Chapter Fourteen

 

 

The sky was still dark when she opened her eyes, and for a moment, the surroundings puzzled her until she became aware of the rise and fall of Cale’s chest under her head. She must have fallen asleep before the movie was over. He stroked her hair and shifted slightly to draw her closer. Michelle rubbed her cheek sensuously against the soft material of his shirt and slid her arm across his firm belly.

“Go back to sleep. We don’t have to be to Doc’s ‘til nine-thirty. It’s only half gone six right now.” The timbre of his voice was deep and drowsy.

“You don’t have calls this morning?”

“Nope. I’m off ‘til day after New Year’s.” The man sounded smug and well-satisfied.

“How did you pull that off? Mary insists Doc is home for holiday dinners, barring a major catastrophe.” She pushed herself upright and peered at him through sleep muzzy eyes.

“He hired a locum to take care of it. She graduates in May, and Doc is thinking of hiring her for the small animal clinic.”

Cale kissed the tip of her nose and stretched his long frame before untangling himself from her arms and the blankets. Michelle snuggled deeper into the warmth of the bed, admiring the play of muscles in his back as he stripped off his shirt and dropped his jeans to the floor. Snagging his robe from the pile of clothes by the desk, he turned, and his gaze lingered on her face before he smiled. The emotion on his face sent waves of heat through her body, and her mouth trembled at little as she smiled in return.

“You look good in my bed.”

The remark rang in her ears after he left the room. The sound of water running informed her he was taking a shower. Her mind presented her with images of soapy lather sluicing down the flat plane of his chest and lower over the enviable six pack. Her fingers twitched at the unbidden thought of running her hands over his slick physique, taking the weight of him in her palm. Her cheeks heated at the train of thought. She threw back the quilt and hurried up to her room before she gave in to the urge to join him in the shower.

“My stars, what has gotten into me?” Michelle spoke out loud, hoping it would get her mind out of the gutter. “The guy is too smokin’ hot for my own good.”

In record time, she dressed and returned to the main floor. She entered the kitchen and started the coffee before removing Storm’s water and food bowl. The dog spent the night in Cale’s room, so she hadn’t put anything in her stomach since before midnight. Kneeling by the kennel, she straightened the padding inside so everything would be ready for the puppies when it was time to leave.

“You want some scrambled eggs and toast?”

Cale clattered the pots and pans as he searched for the skillet. Finding the one he was looking for, he set it on the burner. Efficiently, the large man retrieved eggs from the fridge and broke them into a pudding bowl before whisking them into a froth. Michelle finished with the kennel and moved to get the bread and toaster. Cale deftly got plates and utensils while keeping a watchful eye on the eggs.

“A man after my own heart, good looking, and he cooks, too.” Michelle teased him while buttering the toast.

“Just so you know what I’m up to, woman.” His face was more than half serious. “I meant it when I said you look good in my bed. You look good in my life.”

“Where did that come from? I haven’t even known you that long.” The knife fell from her suddenly nerveless fingers.

“I’ve known Doc most of my life; my grampa kept in touch for years. There were always pictures of you and your brother in the letters. Mostly of you though, with your dog and your kittens, and later your horses. Doc bragged about you a lot, and I guess I feel like I’ve known you a long time, even though we just met in person lately.”

“Wow, I never knew Doc did that. How did he meet your grampa?” She bent and retrieved the cutlery from the floor.

“From what I can gather, my grampa was sweet on Mary about the same time Doc started courting her. Doc won, but Grampa married one of Mary’s best friends.” His grin was mischievous.

“Your gramma is Dolores? Mary always talks about her. In fact I think I’ve met her a couple of times when she came to visit.” Michelle shook her head in disbelief. Who would have thought?

“That’s my gramma. Sweetest lady on the face of the planet until you cross her; then you better run for your life.”

Cale spooned the fluffy eggs unto the plates and set the pan on the back of the stove. Michelle brought coffee and toast to the table and cream from the fridge. The sun burst over the horizon, and rays of red-gold light slanted across the kitchen. Tears formed in her eyes; the scene was so cozy and comfortable, and she wanted to belong here. Not like when she used to dream about mornings shared with Rob in this house. Instead, she was seized with a desperate urge to be part of Cale’s life and share quiet moments like this with him.

