“I’m serious, Fletch. If I can’t share my honest thoughts with you, without worrying that you’ll take them to Renner, I’ll just keep my mouth shut and take my coulda, shoulda, woulda lumps from you.”
First time Tobin had taken that tone and Fletch definitely wanted to hear what was on his mind. “The only way I’d talk to Renner about what we’ve discussed is if the information you share adversely affects the health of the animals. If there’s something he’s not doin’ that he oughta be doin’, or something that he is doin’ that he shouldn’t be doin’.”
“Fair enough.”
“So what did you mean that Renner might be in over his head?”
“I’ve been working here almost four years. Renner is the most ambitious guy I’ve ever met. First he built the Split Rock. Then he moved his rodeo stock contracting operation up here. Those two businesses, plus we’re running a hundred head of cattle, are more than enough to keep Renner and me and Hugh busy. Hugh’s even replaced most of the guys who were involved with Jackson Stock Contracting in Kansas with locals. Works out well for these guys because they love rodeo, but they can’t afford to be gone from home for weeks on end.”
“Renner does have the reputation of bein’ more than fair with his wages.”
“That said, with the stock contracting business bein’ localized and with our current workforce, the maximum amount of distance Hugh is willing to haul stock is twelve hours from here. Keeps costs down across the board, keeps Renner’s rough stock in demand.”
Fletch nodded. “Which is why he hasn’t lost much stock.”
“Maybe he’s worried about that. The man can pick rough stock like no one I’ve ever seen. I’ve gone to auctions with him and he’ll buy a scrawny-looking bull and the next year, that sucker is huge. And usually mean.”
He laughed.
“Over the years Renner has occasionally sold semen from his best bulls and horses to raise funds. So the idea has gotten stuck in his head that instead of buying bulls and bucking horses, he oughta be breeding them. Then he could act on the demand from other contractors and other breeders. There’s huge money in it, if it’s done right.”
“And that’s the part you’re worried about?”
Tobin sighed. “We’ve only talked about starting a commercial stock-breeding program loosely—I mean very loosely. We mentioned it to you. That’s it. The next thing I know, Renner had . . . some guilt or panic attack or something, because he’s leveling the ground to build this place, claiming it’s for our future endeavor.”
The place in question being a ten-thousand-square-foot metal pole barn. It was unused except for this large corner, which Tobin and Hugh had turned into office space. “My understanding was the reason he did it was because the contractors were already breaking ground on his and Tierney’s house.”
Tobin gave him a thoughtful look. “I know that’s what he says, but I think he had some kind of provider anxiety due to Tierney’s pregnancy. Hell, maybe this is his way of nesting. But I believe Renner wanted yet another financial fallback in case any of his other businesses went to hell. He didn’t want to be beholden to his wife making all the money.”
Damn insightful.
“And I get this building is only a few months old, but I just don’t know what the hell he expects to do with it.”
“Is he putting pressure on you to figure it out for him?”
“No. Maybe I’m putting pressure on myself because my background and education is in animal husbandry and genetics. But with Hugh bein’ mostly gone now that summer rodeo season is in full swing, I’m so damn busy dealing with the livestock and stuff goin’ on at the Split Rock, I don’t have time to think about it. Let alone come up with a viable business plan that won’t waste a whole lot of Renner’s time and his money.”
Fletch studied Tobin. He did seem stressed, which wasn’t the norm for him.
“Now you’re here, out of the blue, ready to get to work on what’s basically been an abstract idea— and it would’ve been nice to have a heads-up on that from my boss—I feel like I got caught with my pants down and I’m about to get spanked.”
He let the pause between them linger for a minute before he said, “I’m assuming this confidentiality thing goes both ways?”
Tobin nodded.
“Renner didn’t tell you about me showing up here because it wasn’t something either of us had planned.” Fletch rubbed the back of his neck, feeling oddly self-conscious about telling the truth, even when Tobin needed to hear it so he wasn’t questioning his position and future with Renner. “Here’s what happened.”
After he finished, Tobin pierced him with a look. “You’ve never taken a vacation.”
That’s what Tobin chose to focus on? “Besides a few days here and there? Nope.”
“Jesus, Fletch, you sound just like my dad.” He winced and clarified, “Not because you’re old, but that’s the same mind-set he has. It’s also probably why he’s had two heart attacks.”
“My old man mentioned that same scenario to me. The issue is I don’t know what the hell to do with myself when I’m not working.”
“Did you know when you went to vet school your career would be this demanding?”
Fletch shook his head. “Like most thirteen-year-old girls, I’d romanticized bein’ a vet just a tad.”
Tobin snickered.
“Besides, I went to college to play football.”
“So you didn’t have the burning need to become a veterinarian because you were constantly bringing home birds with broken wings and had a desire to help four-legged members of the animal kingdom?”
“Fuck off.”
