Chapter 8
Joy
Nottobedramaticor anything, but Mondays are stupid. Aside from Monday representing the official end of the weekend, I have to work my real job after being away for three days. As much as I enjoy helping people, I’d much rather hang out with the horses.
I haven’t heard from Tate since Saturday and that’s only adding to my shitty mood. He never said he would call, but the way he marched into the barn demanding my number, I kind of expected to hear from him sooner rather than later. I stare at the coffee pot as I wait for it to brew enough coffee to fill my giant travel cup. The way I’m feeling, I’ll need every last drop.
Rayna is already at the front desk when I walk in. “Hey, girl. Did you save a horse yesterday?”
I stare at her in confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Give me at least another few minutes for my coffee to kick in.”
“Oh, come on. You know. Save a horse, ride a cowboy.”
I roll my eyes. “I haven’t ridden any horsesorcowboys. I was off yesterday. Sunday is the day of rest.”
Rayna cackles as she types something into the computer. “There are donuts in the break room. And coffee, in case you get through that gallon.”
I walk past her and toward the breakroom so I can put my lunch in the fridge and grab my sweatshirt from my locker. The weather outside is mild, but they like to keep the office set to arctic. I feel sorry for any patients who have to get undressed in here. Emerging a few minutes later, coffee cup in one hand and donut in my mouth, I shrug my sweatshirt on.
“You really didn’t see him? He didn’t call you?” Rayna demands.
I blink at her as if I have no clue what she’s talking about. She’s talking about Tate. I’m not stupid. If I pretend like I don’t know who she’s talking about and like I didn’t spend the previous day hoping my phone would ring, maybe she’ll leave it alone. The only thing that makes coming to work less miserable is the hope that I’ll be so busy, that I forget about stupid, sexy cowboys.
“The way he came to find you after his first ride had me certain he’d have found a reason to see you yesterday. What a dick. No worries, there are plenty more cowboys where he came from.”
“Oh, my god,” I groan giving another full-body eye roll. “I don’t have a thing for cowboys. And I’m sure I’ll see Tate around. Stop making this into a thing. It’s not a thing.”
The bells on the door jingle, drawing our attention to the entrance. Tate Garrison walks in and I immediately wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere else. His gaze meets mine, and it’s like a magnet. I’m stuck staring into his eyes like a lost puppy. And not only do my eyes follow him, but I don’t snap out of it until Rayna smacks my arm from across the counter.Real fucking smooth.
“Hi,” I say in greeting. But it isn’t a normal greeting. My voice comes out all breathy, betraying the emotions I’m trying my damnedest to hide.
“Hey.” He looks directly at me as he walks the rest of the way to the front desk. “Dr. Robinson told me to just stop by sometime today to follow up with my hand. I hope this is a good time.”
I swallow hard. “Oh. She, um… she didn’t mention anything, but it’s fine. You’re the first one here, so no worries. Follow me.” I nearly slap my hand over my mouth so I can shut the hell up.
It’s first thing in the morning. I’m still half asleep because I only had a few sips of coffee during the short drive in. Wearing a pair of perfectly fitted Wranglers, a button-down shirt, and cowboy boots, Tate looks like he already won Monday. It takes everything in me to hide the spark of awareness I feel just being close enough to smell his earthy scent.
“So, how does your hand feel? Better than it did a few days ago?” I ask once we reach the room.
“Like I said, I’ve suffered worse. It’s sore, but it’ll be alright.”
I reach for his hand to inspect it, doing my best to ignore the jolt my body feels when we touch. I’m a professional. I just need to take a quick look at his hand so I can do my job. As many times as I tell myself that, I can’t stop thinking about the last time we were alone together. The way his lips felt on mine. The way he looked at me as though he was really seeing me.
“If you aren’t comfortable with me touching you, just tell me, okay?”
He’s watching me carefully when I finally look up to meet his gaze. “You can touch me anytime you want.”
Jesus.There’s no stopping my smile as I pump some hand sanitizing foam into my hands and rub it in. He’s flirting with me. We spent an evening dancing and having fun. He drove me home and kissed me goodnight. I’m not sure why his flirting has thrown me so far off balance.
“Good to know.” Once again, real fucking smooth.
“You’re nervous,” he says quietly, pointing out what I’m sure must be painfully obvious.
“I’m sorry. I’m not awake yet, and I didn’t expect to see you. Also I didn’t hear from you and… I don’t know. I’m going to touch your hand now.”
We’re both quiet while I get to work checking his pulse while taking a quick look at his hand. My hands shake as I wrap the blood pressure cuff around his arm. I need to get a grip. I take a few measured breaths while recording his results.
“Okay, Dr. Robinson will be right with you.” Turning on my heel, I make a beeline for the door.
