A Hero’s Rescue

Ever since the loss of his father, widow Olivia Gray’s son has been acting out. When he’s assigned community service at Zeke Harrison’s ranch, the boy takes to the farm animals—and to Zeke—instantly. As a kid who hid his own troubles behind bad behavior, Zeke seems to understand her child better than anyone. Still, she needs to keep an eye on her son—which means staying close to the handsome veterinarian. But when her time with Zeke begins to break down the walls she’s placed around her heart, will she be brave enough to let go of her past hurts and embrace a second chance at love?

“Dogs? You want me to walk dogs? That’s not work.”

“Here it is. Getting them moving is part of the recuperation process.”

She looked dubious.

“Just like people who’ve had surgery.” Zeke stood, placing the first-aid kit on a lower shelf, then made himself not smile when he turned around. “What were you expecting to do on the first day? Surgery? Deliver a calf? Or something simple like drawing blood?”

Olivia didn’t look amused.

Puzzled, Zeke drew his eyebrows together. “Lighten up. We get enough serious stuff to worry about here. And the dogs and cats in post-op are confused and miss their owners. It’s important enough.”

Olivia’s expression softened. “Of course. I wasn’t thinking.” Again she twisted her blond hair around one finger.

Morning light pooled through the window and he had an immediate desire to reach out and see if Olivia’s hair was as soft as it looked.

BONNIE K. WINN

is a hopeless romantic who has written incessantly since the third grade. So it seems only natural that she turned to romance writing. A seasoned author of historical and contemporary romance, Bonnie has won numerous awards for her bestselling books. Affaire de Coeur chose her as one of the Top Ten Romance Writers in America.

Bonnie loves writing contemporary romance because she can set her stories in the modern cities close to her heart and explore the endlessly fascinating strengths of today’s women.

Living in the foothills of the Rockies gives her plenty of inspiration and a touch of whimsy, as well. She shares her life with her husband, son and a spunky Norwich terrier who lends his characteristics to many pets in her stories. Bonnie’s keeping mum about anyone else’s characteristics she may have borrowed.

Forever a Family

Bonnie K. Winn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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Be strong and let your heart take courage,

all ye who hope in the Lord.

—Psalms 31:24

Dedicated to my agent, Danielle Egan Miller, and my editor, Melissa Endlich. You are deeply appreciated.

Acknowledgment

To Dana D. Clark, DVM.

Thank you for your extraordinary dedication and compassion. I am very grateful that you have cared for our pets with such devotion and personal attention, adding years to their lives they would otherwise not have had. Your incredible care for Doolittle will always remain in our hearts.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Dear Reader

Excerpt

Chapter One

Head down, Olivia Gray rushed toward the principal’s office, scarcely able to believe her twelve-year-old son, Joey, was in trouble again. Ever since his father had died, Joey had been in scrape after scrape, getting poor grades, ditching classes, talking back to his teachers and getting in fights. She hadn’t a clue what to do about him. If she couldn’t handle him in Rosewood, what would have happened if they had stayed in Austin?

She flinched at the memory of Ted’s murder a year earlier. His death still seemed surreal, a gaping wound where her heart once had resided. A mugging gone wrong. Their lives had been scattered farther than any wind could blow. And her happy, carefree son, who had adored his father, was now almost unmanageable.

“Watch out!”

Vaguely, Olivia heard a man’s voice and looked up just in time to see that she was about to crash into him. Stepping to her right to avoid the collision, she plowed straight into him when he maneuvered to his left.

The man’s hands were loaded with boxes, and as they each jerked to the other side, her arm whooshed the lid off the top box. She reached out to right the carton, only to collide with him again, tipping the box instead. He knelt, trying to level it. Again trying to help, she grasped one side of the box, offsetting his motion and tipping the entire carton on its side.

Tiny baby chicks tumbled out, running in every direction.

At first unable to believe what she was seeing, Olivia gaped at the fleeing balls of fluff.

“Quick! We have to catch them.” The man held out the box lid. “Put the chicks in here when you catch them and then back in the box.”

Olivia blinked.

With large hands, he scooped up the nearest chicks, depositing them as he went along.

She hesitated another moment.

“Hurry!”

Realizing the chicks were quickly escaping, Olivia ditched her purse on the floor, clutched the lid and started pursuing the escapees.

She headed toward a small group huddled beneath a bench against the wall. Corralling the chirping chicks was like trying to catch newly blown dandelions.

Plucking them up one at a time, Olivia glanced over her shoulder, dismayed to see what looked like dozens of them still dispersing through the entryway.

She wished the kids weren’t in class. They would be able to catch the little things more quickly. A horrid thought struck and she checked her watch. It wasn’t too much longer until the bell rang and the halls filled with dozens of middle-school children intent on getting to their next classes, their lockers, focusing on everything but what was underfoot.

She scrambled up, ran the short distance to the office and flung open the door. “I need help!” Quickly she explained what had happened.

The secretary, Dorothy, jumped up. She signaled to the two student aides. “Come on.”

“Let’s try to herd them into the office,” Olivia suggested once they were in the hall. “Otherwise, when the bell rings...”

No one needed to hear what that would mean. The kids, nimble and quick, clambered to the floor. Olivia was only a step behind, crawling after several baby birds headed toward the side hall. She closed in on them as they were fleeing to the juncture. Reaching out, she grabbed for two of the closest chicks.

And found she was grabbing the strange man’s hands. Startled, she stared up at him. Eyebrows drawn together in surprise framed dark blue eyes. An impression of finely honed features continued to the cleft in his chin and the line of his firm lips. Realizing she was still hanging on to his hands, Olivia jerked hers away as she rushed to get up. The abrupt motion unseated him, flipping the box to one side, spilling newly collected chicks into the hallway of classrooms.

His long legs, clad in blue jeans, recovered quickly, but not before the man shot her a look of exasperated disbelief. “Why don’t you want these chicks to make it to the 4-H club?”

Olivia’s mouth opened, but nothing sensible came to mind. She spun around, grabbed the closest chicks and dropped two in the box. She looked quickly at her watch, realizing there was hardly any time left before the bell rang.

“Late for something?” the man asked, depositing another large handful of chicks.

He was tall, very tall. So she tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “The bell’s going to ring any second. I’m afraid they’re about to become roadkill.”

The secretary scurried over. “I’m going to ask the principal to delay the bell and make an announcement for the kids to stay in their classrooms. But some kids will manage to slip out into the hall, so be prepared.”

“How are we going to know when we get them all?” Olivia muttered to herself.

“Count them.”

Embarrassed at having him spell out the obvious, she focused on herding a small flock toward the office. Feeling the brush of something against her back, she pivoted, almost losing her grip on the cardboard.

“It’s feed,” the man explained, sprinkling some grains in the lid.

“Is it to...?” Her words trailed off as she stared into his remarkably deep blue eyes.

“Helps keep them in the lid,” he explained.

“Oh. Good idea...” Her mouth remained open but nothing else emerged, because she didn’t know his name.

Apparently he guessed her thoughts. “Zeke.” He paused. “Harrison.”

“Gray. Olivia,” she responded automatically, a result of being an army brat.

Unexpectedly, he grinned. “But you go by Olivia?”

She felt her cheeks warming, her eyes rolling downward a tad. “Yes.”

Zeke knelt down on one knee beside her. “Let’s put the chicks you collected into the box. It’s easier than trying to balance them on the lid while you’re getting more.”

Olivia allowed him to take the lid, trying not to notice just how long his legs were or the play of muscles in his arms as he offered a hand.

She could have easily risen by herself, yet she allowed him to help. Her still-shaky hand tingled beneath his and this time she didn’t jerk away. Remembering the chicks were still running amok, she gestured toward them with a nod of her head.

Understanding, Zeke released her hand.

Nearly half an hour later, the last of the chicks were caught and all eighty accounted for.

Dorothy, the harried secretary, barely paused. “I’ll tell the principal he can release the kids for their next class.” She glanced at her watch as she turned toward the office. “It’ll be a short one.”

