Thrilled that he wanted her with him, she waited while he parked the truck and got out with his bag. In a black Stetson, jeans and a blue denim shirt he was so striking, she was in danger of staring. Together they walked into the barn toward the third stall.
Wes came out of another stall a little farther down. “Dr. Clayton...” By the tautness of his features, Tracey could tell he hadn’t expected to see the vet show up this soon.
“Good morning, Mr. Hunter. As you know, I’m here on your grandfather’s orders to soak Chief’s hoof and put on a new poultice. Tracey’s going to help me.” He turned to her. “I’ll fill this bucket with some warm water and get started.”
“I’ll do it for you.”
“Thanks.” He handed it to her. She could tell Wes didn’t want her doing anything, but he couldn’t very well interfere.
When she came back, she set it next to the vet, who’d unwrapped the soiled poultice. She squatted next to him. “It drained a lot during the night.”
“That’s exactly the result we wanted.” His smile sent a wave of warmth through her body. “The infection has built up, but we’re getting rid of it now.” He reached for more Epsom salts to put in the water, then lowered the hoof into the bucket. “That feels good, doesn’t it, buddy?” he said to the horse.
His gentleness and professionalism mesmerized Tracey. “Look at that,” she said softly. “His ears are up. You’ve made a friend.”
“My former boss, Hannah, used to say it was one of the perks of being a vet. I discovered she was right.”
“Chief is the horse I would have liked to ride while I’m here this summer, but I understand he belongs to Wes. In any case I hope he has a full recovery.”
“For both your sakes, I want the same thing. We’ll know soon enough.” The vet shot her a sideways glance. “Tell me about yourself. How did you happen to start working here?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“My grandfather and Mr. Hunter grew up in Polson and are still best friends.”
“The Flathead area is one of my favorite places.”
“I was born there and I love it. But after teaching sixth grade all year, I wanted to get away for the summer. Riding is my passion. Grandpa suggested I try to get hired here to help on the trail rides.”
“I met with Mr. Hunter this morning. He’s very grateful he took you on.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“I learned that Chief happens to be his favorite and most expensive horse. He didn’t mention that Wes owned him.”
“One of the other staff told me that before Wes told me himself this morning.”
“Maybe it’s just the horse he prefers while he’s working at the stable.”
“Maybe.” But both of them knew there was a lot more to the story.
“John told me you’re a valuable employee for noticing the limp.”
“I don’t know about that.” She studied his arresting profile. “Why did you leave your practice in Missoula?”
“The owner died a little over two months ago.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Though I could have bought her practice, I preferred to set up my own on our family’s ranch. Unfortunately, I’ve lost a fair number of patients by moving.”
“But I don’t blame you for wanting to be with your family. John told me yours is a big cattle ranch. You’d have enough patients without ever having to leave the property.”
He chuckled. “You’re right about that. We’ll see. These things take time. It might interest you to know Mr. Hunter is my first new client since my move. That’s thanks to you.”
She bet John didn’t know that, and if Wes had his way, today’s visit would be the end of it. “What a coincidence that I happened to notice your hospital yesterday. I’m happy John called you.”
“Frankly, so am I.”
Tracey couldn’t learn enough about him. “Do you come from a big family?”
“Three brothers. Two of them are married. What about you?”
“I have one married brother who’s a forest ranger. My grandfather lives with my parents now.”
“You’re very fortunate they’re alive. My own dad passed away, but I’m lucky to still have my mother.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Tracey whispered. “How long ago was it?”
“Several years. He had the most influence on me to become a vet.” With that revelation, Roce lifted Chief’s hoof from the bucket and prepared a new poultice. After wrapping it, he glanced at her. “Thanks for helping me.”
“I wanted to make sure he was healing. Until we know how he fares, I’ll have to pick another horse. My job starts in the morning when the first tourists arrive.”
The vet put things back in his bag and got to his feet. “What will you do with the rest of your day?”
“Not a lot. I’m new to this area and plan to look around. I’ll probably drive into Hamilton to do a few errands.”
“If you’re free, would you like to go to lunch? I don’t need to get back to the hospital until this afternoon.”
Tracey was so excited she didn’t know how to contain it. “Let me empty this bucket and I’ll meet you out in front.”
She had to pass Wes to reach the drain. He ignored her. Under normal circumstances he ought to have been the one to take care of it, but he’d elected not to go near the vet. After she’d rinsed out the bucket and put it back in Chief’s stall, she walked outside.
To her surprise, Grady came hurrying up to her. “There you are! I was hoping to catch up with you. Do you want to go for a horseback ride? It would be the perfect time to try out the horse you’ll be riding all summer.”
He meant the mare Wes had already picked out for her. “Thanks, but I have other plans for today. Grady Cox? I guess you haven’t met Dr. Clayton, who’s been treating Chief’s hoof. He runs a veterinary hospital near Stevensville.” She turned to the doctor. “Grady’s a college student in Missoula who has worked here several summers, managing the horses.”
“Lucky you, Grady. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
The younger man switched his gaze to Tracey. “Maybe we can go riding another time then.”
“Of course.”
Once he’d headed for the barn, Tracey followed the vet around to the passenger side of his truck. He opened the door so she could climb in the cab. When their eyes met, she knew something earthshaking was happening to her.
After getting in his side and starting the engine, he turned to her. “What are you in the mood for?”
“I missed breakfast, so I’m starting to get an appetite. A granola bar doesn’t last all that long.”
She heard a chuckle. “Since I wanted to talk to Mr. Hunter early, I left the house without eating, so I’m hungry, too. Let’s drive into town and see what we can find.”
He drove by farms and orchards until they entered the town of five thousand. After passing different stores and businesses, they both suddenly cried out as they spotted a sign that said Breakfast All Day. After they’d broken into laughter, he pulled up in front of the family-style restaurant. “That was easy.”
They both went to the restroom to wash their hands before finding a