She wondered briefly if it was just the house and all the years she spent day dreaming about raising Rob’s kids here. Her glance rested on Cale who was reading a research paper while shovelling eggs into his mouth. Michelle examined her raging emotions. It wouldn’t be fair to start something with this man if he was just a stand-in for an old flame. Thinking of Rob only brought into focus how mistaken she was in her understanding of their relationship. In retrospect, she was the one always forgiving and understanding, believing him when he said he was sorry, and it would never happen again. Rob never really wanted to settle down to ranching. That was her dream, and he only indulged it because it was easier than fighting about it. Why could she see it so clearly now? It would have saved a world of heartache if she realized it sooner.

Returning her attention to the food on her plate, an image of a dark-haired boy pelting her with horse turds swam to the forefront of her thought. She hadn’t thought of that incident in years. It was the summer she was eleven and working at her first paying job, cleaning out Doc’s barns. There was something familiar about the kid. She concentrated on the face trying to place him. Setting her fork on the table, she turned her gaze to the man across from her.

“Did you ever visit Doc when you were a kid?”

“Once or twice.”

Michelle grinned at the red flush creeping up his face. I’m right. It was him, the rat bastard. It took me three washings to get the stain out of my shirt. She pretended not to see the veiled look he gave her over the rim of his cup. Better to let him sweat it out for a bit and see if he’d confess all by his own self. The man seemed to be awfully interested in reading the research papers. Her curiosity got the better of her though, and she poked his shin with her toe.

“Were you the kid who threw horse poop at me in Doc’s barn one summer?”

“Busted. I was hoping you wouldn’t remember that and put two and two together.” A mischievous smile lit his dark eyes.

“You were a horrid little brat. Refused to talk to me and dumped wet poop on me every chance you got. What was wrong with you?” Laughter lightened the tone of her words.

“I had a horrible crush on you, and that was the only way I could think of to get your attention. You spent every spare minute chasing after that older guy who wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

“I did not,” she protested while avoiding his gaze.

“Did to.” Cale mimicked her childish tone.

“You might think my feelings for you are too strong for this early in a relationship. Think about it, Michelle. I’ve loved you for a long time.” He captured her fingers and caressed them.

“You don’t even know me. That little escapade when I was eleven doesn’t count. You can’t have lasting feelings based on a crush when you were a kid.”

Michelle pulled her fingers free and gathered the dishes as she rose. Her face was burning and unsettling emotions rolled through her. I trusted Rob and look where that got me. How can I truly believe Cale’s feelings are real? I mean it’s based on a crush from when he was a kid, but he’s right about one thing for sure. I never noticed him, other than the shit slinging. I don’t think I ever looked at any other guy except Rob.

“I’m gonna go start the truck and let it warm up.”

His chair scraped on the floor as he stood up. He dropped a kiss on her cheek on the way to get his coat and involuntarily she leaned into his embrace.

“No pressure, Michelle. Just let it happen, give us a chance, okay?”

He was gone before she could answer. Smiling in spite of herself, Michelle went to collect the puppies from the bedroom. Storm was lying in the middle of Cale’s bed fast asleep. The dog lifted her head at the yapping of the puppies as Michelle entered the room. With a guilty look, the black dog slid off the bed and moved toward her puppies. Michelle ran her hand over the dog’s head to reassure her and bent down to scoop the squirming little dogs into her arms. Holding the wriggling mass carefully, she went to the kitchen and put them in the kennel. Clipping a lead onto Storm’s collar, she left the dog by the kennel and fetched her coat and boots.

“Ready to go, when you are,” she informed Cale when he returned from outside.

“I fed the horses and checked on the chickens. No eggs yet this morning.”

“Thanks for doing chores for me.”

“Anytime.”

Cale took the kennel out to the truck and stowed it on the back seat. Michelle followed with Storm. The drive into town was silent. The black dog sat in the middle of the seat and surveyed the passing landscape. When they pulled into Doc’s yard, Cale reached over and squeezed her hand.

“She’ll be fine; don’t worry. She’s got the two best surgeons around.” He attempted to reassure her.

She gave the dog a hug and handed the leash to Cale. Without speaking, Michelle stepped out of the truck and pulled the kennel from the back seat. She wrestled the heavy crate up the walk to Mary’s back door while Cale took Storm to the surgery. Reaching the entryway, she rested the container against the jamb and used her foot to knock. Mary opened the door and stepped out of her way.

