Serendipity Ranch (4 page)

Fifteen minutes later, Preston’s big black truck appeared on the property and he hopped out, followed by Sara and the two border collies. He held a leather bag in one hand and a cooler in another.

“Preston Riley from Wyoming!” Drew greeted the man gleefully, “Small world, huh?”

“So you’re related to this stubborn, opinionate little thug? It’s Drew, right?”

“Old, grumpy cousin Drew. So you got a taste of Serendipity’s attitude, huh?”

“Serendipity?” Preston looked amused as he gently reached for Casba’s injured leg.

“Oh, shut up! Both of you. How’s my horse?”

“That’s not a nice way to speak to either your new boss or your vet. She’s fine. Nothing’s broken. Keep her confined for a couple of weeks, massage the area with this liniment and wrap her firmly. Easy-peasy.”

“Vet?”

“Preston Gerard Riley, DVM, at your service, ma'am.” Preston touched the brim of his hat, watching the myriad of emotions wash through the frustrated woman. She was almost as fun and easy to vex as Janie!

“Uncle P is a farm and ranch doctor. He takes care of livestock and stuff,” Sara offered. “I’m Sara, his niece. My mom’s his sister,” she said, introducing herself to Drew and silently critiquing him.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Sara. I’m Drew, her cousin.” Drew shook the child’s hand, also sizing her up. She had the prettiest brown eyes he had seen in a long time. He wondered what her mother looked like. “Your mom must be something good-looking if she’s anything like you, young lady.”

“You should meet her. I think you’d like her,” Sara announced boldly. Preston pulled the child to his side, ruffling her hair.

“Stop playing matchmaker. Sara’s a little outspoken at times. My fault, I tend to indulge her.”

“She’s adorable. Her dad?” Drew asked, watching Serena introduce the child to the kittens and smiling as giggles arose when the border collies played gently with the litter.

“We lost him six years ago in an accident. He was a good guy. You might want to take a look at your cousin. She’s got a nice sized bruise on her thigh.”

“Serena’s always covered with bumps and bruises, ever since she could walk. She’s a good kid, a bit wild, but nothing that can’t be tamed with a little love and a firm hand,” Drew chuckled, noticing how the man eyed his beautiful cousin. “I’ve looked out for her since she was 14.”

“Her folks?”

“Single mom, drunk herself to death. No dad. I couldn’t let her go to foster care, so I took her in. It was tough, but the best thing I ever did. She’s got a lot of potential.”

“She does. She needs to see that in herself, though, and not try to lie about it.”

“Ah, her portfolio. I warned her that someone would bust her one day. How did you know about the designers?”

“Sara is obsessed with architecture, so I’ve exposed her to everything I could. You start to learn about things when you’re inundated by them. I really don't like the color of that bruise. Miss Mitchell? To me, please.”

“I’m NOT a border collie, Mr. Riley.” Serena snapped, coming anyway. Drew hid a smile, amused by her unknowing obedience.

“Habit, sorry. I want to take a look at that bruise. You broke a bunch of capillaries, and it’s going to harden up on you.”

“I’ll be fine—what do you think you’re doing?” Serena asked, smacking his hand as he gently pressed the blackening area on the back of her thigh.

“Don’t smack me, young lady. I’m tending to you. Obviously, someone needs to,” Preston rumbled, pressing the edges of the bruise to increase circulation. Serena smacked him again, and without thinking, he popped her firmly on the rump in return. Serena yelped, staring at him in disbelief.

“Now that we have that settled, keep still. You can use this on yourself as well as the horse. Keep it refrigerated.”

Drew grinned as he watched Serena struggle not to smack the vet again as he methodically massaged the medication into the injured area and then proceeded to wrap her upper thigh with an Ace bandage. Serena’s face reddened as his knuckles brushed the crotch of her shorts, sending tingles down her legs. He looked up at her.

“Keep this elevated tonight and apply ice-packs every 15 minutes to avoid additional swelling. You’ll be feeling it tomorrow, so if you can’t come over, it’s okay.”

“I’ll be just fine, Mr. Riley. Remove your hands from me.”

“You’re not much for gratitude, are you? You mentioned a firm hand, Drew. She certainly needs one, right across her rear end.”

Drew laughed, nodding. “I know. I’ve been sorely tempted a number of times. Oh, chill out, Serena. We’re just joking with you.”

