Chapter 6

By nine a.m. Mike Paul was done with the castrating. By ten o’clock, he’d finished up a couple of well-checks for two mares that were about to give birth at the Slattery place, and by noon, he was at Taz Pullman’s ranch having a look at a couple of senior workhorses, both rescued from somewhere in the north and currently sitting in quarantine. They needed some weight, but other than that, they were in pretty good condition.

“I’ll have the blood sent to the lab, and if all goes well, you should be able to introduce them to the rest of your horses in a couple of days.”

Taz pointed to the house. “You eat yet?”

He had some time before his next call and his stomach rumbled, answering for him. Mike Paul grinned. “What ‘cha got?”

“Stew.”

“Sounds good. Thanks.”

He followed the man up to the house, and once he’d doffed his boots and winter jacket, Mike Paul washed up, then took a seat at the kitchen table.

“Beer?” Taz asked over his shoulder before he got busy ladling out two large bowls of stew.

“Nope. I’ve got three more calls this afternoon and more paperwork than I’d like waiting for me back at the office.” He glanced around the kitchen. “Where’s Scarlett?”

Taz set down the steaming hot bowls and took a seat across from Mike Paul. “She took Hank to town for a playdate, and then she’s getting the twins from school.”

Taz couldn’t keep the dopey grin off his face at the mention of his wife, and Mike Paul shook his head. “You’re about as gelded as the two bulls I looked after this morning.”

“Hey, all my parts are in working order. They keep my lady happy.” Taz grabbed a bun and pointed it at Mike Paul. “You’re the one with a problem.”

“Not anymore.” Mike Paul dug into his bowl of stew and ignored the look from Taz.

“You over Ivy?”

“Nope.”

“Didn’t think so. The last time I saw you, you were taking swipes at Kip Lafferty. And you missed.”

“I didn’t miss exactly,” Mike Paul grumbled. “I hit the wall.” He glanced down at his hand. The knuckles were still bruised.

Taz soaked his bun in the stew, took a bite and sat back. He finished chewing and shrugged. “She’s engaged. That ring means she’s not available.”

“She’s available until she’s standing in front of God saying her vows, holding a piece of paper that says otherwise.” He reached for his water. “Besides, she’s not over me.”

“More like you’re not over her.”

He shrugged. “Same thing.”

“She tell you that?”

“No. But I can tell.”

“How’s that?” Taz looked surprised at his declaration.

How to explain the thing that was inside him? The thing that kept him up at night. Made him drink too much and punch holes through walls.

“Ivy and me. We’ve always had this connection. When we were younger, it was the four of us. Me, Cal, Millie Sue, and Ivy.”

He cleared his throat and sat back. “Now, Ivy and I always knew that Cal and Millie Sue had a thing, but back then the two of us were just pals. The best kind. I could tell that girl anything.” He stared at his bowl for a few seconds. “She never judged me. Always had my back. When she up and left with Bridgestone and headed to Nashville, that’s when I knew she was more than just a friend because I was more upset she was gone than I was about Cal taking off. I missed her. But I didn’t know exactly what it was we shared if that makes sense.”

“Relationships are complicated.”

“I never thought I wanted one. I liked playing the field. Getting in and out before things got serious. I liked the way my life looked. I loved my job. I loved the place I built for myself. Everything looked good. Everything felt good. Then, last year Ivy and I got together one night, and things changed.” He shook his head. “I can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop wanting her. All those things that felt good before don’t matter. It’s like,” He winced because he knew he was going to sound like a damn fool. “She’s a piece of my puzzle. The missing piece. And this is going to sound crazy, but I know she feels the same way. She wouldn’t be so damn pissed all the time if she felt nothing.”

Mike Paul sat back in his chair. It was hard work. Being this honest. “She doesn’t belong with Lafferty. She doesn’t love him.”

“So why is she wearing his ring?”