Alone with the man, Olivia’s sense of awkwardness returned. “Um, I’m really sorry about all of this.”

Zeke looked up, his eyes, unbelievably, darkening even more. “No harm done.”

“I hope the chicks agree.” She shifted from foot to foot. “Good luck with the 4-H kids.”

He grimaced. “I’d almost forgotten I still have that to do.”

Startled, Olivia checked the time. “And I did forget where I was supposed to be. I’d better—”

“Yeah.”

Olivia watched his broad shoulders and long legs as he retreated. A lifetime ago, before she had met Ted, she would have appreciated the image. But that was all behind her now. Something else that had scattered beyond recovery.

Once he was out of sight, she reluctantly turned toward the office, wishing she didn’t have to face the school principal, wishing as she had so many times that Ted hadn’t died. That they were still a family. That her son still had a father, still thought the world was an adventure instead of a terrifying place filled with awful people and danger.

Running nervous hands down her thighs, she entered the office. Dorothy motioned toward the principal’s office. Through the open door, Olivia saw him, along with Joey and his teacher, Mrs. Tonell. Her stomach sank. Instinctively she knew this was going to be bad. “Sorry to be late,” she began, entering the principal’s office. “You know about the chicks that got loose in the hall....” Her voice trailed off as she spotted a note of disapproval in the principal’s eyes. Like mother, like son?

“We’re not here to talk about the chicks Dr. Harrison brought,” Principal Norrick replied.

Dr. Harrison?

“Please sit down, Mrs. Gray.”

Olivia chose the chair next to Joey’s, wishing she could give him a word of support or a hug of encouragement, but all eyes were on her. So she settled both hands in her lap, hiding their nervous shaking beneath her purse. These days her hands often trembled, her stomach remained in a perpetual knot and she never stopped thinking about why it was her family that had been destroyed.

Principal Norrick stared from behind his desk, his face set in stern lines. “We’ve been as patient as possible with Joey, but this time we cannot diminish the gravity of what he’s done. Mrs. Tonell witnessed him stealing an expensive wireless headset from the computer lab.”

The unhappy teacher looked nearly as miserable as Olivia felt. “I hoped it was just a quick impulse, that he’d turn around and put it back.”

Olivia hadn’t thought her stomach could sink any deeper, yet it did. She stared down at Joey, who sat in the rigid wooden chair next to hers. “Is this true, Joey? Did you steal from the computer lab?”

He shrugged, a halfhearted gesture that was neither acknowledgment nor apology.

Reaching over, she slipped her hand beneath his chin and tipped his face up so she could meet his eyes. “Joey?”

“I guess.”

She didn’t have it in her to be harsh to her wounded child, so she softened her voice. “Either you stole the headset or you didn’t.”

“Yeah.”

Swallowing against disappointment and sickness, Olivia turned back to the principal, waiting for the judgment to be handed down.

“He had been making progress...” Mrs. Tonell began, but her words died when the principal glared in her direction.

“We discussed this in our last meeting, Mrs. Gray,” the principal said. “And Joey is aware that he was given his final warning.”

Trembling, Olivia faced him, dreading his next words.

“Suspension and working in the library aren’t sufficient solutions to this level of misconduct,” the principal continued. “I am afraid that only leaves expulsion.”

Olivia gasped, then tried to collect herself. “Surely we can reach a compromise that will keep Joey in school.” Leaning forward, she gripped the edge of the desk. “I know how very patient you’ve been since his father passed away, and it’s appreciated far more than I can express. But Joey still hasn’t recovered.” She attempted a small smile but failed. “Neither of us has. I wouldn’t ask for special allowances for myself, but a child...hasn’t lived long enough, experienced enough to deal with such a loss. But I believe he’ll get there in time if he’s given the chance.”

Principal Norrick glanced over at the teacher, then at Joey, finally settling his gaze again on Olivia. “It is not the school’s policy to ignore such behavior....”

Olivia’s throat dried up.

Pausing, the principal turned his attention back to Joey for several moments. “We don’t often expel students. I think you know that, Mrs. Gray. And it is not something I want to do, but the other children can’t be allowed to see Joey getting away with this conduct.” His sigh nearly filled the dismal air. “There may be one option we can exercise on a probationary status.”

Olivia didn’t dare breathe.

“Joey will return the headset and he will be suspended for two weeks. He will still be responsible for collecting and completing all of his schoolwork.” The principal stressed each word, keeping his eyes on Joey. “In addition, he will be required to work two hundred hours of community service.” He turned back to Olivia. “Dorothy will give you details on where to report.”

“Thank you, Principal Norrick. We won’t let you down.”

He studied Joey, clearly upset that a student of his had come to this point. “I hope not.”

“You won’t be disappointed,” she reiterated, ready to escape the adrenaline roller coaster she had been on since entering the school. When her son didn’t speak up, she nudged him. “Joey, thank Mr. Norrick.”

“Thanks,” he mumbled without an ounce of conviction.

The principal stood, and Olivia shot up from her chair and nudged Joey toward the door.

Back in the main area of the office, she tried to gather her wits.

Dorothy sent her a sympathetic smile. “I’m filling in Joey’s community-service assignment.” She lowered her voice so it wouldn’t carry to Principal Norrick’s office. “It should be one he’ll take to.”

“Thanks, Dorothy.” Olivia bit down on her lower lip. “Do you suppose there’s enough time left today for Joey to pick up his schoolwork from his teachers?”

“Should be.” The secretary reached for a different form, then scribbled the necessary information. “Joey, show this to all your teachers and they’ll give you what you need.”

Looking particularly displeased, Joey accepted the paper.

“I’ll wait by the car while you go around to your teachers,” Olivia told him as she stashed his community-service paper in her purse. “No dawdling.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not five years old.”

She met his rebellious gaze, making herself sound stern and in control, despite feeling as if she were steering a rudderless ship. “Then don’t act like you are.”

* * *

Walking slowly out to the parking lot, Olivia blinked back the threat of tears. Her late husband would be so disappointed to see how badly she was handling their son.

“Something wrong?” a familiar voice questioned.

She halted, trying to act and sound near normal. “Zeke!” she greeted him, relieved that she remembered his name. “At least I didn’t run smack into you this time.”

He held up his empty hands. “The 4-H club now has custody of the chicks. All eighty of them.”

“Again, I’m sorry about that.”

“Unless I’m mistaken, you didn’t aim for me.”

She smiled.

“That’s better.” His grin widened.

As she focused on him, Olivia noticed the white Suburban he stood in front of. Harrison Veterinary Clinic was painted across the top half of the cab. Dr. Harrison. Baby chicks. The dots began to connect. “Are you a veterinarian?”

“Guilty. That’s why I was bringing the—”

“Chicks,” she finished for him. “You work a lot with the 4-H club?”

“Some. I’m the only vet for miles, so I do a little of everything.”

Being an army brat, Olivia had never owned a pet. Her father had insisted it wasn’t practical, since he never knew when they would be transferred. “Probably not so much chick chasing, though.”

He started to grin, then forced his lips into a neutral line but failed to disguise the twinkle in his eyes.

It took a moment but the double entendre hit her like a dozen bricks. Chasing chicks, as in women? She winced. “This obviously isn’t my day.”

“Actually, it was pretty funny.”

She wondered if he meant the ill-worded remark or the scattered baby chickens.

Raising her gaze, Olivia saw that he was focused on her. Swallowing, she fought the flood of attraction and the stunning realization that such feelings still existed within her. Olivia thought they were gone forever when Ted died. Disloyalty and guilt warred with the wash of new emotion.

“Mom!” Annoyance magnified the single word.

And she was appalled to realize she had completely forgotten about her son. She spun toward Joey.

He stared at her with his now-standard impatient-twelve-year-old posturing.

“Nice to have met you, Doctor.” Olivia put her hand on Joey’s shoulder to center herself as she began walking away.

“Zeke,” he corrected.

Even though she was several feet away, she heard his name as distinctly as if he had whispered it in her ear.

