Page 32 of Back in the Saddle

Caroline shook her head. ‘To practise clinically in the US, I’d need to pass USMLE – it’s a medical licensing exam. The licence to practise from the UK doesn’t automatically give me the right to treat patients here. Same rules apply the other way round, and in other countries.’

Hunter nodded slowly. ‘That makes sense.’

She laughed. ‘It does but it’s a lot of hassle if I did want to take it. Luckily, I have zero interest in working in the US after this year. I wouldn’t want to work in a country without universal healthcare. It would go against my values both as a doctor and just a regular person.’

She spotted a flicker of an unease in his steely grey eyes.

‘Of course.’ He turned his back to her, gazing into the distance.

Caroline wished she could see his face. What was he thinking? Would he say there was no point in their date tomorrow, now that he knew there was zero chance for any kind of future for them? Even though her logical brain agreed with it, her traitorous body had a mind of its own.And it wasn’t rattled by the set end date to whatever this could be.

Stop being fanciful. One kiss, some flirty messages and a walk in a state park are hardly ‘a future’ material.

She cleared her throat. ‘I understand if you don’t want to meet tomorrow.’

He turned to her sharply. ‘Why would you think that?’

‘Because I’m only here for another ten months.’

The smile he flashed her would get toothpaste commercial companies interested if they were looking for a new model. ‘A lot can happen in ten months.’

Caroline quirked her brow. ‘If you say so.’

Hunter laughed. ‘I do. Besides, that kiss made it impossible to not think about you.’

Caroline’s breath caught in her throat. The mention of the kiss snapped her out of the strange haze in which both time and place were unfocused. She remembered why Anna had brought her here, and, more importantly, that she’d want to get back home soon.

She decided to change the topic. ‘Duke told me about the ex-rodeo horses you buy. That’s really sweet.’

‘We have tons of space so it’s the least I can do.’ He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. Like filling stalls that could house working horses with ones needing peaceful pastures was something every ranch did.

Caroline smiled. ‘Can I meet them?’

‘Sure. Follow me.’

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Hunter

Hunter led Caroline outside. ‘We keep them in the barn at the back of the property. It’s quieter out there.’

She stopped in the middle of the wide path, putting up her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. ‘I thought that Mr Fraser’s farm was large. This is like four of them put together.’

‘I’m sorry?’

Caroline shook her head. ‘I grew up in Aberdeen, but we used to visit this farm outside Ballater. They had sheep and chickens. We’d buy free range eggs from there.’ She reached to her jeans pocket and took out a pair of sunglasses. ‘It was the biggest farm I’ve ever been to. Until today.’

Hunter watched as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her right ear. She put the glasses on and looked around.

‘Well, this is a ranch.’ He couldn’t help himself. He knew that if he teased her, she was going to give him the look he already associated just with her. Playful but slightly stern. He was unable to keep a grin from his face whenever he caught her glancing at him that way.

‘Americans and your love for standing out,’ she said slowly, piercing him with the look.

He grinned, right on cue. ‘I didn’t come up with the name. Sounds like your Mr Fraser had a ranch too. Farms are where the crops are grown.’

Caroline pushed her hands in her pockets. She walked right past him, heading up the path. ‘Are you coming?’

‘You aren’t going to argue with me?’

---