To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,16
dirt.
Feeling ridiculous sitting in the cab of the truck, she opened the door and climbed down. Walking over, she watched for a moment, trying not to be distracted by the flexing muscles and light sheen of sweat that covered his arms. Feeling heat inside that had nothing to do with the sun shining, she asked, “Do you have another shovel?”
“No.”
“Well, then let’s take turns digging.”
“No.”
“What is wrong with you? I’m just trying to help!”
He stopped and stood, his arm resting on the handle of the shovel, and even though his eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses, she felt the burn of his gaze move over her. “Nothing’s wrong with me. You’re the doctor. I’m just doing some of the grunt work.”
She opened her mouth then snapped it shut, unable to think of her retort. It was obvious he was going to keep doing what he was going to do, so she turned and made her way back to her pickup truck. Unlatching the tailgate, she let it down. He had wrapped the two goats in an old tarp, and she gave a tug but knew it was futile. They were much too heavy.
A few minutes later, he followed but hesitated as they stared down at the deceased animals. “You should wait in the truck.”
A multitude of emotions as well as responses slammed into her all at once. I’m a veterinarian, not a delicate flower. This is not the first death of an animal I’ve ever seen. Don’t treat me as though I’m weak. I’ve been in the Army, I’ve seen death. But before she had a chance to open her mouth and let the floodgate of comments flow, he pushed his sunglasses up onto his head, and she saw his eyes. Green with flecks of amber. Eyes that held emotion. Eyes that held concern.
Deflated, she sighed and shook her head. “Thank you, no. With only one shovel there’s little I can do other than watch. But I can report to Lizzie that I saw this to the very end.”
Something passed through his eyes, an emotion she couldn’t define. But before she had a chance to think further on it, he flipped the sunglasses back down, shuttering his thoughts and any chance she had of divining more of the mysterious Joseph.
She grabbed one end of the tarp, and if he had planned on arguing that he could do it himself, she was ready for him. But he remained quiet, lifting the other end, and they made it to the hole, albeit somewhat staggering on her side. A trickle of sweat ran between her shoulder blades, and she wiped her forehead to keep the sweat from her eyes. Repeating their actions, they lowered the second goat into the shallow grave.
She knelt, her hand resting lightly on the tarp for just a few seconds, emotion moving through her. Poisoned. Who the hell would have poisoned these innocent animals? A heavy sigh left her lips as she stood. She stepped back, lifted her gaze to Joseph, grateful that he had waited patiently to give her a moment of grief. With a nod, she watched him shovel the loose dirt, covering the two carcasses.
Their task complete, they climbed back into the tow truck, silent as ever. Catching a glimpse of her head in the side-view mirror, she spied hair sticking out at odd angles around her face from the sweat. A smudge of dirt was on her cheek. Her hands and knees were dirty as well. She had no energy to attempt conversation, and while he was gorgeous, noticing that sweat and dirt only made him more sexy while she felt like a wet, dirty mop, she remained quiet.
He pulled past the sign for the veterinary clinic after she gave him directions and parked in front. She climbed out after retrieving her satchel and turned to look up at him behind the wheel. She hesitated, wondering if a tip was proper… or insulting. “Thank you, Joseph. I really appreciate the extra help.”
“No problem,” he rumbled. “Jason will call you about your truck.”
The dismissal felt final, so she shut the door and watched as her beloved truck was towed away by the elusive Joseph. Get a grip, girl. A great ass doesn’t make up for an aloof, brooding personality. She snorted as she walked into the clinic. Okay, it almost does.
Fatigue pulled at her, making every muscle ache, but she couldn’t go home. Walking inside, she gave a quick rundown to her staff about the morning,