Chapter Two

Zeke studied the day’s appointments. One jumped out at him. Fluffy, owner Belinda Bates. Only Belinda would name an overly manicured poodle Fluffy. But he had to hand it to her: she was consistent. In high school she had fluffed her hair, her personality, her values.

But he’d loved her. From the moment she had asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance in their sophomore year of high school. It seemed that wherever Belinda walked, a glow followed. Popular, pretty—he was amazed that she wanted to date him. He was the resident bad boy, still hurting from years of being bounced around the foster system. And it took time to transition from that rebellious, angry boy into a man. When Belinda started to date him, he was still in the angry stage.

His foster parents made him attend school, didn’t accept any excuses and followed up to make sure he was toeing the line. But not like the other homes he had lived in. The Harrisons treated him as their own. They showed him love he couldn’t break and an understanding that finally got through to him.

Belinda, on the other hand, hadn’t been burdened with the same feeling of obligation.

Pulling open his desk drawer, Zeke stared at the tiny engagement ring he had bought for her so many years ago when he had finished his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M. After they’d gone together almost four years, Zeke had been certain she would accept his proposal.

But Belinda, who had chosen to attend the University of Texas, had had other ideas. He was too much of a wild card, she had said. Zeke exhaled, knowing he would never forget those words. Couldn’t be certain of his real background, Belinda had explained. And she couldn’t have children with someone who couldn’t be vetted. No telling how the children would turn out.

He had been stunned, Zeke remembered. Completely flattened. Why, he’d asked, had she dated him all this time? Her eyes hadn’t even changed with her admission. He had never noticed that before—her ability to hide her real feelings. Because he was different, Belinda had replied with a small shrug. She’d liked his edge, the way he flouted rules when he wanted to, defied authority. But really, did he think she would marry him? And had he really believed she hadn’t dated other guys the past four years? It shouldn’t have mattered. He should have forgotten all about her. But despite the changes he made, the encouragement from his by-then adoptive parents, the words stayed with him. Like a measuring stick.

His birth parents had been teenagers, his father jailed for a string of petty burglaries and vandalism. And Belinda, for all her cold disdain, had a point. Zeke had no idea what his genes would produce. Sure, he had straightened out, but that was his adoptive parents’ doing. They’d loved him when he was unlovable and had never given up.

“You’ve seen the appointments, then,” Angie said from the doorway.

He didn’t need to ask to know she was referring to Belinda.

“She has to be the most insensitive person on the planet,” Angie fumed, knowing Zeke’s history. “And why you let her bring her neurotic puffball here—”

“It’s not the dog’s fault,” Zeke replied mildly, even though Belinda’s gall was insulting.

“You could tell her to take him to a vet in another town.”

Yes, he could. But every time he saw Belinda, it reminded him of how blind he had been. How he never intended to be ambushed like that again.

* * *

Olivia navigated her car out of town, the school secretary’s note in one hand. Joey stared out the window as though she were chauffeuring him to prison. “You know, this community service will go a lot smoother if you approach it with a good attitude.”

“Does Grandpa know I’m missing the whole baseball season?”

“He will soon enough.” Olivia struggled to find a tone between scolding and understanding. It was difficult enough handling Ted’s death as an adult. Joey was just a boy.

“Grandpa won’t like it.”

“Unless you’ve forgotten, you could have missed basketball and football next season, too, if you’d been expelled.” She didn’t tell him that the administration had allowed him to stay on the team during his bad behavior only because they were sympathetic to Ted’s unexpected death.

Not having a ready retort, Joey turned back to stare at the familiar landscape. When Ted was still alive, they would all have been chatting about which of the wildflowers continued to bloom.

Inhaling an acrid scent, Olivia scanned the hillsides for smoke. The severe drought had wildfires popping up in the area, and although Rosewood had been lucky, the possibility added to Olivia’s stress.

Joey exhaled loudly.

“You know, you still haven’t acknowledged the seriousness of what you did. Stealing.”

He shrugged. “Just some dumb headset.”

“I don’t care if it was a marble. It’s not how much the item’s worth. It’s about what you’re worth. Stealing isn’t honorable. And without honor, where is your worth?” She slid her gaze toward him.

Joey’s chin drooped a fraction, but he didn’t reply, instead turning again to stare out the window.

The early-morning traffic on the highway consisted mostly of eighteen-wheelers and pickup trucks. She had always been glad that the road wasn’t connected to a freeway. It gave Rosewood a feeling of protection unlike what she had known most of her life, moving from fort to fort.

Her father, the Colonel, had decided to retire in the Hill Country soon after Ted had graduated from the University of Texas. Joey was just four then. Ted had been offered a good job in Austin right after graduation, so they’d decided to stay. But seven years later, the company had closed its doors.

The Colonel had still had influential contacts from his army days. One of them had suggested a business that Ted could operate from home. Without the anchor of his job, Austin hadn’t had a hold on them any longer. Ted’s parents had passed away during his college years and he sorely felt their absence. So when the Colonel suggested they relocate to Rosewood, Ted had been elated, wanting to be close to family.

Olivia had had mixed feelings about the move. She’d lived in Austin longer than anywhere else in her life. But she couldn’t deny that it would be good to be closer to her parents. Even though they’d visited back and forth, it wasn’t the same as being close enough for impromptu get-togethers, family dinners and special grandparent time.

Ted had liked his new work, but it had required some traveling. They had been in Rosewood only a couple of months when he’d made that fateful trip to Atlanta. When the police caught the suspect, he’d turned out to be a young man, barely more than a boy, who had panicked during the mugging and shot Ted unintentionally. Intentional or unintentional, the result had been the same. Ted had died alone on a strange street in a strange city.

Olivia blinked away the threat of tears, trying to push the memories away, as well. Although they had only lived in Rosewood about a year and a half, she had grown attached to the quiet, caring community. If Ted had lived, by now he would have met every neighbor, introduced himself to every clerk in every business in town. He’d been outgoing and open, and people didn’t remain strangers to him for long.

But after his death, Olivia hadn’t been able to continue his natural outreach. She had always been more reserved, accustomed to keeping a low profile in the many towns her father had been stationed in. She had learned early on as an army brat that making friends only made it that much harder when they moved.

Most of her acquaintances and friends were ones Ted had made, always trying to enlarge her circle to give her something she had never had before.

Now, having retreated from everything except her son, her parents and a part-time job as a drugstore inventory clerk, she struggled to maintain a normal life for Joey. Olivia questioned if she had failed Joey by being so reclusive. Maybe he wouldn’t have gotten into so much trouble if she had involved herself more in the community, made friends, reached out to everyone.

Olivia glanced again at the directions Dorothy had given her. The place was only about five miles outside of town, so the turnoff should be close. She spotted it and turned onto the two-lane farm road.

Cattle grazed behind split-rail fences, unperturbed by her car passing by them. She hadn’t seen another vehicle on the road since she had turned onto it. Maybe these cattle were a laid-back breed since they didn’t seem at all bothered by her car. Then again, the only breed she could actually identify was the Texas longhorn. The closest she had ever gotten to wildlife was an occasional mouse.

Slowing, she saw an old-fashioned metal sign, engraved with HVC, hanging from a post. Just as the directions had described. Turning, she passed beneath a tall wrought-iron arch.

Looked like a peaceful place for her son to rethink his actions. She looked upward, her automatic response to ask the Lord for help. But He had allowed Ted to needlessly die. Clenching the steering wheel harder, Olivia felt she could no longer turn to Him.

She wheeled their car to the front of the old ranch house. A wide wraparound porch encircled the structure. Tall double doors, which appeared to be perpetually propped open, welcomed them at the top of the broad wooden steps. Olivia led the way, Joey trailing her.

Once inside, she took in the large room off to the left that looked like a man’s comfortable den. To the right was a reception area. Arched wooden pocket doors as tall as the high ceilings were slid partway open to the den and fully open to the business side.

