Page 33 of Tough Love

Sweet Jesus, why did that feel like the worst moment of my entire life?

Chapter Ten

ADDY

So, I now know two things. One, I have officially been back on a horse and nothing horrific happened. Kudos to Hudson. Two, he isdefinitelynot interested. Which in hindsight, is good. Right?

At any rate, we are camping after my lesson next weekend, and I am stoked. I can only imagine how magnificent the stars will be from the top of that hill.

But first, I have to make it through this week. I have been assigned to small animals this week, with Justin taking over the equine work. Something about rotations being fair for all veterinary staff. But I’m not convinced. Did Harry have a hand in it, not happy with my riding progress? Or is Justin punishing me for not responding to his borderline inappropriate flirting over the last three weeks?

Whatever the case is, I am on dog and cat duty for the next five days. I can only hope something more interesting than routine vaccines comes in. Here’s hoping.

Is that bad? Ugh, who would know.

“You have a procedure booked for this afternoon,” Sally the receptionist chimes in, breaking apart my musing daydream.

“Great, which theater am I allocated?”

“None. Justin wants your work done in the treatment rooms. Something about priority cases only for the theaters?”

“You can’t be serious. That’s not even best practice.”

“It is when you’re in rural Montana, love.”

Fine. Just fine.

Whatever you say, Justin.Lord, how far we have sunk in three short weeks. I am sure there is cause for reporting the practice to the veterinary board, but that would most likely cost me my job. Which I desperately need.

And there is no way I am missing the roundup with the Rawlinses because some small-town, unrequited Romeo got a bee in his bonnet. It’s almost as bad as Adam and his spam texts. Every night since my birthday, he has been texting multiple times. I moved across the country to get away from him—you’d think the man would take a hint.

With only one more appointment before lunch, I start prepping the treatment room for a routine procedure, taking stock of the cart and the medicines. I am busy cleaning down the treatment table in the center of the room with disinfectant when Sally pops her head back in.

“Your twelve o’clock canceled, hon. And there is someone here to see you. You should take your lunch break while you can.”

“Oh, thanks, I’ll be out in five.”

“Okay, I’ll tell him.”

Him.

I stiffen a little at the thought that Adam could’ve tracked me down. Finishing up the cleaning job, I pull off my white coat and hang it over the back of the office chair. I straighten my scrubs before walking out to the waiting area. Hudson sits reading a magazine about cats and dogs, one ankle resting on his knee. His Stetson is sitting on the chair beside him.

I stop right in front of him. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Rawlins?”

He startles and tosses the magazine on the table and grabs up his hat, standing. He studies me up and down. “Nice scrubs, Howard.”

“Well, they wouldn’t let me wear my swimsuit, so this is the next best thing.” The joke is lame. Heat flushes my cheeks, but Hudson doesn’t seem to notice. “Did you need an appointment?”

“Don’t think you’ll ever geld that one, Addy,” Sally pipes up from behind the reception desk, muffled giggles following the comment. I raise an eyebrow at her, and she holds up both hands in aplease don’t shoot meplea.

“Um, okay?” I say to Sally before turning back to Hudson. “So, what do you need?”

“Actually, I’m here for you.”

“You are?”

“Ma’s idea, since we kind of ruined your birthday the other day.”

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