“Are you ready to do this?”
Lori smiled, and Mason’s bright grin sent a familiar warmth through her, making her tingle all over. Mason inhaled a deep breath and opened the passenger side of his veterinary truck. Lori hopped out from the driver’s side and rushed around to his side to hand him his crutches. Other than that, he wouldn’t want, nor require her help. He’d been bound and determined for weeks to be as mobile as possible on his own.
Mason slowly shifted his legs to get out of the vehicle. He still needed to position his legs exactly where he wanted them with his hands, but reassured her it was getting easier every day. Even if it wasn’t, he probably wouldn’t tell her.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Mason slid from the seat and placed his feet on the ground, using his crutches as support. He straightened, then looked around. Lori was already by his side, hooking her hands through the crook of his arm.
“Your official first day back making farm calls as Dr. Mason Taggart. How does it feel?” She lifted her head to look up at him.
Mason braced his weight on one leg, then leaned down to kiss her lips. She hadn’t quite gotten used to looking up at him rather than down. For some reason, in his wheelchair he’d always seemed like he would be taller, even though he matched his brother in height.
“Getting back to work is something that’ll be easy to get used to.” Mason tested his legs, moving slowly with the aid of his crutches.
Lori’s brows rose and she nodded. “Quite a different tune than what you were singing a little over a month ago.”
Four weeks ago today, they’d had their first unofficial date at the veterinary clinic, when Mason had stood by her side and been her crutch while she performed exploratory surgery on Toby Bartlett. That night he’d kissed her for the first time. It was also the night his attitude had finally turned around about his ability to return to doing what he loved.
What had started as a nerve-racking evening had turned out to be the best night of her life. While her infatuation and attraction to the handsome country vet had steadily grown ever since their first meeting, she’d had no idea that he’d had the same feelings for her.
Dealing with their separate insecurities and fears had drawn them to each other, and they’d vowed that night that they’d conquer them together. The next day had been even better, when Mason had told her that sensation was coming back to his legs, and he’d even been able to move his toes a little. Ever since that day, he’d made steady progress. He’d been relentless in his physical therapy, and even Rick, the PT, was impressed by the noticeable daily improvements.
Lori had been at his side the first time he’d gotten out of his wheelchair and stood on his own, with the aid of special crutches Rick had brought. Lori had held his arm, encouraged him, and each day he told her she was his biggest motivation for walking again.
“I fell in love with the man you are up here, Mason Taggart.” She’d put her hand against his heart when he’d told her he was determined to walk and get out of the wheelchair. “I don’t care whether you’re in a wheelchair or not.”
“I care.”
Lori had smiled and nodded in understanding at the serious look in his eyes.
“If you keep up with your physical therapy and the riding, you’re going to be running marathons soon. I’m convinced the riding is what ultimately helped stimulate your nerves enough to get feeling back in your lower extremities. Even your physical therapist seems to think so. He told me he was going to study up on equine therapy and even recommend it to some of his other patients.”
Mason had sat back in his chair and pulled her onto his lap, flashing that sensual grin she’d fallen in love with.
“You’re wrong,” he’d murmured against her lips, then kissed her fully in a way that never failed to melt her insides. “I think this is what helped me get feeling back.”
Lori had laughed in his arms. She’d raised her brows in a skeptical gesture “Kissing?”
“Yeah, but not just anyone. I doubt it would have worked with someone other than you.” Mason had kissed her again, pulling her more fully into his arms, then grinned. “The more we do this, the more feeling I’m getting in my legs. You’ve been the best physical therapy for me.”
“Now there’s a pick-up line that’s not used all that often, I’d imagine.” Lori had sat up, looking at him with a serious expression. The timing had been right to bring up what had been on her mind since the night of the emergency surgery. “Now you don’t have any more excuses not to come back to work.”
She’d almost expected an argument, but surprisingly, he’d said, “I already talked to Doc Johnson. I told him I was interested in coming back once I’m a bit better at walking.”
Lori had flung her arms around him. “I’m so glad, Mason. I think we make a great team. Working on Toby Bartlett proves it.”
She’d wanted to say so much more. They complemented each other perfectly, in more ways than veterinary medicine. She hadn’t said that part to him, yet. Their relationship was still too new, and Mason’s focus had to be on his physical therapy. While they spent almost every free minute together, she hadn’t found the courage to tell him about her dreams for the future, of the two of them working side by side both personally and professionally.
After weeks of doubt, she’d finally found contentment in Burnt River, and it was easy to imagine life with Mason in this little country town. She’d even started to feel a little more comfortable going on farm calls.
“Let’s go see Rebel and make sure his surgical incision is healing well.”
Lori led Mason toward Rory Anderson’s barn. The rancher met them halfway across the yard, smiling broadly. He held out his hand to Mason, and looked him up and down with a pleasantly surprised look on his face.
“Boone Macklin told me you were walking again.”
