Read Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch) Online

Authors: Vivian Arend

Tags: #second chance romance, #canadian romance, #hot sexy romance, #small town romance, #Cowboys

Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch) (3 page)

BOOK: Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch)
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Mathis caught her, frowning as he paused in the middle of boasting about the great deal he’d gotten on a sterilizer. “Did you want to finish this tomorrow?”

She hurried to reassure him. “Sorry. Just a little distracted. I look forward to getting into the swing of things as soon as possible.”

“I’ll be glad to have you. The people I had in on relief were necessary, but they weren’t you.”

Her cheeks flushed at his compliment. “Go on with you, you silver-tongued devil.”

Mathis laid a hand over his chest as if in shock. “Me? Oh, hell no.” He shook a big beefy finger at her. “Don’t you go running your skills down. You’re one of the best. And if you aren’t the best, I don’t want to know about it.”

Melody laughed. “I’m the best, that’s right. Because I was trained by the best.” She bumped him with her shoulder as she made her way to the sink to wash her hands. “You know I never would’ve gotten as far as I have without you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

The older man shrugged. “Don’t have any family to get involved in the trade, so I figure you’re the next best thing. Someone who is just as close, but better because you choose to care.”

He cleared his throat gruffly then switched the conversation. Melody hid her amusement at his deflecting from such an emotional topic.

“Melody?”

She and Mathis turned toward the door, Melody eased forward to offer a hand to Tom. “Hey. I hoped I’d run into you, but I thought you were done for the day.”

“Just dropping off equipment.” The dark-haired man hesitated, rotating his hand to show fingers covered with dirt. “I need to wash up before I go.”

“Messy comes with the territory.” She offered him a smile instead, pulling her hand back.

Mathis eyed his watch. “You have troubles out there today?” he asked. “I thought you’d have been done over an hour ago.”

Tom shook his head. “Spent an hour doing a couple of extra jobs for Sean Dalton. He’s been harping about how long he’s had to wait lately, so I figured I’d drop by
before
he complained this time.”

“Sean is always complaining about something,” Mathis pointed out. “But good for you. Have to keep them happy, I suppose. Just make sure you charge him for your time.”

He offered Melody a wink as he spoke, and she smiled. Mathis cared for the locals, but he didn’t let them run ram-shod over him, either.

Meeting over, she breathed deeply of the warm June air as she wandered across the yard to her new home in the residence behind the veterinary clinic. Unpacking boxes gave her plenty of time to mull over their conversation.

The real reason she was back in Rocky was perfectly clear. Not just to work at the clinic, but because Mathis was family to her. She’d come to Rocky Mountain House and spent two years under his tutelage, taking what she learned in school and putting it into practice in a real, live, shit-on-your-boots ranching community. She’d loved every minute of it.

Of the work, that is.

So many memories. She laid another box on the kitchen table and opened it, emptying the contents as she puzzled over where to stash stuff in what amounted to a one-bedroom cabin. Having someone on site meant it was easier to keep track of emergency cases, or animals being observed overnight.

She smiled wryly. It also meant everyone knew where to track down the vet for those God-awful three-a.m. emergency moments, and yet even those heart-pounding moments she couldn’t begrudge.

She pulled out another coffee mug and placed it on the shelf next to the ones she’d unpacked. Her fingers smoothed over the brilliant colours on her favourite ceramic mug as she thought back to the county fair where she’d found it, which of course triggered more memories of Steve.

She would have to deal with him at some point, but his out-of-the-blue appearance today, and his confession that she’d been right, was unexpected.

It changed
some
things—but not all. She’d learned that lesson. Steve Coleman was off her list for good.

“Hey, this is a private residence. What’re you doing in here?” someone demanded loudly.

Melody’s head shot up as she glanced toward the open door to discover another familiar face beaming back.

“Allison,” Melody shouted. “Oh my God, it’s been forever.”

