Page 78 of Cabin Fever

Bea had promised she wouldn't say anything, though. But they were sisters, and I said I didn't like her right before she confronted me about being Lorne Fitzwilliam's son. My secret couldn't stay hidden forever. Once I let Olivia into my life, my past would eventually come to the surface. My father always warned me about that.

"But I want to stay. Actually, I've got some exciting news."

She reached for my hand, her thumb running circles over my palm.

"Dr. Ferguson."

"Tyler."

She pursed her lips together. "He is a doctor of veterinary medicine, Carter, so his title is doctor."

I feigned interest in the menu laying between my arms. "Semantics."

"No, that's not semantics at all. He's a doctor. Anyway,Dr.Ferguson would like me to think about becoming his full-time assistant. The woman on maternity leave, Kylie, put in her notice. She had the baby a few days ago and felt like she couldn't leave her son. Now, I have a chance to work there. Isn't that great!"

My smile was stiff as I said, "That's great." But inside I wanted to screamno. Not just scream it, but I felt the urge to run down to the vet office and throw Tyler against a wall.

I bet he called Kylie and convinced her to quit so he could have Olivia all to himself.

Man, I hated that guy.

Olivia let go of my hand and went back to her menu while I seethed with my thoughts. I'd seen that place. It was small, about the size of the cabin. A perfect, cozy seduction lair. What woman wouldn't like to be around cute, cuddly animals all day? Then at night, when the door was locked, he would turn on her. Explaining how tight his muscles were after trying to resuscitate a kitten or put a cast on a puppy's leg.

He'd be a hero in Olivia's eyes, and all he'd have to do was remind her that I was a bitter sheep farmer that no one liked. She wouldn't have to take long to think about leaving me for him.

"What are you going to have? I'm thinking about the pear pancakes and a white omelet. A little bit bad and a little bit good on my plate." Her sparkling hazel eyes lifted to meet mine. Her grin was soft, content, and it angered me that it was almost his.

"You know, I help animals, too."

Her brow crinkled as she frowned. "I know you do. You showed me what to do if the sheep's feet get infected."

"They have cloven hooves."

"Yes, I meant hooves. I’m sorry . . . But, I asked what you were going to order?"

"I'm not really hungry. Maybe a stack of toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and only two pancakes."

"That's you not being hungry?" Her mouth fell open, and she reached for my menu.

"I'm only ordering two pancakes, aren't I?"

Emily showed up to take our orders and just before she left, an idea popped into my head.

"Did you know Emily grew up on a farm?" I said as I handed her the menus.

"No. That's great. Where's the farm?" Olivia smiled up at our waitress.

"Out West." Emily's shoulders lifted or maybe her head sunk into them. Whatever happened, I could tell she wasn't comfortable. Perhaps she was like me, uneasy discussing her personal life.

I was about to invite Emily to the farm and discuss her helping out around it. Maybe if Olivia saw someone showing interest where I worked, she might want to stay and take less interest in working at the vet office.

"Carter is a sheep farmer. You should come by and have a look. That is, if you would be interested in helping Carter. I'm sorry for being so forward, it's just that I was helping him but I'm going to be working at the vet more often. And you have farm experience." Olivia waved her hand between me and Emily.

There went my idea. It seemed like she didn't mind at all walking away. So much for her not wanting to leave.

"That sounds great. I told Carter earlier I had been looking for a farm job. I have a half day on Friday. Can I stop by in the late afternoon?" Emily hugged the menus to her chest.

"Perfect. Carter will be there. I'll be at work, but he'll be able to show you around the barn."

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