Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) (2 page)

“Looks good, Mom. I sure missed your cooking while I was away.”

Winnie smiled, obviously pleased by the compliment.

Allison picked up a lemon square and took a bite. “Mmmm, this is delicious.”

“I’ll write out the recipe for you if you want,” Winnie offered.

“Thanks, but I’m not much of a baker. I love to cook, though. Always experimenting with new foods and ideas,” said Allison.

“A man has to have a good hearty meal waitin’ for him when he’s finished a hard day’s work,” said Lucas. “Not some of that new-fangled Thai or Chinese crap.”

“Well, so far I only have myself to worry about, but I love Chinese once in a while,” Allison replied.

Jack chuckled beside her.

“What’s so funny?” Allison asked.

“You will never gain Lucas’ approval that way.”

“Excuse me if I speak my mind. If Lucas doesn’t like Chinese food, that’s his preference. I’m just saying it’s not mine. And, no offence, Lucas, but I didn’t ask for your approval.” She felt as if she’d been tested and failed to pass. She wolfed down a sandwich and drank her tea so as not to offend Winnie, then rose to her feet and carefully pushed the chair in to the table. “Thanks for the snack, but I have other calls to make. I really need to run.”

“I wish you didn’t have to rush off,” Winnie said. “Let me wrap some of this up in a napkin to take with you.”

“Oh, no. I’ve had plenty. Thank you. If I eat any more now, I won’t want dinner.”

“Well, you come on back any time. You’re always welcome in
my
kitchen.”

Allison loved the way she put emphasis on the word
my
. “Thanks, Winnie. Bye for now.”

A chair scraped behind her, and she turned to see Jack standing. “I’ll walk you out,” he said.

“That’s not necessary, but thanks anyway.”

She picked up her satchel and went outside. The air felt cooler than it had earlier. A glance at the sky told her why. Dark clouds were moving in fast.

Allison practically ran to her truck, hoping to get back to the clinic before the storm hit. She hated storms. Once, as a child, she and her mother had been out picking apples when a storm hit. Allison had climbed a tree to get ‘the good ones’ further up. The first clap of thunder had been right overhead and startled her so bad, she’d fallen from branch to branch and landed with a broken arm and leg. Her mother had tried to carry her back to the house, but at ten years old, she’d been too heavy for her petite mother. She’d had to wait in the apple orchard in the pouring rain while her mother went for help. Thunder had boomed and lightning had flashed until she’d closed her eyes against the storm.

Then a loud crack had caused her to look around. One of the apple trees had been hit and was on fire. She’d made a mad scramble using her one good arm and leg and had gotten away from there as fast as she could. About halfway to the house, she had lost her strength. The adrenalin that had fueled her need to escape had deserted her. When she’d looked back, the burning tree was lying on its side right where she had been sitting.

Lightning flashed in front of her now, lighting up the darkened sky as if it were the Fourth of July. She jerked in response, and the truck swerved alarmingly. It hit the gravel at the side of the road, and she was barely able to get it back under control. The rain poured down in sheets, making it hard to see the road, so she slowed her speed and cautiously finished the drive to town. Never had she been so glad to see the clinic. Allison parked close to the front door, which was protected by an overhang, but she was soaked through by the time she got it unlocked and stepped inside.

The office phone rang, a jarring noise in the quiet of the reception area. She took off her wet jacket and boots before crossing the room to answer it. Why hadn’t it switched over to voice mail? “Wakefield Clinic, Allison speaking.”

“Oh, thank goodness you made it. That storm came up so quick I was worried sick.”

“I’m fine, Winnie. Thank you for caring.” And she meant it. It had been a long time since someone worried about her. “I’m here at the clinic, and if this storm keeps up, I’ll be spending the night here.”

“But I thought you had more calls to make.”

“I did, but I need to cancel them due to the weather. I hate storms.”

“Especially when they’re as fierce as this one. Well, you stay inside and rest up. Tomorrow will probably be busy for you, what with the appointments you’ve had to cancel today.”

“Thanks, Winnie. I hope the clinic doesn’t lose customers because of this.” Allison walked around the room, closing the blinds as she went to keep the storm outside. It was bad enough hearing it pound on the roof.

“People around here are good about things like this. I’m sure Jack would be happy to drive you around if any of those calls were emergencies.”

“No, thanks. Visibility was very poor when I drove in. I wouldn’t ask anyone to come out in this weather.”
Especially Jack, who seemed to think I was there for his sake.
“And besides, they were all rechecks from last week. I’m sure everything is fine, but I need to make those calls. Thanks again for caring about me. You’re a real sweetheart, Winnie.”