Rory shook Mason’s hand, then held his hand out to Lori. He only looked at her for a quick moment. Lori stood straighter and sighed. Many of her clients in town had warmed up to her, but there were still some who couldn’t get past the idea of anyone but the old-time veterinarian or the hometown boy treating their animals. It would take time, but she’d come a long way already in gaining their trust. Just as Mason was determined to make a full recovery, she was determined to win over the town.
“Getting there,” Mason said. “It feels good to be back.”
Rory nodded eagerly. “Glad to hear it. Rebel is in the barn. I think he’s doing quite well, but you can see for yourself.”
Mason shook his head. He glanced at Lori, who clamped her mouth shut. “Today’s my first official day back in a professional capacity, Rory, but your horse is Lori’s patient. She’s here to recheck him. I’m just along for the ride.”
Rory pressed his lips together. His smile seemed rather strained when he looked at her. “Sure thing, Mason. I just figured since you were the one who did the surgery . . .”
Mason was quick to correct the rancher. “I assisted. Lori did the surgery.”
Rory smirked, but nodded. He led them to the barn, where Rebel, the tall thoroughbred, stood contently in his stall. A twinge of apprehension flowed through Lori, but she inhaled a deep breath and entered the stall.
“How are you, big guy?” Lori approached the horse and patted his neck. She checked the incision under his throat where she’d performed the laryngoplasty ten days ago. Mason had been at her side the entire time, talking her through the surgery.
While she’d suggested sending the horse to the large animal hospital in Missoula for the surgery, the owner had preferred to have it done at Doc Johnson’s place. Even though the facilities weren’t as well equipped to handle large animal surgery, Mason had agreed to assist.
“Not having adequate facilities for major equine surgery is going to be remedied soon,” Mason had said. “Shane and I are working on plans for a large animal complex a few miles from town.”
Lori smiled at the eagerness in Mason’s eyes when he spoke of the new hospital that would accompany the smaller clinic in town.
“Dr. Johnson mentioned it. He said it was exactly what this town . . . and you, needed.”
After confirming that Rebel’s surgery site was healing well, Lori and Mason finished out the day on several more farm calls. Every one of the ranchers was happy to see Mason return, and she was practically invisible to them as he treated a cow with milk fever, and a horse with a hoof abscess.
She shook off the slight feeling of annoyance. On the one hand, she should be glad she was no longer needed to do farm calls, except maybe to drive Mason to his patients for a while until he was able to drive himself again. On the other hand, today was a reminder that she still had a long way to go before she’d be fully accepted by the community.
Over the weeks, she’d been working hard to combat her fear of cows and horses. If she was going to be a veterinarian in this community, she had to be well-rounded, as Mason had once pointed out to her. For weeks, she’d been as determined to win over the ranchers as Mason was to walk again, but now that he was back, all her efforts seemed to have been pointless.
Lori drove back to the clinic in silence after the last call. Mason must have picked up on her sour mood. He reached over and wrapped his hand around hers, giving it a squeeze. When she glanced at him, he looked concerned.
“Is something bothering you?”
“No, everything’s fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”
She kept her eyes on the road while answering. It wasn’t his fault the clients ignored her. He was the first one to stand up for her and defend her to the ranchers. Hadn’t the first call at Rory Anderson’s place proved it? Yet, the feeling of being no longer needed refused to let go. There was no sense bothering Mason with it. The feeling would pass. Besides, this was his first day back to work. Of course everyone would be glad to see him. She was being moody for no reason.
Lori pulled into the parking lot of the clinic. Time to forget about the ranchers and concentrate on her small-animal patients for the rest of the day. Soon after Mason followed her into the clinic, her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the screen. Her brows rose and her stomach turned in knots as her heart sped up.
“I’m going to take this call.” Without waiting for a response from Mason, she headed up the stairs to her apartment. Inhaling a quick breath, she pushed the button on the screen to answer the call.
“Hello, Dad.”
Lori braced for a lecture. Maybe it would have been better not to answer the call, but it was too late now. She opened the door to her apartment and closed it quickly behind her. She hadn’t talked to her parents in over a month. The last time her mother had called, they’d once again gotten into an argument about Lori’s choice of profession, and whether she’d lost her sanity for moving to “a small country town in the middle of nowhere,” as she’d put it.
“How are you, sweetheart? It’s been months since we talked.”
Lori pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it as if she was looking at her father. He seemed to be in an awfully cheerful mood. Something was up.
“I’m doing fine, how about you and Mom?”
“Your mother is upset that you never call.”
Lori rolled her eyes. “That’s because whenever I do call, she lectures me that I shouldn’t be living in a tiny town where there are no people and no modern conveniences, and that I should move back home. She makes it sound as if I’ve time traveled to the nineteenth century.” She didn’t mention her mother’s suggestion about starting over and going to medical school.
A restrained chuckle was the reply.
“Well, she’s simply worried about you, and so am I. That’s why I’m calling.”
“Because you’re worried about me?” Lori sighed. “I’m doing fine, Dad.”