Not seeing anyone sitting at the scarred wood desk, Olivia entered the reception area. A scattering of mismatched chairs looked more homey than shabby. She could see that the buttons on the telephone were flashing, perhaps on hold, perhaps going unanswered.

“What kind of dump is this?” Joey asked, staring around at the plain but comfortable room.

Olivia closed her eyes, wishing Joey could just be her Joey again. “Hush. We’re not in a big city. You know they don’t build places in Rosewood to impress people.”

“Angie? I need the file on Mitchell’s gelding,” an oddly familiar voice called out from a connected room.

The man, absorbed in the chart in his hands, walked into sight.

It couldn’t be. Could it?

He looked up, his memorable features quickly forming a smile.

And Olivia couldn’t think of a single word to say. HVC. Of course. She should have realized the acronym. Harrison Veterinary Clinic.

“Hello,” he greeted them with a warmth that she felt from across the room.

“We...” Her voice warbled. Clearing her throat, Olivia started over. “My son has been assigned to do his community service here.”

He lowered the chart, his gaze appraising. “I’ve been expecting you. Dorothy called this morning. Joey, I’m Zeke Harrison. We didn’t actually meet yesterday. And I don’t believe I’ve seen you around before.”

In typical fashion, Joey shrugged.

Olivia hurried to fill in the blanks. “We’ve only lived in Rosewood for about a year and a half.”

“And your family doesn’t have pets?” he questioned, helping the limping conversation along.

Olivia stared into his azure-blue eyes, instantly remembering how she had practically fallen into his arms. She shook her head. “No, we don’t. My husband...” Abruptly she halted.

“Your husband?” Zeke prompted, a flicker of something much like disappointment in his eyes.

“My dad was allergic to dogs and cats,” Joey jumped in, answering for her, apparently noticing her difficulty.

“Was?”

She recovered her voice. “My husband passed away.”

Zeke’s expression eased into one of understanding as he looked again at Joey. “I’m so sorry. That must be tough.”

“Yeah.”

Her son’s solitary word summed it up perfectly.

Zeke laid the chart down on the desk. “So do you like animals, Joey?”

“I guess.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Olivia indicated the empty chairs in the reception room. “Slow time?”

“Large-animal time. I reserve two mornings a week for owners who need to bring in their domestic stock but don’t need me to come to their places. Less expensive for them that way.”

Thoughtful. Olivia glanced down at her son. “Joey hasn’t been around...” She drew her eyebrows together in concern. “Exactly what types of large animals do you treat?”

Zeke looked at her in mild amusement. “Not too many elephants and giraffes in these parts. Mostly cattle and horses, donkeys, pigs, llamas, some sheep and goats.”

Flushing, she felt as silly as she had on their first encounter.

“My mom’s never lived in the country,” Joey explained.

Great. Even her sullen child was taking pity on her.

“Of course. I wasn’t thinking. So you treat regular pets, too?”

Zeke raised his eyebrows, his amusement still present. “Depends on your definition of regular. Dogs, cats, birds, pygmy hedgehogs, ferrets, lizards, snakes...”

Olivia gasped. “Joey won’t have to handle snakes, will he?”

“Mom!”

At that precarious age of twelve, poised between childhood and puberty, Joey was utterly horrified.

Belatedly realizing that, Olivia tried to cover her mistake. “I confess, I’m the one who’s scared of snakes. Joey’s pretty tough.”

Joey rolled his eyes, which told her her recovery attempt had been lame at best.

“It’s a nice place you have here,” Olivia remarked, hoping to change the subject.

“We like it.”

“We?” The instant the question was out, Olivia wished she could snatch it back.

“My tech—Angie—the animals, me.”

Olivia tucked away the information that he wasn’t married. “That’s good.”

“Well, Joey. What do you say?” Zeke asked. “Want to start today?”

Joey shrugged. “I guess.”

“Sounds good,” Olivia agreed, looking relieved. “He’s out of school for two weeks on suspension, but the time’s counted in community-service hours. The sooner he can start and accumulate his service hours, the less school he misses.”

Zeke glanced into her memorable violet eyes, recognizing her anxiety. But anxious or not, pretty or not, he had a practice to run and couldn’t ease her mind by overloading his own schedule. “Let’s just see how the morning goes.”

A quick flash of disappointment crossed her face. Then she smiled, her delicate features aligning to match.

“We appreciate you giving Joey an opportunity to do his community-service work here. I’m sure it’ll be good for him to interact with the animals.” Olivia squeezed her son’s shoulder in encouragement. “Well, I should go and let you get to it. Um, what time should I pick him up?”

“How about Joey calls you when he’s ready to leave?”

“Sure.” She bit down on her lip. “I’ll be at work some of the day. I’m an inventory clerk. It’s just a small part-time job at the pharmacy, about ten hours a week. But I’ll have my cell phone with me. Do you need any emergency contact numbers or—”

“The school gave them to me.”

“Oh, of course.” For a moment Olivia looked uncertain. “See you later, then.”

She turned and he let his gaze stray over her as she left. Being a widowed mother, Olivia probably wouldn’t be interested in casual dating, which was all he allowed himself. Belinda had about cured him of any wish for a more serious relationship. Then his previous relationship with Penny had convinced him he wasn’t capable of making good decisions when it came to women. Not that Olivia seemed anything like Belinda. At least on the surface.

Joey wandered over to the large aquarium and thumped on the glass, recapturing his attention.

“No tapping on the glass.”

The boy furrowed his brow, looking puzzled. “How come?”

“They don’t like it.”

“Oh.”

Could the kid really not know that? “Have you ever had any pets?”

Joey’s expression remained sullen. “Just a turtle. He mostly sits in his box and eats. My mom didn’t ever have any real pets and my dad...”

Zeke didn’t make him discuss the painful subject. “It would be like having a tree fall on your garage for the fish when you hit the tank. Pretty jarring.”

Joey looked again at the tank with an instant spark of understanding but didn’t reply.

“Is your mom allergic to cats and dogs?” Zeke questioned casually.

“No.”

“Just doesn’t want a pet?”

“Grandpa was in the army, so they couldn’t take a pet when he got transferred, so she never had any.”

“Your grandfather must have been in the army a long time.”

“Forever, until he retired here.”

A new picture was emerging. So the violet-eyed beauty was an army brat. He would never have guessed it. But then, his insight into women hovered between zero and none.

His tech, Angie, rushed through the open door, her dark brown hair messy from the breeze. Despite being four months pregnant, the spring in her step hadn’t diminished. “Morning!”

“You sound extra chipper today.”

She laughed and patted her stomach. “Probably because there’s extra me.” She turned toward the boy. “I’m guessing you’re Joey. I’m Angie.”

“Hey.”

The unenthusiastic greeting didn’t faze her. Angie’s glass wasn’t just half-full; it was always overflowing. “Welcome. Later I’ll show you where we stash the snacks and soda.”

Joey still didn’t show any interest. Swallowing, Zeke remembered how he had felt at that age. It was a tough place to travel even in his thoughts.

* * *

Exhausted, Olivia closed the front door and tossed her purse on the small table close by. Pressing fingers to her temples, she wandered first to the window, then over to the bookcase. She picked up a picture of her late husband. “Oh, Ted. It isn’t getting any easier.” Holding the picture close, she remembered how he had been there one day, gone the next. “Joey’s gotten into even more trouble. A lot worse than talking back to his teachers, and the fights.”

Olivia stared into Ted’s steady brown eyes. Joey looked so much like him, down to what had once been a wide, frequent smile.

The empty house echoed in the silence.

“Now Joey’s actually stolen. A headset, of all things.” Shrugging, she traced Ted’s smile. “And he acts like it’s nothing.”

The doorbell rang, startling her. Fumbling, she replaced Ted’s picture. She pulled open the door and was surprised to see Kate... She couldn’t place her last name. “Hi.” Trying to compose herself, Olivia opened the door wider. “Please, come in.”

“I hope I haven’t come at a bad time,” Kate replied, surreptitiously looking into the living room.