“Nonsense, I’m only glad to know you made it back to town. Take care and come back soon.”

“I’ll stop in the next time I’m out that way. Bye for now.”

“Good-bye, dear.”

Allison disconnected the call and put the phone back on its base. She walked into her office, closed the blinds, made the calls, and then figured she should catch up on some paperwork. Since she’d taken over the clinic, she hadn’t had much time to herself. It didn’t help that the receptionist was out on maternity leave and Allison hadn’t yet hired a replacement. She’d been run off her feet, although she wouldn’t complain. Business was good.

Before she started the paperwork, she composed an ad for the receptionist position and faxed it to the local paper. Then she went to her website and posted it there as well. That done, she opened the top file in the stack waiting on the corner of her desk. She didn’t mind updating the accounts, but it took too much time away from her real work, which came first. Therefore, it had really piled up.

She was working her way through the stack and making good progress when the power went out. Grabbing a flashlight from her desk drawer, she went to the kennels at the back of the clinic to check on her patients, although they were probably more tolerant of the darkness than she was.

Her four overnight guests greeted her with gusto. One was a parrot with a broken wing who liked to repeat everything she said. There was also a French Bulldog with digestive problems who liked to bark a lot, a well-behaved German Shepherd with parvo, and a yowling Siamese who was about to give birth.

“It’s a good thing I bought a pullout sofa for the office so I could stay with you fellows if needed. Looks like I’ll be spending the night.”

“Spend the night, spend the night,” squawked the parrot.

Allison chuckled. “I’m glad you agree.” She gave them all food and fresh water and went back to her office. Lightning flashed and lit up the window as if it was daylight, even with the blinds closed. She cringed and drew the heavy drapes, hoping the darkness kept the nightmares from childhood away. The dark didn’t terrify her half as much as witnessing the flash of those deadly lightning strikes.

She picked up the phone only to find it was dead as well. And she’d forgotten to charge her cell phone. Talking to Bridget during storms like this always calmed her, but this time she’d have to suffer through on her own.

She dug her earplugs out of her purse and inserted them so she couldn’t hear the thunder. Then she unfolded the afghan she’d brought over earlier and lay down, clothes and all, pulling the blanket up over her head to ward off the flashes of lightning. She knew it was still storming, but she’d made herself as comfortable as could be. In the morning, she’d have to go to the motel to shower and change, but for now, she’d try to sleep and shut out the storm.

Chapter Two

“So, what’s with the new vet? A little uppity, isn’t she?” asked Jack.

“Not in the least. Allison is a very down to earth girl who’s taken on a busy practice,” Winnie answered as she rinsed the dinner dishes and put them in the dishwasher.

“Well, she sure took offense and ran out of here quick enough this afternoon.”

Winnie straightened and turned to face her son. “Some people don’t like talking about their private lives. Or being criticized and put on the spot.”

Jack groaned. “Mama, I was teasing her.”

“I suspected that was the case, but she doesn’t know you. That girl works hard, and if I can talk her into taking a break, she deserves to enjoy every minute of it.”

Jack walked over and looked out the window. “The rain seems to have eased off. Maybe I should take a drive to town and apologize.”

“Maybe, but a simple phone call might do the trick.”

“Nah, I’ll go see her. I hate that I upset her.”

His mother walked over and gave him a hug. “You’re a good boy, Jack. Do whatever feels right. Allison said she’d be staying at the clinic tonight.”

He grabbed his hat, pulled on his jacket, and was out the door in minutes. His first day home, and he’d annoyed his mother and insulted one of her friends. What a great start to the summer.

As he rounded the truck to jump in behind the wheel, he groaned aloud. The front tire was flat.
Yep, a great start.
He must’ve picked up a nail or something on the drive home. Resigned, and glad the rain had stopped, he jacked up the truck, removed the flat, and threw it in the back before putting on the spare. It hadn’t taken much time, and he was soon on the road.

The rain started in earnest again as he neared the clinic. When he braked to a stop beside her truck, there weren’t any lights on. If she was sleeping, he didn’t think he’d earn any brownie points for waking her up. He sat in the truck and glanced around the neighborhood. The streetlights weren’t even on. The power must have gone out in this section of town.

He opened his door and ran through the rain to the front entrance. Brrr, but it was a cold rain. Jack knocked on the door just as thunder boomed overhead. Thinking she probably hadn’t heard his knock, he knocked louder the second time.
Come on, girl. I don’t want to stand out here all night.

