cuttin’ me any slack. I hardly think she’s the person to help me.”
“Okay, maybe not. I’m not sure why, but I know infidelity is a hot button for her.”
Drake winced as he always did when that word came up. He’d willingly participated in an act of infidelity. Even though liquor had been involved, which created some sort of lame excuse, the sharpness of what he’d done couldn’t be filed down, and it still cut deep.
“So I guess it’s not such a good idea,” Regan said. “Forget I mentioned it.”
“I surely will. Besides, there’s another factor that makes the idea a nonstarter.”
“What?”
“I think she’s hot.”
“Oh.” Regan’s glance slid past Drake and focused on a spot over his shoulder. “Here she comes. I’d advise you to keep that information to yourself.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not about to make myself vulnerable to a woman who thinks I’m pond scum.”
“She doesn’t think that.”
“I’ll guarantee she does.” Drake swiveled his stool back around and smiled at Tracy.
Her mouth responded with an obligatory upward tilt, but the rest of her face was devoid of emotion. Then she looked at Regan, and everything changed. “Here’s your beer and some peanuts in case you get the munchies.” She’d never offered Drake peanuts.
“Thanks.” Regan pushed the bowl toward Drake. “Want some?”
“Don’t mind if I do.” He’d show Tracy that he wasn’t too proud to eat Regan’s free peanuts.
Tracy lingered in front of Regan. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Nope, this is great. But I have a big favor to ask.”
“What’s that?”
“Nick’s going to a conference in Washington, D.C. next week and he’s taking Dominique because she’s never been to the Capitol. At the last minute he asked if Lily and I wanted to come along. The women can pal around and sightsee while we’re in meetings. I wondered if you’d be willing to house-sit again while we’re gone.”
“Of course! I’ll have to make sure my hours here will mesh with feeding the critters, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I can trade off with somebody if necessary.”
Drake was flabbergasted. And more than a little hurt. A couple of weeks ago Regan and Lily had taken a two-day vacation and had asked Tracy to house-sit. When Drake found out, he’d told them to ask him next time.
He was a vet, for crying out loud, so he could easily deal with the animals. He also had zip going on. Instead Regan had asked a busy person who already had a full-time job and was studying to become a psychologist.
“Great!” Regan gave Tracy a big old smile. “Same deal as before. Don’t accept any new animals.”
“I won’t.”
“And because we’ll be gone for so long, I’ve arranged for a vet in Jackson to take the routine calls at the office and help you out if you need it. But I’m hoping Drake will consider stepping in if there’s an emergency.” He glanced over at Drake. “Would you be able to do that, just until the guy from Jackson can get down here?”
“Uh, sure. Be glad to.” He could have handled everything, if Regan had bothered to ask.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I keep most of my supplies in my truck, and it’ll be parked beside the house. Tracy, if you have any problems at all, call Drake. He’s an excellent vet.”
Drake had been so busy having his feelings hurt that he hadn’t seen that coming. Tracy hadn’t either, judging from the way her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
“You’ll need my number, then.” He enjoyed saying it, even if she didn’t enjoy hearing it.
“Uh, yeah, I guess I will. But I’m sure nothing will happen.”
“Probably not, but just in case, you’d better take it. Call or text anytime.”
“Right.” She scribbled the number he gave her on her order pad.
“Then we’re all set.” Regan beamed at them. “We might stay a couple of extra days, if that’s okay with you two.”
You two. Drake was amused by the way Regan had neatly linked them up. Tracy probably hated it. “I’m fine with y’all staying longer,” he said. “How about you, Tracy?”
“Uh, sure. Just let me know in advance so I can adjust my hours. Listen, I’d better get back to my customers. Drake’s burger and fries should be up by now, too.” She quickly made her escape.
Drake wasn’t ready to let the issue go. “I could have handled all of it,” he said in a low voice. “I believe I told you that the last time you asked her.”
“I know, and I was keeping you in reserve if she had other plans. But she said yes, probably because she needs the money for school. I figured she did.”
“Oh, you’re paying her.” Drake felt better. “I didn’t realize that.”
“We’re absolutely paying her. We paid her last time, too. There’s a lot of work involved. I wouldn’t expect anyone to do it for free.”
“I would’ve.”
“And that’s one of the reasons I didn’t want to ask you. I knew you wouldn’t take any money for it, and Tracy will.” Regan studied him. “You do realize that I’m not mad at you anymore, right?”
“Yeah, I do.” His chuckle sounded hollow. “Sadly, I’m still riddled with guilt.”
“Well, hell, dude. Get over it.” Regan tossed a peanut in his mouth.
“Believe me, I’m trying. Taking care of your place for free while y’all are gone would’ve helped, but I get why you asked Tracy. I wouldn’t want to deprive her of a chance to earn extra money.”
“And I hoped you’d be her backup if she has any issues. Legally I can’t pay you since you’re not licensed in Wyoming, but I know you don’t care about the money.”
“Nope. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll keep an eye on the medical side of things, but you do realize Tracy hates the thought of having to call on me.”
“She won’t hate it if one of the horses gets sick. Everything went fine last time, but we were only a couple of hours away if she’d needed us. Frankly, I wouldn’t have agreed to a cross-country trip if I couldn’t count on you in the event of a problem.”
“I’ll surely do that. But now I wish I hadn’t told you that I think she’s hot.”
“Why?”
Drake looked away. “Because I don’t want you to think I’ll take this as a golden opportunity.”
“Good God. You are not only riddled with guilt, you’re drowning in it. You and Tracy are consenting adults. I like you both. What happens between you has nothing to do with me unless you scare the horses.”
Drake glanced over to find Regan grinning. “I promise not to do that.”
“Then everything else is up for grabs.”
Drake didn’t think so. Tracy had a poor opinion of him, and it would take a miracle to change her mind.
2
AS THE NOONDAY sun beat down on her, Tracy stared at the pregnant Appaloosa that the sad-looking cowboy had insisted on unloading despite Tracy’s protests. She was a striking mare with a Dalmatian-like coat. Her mane and tail mixed strands of black and white into a soft gray. Tracy