Page 5 of Falling For Her Cowboy (Silver Creek Ranch #9)

“Well, I see why you called.” Ridge frowned slightly as he took a step back to force Daisy to take another step. His gaze was locked on her front leg.

“She’s going to be okay, right? She’s not going to—” Melah couldn’t finish the sentence. She bit her lip and stared at the vet.

“Of course she’ll be fine.” Dr. Harvey swung his blue eyes to her.

Melah inhaled sharply. She hadn’t realized he’d backed up far enough to where he was standing next to her. Daisy accomplished her goal and made it to Ridge. She sniffed the top of his hair, eliciting a hearty laugh from him.

“Daisy. Down, girl.” Melah couldn’t believe how her horse was acting. She’d only been in the doctor’s presence for a few minutes and already she was sniffing him.

“Why, it’s all right,” Dr. Harvey drawled. He reached up and gave Daisy a good rubbing in between her eyes. Daisy closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

Melah had to admit, she was quite jealous of her horse. She couldn’t think of the last time she’d had attention from a member of the opposite sex. Much less have one of them rub on her—with her consent.

“Are you sure?” Melah couldn’t help but ask. Daisy was her baby, and she was responsible for her. She didn’t care how much it cost, he needed to save her. She didn’t have much but she’d figure out a way.

“Well, I need to look at her hoof. See what’s going on. I’m suspecting an infection. Let me grab my bag.” He gave Daisy a good solid pat on the side of her neck and jogged over to the door where he’d left a large worn leather bag on the floor.

Melah moved over to Daisy and rubbed her shoulder and neck. “Dr. Harvey said you should be fine. We’ll get through this, girl.”

Daisy head butted her gently and released a soft neigh.

“It’s Ridge. You can call me Ridge. No need to be formal.” He walked back to her and Daisy, this time with a few tools in his hands.

Melah tilted her head back so she could meet his gaze.

“But you are a doctor, right?” she said haughtily.

She wasn’t sure where this was coming from.

It had been forever and a day since the last time she’d even attempted to flirt with someone.

Again, not that she was looking for a man, but for some reason she felt relaxed around him.

“I called you to come see about my horse.”

“That I am, but again, you can call me Ridge. Unless you want me to call you by your title?”

“It’s Corporal Battle, if you want to use it. But I’m a civilian now, so Miss Battle will do.” She folded her arms and met his gaze head-on. “But if you insist that I call you by your first name, then I guess I can, Ridge.”

“I insist.” His eyes crinkled in the corner as he smiled. He jerked his head toward Daisy. “I’ll need a little help. Think you can distract her? ”

“Sure. She’s usually good when she’s getting her shoes done,” Melah said.

Ridge positioned himself to hold Daisy’s leg between his while he assessed her hoof. Melah watched how gentle he was with her.

“When was the last time she saw a farrier?” he asked.

“About a couple months ago. I was going to see about setting her up with the one who comes here.” Melah winced at the sight of Daisy jerking her leg back.

“My bad, girl. I see the problem.” He prodded her hoof, and she tried to jerk away again.

Melah continued to rub Daisy on her neck while she spoke softly to her as the doctor worked.

“It’s definitely an infection. I’m just going to clean it out, then we’ll need to put an antibacterial ointment on it. We’ll need to keep this dry and clean so she can heal.”

“But she’ll be okay?”

“Oh yeah. Daisy girl is strong. I’ll show you what to do, and she’ll be right in no time. She’s limping because she’s in pain. I’ll give you something for that tonight. By tomorrow she should be pain-free.”

A foul smell reached Melah. She glanced down at Ridge expelling some drainage from a wound on Daisy’s hoof.

“Was it something I did? Or missed?” Melah felt horrible that Daisy was going through this. She racked her brain on what she could have done to prevent this.

“Nah, it happens sometimes. She’s going to need some good loving care. Make sure she gets in with Mike. He’s good. I’ll take a look at her other hooves to make sure she’s okay, but let’s get this one dressed up to keep it clean and dry.” He motioned to his bag and asked her to bring it over to him.