He’d knocked a third time and was about to give up and go home when he saw a flicker of light coming from within.

“Who’s there?” asked a sleepy, sexy-sounding voice.

“Jack Grayson.”

She unlocked the door and held it open. “Come in out of the rain.”

“Thank you.” He stepped inside, took off his jacket, and hung it over the doorknob.

“What brings you here? Did the horse get worse?”

“No, I came to eat a little crow. I’m sorry if my teasing set you off this afternoon. It’s been bothering me, the way you took off so quick and all.”

“You drove all the way out here in the pouring rain and pounded on my door so hard you scared me half to death just to apologize?”

Jack grinned. “Yep. Am I forgiven?”

She shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing around her face delightfully. A stroke of lightning lit up the front of the clinic and he saw her cringe and take a few steps backward.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“No, I hate storms. Terrified of them, actually.”

She was shaking so hard now he was afraid for her.

“Come here,” he said, and held out his arms. She paused for only a moment before she gave in to the need to be comforted. He held her close to his heart, close enough that her shivers vibrated off his chest. She fit well in his arms, and it felt good to hold her, regardless of circumstances. He could smell her perfume mixed with a womanly scent that was all her own. “This little storm is nothing to fret about.”

“Little storm?” She snorted a laugh. “I’d hate to see a bigger one.”

Her trembling had slowed to an occasional shiver.

“Thank you,” she said as she pushed away from him. “It’s nice to not be alone in this.”

“Have you had dinner?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, the power went out so I went to bed early.”

“Why don’t I order some takeout and sit with you until the storm ends?”

“You’d do that? For me? You don’t even know me.”

“Maybe not, but I know fear when I see it. I’ll even order Chinese. It’s been a while since I had a good feed of the stuff.”

She grinned up at him. The beam from the flashlight outlined her features in a surreal glow that resembled a halo. “I’d take you up on that, but the phones went out with the power.”

“No problem. I have my cell. So, we’re on?”

“Yes, we’re on. Do you need the phone book? It’s over here on the desk.”

“Thanks.” She held the flashlight as he flipped through the yellow pages and got the number. “What’s your pleasure?” he asked as he dialed.

“Anything but wonton soup. Hate the stuff.”

“Okay. Want a hot chocolate or something to go with?”

“Yes, please. I love hot chocolate. A hot meal and drink might finally get rid of the chill.”

“Great. I’ll see if the delivery driver will stop at Timmy’s on the way here,” he said as he palmed his phone.

The first restaurant he called was without power as well, so he tried one downtown and was able to order. “Half an hour,” he said when he disconnected his phone and set it down.

“Great. We can wait in my office.”

“Let me run out to my truck first. I think my camp light is still behind the seat.” He turned to put his jacket on. “That’ll save your batteries in case you need the light later.”

“Okay, thanks. Do you do a lot of camping?” she asked.

“Mostly hiking when I need to think, but I always go prepared with a few snacks, a lantern, a pup tent, and my sleeping bag. Just me and nature.”

“Sounds heavenly.” Her voice sounded wistful.

“Have you never gone camping?” he asked with his hand on the doorknob.

“Nope, too afraid a storm might blow up. There’s not much protection in a tent.”

“No, but at least they’re waterproof. Be right back.”

Jack opened the door, and a lightning strike seemed to touch down right in front of his feet. He yelped and jumped backward in a hurry. “That was close.”

Allison screamed and scrambled to get as far away from the door as she could.

“Hey, I’m okay. Calm down.”

She wrapped her arms around herself protectively. “Just hurry back. Okay?”

He nodded and made a run for the truck, grabbed his light, and ran back inside. “That wasn’t so bad,” he said as he set the lantern on the floor and then shucked his boots, coat, and hat and left them in the entry to drip off. But when he turned toward Allison and the meager light from her flashlight, she’d backed into a far corner and sat on the floor, her arms hugging her knees to her chest.

He walked slowly to where she sat, not wanting to spook her. She seemed to have retreated into a world of her own. “Allison, it’s me, Jack. Come on up here. I won’t let anything hurt you.” He reached out a hand, but she appeared to shrink even further into herself.

After a few moments, she looked up at him and spoke. “You must hate me. I’m such a wimp.” She sobbed quietly.

“Nonsense. We all have our fears. Let me help you.”

She swiped her eyes with the back of her hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. Immediately, he drew her close and hugged her tight. “You’re all right,” he said. “Jack’s here and nothing is going to hurt you.”

Once her tears ceased, he walked her over to the desk. “Sit here while I get the lantern.”