Tobin laughed and Fletch was glad to see some of the shadows had cleared from his eyes.
“Like I said, I got a full-ride scholarship to play college football. My grades weren’t great; I was a little better than an average student—which probably ain’t a surprise to a brainiac like you.”
“Fuck off, right back atcha, Doc.”
“Prior to college, I hadn’t thought much about what career path I’d end up on, even when I knew I’d never play pro ball. I registered late for classes and got stuck in an ag exploration course. I figured it’d be an easy A; I’d hung out with ranching kids my whole life. I ended up liking it and did well enough in subsequent classes that by the end of freshman year I decided animal sciences would be my career focus. Got my undergrad degree in pre-veterinary sciences at Colorado State and went right into their DVM program.”
“How long did that take?”
“Total? Six years. After graduation I worked for a large animal vet in Fort Collins for a year who was set to retire. He had clients in Wyoming. I moved back to Rawlins, took over some of those clients and went into business for myself.”
“I gotta ask, ’cause I’m still paying off my graduate school loans, but did you get a full ride for vet school too?”
Fletch grinned. “Yep. One of the few times it paid to be Indian. My advisor steered me toward every possible scholarship and I received every one I applied for and some I was just awarded. So not only did I come out of vet school debt free, I came out money ahead because I’d chosen to work in an underrepresented section of animal health care—large animals. And I’d chosen to work in a rural area—I always knew I’d be back in Wyoming. And I was a minority.”
“Man. That was smart.”
“I also realize that I was fortunate for the financial support. I try and give back, especially to the Indian community, even when I really don’t know a whole lot about bein’ Indian.” He smirked. “Of course, my cousin Eli is more than happy to school me on that every chance he gets.”
“Speaking of Eli . . .” Tobin took a swig from his mug and grimaced. “He called yesterday.”
“About?”
“About swapping out our old trail horse Lyle for one of his younger training horses.”
Fletch frowned. “Did he give you a reason why?”
“Said he was working with someone
who’s really skittish around horses and wanted a horse that wouldn’t buck or get spooked by anything.”
Was that horse for Tanna? Question was, had Tanna requested it, or was it Eli’s decision? Whenever Fletch asked her specifics about the time she spent at Eli’s, she became evasive. Then she seduced him.
“So, it probably ain’t my business, but is Eli wanting that horse for your girlfriend?”
“I imagine so.”
“You don’t know?”
“Tanna ain’t talking. And Eli is the most trustworthy, secret-keeping motherfucker I know, so he ain’t talking either. It sucks.”
Tobin grinned. “A woman not bein’ honest or spilling her guts? I’m shocked.”
“Fuck off.”
“Tanna is always so upbeat and sarcastic around me. Don’t take this wrong, but the raunchy comments that woman makes would make a porn star blush.”
Oh boy, you don’t know the half of what that dirty mouth can do. “Folks might say the same thing about you, Tobin. You act so laid-back. You’re so freakin’ happy-go-lucky all the time.” Fletch paused. “But that ain’t the case, is it? You’ve got a darker side that no one sees.”
Tobin looked startled for a second. “So, Doc, you’re an expert on all animal behavior? Or you just guessing about me?”
Fletch smiled.
“And with that,” Tobin said, “maybe we oughta talk about the business—or nonbusiness as the case may be—at hand. I’ve done next to nothin’ on this. Far as I know Renner’s done even less than me besides having Tierney set up the corporation and constructing the building.”
“I’ll tell you what—bein’s I’m on sabbatical, I’ve got way less to do around here than you. I’ll jump on the research. See what options we’ve got. I’ll see if I can’t come up with a concrete plan, or at least a reason to abandon this idea altogether. Then if Renner asks you about it, say I’ve taken over. That way you’re off the hook and I’ve got a valid excuse for bein’ at the Split Rock for the next few weeks.”
“Really? You’d do that?”
Fletch shrugged. “It’ll be a change for me, if nothin’ else.”
“Thanks, man.” Tobin stood. “I gotta get. Buzz me if you need anything.”
“Will do.” Fletch reached for his laptop.
Tobin’s footsteps stopped. His voice drifted across the cavernous room. “Can I ask you something?”
“I guess.”
“Is Tanna part of the reason you’re spending all your time off up here?”
No, she’s the only reason. “Yep. Something about that woman . . . just got to me from the get-go. Never happened before.”
“Does she know that?”
“No. So like you, I’m gonna try like hell to look like I’m busy.”
Chapter Twenty
Harper barreled into Wild West Clothiers shortly after noon, blond hair sticking up every which way. She set the baby carrier on the floor, looked around the store and burst into tears.
Slightly freaked out, Tanna gently took Harper by the hand and sat her in the chair closest to her baby.
“Harper? If you hate where I positioned the socks and slippers display, I can always put it back where it was.”
That caused her to cry harder.