Olivia shook her head. “It’s...it’s fine.”

“You don’t have company?”

Olivia flushed, realizing Kate must have seen her talking to Ted’s photo while standing in front of the picture window. “No one alive.”

Since Kate’s husband, Tucker Grey, was Rosewood’s sheriff, she had been one of the first to learn about Ted’s death. She had made efforts to reach out, but Olivia’s parents had circled the wagons. And Kate had tactfully withdrawn. Until today.

Olivia pulled herself together. “Don’t mind me. One of those days. Please, sit down. Can I offer you some iced tea?”

“You read my mind. Need any help?”

More than she could voice. “No, it’s all made. Do you take yours sweet?”

“Just plain. I save my calories for cookies and candy.” Barely having landed on a chair, Kate stood up. Trailing Olivia, her sandals clicked on the wooden floor. “When I’m antsy, I eat extra goodies, so it’s good I like my tea without sugar.”

Olivia reached into the cabinet for glasses.

“Did you say the tea’s already made?” Kate asked, pausing at the refrigerator door.

“The pitcher’s in the middle on the right.”

“Lemons in the fruit drawer?”

Amused, Olivia hid her smile. If this was Kate not helping, she could only imagine when she pitched in wholeheartedly. “So is something making you antsy?”

“Afraid so. Do you want to sit at the table?” Kate gestured to the round table. “Kitchens always seem friendlier to me.”

“Cozy.” The word popped out. Funny—she hadn’t thought anything had been cozy for so long. She reached into a cabinet and pulled out a box of coconut macaroons.

After they’d settled at the table, it didn’t take long to pour the tea, squeeze a few slices of lemon.

“You’re probably wondering why I showed up without calling,” Kate began. “But I’m desperate.”

Olivia raised her eyebrows.

Kate immediately scrunched hers together. “I don’t mean for company. That came out all wrong. I get this way when I’m frazzled. Did I ever tell you how I met Tucker?”

Olivia shook her head.

“I won’t go into detail, but I was frazzled to the max. Still amazes me that he ever proposed.” Kate’s green eyes softened. “Sorry, I also go in about a hundred different directions when I feel like this.”

“Like what?” Olivia prompted gently.

“Sorry, it’s about a project I’m working on. Or not working on, I should say. I’ve been commissioned to do a new painting.”

“You’re an artist?”

“You didn’t know?” Kate’s surprise glided into a smile. “I trained first as an artist, then in restoration. I primarily worked on museum pieces. Now they give me referrals for different types of work. That’s how this family found me.” Kate stopped abruptly. “I don’t know why I assumed you would know I’m an artist. We haven’t really talked a lot. I know—” her chipper voice changed notes “—that it hasn’t been easy for you.” She met Olivia’s eyes. “I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost Tucker.” Amazingly, she wiped away a tear.

And Olivia reached out. “It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not. But I suppose you can’t say that, that it’s awful, I mean. You always have to be brave for your son.”

“You know Joey?”

Kate’s eyes darkened and her expression dimmed. “Not really. Not firsthand.”

The school theft. Of course the sheriff had been informed. Olivia felt the heat that suddenly colored her face.

“Please don’t be embarrassed. If Alyssa lost her dad... She already lost her first mother. Her world would just about end.”

Confused, Olivia tried to remember what she could about Kate’s family and came up blank. “You’re not Alyssa’s mother?”

“Her mother died when she was ten. I met Tucker about two years later. Since then, I’ve been her mom.”

Olivia instinctively sensed that theirs was a true mother/daughter relationship. “That’s lovely. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen that happen before. Becoming a child’s real parent after a death, I mean.”

“I was...I am very fortunate. It’s hard to imagine that anyone else can take on that role once you’ve lost your spouse.” Absently, Kate circled the top of her tea glass with one finger. “That’s how Tucker felt. It’s how I imagine anyone would feel when they really love the person they’ve lost.”

Olivia’s throat tightened.

“I’m sorry. I’ve made you think even more about your late husband.” Kate’s sunny exterior now wilted in remorse.

“No. I was talking to his picture when you arrived.” Olivia again imagined how foolish she must have looked, yet she sensed Kate wouldn’t laugh, wouldn’t judge. “So he was already on my mind.”

Kate reached out a friendly hand. “Is it loneliness or something else?”

Olivia sighed. “Joey. How I’m going to handle him with Ted gone. I never could have imagined him stealing. I understood when he cut classes because he couldn’t face people, but this... It’s not the way he was raised.”

“Of course it wasn’t. But how do we teach our children the way to act once they lose a parent?”

Olivia looked down. “Tucker’s job—surely that has moments of fear. Was Alyssa taught to know that?”

“He’s her hero. She’s old enough to know his job can be dangerous, but it’s not something we dwell on.” Concern filled Kate’s eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Olivia. Tucker’s told me about kids who haven’t handled the loss as well as Joey has. You have to be overwhelmed, suddenly becoming a single parent after years of being able to turn to your husband for support.”

Throat still tight, Olivia agreed. “I feel like I’m disappointing Ted, that he’d be horrified at how I’ve handled things.”

“I didn’t know Ted,” Kate replied honestly. “But as sure as I’m sitting here, I know he would understand. Men are usually more crippled by losing their wives.”

Olivia pulled herself out of her self-pity. “It’s weird. Before you came, I was just thinking that maybe if I’d reached out, made more friends, that Joey wouldn’t have gotten into trouble.”

“You can’t know one way or the other. But I’d recommend getting him involved with the youth group at the Community Church. The activities—”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but that’s not an option.”

Kate paused, then sighed. “Tucker felt the same way about his faith.”

“Besides, Joey has community-service work that takes all his time. He’s volunteering at Harrison Veterinary.”

“At Zeke’s?” Enthusiasm bounced back into Kate’s voice. “That’s great!”

“You know him?”

“Of course. He delivered my puppies.” She laughed. “Well, my dog’s puppies, I should say. Nice, nice man. Never could figure out how he’s managed to stay single.”

Olivia tried to think of a sensible reply. Not able to come up with one, she sipped her tea instead.

Kate checked her watch. “I didn’t mean to stay so long. I came to ask a favor.”

Olivia couldn’t imagine what it could be. “Oh?”

“It’s about your dad.”

“Really?”

“You sound surprised.”

“That’s because I am,” Olivia admitted. Her father had never been one to mingle into what he called “town life.” So accustomed to military forts, the Colonel would have retired on one if it had been possible.

“I’ve been commissioned by a family to paint a portrait of their late father. He was a major in the army, close to promotion when he died. The family has given me bundles of photos, but he always appears stiff, in his military posture. The candids aren’t much better. I’ve always been able to meet with the subjects of my portraits, get a sense of who they are, which of course is impossible in this case. I’d like to speak to your dad, observe him if possible, get the sense of a military man to help learn the essence of one. Most veterans in Rosewood weren’t career soldiers and are not at the same rank.”

“But not all colonels are similar in nature,” Olivia responded. “My dad’s...pretty formal.”

“If you’d rather I didn’t—”

“It’s not that. I’m afraid you won’t get much from him. He lived and breathed army.”

Kate’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a plus. The family pretty much described their father the same way. Do you think you could get me an introduction?”

Olivia blinked. “He’s not active military anymore. You can just talk to him, no red tape to get through.”

“No, but he wasn’t responsive when I phoned. I’m hoping if you asked, he might cooperate.”

She should have known. “The Colonel’s comfort zone begins and ends with the military. But if you think it would help, I’ll ask.”

“That would be amazing.” Kate brushed back her auburn hair and smiled. “I feel terrible having come here originally to ask a favor.”

“Originally?”

“Unless you’d rather I not, I’d like to be a friend, not just someone who passes you on the sidewalk.”

Touched, Olivia smiled. “I’d like that, too.” For the first time since she had been a small child, Olivia realized she could have a friend, one she didn’t have to bid goodbye in a matter of months.