Her friend opened the door the rest of the way and rushed forward to offer a hug, squeezing Melody tight for a moment before she stepped back, her dark grey eyes examining Melody from top to bottom. “I can’t believe you’re home.”

“I was going to call you as soon as I got settled. I’m done school, and yes, I’m home for good.”

Allison cheered before brushing a strand of long dark hair behind her ear as she plopped herself down at the kitchen table, looking expectantly at Melody. “Spill. I know we talked a few times, but you really are terrible at keeping in contact. I want to know everything you did while you were gone.”

“Everything?” Melody shook her head. “I don’t know what you think was happening out in Saskatoon, but trust me, girlfriend, it’s not some wild metropolis. I have no stories to burn your ears. You’ve probably had more excitement around here over the past year.”

A rude noise escaped her friend as Allison picked up a magazine from the table and thumbed through it nonchalantly. “Rocky? Nothing exciting happens around here.” She glanced at Melody, her eyes shining. “Well, maybe that’s not true. We have
some
excitement, but it’s also just… You know,
Rocky
. We don’t want anything too out of the usual to happen.”

That was the way Melody wanted it as well. She examined her friend closer, though, suspicions rising as Allison took care to keep her expression innocent.

“What are you not telling me?” Melody demanded.

The glow on Allison’s face only got brighter. “I do have a bit of news. I was saving it to tell you in person—”

Melody waited, although she already had made a guess from the way Allison could barely keep still.

“I’m pregnant,” her friend announced with a burst of delight.

A suitably excited noise escaped Melody’s lips as she leaned forward to envelop Allison in another bear hug. “That
is
exciting. I’m so glad to hear it.”

Allison sat back in her chair, beaming brightly. “I’m four months along. I didn’t want to tell anyone earlier because I had a miscarriage back in the winter, so it’s scary and exciting at the same time.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine this time,” Melody assured her.

“I hope so.” She pulled an awful face. “If the old wife’s tale about morning sickness is anything to go by, this kid is going to be extremely healthy.”

“You’ve got it bad?”

Allison groaned. “Forget morning sickness, mine lasts most of the day, and by supper time when it finally goes away, I’m so hungry I eat nonstop between five and bed. I need to stop that soon or I’ll end up with heartburn and no sleep.”

“I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, but I’ve heard every pregnancy is different.”

“Exactly. Nothing’s wrong, I’m just one of the lucky ones who gets sick for longer than usual.” She flicked up two thumbs. “Go me.”

Melody smiled as she leaned her elbows on the table and changed the topic. “Things are good with you and Gabe?”

Her friend didn’t say a word. The sheer joy on her face was more than enough answer.

Melody waited for a flash of jealousy to strike. Across from her was a close friend who had so many things society said a woman had to have to be fulfilled—a partner, a family on the way. Melody didn’t have those things and yet…

Nothing. No envy. Just pure happiness for her friend, and the realization only made things sweeter. Melody laid a hand on top of Allison’s and squeezed. “I’m glad everything is working out well for you.”

“It’s better than I’d ever dreamed possible. I thought taking off and getting my training was exciting, and I enjoyed my time living in Red Deer, but this?” Allison paused. “It’s like I’ve found my way home.”

“That’s right. You moved away for a while.”

Allison’s expression softened as she stared into space. “I had left for good, I thought. Came back for my mom, and ended up setting down roots. Now I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Melody wondered if she’d ever come to the same conclusion. “I can live anywhere, you know. There’s no family holding me back.”

“Friends are family,” Allison insisted. “And heaven knows I’ve got enough extended family. You’re welcome to borrow some of them if you get the urge.”

The comment brought Steve back to mind all over again.

She must’ve made a face because her friend frowned. “Or…not. If you want, I can chase them away and we’ll pretend they don’t exist.”

“As if I could pretend the Coleman clan doesn’t exist,” Melody said, laughing. “Probably half of our business comes from looking after their stock.”

