Lynette Eason - Christmas Ranch Rescue

Nathan shook his head. “I don’t understand people like that. Even though I’ve worked with them and arrested a few, I just don’t understand them.” He paused. “Do you think that could have been him in the barn? The one who attacked you?”

She thought about it and shivered. “Maybe. But, like I said, as mouthy as he can be, I’ve never heard of him hitting or hurting anyone. I guess there could always be a first time, but I couldn’t say for sure it was him in the barn.”

“I’ll get Clay to check into the man’s whereabouts during the time of the attack. What’s his name?”

“Jeff MacDougal.” She gave a slow nod and picked up her rifle. “Checking his whereabouts during the attack might be a good idea.” She frowned and looked at him.

“What is it?”

“I’m glad you’re here, Nathan.”

He blinked and his jaw tightened. “Why’s that?”

“Mostly because it’s good to see you, but I can’t deny that having you here will let me rest easier.” She walked to the door. “But I’ll warn you. If Brody Mac’s dad knows he’s staying here—and he’ll probably guess he is—he’s likely to show up.”

Nathan narrowed his eyes. “Then we’ll be ready.”

THREE

Early the next morning, Nathan stood in the door of the bunkhouse and watched Brody Mac leave on the moped. He liked the guy and was grateful that he hadn’t used all the hot water just as he’d promised. He’d even cleaned up the sink and set out clean towels for Nathan. A roommate Nathan could appreciate. Unlike the guy he’d shared a dorm room with in his sophomore year at Vanderbilt. Nathan grimaced at the memory.

Turning slightly, he could see Becca out in the pasture filling up water troughs for the horses. She moved slow and a little stiff and he figured her back was bothering her. Nathan slipped on a pair of work gloves and headed out to help her.

As he walked down the dirt path that led to the pasture, a truck rumbled up the drive and pulled to a stop at the barn. Jack barked twice, then went to greet the newcomer.

Becca looked up, then set her bucket on the ground and pressed a hand to her back. “That’s Zeb,” she called. “Tell him I’ll be there in a second, will you? I have two more troughs to fill.”

“I’ll do it for you.”

She waved a hand. “I’ve got it.”

“Becca—”

“I’ve got it. Thanks.” She picked the bucket up and headed for the next trough.

“Stubborn woman,” Nathan muttered as he headed toward the truck. A man in his early thirties climbed from the driver’s seat. His stylishly-cut sandy brown hair dipped into his eyes.

Nathan nodded to the stranger. “Hi, there. I’m Nathan Williams.”

Dark brown eyes met his and the man held out his right hand. “I’m Zeb Culbreth, Becca’s vet. You’re new around here, aren’t you?”

“Just to the barn, but I was born and raised in Wrangler’s Corner.”

Zeb nodded. “I haven’t lived here long myself. I moved here a few months ago when Aaron Starke hired me to work with his veterinarian practice. It’s a friendly place and I’ve been making friends ever since, but I knew I hadn’t met you before. Where’ve you been?” He smiled and Nathan couldn’t help but like the guy.

“Nashville. I moved back here about a week ago,” Nathan said.

“What was in Nashville?”

“Work, mostly. I decided I needed a break so came home while I try to figure out my next step. Becca hired me to help her out around here.” It was true enough.

“Good for her. It’s about time she hired some help. She’s needed it ever since her accident and hasn’t had enough of it. Her neighbors to the left are the MacDougals and they have their issues.”

“Yeah, I’ve met Brody Mac.”

“He’s a good kid.”

“Actually, he’s a man.”

Zeb blinked. “Yeah, I guess so. Seems more like a kid, though. Anyway, her neighbors to the right are the Staffords. Jean and Hank pitched in quite a bit right after her accident and still check in on her.”

“The Staffords? Are they new to town? I thought the Howards lived there.”

“The Howards moved a little over a year ago, and the Staffords moved in about six months ago. Nice people. Jean used to do some pro equestrian work. Was in shows and everything. So she and Becca hit it off famously.”

Nathan shot a glance and a scowl toward the MacDougal farm, then turned his attention back to the vet. “It’s nice to know Becca’s got at least one good neighbor.”

“Yep. Of course, her cousins pitched in almost immediately after her accident—and they’d still be right over if she asked, but they’ve got their own businesses and whatnot and had to get back to them once Becca was on her feet again.”

“And I feel sure Becca’s not going to ask.”

Zeb’s eyes narrowed. “You know her well?”

“We were in high school together and were good friends before she moved to Nashville.”

But this guy had only known her a few months and he sure had a lot of information on her. Had the man done his own research or had Becca shared it all with him?

A surge of jealousy flickered through Nathan and he shoved it away. He didn’t have any right to feel jealous. She had moved on with her life and that was the way it was supposed to be. It was a small town and people talked. A lot. It wouldn’t take Zeb long to get the scoop on Becca if he asked all the right questions. And besides, Nathan didn’t have any interest in resurrecting feelings she didn’t return.

Better to keep a protective barrier erected around his heart this time. Once she found out what he was up to, she’d hate him forever anyway. He did find it interesting that there’d been no mention of her parents helping or even visiting.

He couldn’t help wondering where they’d been during such a hard time for her and what kind of severe falling-out would keep them from putting their anger aside to come to their daughter’s aide. Surely her leaving the medical profession wasn’t justification for cutting her out of their lives, was it?

He wanted an answer to that, but he wasn’t going to ask Zeb. “What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to check on Pete, the horse that threw Becca.”

“What caused him to do that, anyway? Becca’s been on horses her entire life. I can’t see her getting thrown—especially by a horse she knows very well.”

“Even the most experienced riders can get thrown, but I know what you’re saying. It does seem strange. Everyone still talks about her awards and everything. She’s made the town proud. Well, until the drug rumors started.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard the rumors.” And he didn’t want to discuss that either, but if he was here to investigate...“What do you think about those rumors? Any truth to them?”

“That Becca’s involved?”

“Yeah.”

The man scowled. “Absolutely not, so don’t go saying she is or asking questions, understand? No need to get that all stirred up again. Not that it’s exactly died down yet, but still...”

Nathan raised a brow at Zeb’s quick defense and lifted his hands in surrender. “I promise I won’t stir that up.” Interesting. The man’s instant defense of Becca sparked his curiosity. But he’d think about that later. “So what about Pete?”

“From what I can tell, poor Pete had an abscess up under his hoof and was in major pain. When she tried to jump him, he balked.”

Nathan nodded. “Makes sense. Just a freak accident, then.”

Zeb shot him a funny look. “Yes, why? Is there some reason you think it wasn’t?”

Nathan shrugged. “Nope. Guess not.”

“Hi, Zeb, glad to see you here,” Becca said as she joined them.

“No problem. I heard you had some commotion out here yesterday. Are you okay?”