One look at Preston Riley’s face told the woman that he was not being the least bit flippant. She swallowed nervously. She would have to watch her back with this man.

She lifted her chin to look boldly look into his eyes. “Thank you for coming and taking care of Casba. Please excuse me, but I’m busy and will have to ignore you until some other time.” With that statement, she turned to limp painfully back to the small house.

“Oh yes, she definitely needs a firm hand. Applied directly to that cute little rump,” he muttered. Drew simply nodded in agreement.

Chapter Three

“Shit,” Serena groaned, trying to walk on her bruised leg. She clutched the doorway, lifting the offending limb off the ground, “Drew! I need help!”

“What’s wrong?” her cousin asked, scrubbing his wet hair with a towel.

“I can’t walk. Son of a bitch.”

Drew shook his head and easily lifted her into his arms and carried her to the living room couch, where he carefully set her down. “Guess Doc Riley was right, huh? You should have listened and kept this leg up last night. You’re lucky you didn’t break your butt bone.”

“Oh, shut your yap. Preston Riley doesn’t know diddly-squat.” Serena shifted uncomfortably towards her left, trying to take pressure from the back of her right thigh.

“He knew enough to get you to stop smacking him. I’d bet your bottom dollar that he wouldn’t put up with your little fits for two seconds. Maybe we can get him over here more often to keep you out of my hair.”

“Will you shut up already? This hurts, and I’m not in the mood. You need to take me to the worksite today. There is no way I can drive.”

“Preston said to take the day off if it hurt this bad.”

“I just started this job. There is no way in hell I’m taking the day off. Besides, I need to set up a construction schedule and go over some things with Sara before she has to leave.”

“Where does she live?”

“Over in Blossom Valley with her mother. They have a small spread out there.”

“What does her mom do?”

“Drew, I just met these people yesterday! Damn, you’re nosey. Get me some coffee or something, and some drugs.” Serena ordered, rubbing her throbbing thigh. Drew chuckled and quickly handed the cranky woman a mug of steaming hot milk. She wrinkled her nose, looking at him incredulously. “Last time I noticed, coffee was black.”

“Compliments of your new vet-slash-boss. Goat milk, freshly squeezed. Don’t make faces, just try it. It won’t kill you. I also have some painkillers for you,” Drew teased, knowing her aversion to milk.

Serena’s eyes widened as she reluctantly sipped the foamy beverage after swallowing the bitter pills. “This is good! It’s sweet!”

“I know, I tried some. It’s really good cold too. I’ve never had it fresh before. It’s not anything like the nasty store-bought garbage that tastes like goat. He says he makes ice cream out of it all the time. I like ice cream.” Drew grinned as Serena rolled her eyes.

“All men like ice cream. Don’t you start thinking of having a bromance with this guy. He’s an arrogant nitwit and my boss, with way too much time and money to ever be anything else,” she scowled, trying not to think of how his hands touched her thigh or the hint of intimacy that accompanied the wrapping of her leg. She sipped the hot, buttery milk, the flavor dancing delicately on her tongue. It would make good ice cream, but she would never admit it!

Serena slipped a sundress over her head and threw on some sandals. She pulled her waist-long hair into a high ponytail and quickly brushed some pink gloss over her full lips. Without additional makeup, she looked like a preteen, but she didn’t care. Her leg hurt too much to do anything else. She just wished the painkillers would hurry up and work.

“Look how cute you are, little cousin. You should dress like this more often. It makes you look less like a shrew.”

“How many times do I have to tell you to shut up? I used to think that you were a big pain in the neck, but now I have a much lower opinion of you. Just take me to work already.”

“Yes, ma'am.” Drew saluted, lifting her into his arms and depositing her in the front seat of his red Chevy pickup. They buzzed onto Preston’s property and slowly made it up the curved mountain road. Drew nodded appreciatively as he drove into the large, round driveway.

“This is going to be sweet when it’s done. Look at that view! A full 360 of the valley, and you can even see the ocean. Wow.”

“Stop drooling and help me out. You’re not moving in with the jerk.”

Preston strode up to the truck as Drew pulled Serena from the seat. He helped support her as she tried to stand. “Didn’t I tell you to take it easy today if this bothered you? Don’t you listen to anybody?”