“True, but isn’t it good to know you don’t have to put up with anything you don’t want to?”

“Oh, I don’t intend on putting up with anything, period.”

Allison leaned forward, elbows on the table as she lifted her grey eyes to meet Melody’s. “I like that about you,” she confessed.

“My no-bullshit attitude?”

She was given a decisive nod followed by a warm grin. “I’m glad you’re back, whatever that looks like. I missed you while you were gone.”

The sentiment warmed Melody’s heart. “Awww, I missed you too. And don’t worry about that certain someone who pissed me off so badly before I left. I’m over Steve Coleman. In fact, he gave me a hand this afternoon when I ran into him.”

Allison’s expression changed to concern. “Which hospital did you send him to, or should I assume ‘ran into him’ wasn’t meant literally?”

“He’s fine,” Melody assured her. “Just another Coleman living in Rocky Mountain House as far as I’m concerned.”

“Good. That means I can invite you to the Coleman Canada Day picnic, and you’ll come?”

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Melody deliberately smiled. “Of course. I’d love to join you.”

She was surprised her nose didn’t grow three inches.

 

 

Steve pushed through his front door with his shoulder and came face to face with his brother.

“I hope that’s supper.” Trevor reached for the plastic bags hanging from Steve’s hands.

“It is, but it’s
my
supper,” Steve growled, reluctantly letting go and following his brother into the kitchen area. “Why the hell are you here? Go home. You have your own place.”

“My fridge is just as empty as yours was when I checked a few minutes ago.” Trevor flashed a grin. “I swear I’ll restock for both of us at Costco when I hit Red Deer this coming weekend. Invite me to stay for supper…” he begged.

Steve reached for the package of sausages after tossing an oversized cast-iron pan on the stovetop. “I thought Jesse was going to restock for everyone the last time he did the drive.”

Trevor made a face, hauling eggs from the container in the fridge. “He forgot.”

“Screw him,” Steve grumbled.

The unmarried cousins were slowly dwindling, which meant there’d been changes in living arrangements across the board. The three youngest—all from different local Coleman clans—now occupied the rental that he, Trevor and friends used to live in.

The family who owned the house had moved into town years ago, and there was plenty of space for four or more, but Steve had had enough of the bullshit. He was over thirty, and sharing a place with twenty-year-olds with nothing on their mind but a good time had gotten old. Trevor agreed, and the two of them had moved out. Steve had built a bungalow. Trevor had hauled a trailer onto Moonshine land.

Still seemed as if Trevor ended up over at his place a hell of a lot.

He grabbed a couple of plates, putting them within easy reach to load when he finished cooking the eggs. “You notice there’re a lot of things Jesse forgets?”

Trevor made a noise. “He has selective memory. I’ll agree with you on that.”

Steve didn’t know that it had reached the point of making a big deal of it. Even though he wasn’t living in the place anymore, their youngest brother, Lee, had moved into the rental, and Steve kept on eye on the kid. Or at least he had over the past nine months.

Another part of the
growing up
and
being more responsible
business.

Nope, Jesse was family, and so far he’d paid his portion of the rent on a regular basis without being too big of a pain in the ass. “Fine. If Lee complains, we’ll intervene.”

“Otherwise, let them learn, right?” Trevor looked far too pleased with the idea of the school of hard knocks whacking some sense into the younger crowd, and there were times Steve agreed. Then he’d think back to how stupid he’d been only a short while ago, and have to reconsider.

Maybe if someone had given him a smack on the head he wouldn’t have screwed up with Melody along the way.

Once their plates were loaded with sausage, potatoes and eggs, they made their way to the table, talking easily about the day’s activities. The entire time, though, Steve was distracted by the large change in his agenda.

Trevor took advantage of a break in conversation to face him. “You may as well tell me what’s wrong. You know I’ll get it out of you before long.”

BOOK: Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch)
5.64Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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