She became his assistant, handing him the items he needed to place a clean dressing around Daisy’s leg. She didn’t mind. It kept her busy instead of standing back and worrying. They worked well together to take care of Daisy.

“Let’s wrap her up. Hand me that white roll right there.”

Melah shifted things around in the bag where she knelt until she found what he’d described.

She pulled it out and opened the plastic package, then placed it in his waiting hand.

His fingers closed around hers. She gasped, an electric current zipping along her arm.

She snatched her arm back and fell onto her butt.

Her pulsed raced, and warmth filled her face.

“You all right, darling?” Ridge arched an eyebrow. His blue eyes twinkled as he took her in. He went back to work wrapping Daisy’s leg and hoof. But it wasn’t before his lips curled up in the corner.

“Yeah. I’m good.” Melah closed her eyes for a moment, truly embarrassed. She pushed up from where she’d landed. Her knees were weak when she stood. She brushed off the debris from her pants and tried to get herself under control. Ridge was taking care of Daisy. That was all that mattered.

The way he made her heart race didn’t mean anything.

Or the way he appeared to see right through her.

The confident way he carried himself, or how he was with her horse shouldn’t have her wondering what he’d look like without the t-shirt, or what it would feel like to have his large hands running along her naked skin.

She blinked and inhaled sharply. She wasn’t on the ranch to find a man. She was here to work. Find herself. Figure out what the next stage in her life would include.

Not to lust over the sexy veterinarian .

But daydreaming and lusting after a person wouldn’t get her in trouble. She could dream, right?

“And we are done,” Ridge announced. He allowed Daisy’s leg to drop down. He stood to his full height and stretched out his back.

Melah’s gaze dipped down to his stomach where his shirt was drawn tightly from him stretching. It molded to the ridges of his abdomen. The air escaped her. She tore her gaze from him and watched Daisy test out her hoof.

“I’ll check back on her in a day or two to make sure everything is good. You’ll have to make sure her dressing stays on so the wound can remain clean and dry.”

Melah blinked. She had to focus on what he was saying so she’d be able to remember come morning.

Dressing needed to be changed. Hoof needed to stay dry and clean. Medicated ointment.

Got it.

“Thank you so much.” Melah moved over to Daisy and rubbed her shoulder and neck.

Daisy blew out a breath and butted Melah’s hand with her head.

Melah grinned at the move. She knew what that meant.

She raced over to where she’d left the carrot and came back.

She offered it to Daisy who promptly ate it in two bites.

“It was my pleasure.” Ridge bent down and threw the items on the floor back in his bag. He zipped it shut and picked it up.

“That’s my girl.” Melah breathed a sigh of relief. She turned back to him and offered a smile. “I really appreciate you coming this late.”

“I’ve been out practically all day. This is actually my first time getting back to the ranch since I left this morning.” He combed his fingers through his hair then motioned to the door. “I can walk you out.”

Any other day Melah would have insisted she could take care of herself. Which she could, but she figured he was just being nice. She gave a nod and wrapped her arms around Daisy one last time.

“I’ll see you in the morning before I go to work. Get some rest.” She took a step back and gave Daisy another smile before she spun on her heels.

They exited the stall and closed it. Melah paused by the door and sighed.

“She’ll be fine. I promise,” Ridge said.

“She just means so much to me. It’s like having a kid.” Melah smiled bashfully and pushed away from the door.

They strolled through the large barn toward the exit. It was dark and quiet outside. A pickup truck was parked near the barn doors .

“I get it, and that’s what makes you a good mom to Daisy. You care.”

It felt good to have someone realize how much she loved Daisy and not make fun of her for it. Pierce had never understood why she’d gone out and gotten a horse.

