“You’re a beautiful, sexy woman and there’s no way in hell I’ll ever imagine you as a disembodied spirit, kindred or otherwise.”
“Oh.” She lapped up every syllable and was thirsty for more. “What are we going to do about it?”
“I have a few ideas. But for starters?—”
Her phone chimed, making her rapidly beating heart thump even faster. “I have to take that.”
“Sure.”
She opened her backpack and dug out her phone. She’d silenced all calls today except from Cole or the stable and it wasn’t Cole’s ring. The stable wouldn’t call if everything was fine. Something was wrong with Fudge.
Chapter Seven
Luis put down his cup. Jordan’s face had lost color when her phone rang.
She huddled over her phone, listening intently to whoever was on the other line. “Just keep him quiet and I’ll be there in an hour, maybe a little longer depending on traffic. Yep, thanks, Jeb. See you soon.” She ended the call and tucked her phone in her backpack.
“Fudge?” He picked up his empty drink cup and stood.
“Yep.” She got to her feet, hoisted her small backpack over one shoulder and grabbed her cup, too. “He’s favoring his right foreleg. Jeb thinks it’s a hoof abscess. Not that it’s life-threatening, but I need to go up there.”
“Does this guy have a vet available?”
“He’s calling around to see if he can find someone. Wouldn’t you know it’s a holiday.”
“Let us help.”
“Us?”
“The Bridger Bunch. You and I can go get him and I’ll alert Monty to meet us at the ranch. All his equipment and supplies are out there.”
“I’m grateful for the offer, but Missoula’s pretty big. We’ll find someone. I won’t ask Monty to give up his?—”
“He’ll want to. I know you like handling things yourself, but he’ll want to handle this for you and Fudge.”
She started down the steps. “It doesn’t feel right, Luis. Hauling Fudge out to the ranch and imposing on Monty — that’s not my style.”
“Maybe not, but it’s Monty’s style.” He followed her down to the sidewalk and tossed his cup in the recycling bin. “He loves riding to the rescue. Besides, Mila and Claudie will be crushed if you take off because you didn’t want to bother anybody.”
She put her drink cup in the bin and turned back to him, her expression skeptical. “Did you just say crushed?”
“Damned, straight. You’re part of the H&H gang, now. You’re wearing the T-shirt and the cap to prove it. You have friends here who care about you, whether you like it or not.”
“I do like it, but I don’t want to inconvenience?—”
“Jordan.” Frustration pushed him to take her by the shoulders. “If you handle this on your own, it’ll be a slap in the face to everyone who would have wanted to help, including me.”
Those stormy blue eyes told him a battle was going on. She took a shaky breath. “Okay. If you say so. You know them better than I do.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do.” He let go of her, but not before the warmth of her skin imprinted on his hands. “Better contact the stable.” While he waited for her to accomplish that, he took a deep breath, hoping to rid himself of the buzzy sensation left over from touching her.
She finished her call. “Jeb was relieved that I have a vet down here. He was getting nowhere.”
“I can believe it. Let’s go get your truck. I’ll text Monty once we’re on our way.”
“You’re going up there with me?”
“Somebody needs to.”