“Did Cale take Storm over to Luke already?” She peered out the door to satisfy her curiosity.

“Yeah, I don’t want to know until it’s over.”

Placing the kennel on the floor, she released the catch and let the hatch swing out. A rolling mass of black fur emerged onto the kitchen floor. The puppies’ fat bellies made it difficult for them to manoeuvre on the slippery floor. Their short thick legs pushed them across the tiles as if they were swimming.

“Cute little tykes, they are,” Mary remarked.

She stepped over the wriggling bodies and poured coffee for herself and Michelle. Returning to the table, she plunked down in a chair and fixed her young friend with a stern gaze.

“Now, what’s this nonsense I hear about you moving out of the ranch and hightailing it to parts unknown?”

“George knows exactly where I am, or he should if his little blonde remembered to tell him.” She knew her defence sounded childish and defensive.

“Can’t you two work something out? After all the work you’ve put in out there, you should be entitled to half the profits.”

“You know George… It’s his way or the highway. I’m tired of playing that game. If he wants to be the big man and call all the shots, let him deal with the water freezing and the calves coming in the middle of a blizzard.” Michelle ran her hand through her hair in exasperation. “I’m tired, Mary. I can’t keep doing it alone, and now he wants me to babysit his latest woman.”

“Maybe this girl is the one for George,” Mary said optimistically.

“Maybe pigs will grow wings and fly.”

“Where are you staying? I know you took the horses, because your brother was by here yesterday evening looking for you.”

Michelle bent over and picked up a puppy, cuddling it on her lap. There was no use trying to sidetrack the older woman, but contrariness made her hesitate before she answered.

“I’m staying with Cale. He offered me space in the barn for the mares, and the chicken shed was empty, so my hens are in there now.”

“Are you sure that’s a wise move, Chelly? Cale isn’t Rob.”

“Thank God for that! Cale actually seems to care what I’m thinking and is willing to help me out. Rob was always too busy expecting me to take care of him all the time.”

“You’re not going after Cale just because he owns the ranch you’ve always thought of as yours?”

“It’s got nothing to do with that, Mary. Honest. You know I didn’t like the man before I met him, which was pretty unfair of me, I guess. I don’t like the idea of someone taking over for Doc. There’s been too much change lately, and I hate change.” Michelle paused, watching the coffee swirl in her mug while she rolled it between her palms. “There’s something about Cale… I don’t know. He makes me feel safe, listens when I talk, and…I guess I’ve just never felt like this before.”

She raised her head to meet Mary’s gaze. A small smile softened the woman’s features. She reached across the table and took Michelle’s hand in hers.

“I think you’re finally growing up, missy. Figuring out what’s important in a relationship. It’s more than how he fills out his jeans.”

“But it helps when he fills them out so well, doesn’t it?” Michelle giggled, and Mary joined her.

The puppies set up a racket in the kennel when they woke up from their nap and found no Storm to provide them with lunch. Mary got her trusted milk replacer formula from the fridge and warmed a portion in a bowl. Michelle filled one of the small baby bottles and settled a puppy on her lap where she offered it the nipple. After initially spitting it out, the puppy latched on when she squirted a few drops of liquid on his tongue. Mary picked up another baby and followed the same procedure. The remaining four pups howled their protest making any conversation impossible. Finally, the last of the little black dogs slurped their lunch while their already full siblings rolled on the floor. They were just big enough to start to play a bit; tiny barks sounded in response to sharp little teeth chewing on tails or ears.

“These little heathens will keep you hopping the next few weeks.”

Mary set the last puppy on the floor where it waddled over to its litter mates and plopped down at the edge of the heap of bodies.

“I hope they don’t keep Cale’s parents awake when they come.”

Michelle picked the two cups off the table and moved to the counter to refill them. She stepped over the pile of puppies with the full cups balanced carefully and grinned at Mary as she sat opposite her.

“Oh, are his parents coming soon?”

“On the thirtieth. They want to see the place and spend New Year’s at the ranch.”

“Are you staying while they’re here?”

“I wasn’t going to. I thought I’d just get a room at the Bluebird for a few days.”

“Cale convinced you to stay and meet his mom and dad, did he?”