Why didn’t you adopt a dog or a cat? His voice echoed in her head. She had spoken of her dream of owning a horse plenty of times. That had just showed her that he either didn’t really listen to her or he hadn’t thought she’d be capable of taking care of an animal like Daisy.

“It’s just her and me. I was happy the ranch allowed me to bring my own horse.

This was definitely a good move for me.” She stared out at the open lands.

The moon was high in the dark sky that was littered with twinkling stars.

The ranch was stunning at night. She had spent plenty of time walking out here when the nightmares started.

It wasn’t often she could escape them, so she’d just walk or go for a run on the ranch. The fresh air helped her think.

“I’m glad you are here,” he said.

She turned to him and found him watching her. “Oh?” She arched an eyebrow at him.

“This place is good for people like us. My father had a dream of wanting to help soldiers, and this place does that. Whatever you need, they have it here.”

“I’m learning that.” She relaxed slightly.

He was speaking in general about her being a soldier and coming to the ranch.

Not him being happy that she was here. She doubted she’d see much of him after tonight.

She’d been on the ranch for a couple of weeks now, and this was the first time she’d seen him.

“Well, I’m thankful for your father and everything he has here. It’s already helping.”

“Good.”

They fell into a comfortable silence as they both admired nature. Melah inhaled the fresh South Dakota air again and realized this was the most relaxed she had felt in a while.

“What do I owe you?” she asked. The thought just came to her. He was still the vet who had come to treat Daisy. There had to be a fee for it.

“No charge.” He shook his head.

“Oh, no. I will pay you for your time. You are working.” She folded her arms.

He may not know her, but he was going to learn really quick she didn’t take handouts. She was going to reimburse him. He had just admitted he’d been working all day, and it was after midnight and he was just getting back on the ranch.

“I’m serious. No charge for Daisy. I just want to see her better.” He hefted the bag up on his shoulder and motioned to his truck. “Are you staying in the bunkhouse? I can give you a ride.”

“I am, but I prefer to walk. I do most nights, and don’t try to change the subject. I will pay you for treating her.”

“How about dinner?”

Melah’s gaze flew to Ridge. Dinner? Was he asking her out on a date? She glanced down at herself and her now dirty jammy pants, t-shirt, and the flip-flops she’d tossed on. Seriously? Well, if he wasn’t willing to take money, then she could at least buy the man a meal.

“As long as I’m paying.” She tilted her head to the side.

His lips curled up into a wide grin.

“I can’t remember the last time a woman treated me to a good meal.” He laughed.

“Well, then you need to find a new woman.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think. Her eyes widened as the realization set in.

Ridge burst out in a hefty laugh .

“I’m so sorry. That’s not to say your wife is horrible or anything?—”

“I’m not married.” His smile faded.

His gaze swept her again, and when he met her eyes with his, her knees grew weaker. Something fluttered in her stomach.

“No girlfriend either.”

It was as if he’d made a point to clarify he was unattached. Was he flirting with her? Or making a move? She had been out of the game way too long, so she wouldn’t even know it unless a man plainly spelled it out for her.

“Oh.” That was all she could muster. She swallowed hard and offered a small smile.

“Well, you let me know when you are free and we can grab a bite to eat.” She began walking away for fear of what else she may accidentally say.

She gave a wave and spun on her heel and started on the path to the bunkhouse.

She called out over her shoulder, “Goodnight.”

“Sweet dreams, Melah.”

A shiver rippled down her spine at the way he’d pronounced her name.

She didn’t dare turn around and look to see if he was watching her.

She could feel the heat of his gaze on her.

A silly smile graced her lips. She didn’t know what had just happened, but she felt like a woman.

Not one who had been assaulted, beaten down, or who had lost everything.

Just in those few moments, she’d felt like a new woman.

Like the one she could be once she’d finished healing.

Unable to resist, she held her head up higher and threw a little extra twist in her hips as she walked back to the house. Now that Daisy was okay, she could sleep.

And Melah had a funny feeling she knew who the star of her dreams would be tonight.