Chapter Three

Deciding that Joey was going to remain silent, Zeke headed out the door of the clinic with the boy in tow, pausing to point out the buildings. “You can see that’s the barn. The stables. And the corral’s off that way. I’ll show you the lay of the land later. Chores are waiting.”

The two-story barn was meticulously clean, fragrant with the aroma of fresh hay. Zeke never could decide which he liked better, the comfort of his home or the warm feeling of the barn. His own cow, Milkdud, which he’d raised since she’d been a sickly calf, mooed in welcome. Adjoining stalls held various recovering domestic stock that required daily care.

Zeke introduced the assortment. Three horses, two cows, three pigs and four sheep. The new patients were stabled in the front stalls. After making some notes, Zeke headed back to his office. Joey trailed behind, surreptitiously checking out the grounds and other buildings. Zeke hid a grin. His little ranch wasn’t any Disneyland, but it was a lot more interesting to a twelve-year-old than school.

Once back inside, Zeke checked blood results with Angie. Glancing up, Zeke noticed that Joey had wandered over to the aquarium. But this time he kept his arms at his sides, not touching the glass, just watching the fish. Quick learner.

“Angie, how many appointments this afternoon?”

She looked at the computer screen. “Besides the puffball, not too many.” They’d had to make up appointments they had canceled the day before with the chick debacle.

“We should be okay, then.” Zeke strolled over to Joey, wanting to know more about this boy who had never been allowed a pet other than a turtle. “Joey, while Angie’s prepping the first patient, watch the phones.”

Joey spun around, his eyes wide. “And answer them?”

Zeke thought of Olivia’s delayed reaction when the chicks had first scattered. Definitely related to his mother. “Yes.”

“But I don’t know what to say.”

“Answer ‘Harrison Veterinary.’ If it’s routine, take a message. If it’s an emergency, come get Angie or me.”

His eyes grew even bigger. “How do I know if it’s an emergency?”

Zeke smiled to himself. The boy wasn’t as indifferent as he pretended. “Most people know when it’s serious and they’ll tell you. If they don’t know, ask one of us.”

Joey’s Adam’s apple rose up and down as he visibly swallowed.

Zeke pointed to a few labels on the multibutton phone. “Our beeper and cell numbers are marked.” He lifted a spindle from the desk. “Messages go here.”

The boy ran nervous hands down the legs of his jeans.

“If you’re sure it’s an emergency, beep us with the number 911.” He pointed again to the phone. “It’s preset right here.”

Joey gingerly sat in the chair behind the desk. Heading to the barn, Zeke mentally ticked off the afternoon’s procedures, all routine: one case of bovine mastitis, a split hoof, some mild colic and an infected ear. Just one horse had him concerned.

Zeke patted the filly, confident about the ultimate outcome. “She’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, Doc,” the grateful owner responded.

Zeke stroked the horse’s silky mane. “And you stay away from milkweed, my friend.” The words barely out, his beeper went off.

911.

* * *

“Mom!” Joey yanked the phone out of Olivia’s hand.

Zeke burst through the door on a dead run into the clinic.

“There’s no emergency,” Joey rushed to explain, glaring up at his mother.

Olivia winced. “Joey was showing me the beeper on the phone and I accidentally pushed the preset button.” Zeke’s face filled with disbelief.

And Olivia didn’t blame him a bit. “I’m really sorry. I seem to fumble everything these days.” The man must think she was an absolute idiot.

“Better to find out it wasn’t an emergency,” he replied, releasing a whoosh of relief. “Not that I’d encourage any more false alarms.”

“Of course not.” She flushed, her face hot. “Um, I hope this won’t be counted against Joey. For his community service.”

Zeke turned toward Joey. “What do you think? Should we let her off?”

Joey smirked. “I’d have to do more volunteer work.”

Zeke scrunched his brow in concentration. “I think you’ve got something there.”

Olivia blinked. “You’re not serious?”

“You did push the 911 button.”

She looked at Zeke, then Joey. “Fine. Do you want me to start tonight or will tomorrow morning be soon enough?”

Zeke stroked his firm jaw, appearing to deliberate. “Morning ought to be soon enough.”

“I’ll wear my jeans and an old T-shirt.”

Grinning, Zeke started to speak when the door opened and a rush of perfume and yapping pushed inside. Zeke’s benign smile disappeared and Olivia could see a tic in his clenched jaw.

“Belinda,” Zeke said curtly to the woman.

Olivia looked over, hoping she hid her surprise. The woman was decked out in designer clothes she would have expected to see in Houston’s Galleria or on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, but not in little Rosewood. Although she hadn’t visited veterinary clinics herself, Olivia guessed most people didn’t dress for their appointments the way this woman did.

Angie pushed open the door and made her way to the desk. “You can have a seat, Belinda. The doctor will see you in a few minutes.”

Her eyebrows raised at Angie’s brisk instructions, Belinda frowned at a chair, then perched on its edge as though not wanting to muss her expensive clothes. The dog sat beside her, its glittering collar and leash seeming glaringly out of place.

Olivia hadn’t seen anyone like this woman in Rosewood, and it was all she could do not to stare.

Zeke took her elbow.

Surprised, Olivia forced herself to act casual.

He walked her to the door and seemed preoccupied as they stepped outside.

Olivia cleared a nervous knot in her throat. “So, Joey, you about ready to head home?”

Joey glanced at Zeke for approval.

Surprised, Olivia was at a loss for words. Lately Joey had barely acknowledged the need for approval from anyone.

Zeke agreed, “Works for me. Get here early tomorrow and I’ll make buckwheat pancakes.”

“With maple syrup?” Joey questioned, as though she never cooked pancakes for him.

“Warm maple syrup,” Zeke promised.

Olivia tried to regain a little control. “That’s not necessary.”

Zeke shrugged. “I have a taste for them, so I’ll be up early cooking.”

Clearly she was outnumbered. Having worried about Joey all day, Olivia was taken aback to see that he was handling the entire situation better than she was.

“I’m curious.” Zeke drew his dark eyebrows together in contemplation. “Just when did Joey call you?”

“Well...”

“He was with me out in the barn earlier for a few hours. He came back inside to relieve Angie on the phones...what, five minutes before you pressed the emergency beeper? It raises the question, how did you get out here from town before Joey had time to call you?”

Squirming inwardly, Olivia searched for an explanation that wouldn’t mortify her son. Yes, he was twelve now, but he was still her baby. One she worried about constantly now that Ted was gone. It was as though Joey was now even more vulnerable, more susceptible to anything that could harm him.

Her worry wasn’t grounded in fact, but having experienced how quickly a life could be snatched away... Joey should be safe in Rosewood, probably safer than anywhere else. And the veterinary clinic was hardly a dangerous place, but it didn’t dampen her concern. Overprotective, the Colonel was always saying. So much so that he thought she wasn’t raising Joey right, not disciplining him as she should.

“Mom?” Joey stared at her, his face scrunched in question.

Olivia shook her head. “Sorry. Zeke, do you want Joey to stay longer today? I can come back later.”

Zeke’s usual cheerfulness was absent as he studied her quizzically. “No need. He put in enough time for today.”

“In that case, Joey can use the rest of the afternoon to do his school assignments.” Feeling oddly out of step, as though the rest of the world were revolving just a minute or so faster than she was, Olivia clutched her keys.

“See you in the morning,” Zeke replied quietly.

“Okay,” she agreed.

Watching her leave, Zeke concentrated more on her face than her form. Not that she wasn’t just as attractive, but the haunting vulnerability in her eyes struck him. In those few moments she’d looked as though something awful was about to happen. Having lost her husband was terrible enough. What could be worse?

“Zeke?” Angie prodded, having followed him outside.

He exhaled. “Sorry, long day.”

“Once you see Her Highness, we can take a break.”

Sighing, Zeke forced himself to turn around. Maybe Angie was right. It was about time Belinda took her dog to another vet. He didn’t need a living reminder. Like a pebble in his shoe, Belinda was a memory he couldn’t ignore.

* * *

Apparently feeling protective, Angie didn’t leave his side while he examined Fluffy.