“That’s the part I’m still trying to figure out.” Mike Paul dug into his bowl, surer than ever that his plan would work. “The only ring that should be on her finger is the one I’ve got squirreled away at home.”

The words were out before he could stop them.

Fuck. Me.

When he glanced up at Taz, the man was looking at him as if he was sporting two heads.

“You bought her a ring?”

“Not exactly,” he mumbled. “It was my grandmother’s.”

“Shit.” Taz got to his feet and reached for Mike Paul’s empty bowl. “You’re all in.”

“I am.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, and while I don’t know Ivy all that well and only met Lafferty last week, there are two ways this can play out. You know that, right?”

Mike Paul got to his feet. “I’m focused on the only one that makes sense, and it’s not Ivy walking down the aisle with Kip Lafferty.”

Taz scratched at the hair on his jaw and looked as if he were about to impart the kind of advice Mike Paul didn’t want to hear, so he cut him off before Taz could get any words out.

“I’ve got to go, but I’ll let you know the results of the bloodwork tomorrow. Thanks for the eats.” He headed for the door and grabbed his boots. “You and Scarlett going to the thing at the thing?”

Taz chuckled. “You mean the thing in town tomorrow night?”

Mike Paul nodded. “Charity event.”

“She mentioned something about it. You?”

“I got roped into taking part in one of the auctions.”

“Yeah? You offering up free veterinary services?”

“I wish.” Christ, he still couldn’t believe what his sister had volunteered him to do. And since he’d bailed the previous year, there was no way out for him. He didn’t elaborate. Figured Pullman would find out if he showed up. He left, shoulders hunched against the brisk wind and hopped into his truck.

Mike Paul spent the rest of his afternoon on calls, dropped off his blood samples to be couriered to the lab, and then headed back to his place. There were a bunch of vehicles parked in his lot, but he paid no attention. There were always folks coming and going during the day.

By this time, it was nearly four-thirty, and his office manager, Arlene Mathews, was just packing up. He’d known the woman most of his life, and though she could be a pain in the butt trying to mess into his personal affairs, she kept his office running smoothly, his calendar organized, and she made the best damn brownies he’d ever tasted.

“The student volunteers are feeding the animals,” Arlene said as she plopped a bright yellow wool hat onto her head. “I’d keep an eye on the one.”

“Jacob?” The kid had been in the kind of trouble that could hinder his future. He had plenty of attitude and a chip the size of Montana on his shoulder, but he was damn good with animals that needed a soft touch.

“Yep.” Her mouth was pursed as she shrugged into her winter coat. “I swear I smelled some of that there cannabis the young ones like to smoke.”

“Now, Arlene, it’s perfectly legal to buy pot these days.”

She lifted her chin in disapproval. “That is the stupidest thing I ever heard. What is this world coming to?”

He kept his smile to himself.

“There are studies that show it can help folks in certain medical situations.”

“Jacob Clappison doesn’t have a medical situation, and he’s nowhere near twenty-one.”

“Noted.”

“I’m just saying he’s wild and needs more supervision than he’s getting.”

Mike Paul frowned. “I thought his parents were back together.”

“Mary Margaret told me that his momma left weeks ago. Run off again with some man who delivers fruit to the grocery store, and the two of them haven’t been seen since. It’s just Jacob and his daddy. And everyone knows Marcus Clappison is a no-good drunk.”

“Huh. I didn’t know.”

“Like I said. Keep an eye on him.” Arlene’s eyes narrowed a bit. “And behave yourself this weekend. Stay away from Ivy Wilkens and that handsome fiancé of hers.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but his sarcastic comeback died on his tongue because she moved past him with a parting shot he didn’t see coming.

“Oh, and your mother’s waiting for you in the house.”

“She’s supposed to be in Florida.”

“That may be, but right now, she’s making herself a tea in your kitchen.”

“Dad with her?” he asked, hopefully.

“Not that I saw.”

Arlene opened the door, letting in a whistle of wind and a gust of snow, and then disappeared.

