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Tossing my bag into the passenger seat, I leaned against the car. I didn’t understand, couldn’t understand why anyone would have made Weston out to be a monster because of a scar on his face. No matter how it happened, it just didn’t seem to be like him. But there were things in both of us so broken, that maybe together we were helping each other feel whole.
Taking one last longing look at the glistening canvas around me, I smiled. It was so beautiful, like something from the movies, that I let myself soak it all in before I climbed into my car.
A shadow fell over the frame as I went to pull the door closed, and Weston rested one arm along the top, leaning forward.
“No locoweed this morning.” His eyes sparkled.
“That’s good to hear. You should put my number in your phone so if I’m not at the clinic and you find some, you can call me,” I replied, shocked with how easily I had offered something personal, and slyly pleased that I’d made it seem so nonchalant.
He nodded, pulling out his cell and handing it to me. I quickly entered my information and passed him back his phone.
“Let me know when you’ll be headed this way and I’ll make sure the cattle are ready.” He smiled, bright and crooked. Just like it should be.
“Then we will go sledding?” I added, turning the key over.
He chuckled and winked. “Well, a form of sledding. Be safe.”
Weston pushed away from the car and shut the door for me, stepping back from the vehicle. I slowly made my way from the ranch, sliding more of the way than actually driving.
∞∞∞
I called Doc the moment I pulled onto the main road from the Duke ranch to inform him of my situation. Luckily, I made it back to the clinic just in time for my first patient of the day, and being as late as I was saved me from Elena and Carly pestering me as to why my clothes were exactly the same as yesterday’s.
Something shone in Doc’s eyes when I told him I was heading back again this afternoon and why. “You should change into something different before heading back up to the Ranch, Doctor Mayn,” Doc said, pushing open the door to my office as I filled out the last patient form.
“Do I look that bad?” I asked, glancing up from the computer, and Doc shook his head.
“No, just a fresh change of clothes never hurts.” He winked.
I narrowed my gaze, suspicious of what was floating through his head, but ultimately decided to let it go.
“I do want to see my dad as well, so a change of clothes is a good idea.” I sighed, pressing submit on my last form. “Doc?”
“Hm?” He leaned his small frame up against the door. We made an odd pair, him and I. Both of us smaller, yet able to handle ourselves. At least when it came to animal medicine, I was competent. In my personal life, I felt all too lost.
“Thank you by the way. I’ve learned a lot in the past few weeks.” I smiled graciously at him, slinging my white coat over the back of the chair.
“You are way more capable than you give yourself credit for,” he answered and then left me alone.
I slipped out of my office and exited through the back door, not ready to be caught by the two nosy receptionists. I needed as much time with my father as I could get and, maybe more so, time to think.
I could feel the donut on my car wobbling by the time I pulled into my parents’ driveway and my phone buzzed in my pocket. Sliding it out, I saw a message from a number I didn’t have saved. Once I opened it, I knew who it was.
Weston.
Done with everything, so whenever you’re ready Miss Tenley, let me know!
I shot a quick reply letting him know I was stopping at my home for some food, to say hello, and for a change of clothes, then I’d be on my way. The bubbles appeared but no reply came as I entered my home. The smell of freshly baked bread crashed against my nostrils just as the first day I’d moved back. My father sat in his recliner, watching a little bit of television, and his eyes slid my way.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He coughed a few times as I walked towards him.
Pressing my lips against his forehead, I gave him a quick kiss as my mom spoke from the kitchen.
“You’re home early!” She glanced up from the cutting board, clad in an apron with flour speckled across it.
“Just stopping by for a quick change before I have to head back up to the Duke Ranch,” I replied, standing up straight and unzipping my coat.
“If you leave those up here, I’ll run them through the wash,” my mom said, returning to the cutting board in front of her with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. “I am also glad to see that the disaster dinner hasn’t turned you off from the Duke’s.”