“Yeah, he said I should stay put, and his mom would like to meet me. Do you think that’s kind of weird?”

“I think that boy knows what he wants, and he’s out to get it, is what I think.” Mary’s eyes crinkled mischievously at the corners.

“Shut up! It’s not like that at all. He’s just doing a neighbour a favour is all.” Michelle felt pushed to protest. If she admitted anything else, Mary would have the gossip grapevine flaming the minute she was alone.

“That’s not the way I see it, missy. The boy has it bad for you, and you could do a lot worse than Cale Benjamin.”

“I never said he wasn’t nice. Well, okay, not lately anyway, not since I got to know him when he looked after Storm that night it snowed so badly.”

“So….what do you think of him now you know him better?”

“Huh, you just want to know so you can make sure you win the “Who Will Michelle End Up With Pool”. Don’t think I haven’t heard about the bet you and your cronies have going.” She waved a finger at Mary’s expression of injured innocence.

“I should have known you never miss a trick. Well, give an old lady a break would you? I put my money on Cale. Am I gonna have to eat crow?”

“If I knew, I’d tell you, believe me. There’s something about him I really like him. He’s fun to be with… I think it’s me I don’t trust. Look at all those years I deluded myself Rob was my one and only, and there was never going to be anyone else. I can’t make myself trust what I’m feeling. What if I’m wrong again?”

“You’ve grown up a lot in the last little while, honey. Trust your heart. Don’t throw away something strong and right because you’re afraid.” Mary reached over and squeezed her fingers gently.

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll just wait and see how things go from here.”

The door from the surgery swung open, and Doc and Cale entered the kitchen. Both men pulled the top of their scrubs off and put them in the clinic laundry basket. Michelle’s eyes were drawn to Cale’s wide shoulders which tapered to his trim waist and the thin line of dark hair disappearing under the band of his scrub pants. She glanced at Mary when she felt a kick on her shin under the table. The woman wore a smug look on her face and raised her eyebrows at Michelle. The heat flared up her neck and into her face, Michelle was acutely aware her face must be fire engine red, and she frowned at Mary in mock irritation. Honestly, the woman was such a tease, and she never quit matchmaking for a second. When she turned back, the men were buttoning their shirts and speaking quietly.

“Well, that went better than expected. We saved most of her leg above the knee.” Cale lowered his long frame into the chair beside Michelle and casually rested his arm along the back of her chair.

“Is she going to be okay though…the stump should heal for her?” Michelle kept her gaze on Cale and ignored the looks exchanged between Doc and Mary which she caught in her peripheral vision.

“We had to amputate above the wound. The flesh was avascular, and it wasn’t going to heal. It was starting to be necrotic, and pretty soon gangrene would have set in. If the infection went systemic, there’s not a whole lot we could do.” Doc rubbed his face with his hands after he answered her.

“Luke, are you feeling all right?” Mary frowned at her husband, and Michelle picked up on the worry in her voice.

“I’m fine woman. Just gettin’ too old to spend three hours standin’ in the surgery anymore.”

“Do you want something to eat, a sandwich or…” Michelle started to get to her feet.

“No thanks, Chelly. I think I will go have me a bit of a lie down, though.”

The older vet got to his feet and moved toward the stairs. Mary threw a worried glance at the pair by the table before following him out of the room.

“I just can’t get used to Doc being old. He’s always seemed so…well the same, you know. I thought he was old when I was a kid, but he wasn’t really, and now I guess I just can’t think of him not being able to do everything he used to.” She leaned her head against Cale’s arm on her chair back.

“That’s why he offered me a partnership in the practice and the option to buy it when he’s ready to retire.”

“I think maybe it’s why I resented you so much before I met you. I didn’t want to admit Doc needed help, and it meant things were going to change. I’m tired of change.”

“Sometimes change is a good thing, Michelle.”

“So far that hasn’t been the case for me.” She turned her head to look at him while his fingers massaged the nape of her neck under her hair. “Mmm, that feels good.”

“Are you willing to give it a chance?”

For a moment, she wasn’t sure what to say. The color of his eyes seemed to darken while she hesitated, and she felt the tension in his fingers on her skin.

“I think maybe I am.”

