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“Why?” she asked.

“The reasons have changed over the years. At first, it was the excitement. Followed shortly by the money. Then it was the lifestyle. My ex-wife was especially upset to be grounded at my family’s cattle ranch. It’s what ended our relationship.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Reba said.

“She wanted a husband who was a rodeo star. She had one for about six months. Then when it became clear that my ankle would not allow me to ride professionally anymore, she tried to be a rancher’s wife. She didn’t try very hard,” he said with a small grin. “And that was that.”

“She was an idiot.”

“Thank you for saying that. How about you, has there been an idiot in your life?”

“More than one. My brand of idiots tend to resent the job after a few midnight calls to help a sick animal or being late to dinner because a birth is going badly.”

“You’d think they’d know what they were getting into,” Shane said.

“You would think that.” She returned his small grin. “And the rodeo cowboys I see on a daily basis aren’t my idea of a good time.”

“Ouch,” he said with a hand over his heart. “Are you saying I wouldn’t have had a chance?”

“Not even a little bit,” she said. “Then,” she added on quickly.

“Then,” he said slowly. “Well, how about now?”

Reba gave him a shy smile. “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

Chapter Six

Reba

Instead of paying attention to what her boss Diane was talking about in the morning meeting, Reba was thinking about how she should have invited Shane to stay over last night. A part of her felt guilty for daydreaming, but Diane was probably saying the same old thing she said at the beginning of every rodeo.

Keep your walkie talkie on and your phone charged.

Stick to the schedule.

Call for backup if you need it.

If you see something, say something.

Besides, the job assignments were already on the white erasable board in their portable vet trailer. Their mobile veterinarian lab contained essential diagnostic equipment for conducting tests and analyses. It had an exam room with a platform for examining smaller animals and storage for their medical supplies and equipment, such as their portable X-ray machines and ultrasound unit. As the senior veterinarian, Reba was in charge of the bull testing again and on call for any horses that needed assistance. Dr. Victor Lance, the second vet, took care of the other wellness checks. The rest of the vet techs were assigned all over the place.

As Diane droned on about things to remain alert for, Reba’s mind wandered back to Shane. She had a really good time last night. It had been a while since she had a first date that wasn’t a torturous two hours of awkwardness. They had really connected over the kittens and talking about their families. And those kisses… Reba smiled, feeling her cheeks heat in a blush. She hadn’t thought about Dr. Kilgore. She hadn’t panicked. It was so natural the way his lips brushed against hers. And then they had just moved on with their discussion, as if they had all the time in the world to get to know each other.

After they polished off the pizza and beer, they played gin rummy while talking smack to each other. He had helped her settle in the kittens and Reba could tell that he really hated to leave Huginn and Muninn, or was it Hildr and Sigrun?

Crazy Norse names. Reba couldn’t keep them straight.

“What are you grinning like a lunatic for?” Dolly asked.

Reba blinked. At some point, Diane had finished her speech, and everyone had started their day. Dolly must have come in when Diane had left. Reba shook her head. It wasn’t like her to be lost in daydreaming.

“Can’t a person be happy?” Reba said defensively.

Dolly stared into Reba’s coffee cup. “Isn’t it a little early to start drinking?”

“Coffee?”

“Whiskey.”