The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #) (21 page)

She was so busy she had no time to visit her family
or Sam
. No wonder he was running out of patience. She was working twelve to fourteen hour days and seeing him only at night, usually at his place and only for a few hours. She always dragged herself from his bed to return to her own. She could just imagine the talk in town if she actually spent the night with Sam. As it was, the grapevine was already buzzing with conjecture.

At least she didn't have to make the twelve-mile drive to and from the Diamondback Ranch each day. She'd never manage any sleep if she was living back home.

To preserve her sanity, she'd set up camp in the back room of the clinic. Staying in town was more convenient, especially when she had to take emergency calls and appointments. Plus, she was closer to Sam, able to spend a little of each day with him, most days. All in all, staying at the clinic saved a lot of time and aggravation.

She'd borrowed a folding bed from her mom and brought in food, supplies and clothing. There were no bathing facilities, so she showered at Sam's place. Usually with him.
Together
. That always proved to be the highlight of her day.

Tori sighed. Sam wasn't the only one frustrated with the whole relationship situation.

The bell on the front door jingled. There were no appointments scheduled until later in the afternoon, but Tori never turned away patients if she could help it. Jumping up from the desk, she walked to the front of the office to see who needed her help.

Caitlyn McCade stood in the middle of the waiting room with her big yellow lab by her side. Reba wagged her tail when she saw Tori and tugged on her leash, trying desperately to get free so she could greet her with big sloppy kisses.

"Hey, Tori," Caitlyn said. "I was in town and thought I'd drop by. Reba has a sticker in her paw, yet obviously it isn't hurting her as badly as I thought, since she's wiggling with joy to see you."

Tori bent down on one knee to pet the dog. "Let me look at your paw, girlie. Which one is it?" she asked Caitlyn.

"The front left. She stepped in a patch of goat-heads when she was chasing a raccoon a couple of days ago. I got most of them out, but can't seem to get that deep one still lodged in the pad."

Tori rubbed Reba's ears, and the dog panted in ecstasy. "Let's take her to one of the exam rooms, and I'll see what I can do."

Ten minutes later, Tori had removed the thorn and applied an iodine solution to Reba's paw. "All done and good as new."

"Thanks, Doc." Caitlyn took Reba's leash and looked around the examination room. "Looks like you're settling in nicely."

"Oh, God. Don't I wish?" Tori said over her shoulder, as she washed her hands in the sink. "I'm so swamped, I don't know if I'm coming or going. Doc's antiquated filing system is a disaster. And trying to get his receptionist to use the computer is like pulling teeth. Mary Ann thinks if the system was good enough for Doc Pritchard, it should be good enough for me."

Caitlyn smiled. "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Where is Mary Ann, by the way?"

"It's her afternoon off. I wish
I
could take an afternoon off. But hey, I shouldn't complain. I'm finally living my dream." Tori smiled and finished drying her hands and tossed the paper towel in the trash.

"And doing a fine job," Caitlyn said with a smile. "Hang in there, Tori. It'll take a little time to get organized. Now, how much do I owe you?"

Tori shook her head. "No charge. You're family."

"That's no way to conduct business." Caitlyn frowned. "I insist on paying my fair share."

"No, really. It's okay."

"No, it's not." Caitlyn narrowed her eyes and waited, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot.

Tori's newest sister-in-law was a force to be reckoned with. Tyler had met his match when he'd fallen in love with her. "Okay, okay. I'll print you out an invoice." She led the way to the front office where she'd set up a brand-new computer and printer and installed a wall of neatly organized files. "As you can see, I'm using the newest technology for
my
accounts. Now if only I can manage to bring Mary Ann and Doc's outdated system into the twenty-first century, I'll be in good shape."

"You can do it, Tori. I have faith in you."

As soon as the door closed behind Caitlyn and Reba, Tori headed to the back office again determined to clean off Doc's desk.
Her desk now.
It was still hard to realize she was finally finished with school and actually a practicing veterinarian.

She
was
living her dream; she'd achieved her lifelong goal. Then why didn't she feel like she was on top of the world? Why wasn't she any happier? Maybe it was because she was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. When she got settled in and learned the ropes, she'd feel much better. It would just take a little time and patience.

A man only has so much patience.

Tori's heart fluttered when she recalled Sam's dangerously soft and seductive voice, his intense gaze and his possessive hold on her when they'd danced at Doc's retirement party last Saturday. The man had every right to be running out of patience. He'd been remarkably supportive and understanding during the years she'd been going to A&M.

Conducting a long-distance relationship had been extremely hard for them both. There had been rocky times, harsh words, hurt feelings. Times when Sam's patience had worn thin; times when Tori had felt like quitting school. Except how could she have given up her dream? How long would it have taken before she'd become bitter and resentful?

She hurried down the hall. No, quitting school had never really been an option. Sooner or later, she and Sam had always made up and soldiered on.

So why was she still holding him at arms' length? She knew they couldn't put their relationship on hold forever. But taking over Doc's practice as well Stone Creek's was proving to be almost more than she could handle. If only there were more hours in the day.

Before she reached her office, the bell on the door jingled again. With a silent groan, she made an about-face and headed back to the waiting room.

***

Tori didn't know whom she'd expected, but it sure hadn't been her mother. She smoothed back her tousled curls and walked into the reception area. "Hey, Mom. How's it going?"

Ruth McCade smiled at her only daughter. "Hey, baby. Oh, I brought you a little afternoon snack. I thought we could talk a minute. I have a bit of a problem and I need your advice." She set a small wicker basket on the counter. "I made homemade donuts, and I brought some iced tea. We'll have ourselves a little indoor picnic. If you're not too busy, that is."

