I keep meaning to fix as well. I can block off the gate, but sometimes, they figure out a way to get out. Smart little creatures.” My voice altered into the cutesy tone with the last few words and the big he-man remained gawking at me.
“Maybe I can do something about that.” He was a man of few words, staring down at my dog. “And that one?”
“The golden fluff ball who thinks she runs the property is Ellie May. Be careful or she’ll steal your heart.” I grabbed Thor’s reins from him, heading in the other direction, the bratty side of me coming out. “If you have a heart.”
At least the words were whispered.
“You might be surprised,” he said from behind me, a more playful tone in his voice.
I refused to turn around, terrified I’d be even more enamored by his appearance. He’d shaved and changed clothes, but the rugged look of the man remained, a big strapping guy. His jeans hugged every curve in a way that highlighted why God created them for the human male form in the first place.
To say I was swooning a little too much was an understatement. Now I wished I’d slipped into another pair of jeans instead of the damn dress. As if I was trying to impress him. Ha.
He didn’t bother with his truck, leading the two other horses with him as we returned to the corral. Once they were inside, I struggled with the heavy gate, which needed bolts as well as new fence boards to keep it secure.
Without saying anything else, he watched what I was doing and the way he was studying me felt far too intimate. When I turned to head toward the clinic, a single, almost mindless thought ravaged my mind.
It was completely unfair for someone to be so damn beautiful.
CHAPTER 5
Grace