While Harper cried, a panicked Tanna studied her face. Her skin was blotchy. Her eyes swollen. Her lips puffy. The beautiful, serene, always put-together woman was a mess.
“I’m sorry. It’s not the display.”
“I kinda figured that. Can you tell me what’s goin’ on?”
A long pause ensued and Harper leaned over to check on her baby. “Poor Jake. Upset mama turns his whole world around.”
The kid hadn’t uttered a peep. “He seems to be adjusting.”
“The car ride always mellows him out.” Her red-rimmed eyes met Tanna’s. “I’m losing my mind because I received notification that my sister Liberty was injured in the line of duty.”
Tanna’s stomach dropped. She reached for both of Harper’s hands. “Oh my God, Harper, that’s horrible.”
“Evidently it’s bad enough they brought her back to the U.S. as soon as she was stable. That’s all they’ll tell me.”
“Where was she stationed?”
“Afghanistan. She only had two months left on this tour and she talked about getting out of the service for good.” Harper bit her lip to keep from crying—no wonder the skin was so raw. “This isn’t the way she’s supposed to do that! Then I think, God, at least she’s not coming home in a casket.”
“Do you know what happened? Or the extent of her injuries?”
She shook her head. “So I have to fly to Walter Reed to deal with this.”
“When are you going?”
“Today.” She smoothed her hand over her head, trying to tame her hair. “I have to take Jake with me since I’m nursing. It scares me to death to take my baby into a hospital environment where the patients have been exposed to all sorts of weird viruses from all over the world. But that said, I don’t know what I’ll do if they won’t let me bring him into the room with me to see Liberty. As much as I want Bran there . . . as much as I need him there . . . he has a ranch to run and a child to take care of. He’s a great daddy, but Tate is a handful.” She sniffled. “I have no idea how long I’ll be gone.”
“Don’t you have other family that could meet you there and help out?”
She shook her head. “My younger sister Bailey is also in the army and she’s stationed in Japan. All my friends are pregnant or have infants so they can’t come with me. So I have to do this on my own.”
Tanna felt so helpless in the face of Harper’s distress.
Then Harper inhaled a deep breath. “I’d planned to be here tomorrow since my largest shipment for the year is arriving. It takes me a solid week to catalogue merchandise and I’ve always had Tierney or Janie to deal with customers. This can’t wait until I get back. The merchandise can’t sit in boxes long because there’s only a two-week window to decide on returns. I really hate to ask, but is there any way you can catalogue all the merchandise? That’ll entail you working in the back every day until it’s done. With as busy as we’ve been, Harlow will have to run the front end by herself.”
“Of course I’ll do it.”
Relief swam in her eyes and she teared up again. “Thank you.”
“Hey. I shouldn’t have to remind you that it is my job. Do you have sheets or lists from last year that’ll show me exactly how you want everything categorized?”
Harper nodded and stood. “My filing system makes no sense to anyone but me, so I’ll grab the files. Might take me a bit.” Her gaze winged from the baby carrier to Tanna. “Will you keep an eye on Jake?”
“Sure.”
Harper disappeared into the back.
Tanna crouched down and looked at the baby boy. Such a cutie. His small head appeared to be covered in white-blond chicken feathers. His lips were curved into a frown and milk seeped from the corner of his mouth. Jake sported a Western onesie in plain brown with fancy white stitching down the center. He wore camouflage pants. On his tiny feet were socks with a monkey face on the toes. Who said babies couldn’t be fashionable?
A wave of want rolled over her. She’d always expected she’d have a couple of babies and a husband by age thirty-six.
It could be worse. You could be on your way to some strange hospital to deal with an injured sibling.
Tanna sighed. She really hoped she heard from her brother soon.
She stared at the sleeping baby and willed him to wake up. Maybe she should just scoop him up and hold him anyway. The kid looked lonely.
Ha. You just wanna hold him and absorb that sweet innocence.
The cowbell on the door jangled and she looked up, expecting a customer, but Bran and Fletch walked in.
Fletch smiled at her. As did Bran Turner, but his smile didn’t make her heart turn cartwheels like the doc’s did.
You fall in love too fast, Tanna. This is a lusty frie
ndship, that’s all.
“Hey, guys. What’s up?”
“Tracking down my wayward wife.” Bran crouched beside Tanna and immediately reached out to touch his son’s cheek. “Why is it you’ll sleep in public but not at home?”
Not surprising that Jake didn’t answer.
Fletch leaned over the baby carrier. “Damn, Bran. He is a cute little bugger. Kid totally takes after his mama.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Tanna glanced around but didn’t see Tate the terror. “Where’s son number one?”
“In the office with Tierney. Crazy woman is teaching him his numbers and I’ll be damned if the kid hasn’t learned them. He can count to ten.”
She and Fletch exchanged an amused look at Bran’s pride.
Jake squirmed and opened his eyes.