Tori smiled. "You know I can always make time for donuts. And you, of course. Here, I'll pull up a couple of chairs. I only have about forty-five minutes though. I'm due out at the Rocking C Ranch. Leo's having a problem with one of the new calves." She scooted two of the hard plastic chairs closer to the coffee table and plopped down.

Ruth transferred the basket from the counter to the low table and began unpacking the goodies. "Goodness gracious, all the ranchers around here sure keep you busy, don't they?" She handed Tori a donut and a glass of tea.

"Busy doesn't even begin to describe it. Business is booming, and that's a good thing, right?" Tori bit into the soft moist pastry, the sugar-glazed sweetness bursting on her taste buds. "Oh God, Mom. These are delicious. I haven't had one of your donuts since I don't know when."

Ruth reached over and patted Tori's knee. "Well, now that you're home to stay--or at least in Salt Fork to stay--you'll get to enjoy all of your old favorites. In a week or so, I'll bake a pecan pie. I know you've always liked them. Why don't you make me a list of your favorites, and I'll make them for you?"

"I'll do that and hope to goodness I don't gain ten pounds." Tori licked the gooey sugar from her thumb and took a sip of tea. "So, what's this problem you're having?" For the life of her, she couldn't guess what it could be.

Ruth sat back in her chair. "Well now. It's about the twins."

"Molly and Maddie?" Tori frowned as she took another bite of donut. "Damn, I knew those girls were going to be a handful for you. I still can't figure out why Aunt Georgie named you guardian of her two teenaged daughters."

Ruth's bottom lip quivered, and Tori shoved a napkin into her mom's hand. She'd almost forgotten how quickly her mother could get all teary-eyed. Not that she didn't have just cause in this instance. Losing a younger sister had to be devastating. Tori remembered when Tyler had been critically injured in a plane crash. If he'd died . . . Her chest ached just thinking about it.

Ruth sniffled into the napkin. "The twins weren't teenagers when Georgie and Frank drew up their will. And of course, she never thought I'd be called upon to actually take the girls. No one ever truly thinks they're going to die and leave their children alone in this world."

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I know you miss her. But why didn't she name Aunt Florie guardian? They were closer in age. I mean you
were
fifteen years older than Aunt Georgie."

"I'm not sure why she named me instead of Florie. But what's done is done. I can't worry about that now. What I do have to worry about is helping those two precious girls get along without their parents." Ruth dabbed the tears from her eyes.

"I sure feel bad for them." Tori chewed the last bite of donut thoughtfully. "Maybe it would help to let them live with Austin and Theresa. The girls are only a couple of years older than Kelsey, and they all seem to get along."

"Oh no, no, no." Ruth blew her nose on the crinkled napkin and shook her head. "Those two girls have been a godsend, truly. And to be honest, it was getting mighty lonesome in that big old house all by myself. Now, I have Molly and Maddie to keep me company; not to mention, they're a living, breathing reminder of my dear sister. We're getting along fine and dandy. Don't you believe otherwise."

"Okay, then." Tori grabbed another donut. "What seems to be the problem?"

"It's perfectly plain, dear. Their birthday is in a couple of weeks. It's their sixteenth, you know."

Doing some quick math in her head, Tori nodded. "Yeah, I was nearly ten when they were born and so glad to get girl cousins." She smiled at the memory.

"Maybe that's why Georgie named me guardian. Florie only had boys, while I had the boys and you. But that's neither here nor there," Ruth said, twisting the napkin into a tight coil. "When Dallas and I were settling the estate, he suggested we keep Georgie and Frank's car and truck for the girls. The vehicles were practically brand new, and it would give the girls something to drive as well as a keepsake that had belonged to their parents."

Tori's jaw dropped. "
Dallas
thought of that all by himself? My big bad brother? Come on, Mom. That's pretty hard to believe."

Ruth frowned. "Now don't be tacky. Dallas might appear brusque and rigid on the surface, but beneath all that bluster beats a warm heart."

"Yeah, right," Tori said with a snort. "I think Gillian deserves a lot of credit for warming up ol' Dallas. And little Zachary, too. Dallas is turning out to be a great dad."

"Cameron's also a good father. He adores little Daniel. Well, how could he not? Daniel
is
adorable, after all." Ruth beamed with grandmotherly pride.

"Yes, my nephews are adorable and my brothers are great. Let's get back to the twins and their birthday. What's your problem?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ruth took a sip of her tea. "We have to decide which twin gets the car, and which one gets the truck."

"Hmm." Tori stared at her mother. "Well, since Molly is more of a girlie girl, she'd probably want the car. And since Maddie is more of a tomboy like Kelsey, the truck should go to her."

Ruth looked thoughtful. "It would seem that way, but that's why it's a dilemma. Molly was closer to her father, so she might want the truck, while Maddie might prefer her mother's car. See? It's not as cut and dried as it first appears."

"You're over-thinking this, Mom. Why not come right out and ask the girls? It doesn't have to be a surprise. In fact, I believe it would be better for the twins to make the decision, not us."

Ruth grinned. "Look at you. How did my baby girl get to be so smart?"

"What can I say? I grew up? Oh my God! Look at the time! I have to get to the Rocking C." She began helping her mother clean up the remnants of the picnic. "I'll help with the birthday any way I can. Just tell me what you want me to do."

"Thanks, baby. I
will
need your help with the delivery of the car and truck. I'll need Sam Garza's help, too."

Tori's hand tightened on the handle of the wicker basket she'd picked up. "Sam's help? What for?"

"Well, now. He's tuning up the car and truck, cleaning them inside and out, and detailing them so they'll be good as new. Didn't he tell you?"

"No . . . why would you think he had?" Tori asked cautiously. She knew her relationship with Sam would be revealed soon, but keeping it secret had become an ingrained habit. She wasn't ready to officially announce it just yet.