Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #4) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,19
weak in the fucking knees, but I ignore it. Every time our eyes meet, I turn away though all I really want to do is pull her close and devour her mouth with mine.
I can’t believe I was foolish enough to think she wouldn’t be here. After I finish my round of horseshoes and drink, I thank Gavin for inviting me and wish him a happy birthday. When I walk to my truck, the only thing on my mind is Elle and how great her ass looked. Another inappropriate image to add next to the booty shorts I saw her in that one time.
I’ve had Olivia since the first of July, and it’s been an amazing two weeks. During the workweek, she stays with my parents, and I visit on my lunch breaks. We’ve gone to the park nearly every day after work, and she’s been begging me for a puppy after she saw Mrs. Landry’s Cocker Spaniel. If she lived with me full-time, we’d have a house full of pets because she loves animals just as much as I do.
Though it’s Thursday, and I’m supposed to be in the office most of the day, I got a call from one of my neighbors about her horse. After Beverly reschedules the last few appointments for next week, I get ready to go to Mrs. Ashby’s.
“Elizabeth.” I grab her attention. “We have an emergency call that can’t wait. The afternoon appointments have been rescheduled.”
“Who’s it for?” she asks.
“Jeanie Ashby. Says one of her prized ponies isn’t eating and noticed a drop in weight. She was hysterical, so I thought we’d go and take a look and see what’s going on.”
“Yikes. No wonder she’s upset.”
“Sounds like quidding.” I pack my medical bag with antibiotics just in case, along with some other supplies. “When the horse—”
“When the horse chews very loosely and tends to ball up the feed instead of grinding and swallowing it,” she interjects with a prideful smile.
I nod, grabbing the instruments needed to file teeth. “That’s the one.”
“I almost forgot you have that certification.” She chuckles.
When I walk around her, she immediately follows. She’s just as eager as I am to get out of the office. I’m grateful I don’t have to stare at the same four walls every day. I think I’d go crazy.
I let Beverly and Trina know we’re leaving, and I’d see them tomorrow. On the way there, Elizabeth’s on her phone. When I glance over, I see pictures about quidding. While I find it cute that she wants to learn as much as she can, hands-on experience will always trump book knowledge.
The drive to Jeanie’s is silent. At times, I just want to talk to her and ask her a bunch of questions about herself, but I’ve kept up this act for so long that it’d probably make it more awkward than usual. Asking her questions would only lead her to ask about me—about things I don’t share with anyone. Things like Olivia.
A small smile meets my lips when I think about my daughter. She loves Texas so much, and I wish she didn’t have to leave me ever again because I miss her when she’s gone.
When we arrive at the Ashbys’ and park, Jeanie walks up with a concerned expression.
“Dr. Wallen. Thank you so much for coming,” she greets, then turns toward Elle. “And you must be Elizabeth Bishop. Last time I saw you, you were about this big.” She holds her hand up to her waist, and Elizabeth laughs.
“Yes, ma’am. I hear that a lot.” She grins.
“How’s Rose doin’?” Jeanie asks, leading us toward the barn.
“Oh, Grandma’s doin’ great. Askin’ for more great-grandkids, but what else is new?” Elizabeth snickers.
“Better give her what she wants so she stops asking.” Jeanie waggles her brows.
Immediately, Elizabeth shakes her head. “Kinda hard to do that when you’re as single as a Pringle. My cousins are working on it, though.”
“Pretty soon, we’re gonna have to rename Eldorado Bishoptown, Texas,” Jeanie teases as she leads us to the stall. “Well, here she is. This is Daisy. I’m worried to death about my girl.”
Elizabeth steps inside, and I follow her, noticing the uneaten feed and how much weight Daisy’s lost since the last time I saw her. I set my bag down and do a quick check as Elizabeth holds the halter. Looking on the ground by the trough, I see a roll of food and pick it up. “Yeah, this is a textbook case.”