way with me. And he respects me. When I’m looking at a reindeer, he doesn’t try and tell me what I should be doing. I get plenty of that from old-time ranchers and farmers. They think that because I’m young—and a woman—I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Don’t get your hackles up. I know you’re more than qualified and capable.”
Faith hadn’t realized how tightly her hands fisted until Dad told her to calm down. “I might have a chip on my shoulder about that.”
Dad chuckled. “I don’t blame ya. You’re in a male-dominated field, and a lot of these old-timers,” he said with a wink, “come from a different era.”
“Not the wranglers, though. All of them listened to me.” Even when she’d told Mr. Nichollas he was treating a hoof wound on one of the reindeer with an older technique, he’d listened intently. She’d half-expected him to dig in his heels and tell her he’d dressed wounds that way for thirty years and it worked just fine. But he didn’t. He took what she said to heart and made the change right there. The experience made her feel valued and a part of the team.
Dad patted her hand. “Of course they did. Because you’re smart and they recognized it. Heck, I’ve been telling them for years that you have a better head on your shoulder than I ever did.” Dad laid his arms across his chest. He took in a deep breath.
He was growing bags under his eyes as they spoke. It was time for Faith to leave so he could rest. She stood next to the bed, not remembering the last time she’d hugged her father goodbye. Leaning over, she pecked a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t give the nurses too much grief, okay?”
He smiled softly. “Try to believe in something—or someone.”
“I’ll think about it.” She squeezed his hand and then gathered her purse and coat from the chair by the door. Dad was already starting to doze off. Taking him in, she wondered when he’d gotten so old. Maybe it was the heart attack, but he didn’t seem like the indomitable force she’d always known. His shoulders were thinner, as was his gray hair. Her heartstrings tugged, and a thread of worry worked its way into her thoughts.
Would he be able to come back to the practice? Not in the shape he was in right now. He wouldn’t have lasted twenty minutes in the field doing vaccinations—let alone the whole day.
What would that do to the reindeer ranch?
“Merry Christmas,” offered a nurse as she pushed a med cart down the hallway.
“Merry Christmas,” Faith responded. She stopped and stared at the stocking with her dad’s name on it. It had glitter polka dots—which he’d probably think was fun.
She reached out and ran her hand along the rough surface. Seemed everyone was in the holiday mood but her.
Believe in Santa? Not likely. But she could help out a reindeer in need. That was the Christian thing to do. And she’d donate her time to keep the bill down. Her cheeks tugged, wanting to smile at the thought. Yeah, helping Rudy see well would be her Christmas gift to the reindeer and to the ranch.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Caleb’s number. It was at the top of her recent calls list. Funny, but her partner hadn’t checked in for a couple days. Neither had she. She’d have to make that call next.
“Merry Christmas,” Caleb answered the phone.
She rolled her eyes even as her stomach made the same happy motion. “It’s me.”
“I know—your name came up on my caller ID.”
“Right.” Her skin felt like it sparkled like the glitter on the stocking at the sound of his deep voice coming through her phone. She hadn’t realized how much she missed being with him until right then. She’d been okay, and then, WHAM! All she wanted to do was see his blue, blue eyes and walk around the barn together. “Right.” She’d already said that. “I talked to Dad, and he’s fine with you staying at the clinic, so whenever you’re ready to—”
“How about tomorrow?”
She pulled the phone back to look at it in shock, then scrambled to get it back to her cheek. “W-what’s the rush?” She’d thought she would have a couple days to mentally prepare herself for sleeping under the same roof as Caleb.
“It’s thirteen days until Christmas. If Rudy is going to be ready, we need to get started.”
“The Main Street parade, right.” She ran a hand through