Belinda practically purred as she spoke. And he didn’t imagine the satisfaction in her eyes.

Once she and Fluffy were gone, Angie threw open a window. “That woman wears enough perfume for half the town.”

There had been a time when he’d saved up all his allowance and most of what he made at his after-school job to buy her perfume. Not the expensive one she was wearing. Come to think of it, he didn’t remember her ever wearing the perfume he had bought her. His bulb had been dim, blind and deaf. “How’s the appointment book looking, Angie?”

“Good news on that front. We’re caught up. Just had a cancellation for our last appointment. Except for our resident menagerie, we can pack it in for today.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he listened with only half an ear. “Go on home, Angie. I’ll take care of the stock.”

“But what about the kennel and—”

“I can use the time with our patients.”

She studied him for a moment. “And I can use the time to catch up at home. See you tomorrow.”

“Right.” His mind full, he wandered outside, stopping first at the brooder. Olivia immediately came to mind. She’d been something, chasing down that flock of scattering chicks. Checking, he saw the brooder’s temperature was high enough for the baby chickens. There weren’t as many chicks as usual, since he’d taken the infamous batch to the 4-H club. Vehemently opposed to the sickening conditions of many commercial chicken-and-egg producers, he had a small operation of free-range chickens. And the chicks were always in demand by the locals.

Hearing a pickup truck traveling up the long driveway, he poked his head outside and recognized his father’s old Chevy. Robert Harrison could afford a new one but claimed it wouldn’t have the personality of his well-worn vehicle.

Zeke carefully secured the brooder, then raised a hand in greeting, always glad to see his father.

Robert climbed from the cab of the truck, still agile and active although he was in his late sixties now. “You in the middle of something?”

“Nope. Just checking on the residents. And I was thinking I ought to make a fresh pot of coffee.”

“Reminds me.” Robert reached back into the cab of the truck. “Your mother sent some stew and half a chocolate-fudge cake. Says I’ll finish off the cake if it’s in our kitchen.”

Zeke grinned, much of his Belinda-induced fatigue fading. “Good thing I’m hungry. Might just have to eat some of that cake. Only polite to share.”

It didn’t take long to get the coffee brewing and pull out plates for cake. He stuck the plastic bowl of stew in the microwave.

“You are hungry.”

“Just one of those days, Dad. Playing catch-up on some missed appointments.” His father knew the nature of the business made that fairly common. After he sliced a hefty chunk of cake for his father and emptied his now-warm stew into a stoneware bowl, Zeke filled him in on Olivia and the chick debacle.

Robert was laughing before Zeke finished the story. “Too bad you didn’t get that on video.”

Zeke speared a wedge of potato. “They were moving too fast for me to think about anything except catching them.”

“Coffee’s done.” Robert got up and filled the two mugs sitting on the counter. He put the mugs on the table and then grabbed a carton of cream from the fridge. “Now I can dig into that cake.”

Concentrating on the stew, Zeke finished it before lifting his own mug.

“You’d better eat at least as much cake as I do. Beats me how, but your mother will know if I get the lion’s share.”

“Don’t have to twist my arm.” Zeke cut a healthy piece for himself and started eating it with the same enthusiasm he’d had for the stew.

Robert watched him for a few moments. “How long since you’ve eaten?”

“Breakfast. Like I said, really crammed schedule.”

“From the chicken woman,” Robert noted. “Which messed up yesterday’s appointments. Nothing serious while you were gone?”

“Nope.”

“Doesn’t sound like she meant to cause any trouble.”

“Nah. It was an accident. Good thing.” Remembering, he shook his head, unable to suppress a grin. “Hate to think what she could have done if she was trying.”

Chuckling, Robert reached for another bite of cake. “Sounds like someone worth getting to know.”

Zeke remembered the look in her eyes before she left with Joey. “Why?”

“She sure wouldn’t be dull.”

“And with my track record, I need someone more like the chicken woman?”

“Son, you’ve got to let go of the past. You were a kid when you met Belinda. And by college she’d... I’ll be kind and say changed. It’s best that you found out her true colors before marriage.”

Zeke snorted. “You forgetting that she refused to marry me? Wasn’t my choice.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re still better off.” Robert paused, his fork midair. “You don’t still have feelings for Belinda, do you?”

“No. Can’t see now why I ever did.”

Robert exhaled. “That’s a relief. I was beginning to think I’d never see you get married.”

“Well, don’t get out the rice just yet. Still don’t trust my judgment enough to marry someone. Look at Penny—I couldn’t figure out she was still in love with her ex-husband.”

Frowning, Robert put his fork down. “You loved Penny’s kids more than her.”

“You just made my case, Dad. I don’t have good sense when it comes to women.”

“But, son, you’re going to be wind up lonely—”

Zeke held up one hand. “First off, with a family our size, I’ll never be lonely. And I date, Dad. You married the best woman on the planet and now the pickings are way too slim.”

“You telling me that of all the women you’ve dated since college, you haven’t been tempted?”

Just with Penny. Considering the children, going back with her ex was the best outcome for her. But it had reinforced his certainty that when it came to relationships, his judgment was flat-out bad. Otherwise, he would have realized that she’d still loved her ex. Zeke shook his head. “Just not in the cards for me, Dad. I’ll leave marriage to the experts like you and Mom.”

“We’d like to see you settled with a woman who has a heart as good as yours.”

Embarrassed at the praise, Zeke pushed it aside. “One who wants to take in every stray like I do?” Remembering, he softened his voice. “Like you and Mom when you took me in?”

“Best thing we ever did.” Robert cleared his throat. “We want to make sure you stay happy.”

Those first months as their foster kid, he’d driven his new family well beyond the edge of their patience and then some, but they never gave up on him. “Dad, I’m happy.” He gestured out the window at the acres of land his small ranch encompassed, the well-kept outbuildings and barn that allowed him to practice as he wanted. “Look at all I have. Wouldn’t have happened without your guidance.”

“And your hard work,” his father insisted. “We still got the best end of the deal.” Robert swallowed the last bite of his cake. “You think any of your brothers or sisters would have shared this?”

“Mom’s cake is worth tussling over.”

“So, you haven’t told me.”

Puzzled, Zeke looked at him in question.

“About the woman who scattered your brood.”

“I told you what happened.”

His father’s eyes remained steady. “But not about her.”

Zeke raised his eyebrows. “I’m guessing right now her life is as scattered as those chicks were.”

“That all you noticed about her?”

Zeke hadn’t forgotten the jolt of sensation when she’d accidentally grabbed his hands or the vulnerability in her unusual violet eyes. “She’s got plenty of troubles without adding me to the mix.”

“Hmm.” Robert glanced at the remaining cake.

Smiling, Zeke cut another wedge and placed it on his father’s plate.

“Too bad,” Robert continued. “She sounds like a corker. Nothing better than a woman with spunk.”

Chapter Four

“That’s not one of your old T-shirts.” Joey paused at the entrance of the clinic.

Olivia nudged him forward. “Concentrate on your work, not me.” Still, she tugged at the tail of her lavender T-shirt, hoping it wouldn’t look new to Zeke. Technically it wasn’t new. She’d bought it weeks ago; she just hadn’t worn it before.

“I smell pancakes,” Joey announced. “If I gotta come here, let’s eat.” The door to the private quarters was fully open. Not hesitating, he trotted past the doorway. Seemed hunger had trumped rebellion. In moments he’d disappeared.

Olivia felt far more uncertain.

“Come on in,” Zeke hollered from somewhere in the back.

Joey had probably already reached the kitchen, but Olivia wasn’t as confident, certainly not as bold. Clearly a man’s home, the room held a large well-used leather chair the color of mahogany—much like most of the wood pieces, including the crowded bookcase and the side tables filled with veterinary magazines. A tall, wide fireplace dominated one wall. Unlit because of the warm temperatures, the imposing hearth proclaimed its prominence with raw, rough-hewn granite. Wide-planked oak floors creaked slightly beneath her feet as she trod inside.

