“I don’t suppose you have any influence with insurance companies?” She grinned and brushed a stray curl from her face. “My settlement won’t come close to covering my loss, but it’ll get me started.”
Mattie collected the items she’d used to treat Dusty and deposited the soiled cotton into a trash bin. “The tack room needs electrical outlets installed to handle x-rays and my other machines. I’ll pay for the work done, of course.” She stood at the hydrant and sprayed water into a bucket to wash her hands.
Gil inspected the barn. How would they ever turn this place into a proper facility? They could put the smaller animals in hanging cages, but the examining room would require time and funds the doc obviously didn’t have.
“We’re getting the upgrade, it’s only fair we cover the expenses,” he said.
Mattie lowered her eyes. “You and your dad have done too much. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“You don’t have to.” That he felt compelled to offer such generosity surprised him. But he couldn’t retract his words even if he wanted to — which he didn’t.
“I can’t tell you how much that means. Truly, I’m overwhelmed. Jake and your dad already helped build shelves to stock my medicine and equipment. I can’t accept more.”
Gil cleared his throat, his charitable spirit tainted by the reminder of his dad working out in the barn. “Now that I’m here there’s no need to trouble Dad with this project. The physical stress can’t be good for him.”
Her eyes flashed. “He sat on a stool and gave orders.”
Gil’s mouth twitched, proven wrong again. He really didn’t want to think poorly of the doc, so why was that always his first inclination? “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”
“You’re right about one thing, though.” An amused giggle escaped her lips. “We could use your muscle for all the heavy work that needs to be done.”
Gil questioned her attempt to exploit his help but smiled at the thought that maybe the doc wasn’t completely immune to football players, after all.
EIGHTEEN
THE NEXT MORNING, FROST COVERED THE GROUND, AND THE SKY loomed gray and dreary, typical January weather. Mattie entered the barn, and Dusty greeted her with a nicker.
“Hey, boy.” She put her face to his neck in a gentle hug, relishing his warm scent. A quick examination revealed the swelling and fever had subsided. Relief washed over her that the medication had worked. She offered him some feed, and this time the horse took in a few mouthfuls. Mattie continued her morning routine, her hands no longer tender from the burns. God was good indeed. He’d looked after her and had given her a home and a place for business. Even her relationship with Gil seemed more positive.
After her chores, Mattie began cleaning the tack room and carried out the first of the saddles. She met Jake in the center of the barn.
“What’cha doing there, Missy? Here, let me get that for you.” The old ranch hand took the heavy saddle from her by the horn.
Her burden lifted, she spun to retrieve another item and nearly collided into Gil. He sauntered past in navy sweats, his brow beaded with perspiration.
“I heard you rolled in last night with a brand new truck.” Jake set the saddle on the dirt floor. “Now that you’re home, I don’t suppose you’d have time to help me out this morning?”
Gil mopped his forehead with the towel slung around his neck. “What’s the problem?”
Jake scratched his whiskery chin, hesitant to continue. “Well, I hate to bother you . . . but one of the bulls got in with some heifers. I need to move him, but he’s being cantankerous. Can’t herd him or nothing. If I had my wits, I’d load him in the trailer, but I’m not as quick as I used to be.”
Mattie waited for Gil’s response. If he didn’t offer his assistance, she would. She was about to say so when he finally spoke.
“You need me to saddle up?” A grin spread across Gil’s face as though warming to the idea. “Been a long time, but I reckon I can help.”
Mattie would give a hundred dollars to see Gil work a bull. “Me too,” she volunteered, fearing they wouldn’t let her go. “You might need an extra hand out there. I can ride Tulip.”
The two men exchanged dubious glances, and she half expected them to tell her a