Chapter 2
Dean
“AndusuallyTuesdaysandThursdays are when I get out of the office to go make farm calls. As I am sure you are aware, this is a pretty big horse town.” Dr. Garrett Davis chuckled.
Although in fantastic shape, Dr. Davis was pushing seventy. His wife had nagged him enough to finally agree to retire after practicing veterinary medicine for forty years and move to Florida to be closer to their grandkids. I was officially taking over his practice, and today was his final day, during which we reviewed everything.
“So that’s it, or at least everything I can think of. You have my number if you ever need anything, and the staff have all been here long enough—some maybe too long—to be able to answer any questions as well,” Dr. Davis said as he made his way to the door. I shook his hand one final time. The staff had already said their goodbyes and thrown him a retirement party earlier in the week. He looked around and smiled. “You are going to be good for this town, Dr. Adler. Keep me updated, and don’t be a stranger.” And with that, he walked out of his practice for the final time.
When I returned to my place that evening, I changed out of my scrubs, grabbed a beer, and dropped down on my couch with a large exhale. Between moving to Primrose Hill and taking over my new practice, it had been a crazy few weeks. All the years of school and all the long hours had finally paid off. Being from a wealthy, prominent family out in California, I didn’t need to work. I had a massive trust fund and all the connections in the world, but that wasn’t my style. I grew up with guys like that, and I had zero respect for them. I wanted to make my own way in life and have something I could be proud of. I grew up at the polo fields, as my father loved to play, and I developed a love for horses at an early age. So after finishing my degree at USC, I left California and attended Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Davis was a Texas A&M alum and someone I connected with at a networking event held at the university several years back. We hit it off immediately, and he became a mentor to me during my surgery and oncology residency. We spoke often, and he told me about his plans to retire. He asked if I would be interested in moving out to the Hill Country in Texas, to a small town called Primrose Hill, to take over his practice. He mentioned it being a big horse town with both hunter/jumper and western barns. My original plan was to move back to California and open my own practice there to support the polo horse world. However, the clientele I would be dealing with would not be ideal, and I would face significant competition in the area to acquire clients. A small town and a slower way of life sounded refreshing. Plus, taking over his practice wouldalready give me an established client base. Just as I was about to shut my eyes for a bit to relax, my phone started going off.
I answered the call. “What’s up?”
“Hey, brother, you all settled in bumfuck nowhere?” my younger brother, Archer, asked.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s called Primrose Hill, and it’s in the Hill Country. Hardly bumfuck nowhere, you moron.”
Archer laughed. “I’m just kidding. Have you gone out in the town yet? Any good-looking women there?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Yeah, brother, between my all-day work hours, farm calls, and moving in, I’ve had all the time in the world.”
“I plan to fly out in a couple of weeks to check on you and the women situation. Speaking of women, Margot keeps asking about you and when you plan on moving back home,” Archer said.
I sighed heavily. “Seriously? That woman is a nutcase and needs to stay as far away from me as possible.”
Archer laughed. “Margot’s hot as hell. You sure you don’t want to revisit that?”
I groaned, annoyed by this topic. “No. I’m good. I’ve got to get some sleep. I have an early morning farm call out at Walker James’s place.”
“Wait.TheWalker James, the pitcher for the Austin Aviators?” Archer asked.
“That’s the one.”
“Well, shit. Forget what I said about bumfuck nowhere. That’s badass. Get me an autograph. You know he’s my favoritepitcher of all-time,” Archer said enthusiastically.
I laughed. “I’ll see what I can do. Not sure he will even be there, considering it’s the playoffs. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
“All right, see you then. Keep me posted on the Walker James situation,” Archer said.
I laughed, said goodbye, and hung up the phone. I got up from the couch and stood at the back window, bracing an arm against the frame. The land stretched far and wide beyond the glass. Rugged hills rose and fell, scattered with cypress and oak, their leaves shimmering in the breeze. The sky was painted in rose and amber, the kind of Texas sunset that made even the rough edges of the day soften. I’d stumbled onto this house by chance, tucked into the folds of the hills, with enough land to breathe and views that quieted a man’s mind. A loud bark startled me from my thoughts as I looked down at my all-black German shepherd, Coal. I glanced at the clock. “Right on time, Coal. Let’s get you some dinner.” I walked toward the pantry to grab his dog food. I heated up some leftover pasta for myself while Coal ate his dinner. When the dishes were put away, I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed, Coal immediately jumping up on the bed and curling up at the end. I was exhausted, and sleep came easily.
The next morning was an early start, as I had to be at Walker James’s house by eight a.m. to administer his horses’ annualvaccinations, as well as conduct a checkup on his sister’s horse that had arrived from the East Coast about a month ago. In addition to the horses, his barn manager also mentioned a couple of mini donkeys that they wanted me to check on. I loaded up my truck with everything I needed and opened the passenger door for Coal to jump in. Coal was a retired K-9 officer that I adopted a few years back, and was exceptionally well trained. He also happened to love farm calls.
I pulled up to the gate of the property and entered the code that Dr. Davis gave me. I guided the truck through the gates and let out a slow breath as I made my way down the long drive, flanked by pristine white fencing. The house sitting on the rise wasn’t the kind I grew up around—no pretentious marble columns, no oversized chandelier in the entryway. This one was limestone and steel, with tall windows that pulled in the view. The guesthouse was a smaller copy tucked under the oaks, and just past it sat the barn, the same pale stone but with a dark-green roof. No frills. No excess. Just solid lines and quiet strength. Two horses grazed lazily in the morning light, like they had all the time in the world. Money built this place, sure, but it wasn’t trying to prove anything. And damn if that didn’t make it more impressive. I parked outside the barn and hopped out with Coal at my heels. As I was grabbing the vaccines I needed, I heard footsteps approach on the gravel behind me. I turned to see Walker’s barn manager, Theo, accompanied by a stunning woman whom I assumed was Walker’s sister.
Theo extended his hand. “Hey, Dr. Adler, I’m Theo Miller, Walker’s barn and property manager. We spoke on the phoneyesterday. This is his sister, Addison James.”
I shook his hand and smiled. “Hey, Theo, nice to meet you. Call me Dean, please.” I then turned and took in the woman standing beside him—long chestnut hair falling in loose waves down her back, green eyes sharp and steady. I offered my hand, suddenly aware of how long I’d been staring and of the silence stretching between us. “Hey, Addison, I’m Dean. Nice to meet you as well.”
Addison smiled and shook my hand. “Hey, Dean, thanks for coming by this morning.”
Coal trotted over and sat dutifully at my feet, looking up at Addison. She bent down and rubbed his head and behind his ears. “Hey, buddy, aren’t you such a handsome boy,” she cooed at Coal. The bastard who was trained to wait for my command ate it up and rolled over onto his back to show his belly for more rubs.
I rolled my eyes. “Wow, Coal, way to give it up, buddy.” Coal usually didn’t warm up to someone so quickly.
Addison laughed while rubbing his belly. “He’s such a sweet guy.” She smoothed her hands down her jeans as she stood. “Okay, follow me, and I’ll show you the horses.”
