Backlash Tender Trap Aftermath - Lisa Jackson Page 0,63
hold his head,” Mitchell offered, stroking Brigadier’s sleek neck. “I hope he doesn’t turn up lame. That could spoil your deal with Nate Edwards.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Tessa said sharply, her fingers running expertly along the edge of the stallion’s tender hoof. Brigadier rolled his eyes and his ears flattened as she worked. “Looks like a bruised sole,” she thought aloud. Brigadier snorted and jerked hard on the lead rope. “Find the toolbox and help me get this shoe off.”
Together they removed the shoe and Tessa pared out the bruised area of the inner hoof. “I’ll pack it with a poultice, but we’d better call Craig Fulton and have him take a look at it,” Tessa said quickly.
Craig was a young veterinarian who lived on a ranch nearby. He operated a clinic for large animals and house pets that was located on the outskirts of Three Falls.
“I’ll call him,” Mitchell offered.
“Good. I’ll finish here.”
Mitchell left the barn to phone the vet while Tessa cleaned the bruised area of Brigadier’s hoof then packed it with a poultice. Once assured that the stallion was comfortable, she rubbed his jagged white blaze and handed him a piece of apple. The fruit was whisked out of her open palm before she had time to blink.
“Thank goodness you still have your appetite,” she said, patting his soft muzzle before closing the gate to his stall behind her.
The barn door squeaked open and Tessa, expecting Mitchell, glanced over her shoulder. Denver! She’d left him less than an hour ago in the study, but her heart tripped at the sight of him.
Tall and masculine, he winked at her. “I thought I’d find you here.”
Her pulse leaped.
Dressed in a gray sport coat, black slacks and a crisp white shirt, he was dashing and handsome and, unfortunately, looked as if he belonged in a high-rise office building in some huge city.
She, on the other hand, was wearing dusty jeans and a checked blouse. Not exactly haute couture.
“Brigadier’s favoring his right foreleg. I think it’s a bruised sole,” she explained.
“I know. Mitch was on the phone in the kitchen.”
“Eavesdropping?” she teased.
“About horse ailments? Hardly. I’m on my way back to Helena. Jim Van Stern called. He has some legal papers he wants Ross to draw up.” He reached her and wrapped his arms comfortably around her waist. “I thought you’d like to join me.” He flashed her a devilish grin and his blue eyes danced irreverently.
“I’d love to,” she admitted. She wanted to be with him every minute of every day.
“Then do it,” he whispered into her ear. “Just this once, indulge yourself. We could spend the night, order room service for dinner and never leave the hotel again.”
“Now who’s the dreamer?” she quipped, though she tingled inside.
He kissed her neck, his lips warm and inviting. “Come on, Tess.”
More than anything she wanted to go with him. “You know I can’t, not with Brigadier lame.”
“The vet will take care of him.”
She shook her head and toyed with the buttons on his shirt. “How about a rain check?”
One side of Denver’s mouth lifted engagingly. “You’ve got it. How about tomorrow night?”
“You’re willing to drive all the way to Helena again?”
His blue eyes twinkled. “For a night alone with you? You bet.”
“We’re alone here at night.”
“It’s not the same. Any minute I expect your dad or brother or Milly to show up and interrupt us.” His lips pressed against her forehead. “I’d like to be alone with you where no one could find us for days.”
A shiver of anticipation swept up her spine. “Sounds wonderful,” she whispered. Denver lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips. Responding, Tessa wound her arms around his neck just as Brigadier stuck his head over the stall gate and shoved her.
She lost her footing and fell heavily against Denver, who laughed in surprise.
“Someone’s jealous,” Denver observed. “Be careful, my friend,” he said to the stallion, “this one’s mine.”
Brigadier tossed his great head, and Tessa felt a lump fill her throat. She rubbed the stallion’s nose fondly. “I’m going to miss you,” she said, her voice low.
“Then the sale is final?”
She nodded. “Nate plans to pick up Brigadier and the mares tomorrow.”
As if understanding the conversation, Brigadier whinnied plaintively.
Denver’s arms tightened around Tessa’s waist. “You don’t have to sell him, you know.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” She tried to extract herself, but Denver wouldn’t let go.