She could envision Zeke, his long legs stretched out so that his boots rested on the scarred coffee table, face buried in one of the hundreds of books.

“Mom!” Joey appeared, looking annoyed. “Zeke says if you want to eat, come on.”

Wondering if that was a direct quote, Olivia answered him. “Okay.” Following her sure-footed son, she lagged behind. Venturing into yet another strange place reminded her of all the new schools she’d had to enter each time her father had been transferred, the stares of the other kids, none of whom would remain longtime friends, because she would have moved on again before that could happen.

A spatula in his right hand, Zeke pointed with the other to a coffeepot. “Just brewed. Hope you like it strong.”

She spotted a mug rack and took one emblazoned with a Texas A&M logo, the university with the best veterinary program in the state. No doubt Zeke’s alma mater.

“Cream’s in the fridge,” Zeke told her, flipping a pancake. “Sugar’s on the table.”

“I want milk. I can get the cream,” Joey offered, clearly already acquainted with the kitchen. “They’re on the same shelf.”

“We use the kitchen for a break room during work hours, so Joey was in here yesterday,” Zeke explained. “Gives me more space on the other side for supplies and indoor kenneling.”

“Kenneling?”

“Small animals I’ve operated on that need to stay through the night.” He flipped another pancake. “For observation.”

“So you have someone who works the night shift?”

Zeke shook his head.

“Then who watches the overnight animals?”

“I have an intercom and I’m a light sleeper.”

Joey shoved a small carton of cream at her. Accepting it, she didn’t pour any into her cup. Early as it was, Zeke looked like a mass of energy despite any nighttime interruptions.

“Joey, you’d better throw a few plates on the table so we can eat,” Zeke instructed as he added another pancake to the growing stack.

She tried not to wince. Apparently Zeke didn’t remember that young boys often took comments literally. “Hope you don’t mind paper towels,” Zeke continued, grabbing a roll and plopping it on the table. “Don’t have many dinner guests.”

“It’s breakfast,” Joey pointed out.

“So it is.” Reaching back, Zeke grabbed a platter. “Silverware’s in the far left drawer.” He lifted his sturdy shoulders in a half shrug. “My mother says I have the whole kitchen set up backward.”

Olivia found her voice. “As long as it works for you.”

“I can only cook three things. She takes pity on me and sends over leftovers. And Angie brings in more food than I can eat.”

To her surprise, Olivia wondered if there was a yet-unmentioned girlfriend in the mix. She’d gotten the idea yesterday that he was single, but that was just an assumption. “You really didn’t have to make breakfast for us.”

“Just stirred up more batter. I was going to make pancakes anyway.”

Trying not to feel like an outsider as she had most of her life, Olivia put her mug on the table. “Can I do something to help?”

“Syrup’s in the microwave. You can grab that.”

Grateful for something to busy herself with, Olivia looked around the good-size kitchen and spotted the microwave. She never bothered to heat the syrup. She’d always thought that was something they just did in restaurants. She reached for the small bottle. Not thinking that it would be too hot, she jerked back at the heat on the glass container. The action splashed a small bit of the red-hot syrup on her hand. Brought up to never moan over what the Colonel termed a “small incident,” she didn’t say anything, instead looked for the sink.

Zeke turned around, sized up the situation and grabbed her good hand. “Thought you knew it’d be hot.” Leading her to the sink, he shook his head. “It’s like jam or filled doughnuts—they get hot as a greased pit in the microwave.”

“I can—”

But Zeke was already turning on the faucet. He quickly put her injured hand under the cool stream of water. “Joey, grab a big bowl from the hutch.”

“Hutch?”

“The big piece of furniture over there. Bowls are on the bottom shelf.”

“There’s no need to fuss—” Olivia began.

“Who’s fussing? Good grief, woman, you want a blister?”

“Of course not.” But it was hard to argue with him as he gently touched her hand, careful to make sure the water pressure wasn’t too forceful, that the reddened skin was handled with care. It had been so long since her hand had been held by a man. Or since she’d stood so close...

“This one okay?” Joey asked.

Startled, Olivia jerked her hand back, putting too much pressure on the burn.

Zeke’s puzzlement showed in his face, but he didn’t comment in front of Joey, instead taking the bowl and filling it with cold water.

To cover her flub, Olivia started to turn to the refrigerator. “I’ll get some ice.”

“No. That’ll just aggravate the burn. The cool water will keep the reddening down, and while your hand’s in the water, the air can’t get to it and make it hurt more. Then we’ll cut open a stalk of aloe vera, rub it on the welt and it’ll be good as new in a day.”

“Oh.” Well, he was a doctor, even though he worked on patients of the four-footed variety....

As though to contest her thoughts, she heard squawking from another room.

“Dilbert,” Zeke explained. “My parrot. Every now and then he decides to try to fly, then smacks into the furniture.”

“Why can’t he fly?”

“Wing damage.”

“And he just roams around free?” Instantly she imagined the amount of bird droppings.

“No, but he can pick locks better than most thieves. I’ll round him up after breakfast and put him back in his cage.”

“Why can’t he just walk around outside and not be in a cage?” Joey asked with a scowl.

“Because he’d wind up as somebody’s dinner. He doesn’t have any defenses and he wouldn’t be able to escape if a predator took after him. Coyotes, eagles.”

Still not looking mollified, Joey continued to scowl. “How’d he hurt his wing?”

Zeke shrugged. “Don’t know.”

“How come?” Joey demanded.

“Joey—” Olivia began.

“It’s okay. Somebody found him hurt in Fredericksburg. I got a call and, well, he’s been here ever since.”

Olivia frowned, as well. “Aren’t there veterinarians in Fredericksburg?”

“Of course. But not all of them have the space I do. People know I take in strays.” The bowl was now nearly full and Zeke took her hand and guided it into the water. “Keep it covered. Now, we’d better eat those pancakes before they turn into Frisbees. ’Course, if they’re cold, that hot syrup ought to warm them up.”

Olivia swallowed, wondering if he was being sarcastic.

“And since your mom risked...well, not life, but certainly limb, we ought to dig in.” He looked over at Olivia, not a trace of sarcasm or meanness in his expression. “Right-or left-handed?”

“Right.”

“Good thing the burn’s on your left, then.”

Well, if Zeke didn’t think she was a hopeless klutz from the lost-chicks episode the day before, he must now. Awkwardly she placed the bowl on the table beside one of the plates. Perhaps for an encore she could dump coffee in her lap.

“How many pancakes, Olivia?”

“One, thanks.”

Zeke’s eyebrows rose. “Not too confident about my cooking?”

“No.” Flustered, she stirred the water in the bowl with her fingers. “I mean, I’m not all that hungry.”

Tilting his head in the direction of the fully stacked platter, he sent her a look of disapproval. “Better eat more than one.”

“She doesn’t eat much anymore,” Joey commented, digging into his own pancakes.

The innocent but painful reminder made her freeze.

Silence filled the room. Only the scraping of Joey’s fork against the plate as he ate interrupted the quiet.

Zeke met her gaze, his eyes filled with questions and a touch of sympathy.

Olivia bowed her head.

But Zeke’s intense perusal didn’t waver.

Swallowing, she tried to pick up her fork—anything to distract herself and him. Forgetting the bowl of water, she lifted that hand as well, splashing water on the table.

“Watch it!” Joey complained. “You’re getting water on my pancakes!”

Zeke tossed him a paper towel. “You’ll live.”

Joey rolled his eyes.

No doubt her son was thinking how unfair it was that there were two sets of rules, one for adults, one for kids, Olivia realized. But certainly more compelling was the look in Zeke’s eyes. She didn’t want pity. Was there something more in his gaze? Something that didn’t reside in that sorrowful tier of emotions?

Ted had been the center of her life, the anchor that had begun to make her believe she could belong. Just like anyone else. That she wasn’t destined to always be an outsider. When he died, all that had disappeared.

And it would take far more than a disarming veterinarian with unforgettable blue eyes for her to recover.

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