Great. If his mother was here without his dad, it meant only one thing. She wanted to talk about something, and generally speaking, the things his mother wanted to talk about weren’t things he wanted to discuss.

Mike Paul squared away his work kit and looked longingly at his office. Not that he enjoyed paperwork, but he’d rather spend the next two hours at his desk than being grilled by his mother. He loved the woman, but she was too nosy, and had no doubt heard about his less-than-stellar appearance at the Sundowner the previous weekend.

There was no avoiding Melody Darlington, so he turned off the lights and headed to the barn, knowing he’d buy a few minutes to get his head on straight before dealing with his mother.

He had a crew of four—one girl and three boys—that worked his place. The time spent and eventual evaluation he gave would be put toward a course credit. The girl, Sandy, blushed as soon as she saw him, then stammered over her words while filling him in on the status of the kennel.

“Thanks for looking after things.” He nodded and smiled. She blushed harder, and when one of the boys, Cade, started to tease her, he shut it down immediately. She had a crush on Mike Paul—that much was obvious—but she sure as heck didn’t need to be teased about it.

They were ready to head back to town, save for Jacob, who was still in the last stall with a yearling that had been found running wild with obvious signs of torture and neglect. He told the kids to warm up their vehicle and headed to the other end of the barn. When he got there, he paused, watching as the teenager gently ran hands over the colt’s head and murmured to him. The young horse’s ears were forward, a good sign, and the animal wasn’t trembling—also a good sign.

“He ready for the night?” Mike Paul asked quietly.

Jacob nodded and stepped back. The kid was tall for his age, with long legs and arms that he still needed to grow into. He wore a ball cap backward, and his pants damn near hung off his skinny butt, kept in place by a wide leather belt. His hair, long and touching the tops of his shoulders, hid most of his face, though when he turned a bit, Mike Paul frowned.

“That’s some shiner.”

Jacob shrugged, and head down, moved past Mike Paul.

“Who hit you?”

The kid paused, head turned to the side, giving up his profile and not much else. “Walked into a door.”

More like someone’s fist.

“Your dad still drinking?”

“What do you care?” Jacob’s shoulders were hunched, his hands clenched at his side. “I got into a fight at school, okay? No big deal.”

Mike Paul considered his next words carefully.

“If you ever need to talk or a place to stay, call me. I don’t care what time of day or night. You got that?”

A few seconds passed, and then the teenager headed outside. With a sigh, Mike Paul did a final round of the animals and then closed up. A minute later, he was inside the house, Weiner and Bun jumping at his knees.

He doffed his jacket. “Calm down, boys.”

“They’ve got more energy than they need.” Melody Darlington was seated on the big leather chair off to the side of the fireplace. Tanned from spending the last two months in sunny Florida and fit from playing pickleball, her new passion, she looked rested and healthy. Her hair was cut to just above her shoulders; the natural silver color shot through with blond.

She set down her teacup and crossed the room, a soft smile on her face.

“I’ve missed you, my boy.” Melody stood back, her face alight with the kind of love only a mother could have.

He dropped a kiss to her cheek. “You’re back early. Wasn’t expecting you for another week or so.”

“The weather wasn’t looking great for the drive back later this month, so we decided to leave when the getting was good. And besides, I couldn’t wait to meet my new grandchild.”

He didn’t believe her one bit. They’d face timed throughout Cobi’s labor and delivery and afterward. Not once had his parents said they’d come home early.

But Mike Paul also wasn’t in the mood to dig into the real reason. He moved into the kitchen and rooted through the fridge while his mother propped herself up at the island. His dogs waited patiently at his feet and when they were rewarded with strips of cured back bacon, the furballs retreated to their beds in the living room and got down to business.

“Not the healthiest of treats,” his mom murmured, eyes on the dogs as they gnawed at the dried meat.

“Everyone deserves a Big Mac now and again.”

“I suppose they do.” His mom looked him square in the eye and he knew there was no escape.

