Page 19 of Nate

When she finished, she stood up and looked at the young man.

“I’d like to speak to Nate, please.”

“Uh, yes, ma’am. He’s in his office.”

“Thank you. I’ll go talk to him.” She knew by the look on the man’s face, he knew she was going to tell his boss about this not being taken care of.

Markie made her way across the barn’s aisle and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Nate called out.

Markie took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped into his office. He didn’t even look up. He probably assumed it was one of the hands.

“That horse should have been taken care of yesterday.”

His head snapped up, then he narrowed his eyes.

“No shit, Dr. Russell.”

“Then why wasn’t it?”

“Because I just saw it this morning. Someone was supposed to have checked them over—”

“Well, they did a piss poor job of it,” she snapped.

Nate got to his feet, and she could see the anger on his face.

“Do you think I don’t know that?”

“Well, I hope whoever didn’t do their job, you reprimanded them.”

“It’s really none of your concern,” Nate snapped.

“I’m a vet! Of course, it is.”

“This is the first time it’s ever happened and trust me; I will talk to him about it.”

“I’m sure Mr. McCallister wouldn’t like it.”

Nate smirked. “Oh, so you’re going to tell on me now?”

When he folded his arms across his chest, her anger exploded, and she glared at him.

“Do you think I won’t?”

“Do what you want. Beau knows me well enough to know that I would never ignore an injured animal. You just can’t stand it that I’m not the one at fault here. You want to blame me for it. Well, it’s because of me that you’re here now. Damn, woman. What the fuck did I ever do to you?”

“You’re so full of yourself, it’s disgusting. Do you think all women just fall at your feet?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Oh, so you do think that,” she said.

When he smirked, she wanted to slap him. He shook his head and nodded toward her clenched fists.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said as he walked around his desk and stepped closer toward her.

Markie shook her head. “I highly doubt that.”

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