I hear Benny chuckle behind me, and I shoot him a dirty look.
If she’s here to help, I’ll put up with her attitude.
For now.
Chapter Five
Sutton
Ididn’t expect to feel so much anxiety the closer I got to town.
I also didn’t expect my body to completely betray me at the sight of Wade Callahan, either.
The man fills out those Levi’s like no mortal man should. Seriously, if they filmed him walking in those jeans, thousands of women would go buy them for their husbands just because of how nice his rear looks in them.
His face has aged slightly; he went from boyishly handsome to devilishly good-looking in a distinguished way. He packed on more muscle, his body rugged from the manual labor on the ranch and a dark tan from the hours spent out in the sun. He’s always been handsome, but this older version of him is unexpectedly swoon-worthy.
Maybe I convinced myself that he got a beer belly and had gone bald since the last time I’d seen him, but that was the exact opposite of what happened.
“What is that?” Wade asks as he gestures to the samples I’ve collected and sealed in their vials, tucked securely into the insulated case in my hand.
“Samples for the lab to test.”
He stops and looks back at me in frustration. “Do you think I’m an idiot or something? I know that they’re samples. What kind of samples did you test for?”
I remain stoic as I look back at him. “Fecal, nasal passages, and blood. I also tested the soil, the water, and the feed. I’m not leaving any stone left unturned. I tested a different cow in various stages of the illness.”
“How will you get them to your lab? Are you flying back there tonight?”
“No. I’m here for the long haul. I have a medical courier service that will pick them up.”
“Long haul?” he asks.
I ignore the question because being this close to him is enough to make my stomach tighten, and seeing him again after all these years? Well, let’s just say it’s been a day filled with memories of his hand around my throat and his mouth on my breasts.
You’re carrying around a vial of cow manure, Sutton, and that’s what you’re thinking about? What on earth is wrong with you?
He’s walking a few paces ahead of me, his broad shoulders and easy stride impossible to ignore. The man looks good—too good, if I’m being honest. Sun-kissed skin, sharp jawline, and a quiet confidence that makes it clear he’s still every bit the rancher I remember.
It’s a good thing I swore off cowboys and any man who has anything to do with a ranch long ago. I don’t need to be tripping over my tongue and drooling over this emotionally unavailable one.
He’s never been someone who could be hog tied into a relationship, and by the looks of him, that hasn’t changed at all. I definitely didn’t see a wedding ring on him.
I shake the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. Reaching the barn, I set the case down on a clean surface and begin stripping off my contamination kit. The gloves come first, then the plastic coveralls. Each piece peels away with a satisfying snap, the layers of protection doing their job to keep the bacteria contained.
Wade is doing the same thing a few feet away, his movements efficient and unbothered. Of course he makes even this look good. The rolled-up sleeves of his shirt reveal strong forearms dusted with dirt. I glance away quickly, annoyed at myself for noticing.
“You’ve got a nice setup here,” I say, more to break the silence than anything else.
“Thanks,” he replies, his tone neutral. “We try to keep things running smoothly.”
“Hey, Doc Sutton, we’ve got a shower and cleaning area in the barn if you need to freshen up,” Caleb interjects.
I smile at him, grateful for his kindness. “Thanks, Caleb, but I’ve got an Airbnb nearby. I’ll just head there.”
Wade glances over, his brow furrowing. “Why aren’t you staying with your dad?”
Caleb cuts in, his face lighting up. “Oh, wait! I bet you’re staying at our place. The guest house, right?”
