Page 41 of Deadly Vendetta

One small shoulder lifted in a halfhearted shrug, but if nothing else, he knew she loved going into the lace-and-ruffle-infested place.

In less than twenty minutes they pulled into the vet clinic parking area between a gleaming white Lincoln Town Car and a battered ’87 Chevy pickup.

A lanky rancher, his arms folded on the countertop and hat resting on the counter beside him, looked over his shoulder and gave a brief nod as Zach and Katie walked in.

From behind her desk, Francie leaned to one side to peer past him. “Howdy, strangers. Dana’s with a client right now, but she should be out in a few minutes.”

“Are the kids around?”

“Molly was in back a minute ago. Alex...he’s supposed to be cleaning kennels, but he might have slipped out to the barn to ride his horse.” A faint blush crept up her cheeks. “Zach Forrester, this is Gil Tabor. He has a ranch ten miles west of here and raises Herefords and rodeo stock.”

The rancher gave him a lazy smile and extended a callused hand. “I’ve heard tell about you. Martha Benson’s place, right?”

He had a good handshake, honest and true, and the steady gaze of someone to count on. From the gleam in Francie’s eyes, he was more than just a clinic customer.

“Don’t let us interrupt anything,” Zach said. “We just had a couple of questions for Dana.”

A moment later one of the exam room doors opened and a slender, tan woman in her fifties strolled out with dog that resembled a furry Polish sausage.

“Just remember, the geriatric formula dog food. Nothing else, okay?” Dana followed her, then handed a slip of paper to Francie. “We’ve got some samples here if you’d like to try what we carry.” Her gaze shifted to Gil, and she gave him a warm smile. “Hey, there. How’s old Buckshot? Is he doing better since you started him on those pellets?”

“Yep. If he keeps doing good, we might start riding him again. This last winter was sorta tough on him.” He canted his head toward Zach. “You’ve got a visitor.”

She stepped forward, and Zach saw her expression freeze. “Hi, Dana. I know you’re working. I just need a minute of your time.”

She focused on Katie. “Hi, sweetie. I’m sure glad to see you again. Hmm...I can’t remember your dolly’s name. Is it...Mable?”

Katie melted against Zach’s side and shook her head.

“Oh, now I remember. She’s Lulu!” Dana gave her a wink. “Or...is it Polly?”

“She’s Bonny.”

“Oh!” Dana hit her forehead with the heel of one hand. “Of course. Now I remember.”

Katie wiggled in his arms, and Zach looked down in time to see her mouth curve into a fleeting grin.

“Well, what brings you and Miss Bonny to see me?”

“Actually,” Zach said, “I just needed a couple of minutes. Alone, probably.” He lowered Katie to the floor and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Francie is right here, honey. I’ll be back in a flash, and then we’ll go to town, okay?”

Francie came from behind the desk and grinned. “You are the sweetest little punkin’. Can you tell me about your dolly? I’ll bet she loves...ice cream and chocolate chips cookies...”

Francie’s voice faded as Zach followed Dana down the hall.

Back at her office, she stepped over Gabe, who was snoring peacefully in the doorway, then rounded her desk, clearly putting it between them.

Her obvious wariness made him feel all the more guilt at not calling her since their time together on Saturday night.

“Have a chair. Or should we just make this fast and easy?” Bracing her palms on the desk, she met his gaze steadily. “I do understand that any further involvement would be a major mistake. I totally agree.”

“You do?” He’d been busy convincing himself of that fact for the past three days, but hearing her say it made it seem...wrong.

“We’re temporary neighbors. We’re adults. A fleeting, casual romance in the past shouldn’t affect how we deal with each other now, right?”

Fleeting? Casual? He still remembered those weeks of his senior year in vivid detail. Still regretted his forced midnight departure from town, and the fact that he hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye. But explaining now would only hurt her more. “Uh...right. Neighbors.”

A memory of Saturday night’s kiss slid through him. There was something between them still—a connection that hadn’t dimmed in all the years they’d been apart—and he had a feeling that his reaction to her was never, ever going to change.

---