“Cobi told you about the Sundowner.” Damn his sister and her big mouth.

“No,” Melody replied, sitting straight and prim. “Paula Atkins did.”

Mike Paul took a moment to exhale and roll his eyes. Paula Atkins was the secretary at his mother’s church, and she was also Arlene’s sister.

“You came all this way because Paula Atkins told you I got drunk last Saturday and hit a wall at the Sundowner?”

“No,” she responded softly, sitting forward, her expression about as serious as it could get. “I came home because my boy has made the mistake of falling in love with the right woman at the wrong time.”

“I…” He swore and looked away because there was no point in denying her words. “I’ll be okay.”

Melody Darlington got to her feet and rounded the kitchen island. She was silent for a few moments, as if considering what next to say, and then she made a soft sound, like a puff of air expelled.

“You spent most of your twenties enjoying life the way men do. I swear to God, I don’t know how many women have followed me around the grocery store or the pharmacy, trying to strike up a conversation. Trying to get to you through me. Goodness, even Angela, the woman who did my mammogram last year, asked me to put in a good word for her.”

Angela? He didn’t remember an Angela.

“They all were trying to make themselves something they weren’t.”

“What’s that?” He was almost afraid to ask.

“Someone you could love. Someone worth more than the nights you spent with them.”

“Ma.” Pained at the turn in conversation he groaned and looked away. “We don’t need to do this. I’m a big boy.”

“You’re a big boy who’s hurting.” She tugged on his arm until he was forced to meet her eyes. “From the day you were born everything came easy. You walked early. Talked early. You made friends easily. You got good grades. Knew what you wanted to do with your life. Your veterinarian practice is thriving. Everything you’ve ever wanted to accomplish, you’ve done so with ease. With zero pushback. And your charm. My God, you have endless amounts of it. Too much for your own good.” A soft frown touched her brow. “That always worried me.”

“I can’t help it if I’m charming,” he quipped.

She shook her head. “No. Not that. You’ve always gotten what you wanted, so it doesn’t make for an easy time when you want something you can’t have. You’re not equipped to deal with it properly. It’s why you’re acting out. Throwing punches at walls.”

“Technically, I was aiming for Lafferty’s head.”

“What?” She was shocked.

“Mom.” He threw up his hands swore silently. “I’m good. I’m a grown man. You don’t need to worry about me.”

She attempted a smile, though it didn’t touch her eyes. “You might be a grown man, but you’ll always be my little boy.” She reached up and touched his jaw. “I want you to be happy. But if Ivy has chosen to be with this Kip Lafferty fellow, there’s not much you can do about it.”

“We’ll see,” he said, reaching for the leftover meatloaf he’d pulled from the fridge. Millie Sue had given it to him a few days earlier. He gave it a sniff.

“What do you mean, we’ll see? I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

He looked at his mother and grinned. “You probably shouldn’t, but you will.”

“And why is that?” Her face softened.

“Because you love me.” He winked. “On account of all that charm.”

“Promise me you won’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“I can’t promise that.” He tossed the meatloaf in the microwave. “But I won’t do anything to hurt anyone if that makes you feel any better.”

“I’m not worried about anyone else. Promise me you’ll protect your heart.”

Melody Darlington didn’t wait for a reply, likely because she knew he didn’t have one. She gave him one last kiss and then left. Mike Paul wandered over to the fireplace, Weiner and Bun on his heels, and stoked the fire his mother had started. He stared into the flames for so long his eyes blurred, and he rubbed at them before stepping away, brooding at the thought of what Saturday would bring.

He had a bachelor auction to get through.

Then, he could concentrate on Ivy Wilkens.

He smiled at the thought, though it dimmed a bit as his mother’s words echoed in his head. It was too late to protect his heart, which was why his only course of action was to save it. Because his mom was right—he didn’t know how to lose gracefully.

And losing Ivy Wilkens would wreck him in ways he didn’t want to think about.