The expression of relief that raced across his face made her heart leap in her chest. She reached out and trailed her hand down the side of his face and cupped his cheek in her hand. Cale turned his head and pressed his lips into her palm. She jumped guiltily as Mary entered the kitchen with a frown on her face.

“Is Doc okay?” Michelle moved to meet the older woman and give her a hug.

“I expect he’ll be right as rain once he rests a bit. Stubborn old mule, he says he’ll slow down, but he never does.”

“I’ll try to take over as much as I can, and the locum will be here this afternoon. If there are any emergency calls before she arrives call me, and let Doc rest.”

Cale got up from the table and stretched his arms over his head. Somehow Michelle forgot to breathe at the sight but managed to not let Mary catch her ogling the man again.

“We should get these monsters out of here before they start screaming again.”

She scooped the sleepy pups into the kennel and started to lift it from the floor.

“Here, let me take that out to the truck. You and Mary say your goodbyes, and I’ll check on Storm and tell the tech to call me if there are any complications.”

At the sound of Mary’s chuckle, Michelle dragged her gaze away from the captivating sight of his jean-clad butt. The door to the clinic swung shut behind Cale before she pivoted to meet the older woman’s scrutiny. A flush of heat warmed her cheeks, and involuntarily, a guilty smile twitched across her lips.

“A girl can look,” she said defensively.

“I don’t know, missy, it appears to me you’re thinking of doing more than looking.”

“Mary!”

She grabbed a tea towel from the back of a chair and threw it at the laughing woman. Mary caught the cloth deftly, folded it neatly, and set it on the counter. Her face sobered when she turned back to Michelle, her blue eyes clouding briefly.

“He’s a good man, girl. You could do a lot worse than Cale Benjamin.”

“So you said before, Mary. You’re right; I admit that. He’s been real good to me since he moved into Chetwynd’s, and he really didn’t have to bother with me at all.”

“You think about what I said. That boy really likes you, even though you behaved like a spoilt brat to him.”

“What if I’m wrong again? I can’t go through all the crap I did after Rob dumped me. I don’t trust my own judgement when it comes to my love life.”

“You trust Doc don’t you?”

“You know I do.”

“Well, Doc thinks the boy is the salt of the earth, and he wouldn’t be selling this practice to just any Tom, Dick, or Harry. He loves this place, and his clients are his friends. It took him a long time to find the right man to take over.”

“Maybe you’re right. He makes me feel things I never did with Rob, like we’re partners almost, even though I haven’t known him very long.”

“I met Luke on my twentieth birthday, and we got married the following June. I’ve never regretted a day. Love isn’t based on how long you know someone; it’s more about how he makes you feel. No matter how angry I got at Luke over the years, it was never enough for me to ever imagine my life without him in it.”

Michelle hugged the older woman and wiped a tear from Mary’s cheek. A horn sounded in the yard, and she released her with a smile.“Doc will be fine; you just make him rest. Promise. I’ve gotta go; Cale’s waiting. You call us if you need anything at all, and thanks for the advice.”

She moved briskly to the door and slipped through quickly to stop the cold air from entering. The snow squeaked under her boots, and suddenly she wanted to laugh and drop in the white powder and make snow angels. She hadn’t done that since she was a kid. Giggling at the train of thought, she hurried down the walk and stepped into the warm cab of the pickup.

“Storm is doing great. I left orders for buprenorphine and some NSAIDs for inflammation. She’s sleeping right now. The locum called, and she’s on her way. I just gave her directions to the house from the highway. I brought some extra milk replacer from the clinic. I’ll need to make some more next time I’m in.” Cale reached across and captured her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. With a grin, she slid across the seat and nestled beside him. Nothing in her relationship with Rob ever felt this comfortable or safe; a girl could get used to feeling this way.

“You look happy, any particular reason?” He lifted an eyebrow quizzically before reversing out of the yard and setting off down the snowy road.

“I am happy…happier than I’ve felt in a long time. I feel like I’ve finally come home.” Her voice came out soft and vibrated with the emotions bubbling in her chest.

“Home with me?” The man didn’t take his eyes from the road though she sensed the hope behind his words.

“Yeah, home with you, me, and Storm,” she said confidently.

Suddenly she was no longer afraid to open her heart. Doc trusted him. She had never known the man to be wrong in his judgement of people. Truth be told, her own common sense was saying the same thing, and it was darn well about time she listened.