“Not as long as I’ve known her. Where do you want to go?” Drew asked, shaking his head with frustration.

“The table is fine. There’s a canopy, so I can work there without the sun blasting me. Hi, girls,” Serena smiled as the collies raced to greet her. Preston dropped the box of supplies on the large picnic table and then placed his hands on his hips.

“How’s Casba this morning?”

“Doing much better than this one. Barely limping.” Drew answered. “But then, the horse knows how to follow her doctor’s instructions.”

“I’m not an animal, and Mr. Riley is NOT my doctor. Damn it, Drew, will you just go to work already and get off my back?”

“See ya tonight. Good luck, Doc.”

“I might need it today. Thanks for dropping her off,” Preston sighed, eyeing the frowning woman as he walked the man to his truck. “Any suggestions?”

“You got some nice cliffs around here. Try tossing her off one if she gets to be too much.”

“That’s a bit drastic, don’t you think?” Preston asked with a grin.

Drew looked serious. “Ask me again after you experience her temper. She’s got a nasty bite to her. I’d rather deal with a pissed off rattler.”

“Hmm. Well, I need to make sure she doesn’t teach that behavior to little Sara. That kid’s as sweet as honey and I don’t want her modeling her new hero.”

“Serena’s her hero?” Drew sounded surprised.

“Your cousin validated Sara in the best possible way. She made her feel smart, successful, and of value to this project. She’s the first one who did not approach my niece like she was either stupid or disposable. For that reason, I hired her. Her abilities and credentials were secondary to me.”

“You’re putting a lot of money out for faith, Doc. I hope it pans out for you,” Drew said sincerely.

“Trust me, it will. It always does,” Preston said with confidence.

After Drew left, he approached Serena at the table where she was going over some ideas with Sara. “Would you ladies like anything? I’m thinking of whipping up some omelets and flapjacks.”

“Will you make them camping-style, Uncle Preston? Please?” Sara begged, clinging to his hand. He smiled with a nod, kissed her forehead and walked away. Sara jumped excitedly on the bench. “He’s the best camp cook in the whole world. He never burns anything!”

“You really love your uncle, don’t you?” Serena commented as the little girl told her about all the things Preston had taught her and the stuff they did together.

“He’s my best friend. And he never gets mad at me when I mess up. He likes to pick on mommy though. That’s funny. She gets so mad at him,” Sara giggled. “She calls him a little brat and threatens to kick his butt. She probably could, too.”

“I would give anything to see that!” Serena looked over at the large man as he stoked the outside fire ring, his arm muscles bulging from his shirt sleeves, old jeans fitting snuggly around rock hard thighs, and his ever present Stetson pushed back on his head. The effect of the painkillers was closing in, and a fit of giggles escaped her lips as she pictured his older sister dressing him down for unruly behavior. Sara joined her and soon the two were in hysterics.

“What are you two laughing about? Did I rip my pants?” Preston asked, looking behind him. Both shook their heads wildly, causing Sara to fall off the bench where she was promptly attacked by border collie tongues. The shrieking laughter grew louder, and Serena found herself unable to stop. Preston placed his hands on his hips, spatula in one hand as he tried to look stern. “Care to share what’s so funny?”

“It’s nothing, Uncle P. Honest!” Sara started to snort, sitting on the ground as she held her stomach.

“We’re just being silly, Mr. Riley. There is absolutely nothing of substance behind it,” Serena added, trying to straighten her face as she looked up into the big man’s serious, but immensely sexy, golden brown eyes.

Preston maintained a straight face. “Ah yes, ‘Mr. Riley’. I told you, it’s Preston. So you are trying to convince me that this sudden surge of joviality is merely a discharge of nervous energy with no synaptic content? I swear, you two sound like cackling hens. Please, ladies, I need to know if there’s a station coming up where I can board your giggling train of thought.”

That only sent them into another gale of uncontrollable laughter, this time joined by barking dogs. Preston watched Serena, wondering if she had ever had the chance to giggle and play like his ten-year-old niece. She looked so young and carefree, and the little blue sundress she wore was emphasized her tiny frame and long, elegant legs. He thought of her thigh as it quivered beneath his hands. It was silky, shapely, and firm. He was willing to bet her bottom was the same, molded to perfection by many hours of riding.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Riley. I think it’s the painkillers,” Serena wiped her eyes, trying to compose herself.