“I’m sure you are, honey, but hear me out. I think I’ve found the best solution for you.” Dad’s voice sounded a bit too indulgent, as if he were quietly trying to appease a toddler having a meltdown.
“Solution for what?” Lori tilted her head back and raised her eyes to the ceiling, counting the water stains from past leaks in the roof. Hopefully they’d all been patched and sealed. She might have to have someone come and take a look before the rainy season started.
“Lori, are you listening?”
Lori held the phone away from her ear for a second. Her father didn’t sound angry, at least not yet, but he’d raised his voice enough to make her ear hurt.
“Of course,” she stammered. What had he said that she’d missed? “You said you have a solution for me, but I’m confused, because I’m not looking for one. I’m perfectly happy where I am.”
“Your mother and I understand that we can’t convince you to give up this veterinary business and go back to school to become a real doctor.”
“Dad, I am a real doctor.” Lori’s voice rose, and so did her temper.
“Yes, of course, sweetheart. I know things haven’t been easy for you, especially after what happened in Denver. What a tragedy, but you always said you would love to specialize in ophthalmology.”
Her priorities had changed over the last couple months. Ophthalmology was still a special interest she had, but as a country vet, she needed to treat every kind of animal and every kind of illness. Lori smiled. Mason’s lectures to her were coming back to haunt her.
Her father cleared his throat and continued, “I asked around and made a few phone calls, Lori. One of the country’s top canine ophthalmologists has his practice right here in L.A. I told him about you, and he’d like to meet you. You could do a specialized internship, and make your mother and me happy by coming home, all at the same time.”
Lori blinked. She stepped up to her kitchen window, which looked out at the parking lot and the main street of Burnt River. Several months ago, maybe even as little as a month ago, she would have jumped at the chance to work for an ophthalmologist. That had all changed the night Mason had kissed her for the first time.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I work in Burnt River. My priorities have changed.”
“Think about it, Lori. An opportunity like this doesn’t come along very often. Your mother and I thought that’s what you wanted. It’s what you’ve been talking about since before you graduated.”
“Yes, but things changed.”
Her father continued as if he hadn’t heard her response. “There’s no emergency work involved, or critical patient care. You can be a successful veterinary ophthalmologist, rather than working in a small town that’s barely on the map, playing country vet.”
“I happen to like being a country vet.”
His voice rose slightly. “You enjoy getting kicked or stomped on, or even worse, by those dastardly farm animals? Lori, see reason and come home. We’re not going to judge you anymore about your career decision, but you’re much better than that. Put your degree to some better use than working in a small farming town.”
She shook her head and squeezed her eyes together for a moment. Dad was right. An opportunity like that didn’t come along every day. Was she making the right choice? She loved it here in Burnt River. She loved the slower pace of a small town compared to the big city, she loved her work, and most of all, she loved Mason Taggart. If only the clients would warm up to her more, her life would be perfect.
She smiled. It was almost perfect. Not only did she have a good position, she had a great boyfriend, a man she adored. While Mason hadn’t yet said those three special words to her, she had no doubt he had the same feelings for her as she did for him, and it was only a matter of time before he told her.
“I’m staying here, Dad. I’m sorry. I need to get back to work. Please tell Mom I said hi.” She didn’t wait for a reply, and disconnected the call. If she talked to her dad much longer, she’d be too flustered and upset to see patients.
Lori slowly blew air out of her mouth. She laughed softly. She’d just turned down a possible ophthalmology position. Her father was right. It was something she’d talked about for a long time. She shook her head. She was doing the right thing. She was needed here. Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she headed back down the stairs to the clinic.
Mason’s deep laughter came from Dr. Johnson’s office, followed by the old vet’s voice. Lori slowed her steps.
“I just don’t understand it, Mason. I thought I knew her history.”
“Didn’t you look into it before making your decision to bring her onboard?”
“Well, yes, but it’s worse than what I thought. I completely misjudged her, simply looking at her papers. I can’t afford to make those kinds of mistakes.” Dr. Johnson paused before adding, “It’s time for me to clean house and start fresh. You have no idea how glad I am that you’re back.”
"I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come back, Doc. I wish I could have been there for you when you were trying to figure things out. I’m back now, though, and ready to take over fully. The good thing about this situation is, you can let her go.”
Lori’s heart thumped in her chest. The blood rushed to her temples, where her pulse throbbed. A wave of nausea hit her. She shouldn’t be listening to the conversation, but it was good that she’d overheard. They were discussing her.
All this time, she’d assumed Dr. Johnson was happy with her. And Mason? He was so quick and ready to tell him to fire her, now that he was back?
Pain tore at her heart at Dr. Johnson’s words, but even more at what Mason had said. She blinked back tears, while at the same time wanted to laugh at the stupid irony. Maybe she could call Dad back and apologize, and tell him she was interested in the ophthalmology position, after all. Turning around, she rushed back up the stairs and locked herself in her apartment.