He retrieved his camp light and set it on the desk, thankful that it ran off a six-volt battery, as the light would last longer than her flashlight. The soft glow filled the room. It became cozy, almost encouraging the intimate, but one glance at a frightened Allison nixed that idea. She sure was pretty, though.

“There, we have light. We’ll wait here for our dinner and then move into your office. All right?”

Her gaze traveled from the light to him. “Yes, that’s fine. I’m sorry for crying all over you. I’ve soaked the front of your shirt.”

“Hey, no sweat. It’s nice to have someone need me now and then. And the shirt will dry.”

“It’s sweet of you to stay and keep me company during the storm.”

He grinned. “It sure beats hanging with the horses and cows on the ranch.”

“Still, it’s your first night home. You probably had plans.”

He brushed a stray tendril of hair out of her eyes. “No, just catching up with Mom, and we did a fair share of that during dinner.”

She frowned at him. “If you already ate, why did you order takeout?”

“I can always eat. And I truly haven’t had Chinese for a while. I know I won’t get any at the ranch, what with Mom watching Lucas’s diet so close, so this is a good time.”

“But Lucas said he didn’t like it.”

“He’s been known to eat a feed or two, but I suspect it’s easier for him to say he doesn’t like it than to admit that Mom won’t let him have any—too high in salt.”

“Heart condition?”

“Yep. She almost lost him last year, so she keeps a close eye on him now.”

Headlights shone through the front blinds.

“Here’s our food now.” Jack walked to the door and opened it when he saw the deliveryman approach. “Nasty night,” he said as a gust of wind and rain blew the door open more.

“It sure is,” the guy said, and passed him a bag of food, the tray of drinks, and stated the total.

Jack paid him and locked up after he’d left. “Time to head for the office.”

“Mmm, smells delicious,” she said as she walked ahead of him with the lantern, which she placed on her desk. “Pull up a chair.”

Once he set everything on the desk, he grabbed a chair. Their meal had arrived complete with plates and plasticware, which he’d forgotten to ask for. Very little was spoken as they dished up and ate, sporadically sipping their hot chocolates.

“I am stuffed,” Allison said as she pushed her empty plate away and leaned back in her chair.

“I’m getting there,” Jack said as he continued to eat. “Mom’s a great cook, but since Lucas’s heart attack, she measures everything out for everybody. One scoop of this, one slice of that. I was temped to ask for seconds, but I didn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I felt bad for Lucas. He eyed the gravy all the while he shoveled in his dinner.”

“Poor man, but I’m sure Winnie has his best interests at heart. Yours, too, for that matter.”

“I know.” He grinned at her. “I figured I’d raid the cookie jar after they went to bed. Now I won’t have to.”

Allison laughed aloud, the sound magical in the still of the night. The storm had died down until he could barely hear it lashing against the windows and the roof.

“You have a beautiful smile.” The words were out before he even consciously thought them, but it was true. Her smile lit up the room much better than the lamp.

“Ah … thank you.”

He picked up his cup and sat back, approving of the plush visitor’s chairs she’d purchased. Much more comfortable than the hard-backed plastic ones Hank had used. Jack suspected that was because Hank wasn’t a very social person and didn’t want anyone to get too comfy. He’d been a darned good vet, though.

“So, how has the community handled having a female vet?”

Allison sighed. “Not so good at first, but then I had a birthing that meant reaching in and turning one of the baby calves. The farmer couldn’t praise me enough and business picked up after that.”

“The old fellows are pretty set in their ways, but it sounds as if you proved yourself. It should only get better from here on.”

“I’ve worked day and night to prove myself. I only hope that canceling this evening’s calls don’t hurt the clinic too much.”

Jack shook his head. “It shouldn’t, not in a storm like this. And if you don’t mind me saying so, that’s when being female will help. None of the ranchers I know would want you driving in this storm, and if there
was
an emergency, they’d probably come and get you.”

“Really? I hadn’t thought of that. If someone else was driving, I could probably keep my eyes closed against the storm.”

“You do know that we get long, cold winters here with lots of snow. Right?”

“That’s not the type of storm that bothers me. This is,” she said circling her hand to indicate the one around them now.

He sipped his chocolate, draining the last bit. “Any particular reason?”

“Yes, but are you interested or asking to keep a conversation going?”

“I’m interested.” He leaned forward to throw his cup in the trashcan and stayed that way, his elbows resting on his knees.

“It’s a long story and kind of embarrassing, really.”

“If it’s too personal, I understand, but I’m a good listener.”