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"You know, I’d appreciate it if you could come around more often. The animals seem to like you, and having a skilled veterinarian like you would be a tremendous help."
She chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, you're inviting me over for the animals' sake?"
I couldn’t help but chuckle along with her.
"Well, yes, for the animals," I replied with a touch of awkwardness, and we shared a genuine laugh.
"I'd be glad to come around more," she said, her smile warm.
"It's been a while since I've been out and about. I guess I could use a change of scenery."
I nodded, grateful for her agreement.
"Great, then. Here, let me give you my number.
That way, you can reach out whenever you plan to drop by, or if there's an animal emergency."
She took out her phone, and I rattled off my number. Our fingers brushed briefly as she entered it into her phone, sending a strange jolt of electricity through me that I tried to ignore.
After exchanging contact information, we stood there for a moment, the air filled with a pleasant tension. It was as if the unspoken understanding between us went beyond the animals. A silent connection that held promise.
"Well, I should get going," she finally said, breaking the silence.
"Thank you for showing me around, Ben."
"You're welcome," I replied, my gaze lingering on her.
"And thank you for coming to check on the cows."
She turned to head back to her truck, and I followed her, my heart suddenly pounding louder in my chest. As she got in and started the engine, I leaned against the side of the truck, unable to tear my eyes away.
She looked at me through the window, her expression softening.
"Take care of those cows, Ben."
"I’ll," I assured her with a nod.
"And you take care of yourself."
With a smile and a wave, she pulled away, the sound of her engine fading into the distance. I watched her go, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. Her beauty and the lightness ofher spirit had left an undeniable impression on me. But I quickly shook my head, dismissing any thoughts of a crush.
"It's just the weather," I muttered to myself, though deep down, I knew that there was something more to it—something I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge just yet.
CHAPTER 5
Olivia
As I drove back home, the image of Ben's warm smile and those piercing blue eyes seemed to have taken residence in my mind. It was ridiculous. I was here to help his animals, not to get distracted by the ruggedly handsome rancher.
But the more I tried to push those thoughts aside, the more they persisted.
"It's just the animals, Olivia," I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.
"You're here for the animals."
But then a nagging feeling crept in. He looked so familiar, and I couldn’t shake that sense of déjà vu. Where had I seen him before?
It was as if a distant memory was teasing the edges of my consciousness, just out of reach.
