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The horses weren’t well,and the stable manager, Kate, had called the vet clinic to arrange a visit, but she seemed to think we might be feeding them something that disagreed with their stomachs. Apparently, changing their diets could result in issues, and we didn’t know what food they’d been on before they came to our stables. Not for the first time, I mentally cursed myself for being useless. I should have asked that when we did our handover, but I’d had no idea what information Kate would need.
Perhaps your parents were right, a voice in my mind whispered.You’re in over your head and won’t be able to do this on your own.
I grimaced as I surveyed the construction site that was the house. Yeah, I’d definitely bitten off more than I’d ever chewed before, but if I white-knuckled my way through the situation, I might be able to come out the other side without my dreams blowing up in my face.
I had to hold onto that belief. Not because I particularly cared what Donovan had said at the fundraiser, or because I bought into the arguments my parents had put forth when I’d told them my plan, but because their lack of belief in me hit too close to home. I did have a habit of talking big without following up on my plans, and if I wanted to live the life I’d envisioned, I needed to take the plunge. Hence using my trust fund to buy an old farm, sight unseen, which may not have been a particularly responsible decision but would hopefully be the right one. I’d do everything I could to get this place off the ground—shovel poop, work all night, put off having a family—whatever it took.
Kate had assured me the stables were up to standard, and I’d figured anything else could be improved as needed. But I hadn’t quite realized the state of the house I’d be living in. If either of my parents caught wind of what a shambles it was, they’d be here and screaming for me to move out immediately.
At least the bathroom had been completed yesterday. I’d spent the first two weeks of my time here using a port-a-potty in the backyard and washing myself with the hose. Now, I had a working toilet and shower, and the bedroom roof had been patched up so I could sleep on a futon on the floor, and then roll it aside in the morning before they began work again. It was an exhausting way to live, but it wouldn’t be forever.
“Hey, London,” one of the construction workers called to me.
I raised a hand against the midday sun and noticed he was gesturing for me to come over. I picked my way across the ground, which was littered with tools and bits of timber.
“What’s up?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips.
“We found a rotten patch in the living room floor,” he said apologetically. “We’re going to have to replace it.”
“What, like, patch the hole, or replace the whole floor?”
His expression was sympathetic. “The whole thing has to go. Sorry, I know it’s not the news you want.”
“Ugh.” I buried my face in my hands and allowed myself a moment of self-pity, then straightened. “Fine. Do it.”
I had more than enough money to fund whatever renovations were needed, but I was aware that fixing the house was eating into the safety blanket I had to keep the shelter running. I wanted as much padding for that as possible.
An engine roared up the drive, and I turned to see the Destiny Falls Veterinarian Clinic Ute crunching along the gravel accessway. My stomach flipped over as I recalled what a fool I’d made of myself in front of Cal over the past two weeks. It seemed like every time he visited, I fell, or tripped over my feet, or said exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time.
It was made even worse by the fact my attraction to him hadn’t dissipated. In fact, I seemed to have a bit of a crush on him. He had a calm, competent air about him that was sexy as anything. Not to mention those smoldering brown eyes and that lean, muscled body.
“London?”
I noticed my companion had been saying something, and my face heated. “Sorry, I’ve got to run. The vet needs to see the horses as soon as possible. I’ll be back later.”
I didn’t hear his reply because I was already striding across the lawn toward Cal. The sun struck his hair as he exited the vehicle and it shone like gold. My stomach fluttered. He turned toward me, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a friendly smile. The butterflies in my belly multiplied. I met his gaze across the distance between us, feeling like I could stare into his beautiful eyes forever.
But then my foot hit something metal and pain flared, red hot. I stumbled, tears burning in the backs of my eyes. Somehow, I managed to catch myself before I fell. I looked down to see what I’d accidentally kicked and discovered some kind of metal clamp lying abandoned on the ground. My foot throbbed, and I blinked to clear my vision. I could already feel the distinctive prickly heat that meant my foot would swell and bruise. Damn it, couldn’t I do anything without hurting myself?
It wouldn’t matter how gorgeous I thought Cal was if I made an ass of myself every time he saw me.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he arrived at my side. “Let’s get your shoe off and see if you need medical attention.”
3
CAL
I putan arm around London’s shoulders, trying to ignore the faint scent of her perfume, and guided her to a hunk of wood she was able to use as a seat. I waited for her to remove her own shoe, having learned my lesson about putting my head too close to hers—she managed to inadvertently headbutt me anytime we were within a foot of each other. She slipped her sock off and I bent to take a look. Her toes were painted with sparkly pink polish, which seemed completely at odds with her practical outfit of jeans and a flannel shirt. Although, it had to be noted, she wore a bedazzled cowboy belt around her waist.
I studied the top of her foot, which was already mottled with shades of red and purple. “Yeah, this is going to need ice and elevation.”
She bit her lip. “Are you sure? I’m pretty used to knocking body parts on things.”
“Unless you want it to swell so badly you can’t fit it back inside your shoe, then yes.”
“Damn.” Her lower lip quivered. “First the feed and then the floors and now this. I’m a disaster.”
I fought the urge to smile at how cute her pouting was. “Come on, it’s not that bad.”
