“Marvin, what are you doing out here?” She grabbed one horn and pulled. The beast shook his head free, then leaned over to lick her face.
“Stop that!” She dragged a shirtsleeve across her face. “I’m not impressed with your affections, you know. You’re supposed to be in the south paddock, not out here blocking traffic.”
The beast snuffled a response, rubbing its massive head against her side in a way that made Luc reach for the door handle as fear snaked its way up his spine. She couldn’t weigh one-tenth as much as that mammoth. It would surely kill her. He pushed the door open, freezing when it creaked loudly. The bull turned to glare at him.
Dani DeWitt didn’t even glance his way.
“Don’t get out, Doc. Just stay where you are. I have everything under control.”
Sure she did.
Luc didn’t believe it for a moment, but presumably she did have more knowledge than he about this animal. She even knew the thing’s name, though he’d never have called something so impossibly ugly “Marvin.”
Luc patted the seat beside him. He had his cell phone. He could call for help if he needed it, though he wasn’t clear on exactly whom to call.
“Okay, Marv. Shift your bulk right now, and I mean it. I’ve got my zapper and if you give me a bit of trouble, I’ll poke you right in the rump.”
The bull nudged her thigh again, waggled its horns, then obediently plodded across the road, into the ditch, and daintily stepped over a broken strand of electric fence. Dani followed him and smacked him on the hind quarters.
“You get home right now, Marvin, or you’ll find yourself going without supper tonight. Git now!” She stood her ground, hands on her hips, glaring at the beast’s wavering back end.
Marvin emitted a strange bellow, nodded his giant head twice, then began to trot due north, his hooves thundering against the hard-packed ground.
Luc climbed out of his car, staring at her in astonishment.
“How did you do that?”
“Hey, Doc. Didn’t think you were coming.” Dani touched her cheek with one finger, grimaced and wiped her face on her shirttail. She made a face at the wet spot of bull saliva, then grinned at him. “That dumb ol’ bull thinks I’m his daughter.”
“His daughter?” He chuckled. “You scared the daylights out of me when you grabbed his horn.”
“Oh, Marvin won’t hurt me. We grew up together. But don’t ever put yourself between him and me. He’s very protective. My dad once yelled at me and Marvin charged him.” She giggled. “He’s really just a big old softie, but he doesn’t like everyone to know that. Especially men.”
“I see.” Luc swallowed. This—this girl had used a few choice words to single-handedly manage what he’d seen grown men twice her size fail at. His appreciation for Dani DeWitt’s courage soared. “I’m sorry I’m so late. M-Marvin wouldn’t let me past.”
“No, he doesn’t want any strangers on the ranch. He’s afraid I’ll sell him like I did the other cattle.” Her face changed, lost its glow of fun.
“Will you?” He saw how little she wanted that to happen.
“Probably have to,” she murmured. “I don’t have any cows to breed him with and he’s worth a fair bit.”
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say.
“Thanks. It’s been tough since Dad died, but I’m getting through.”
“From all I’ve heard, you’re doing very well.”
Her head jerked up at that, eyes narrowed. Luc realized he’d just told her the entire town was talking about her. He hurried to change the subject.
“Is this your land?”
She nodded. “Far as you can see.”
She told him exactly how many acres she owned, but the number didn’t compute in his brain.
“It sounds big, but I know less than nothing about ranches.”
“Why would you? You’re a doctor. I know less than nothing about medicine.” She pointed down the road. “If you want to follow me, I’ll take you back to the house.”
“Weren’t you headed somewhere? I don’t want to take up your afternoon.” Maybe he could get out of this yet.
“I was expecting you. I just came out to check on Marvin. I knew he’d head out here. He does it whenever he wants to make a statement.” She turned toward her truck. “Keep driving straight ahead. You’ll see the house in about five miles.”
Luc followed her at some distance, hoping to avoid the cloud of dust that trailed behind her truck, but also wanting to save wear on his shocks. Pavement appeared to be in short supply in Dani DeWitt’s neck of the woods.
As he drove, Luc noted that the place was huge—miles of green stretched before him. She ran it virtually alone, he knew from gossip in town. He couldn’t help his smile of admiration. Dani DeWitt was one very unusual woman. She’d handled a bull with an attitude, agreed to direct a play that involved half the town. She was feisty. And she sure didn’t back down from a challenge. He’d experienced that personally.
The house, when he saw it, made his eyes widen. A large, cedar-sided two-storey, it sat in the lee of a south-facing hill, huge windows offering what must be a stunning vista over the surrounding valley. A few scraggly flowers struggled to show their blooms against the house, but mostly the yard was grass. He parked beside her truck, climbed out.
“It’s very beautiful country,” he told her sincerely. “You must love to come home.”
“Yes, I do. I was away at college for four years, but every time I came back, it was as if I’d never left.” She motioned to the willow furniture on the deck outside the front door. “Would you like to sit out here in the sun? I can get us some lemonade.”
“Sure.” Luc gingerly lowered himself onto the cushion atop a web of woven willow and found it quite comfy. He waited, content to study the magnificent view, until she returned with two frosty glasses. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She took a sip, stared at him for a moment. “Are you enjoying Blessing, Dr. Lawrence?”
“It’s Luc.” He nodded. “Yes, I am. Now that Joshua’s recovered and I have a few minutes of spare time, I’m looking forward to really getting to know the area.”
“It was a terrible accident. I know both he and Nicole were glad you were there.” Dani stared out across the billowing grasses. “They seem very happy together.”
“I’m sure they are. The girls love their new mother, and Nicole doesn’t let Joshua get away with much. She’s got her own opinions about things.” He didn’t want to talk about work, Luc discovered. He wanted to talk about her. He didn’t bother to ask himself why. “Tell me about the ranch.”
A mask fell over her eyes, shielding her thoughts from him.
“What do you want to know?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want to tell me. What it’s like to live out here. Whether you intend on staying or not.”
“Staying? Of course I’m staying. Who told you otherwise?” Her brows drew together in a frown of dismay.
“No one’s said anything. I just assumed with you being so young, you’d rather move back to the city.” He glanced around, noted the unmown grass, the windows that needed painting, the broken board in the balustrade. “You must get lonely out here by yourself.”
“I don’t really.” She smiled. “Maybe because I’m so busy, or maybe it’s because I grew up here, cut my teeth