“Yeah. I got an injured deer out on Huckleberry Lane. Got caught in a tomato cage.”
Silence for a beat.
“Got it free but looks like an infection.”
More quiet except for the animals all around us, making sounds of curiosity or bids for an early dinner.
“Yeah, got some in my kit. Will do.”
The man glanced at me. “Can Dr. Miller come out here tomorrow to take a look at her?”
I stiffened. I’d heard there was a newish vet in town, but it hadn’t been time for Chauncey’s checkup since the doctor had arrived a few months back. I was sure he was perfectly nice; it just meant more strangers on my property. I licked my suddenly dry lips.
The man’s gaze narrowed on me, assessing that slight bit of hesitation.
“Sure. Give him my number.” I rattled off the digits, ignoring the sweat gathering at the base of my spine.
The man read them out to the vet and then hung up. “Miller said he’ll call you first thing tomorrow.”
“Okay.” The single word caught in my throat, and the man didn’t miss it.
“You got anyone else helping you with all these animals?”
I stiffened, feeling the Taser I always carried in my pocket. “We can handle it.”
He just shook his head. “Miller wants the doe started on antibiotics. I’m going to give her an injection now while she’s out. He’ll give you pills tomorrow. Probably some treats to get her to take them.”
The tension radiating through me eased a fraction as he stalked out of the barn.
“He’s really tall,” Cady whispered.
“He is,” I agreed. You couldn’t see much of the man through his snow gear, just the fact that he was tall and clearly built. And those hypnotizing dark blue eyes.
“He’s gonna help her,” she assured me with complete certainty.
My heart ached as I took in the deer. The poor thing would be terrified when she woke up.
Footsteps had me looking back to the aisle. The man strode in our direction, bag in hand. He set it on a tack box and opened it.
Cady left my side immediately. “Whatcha doin’？”
The man glanced down at her. He started to frown but then seemed to catch himself. “I’m going to give the deer some medicine.”
Cady watched as he pulled out some supplies. “A shot?” She shivered. “I don’t like shots.”
There was the faintest twitch to his lips. “I don’t either.”
Her eyes went wide. “Really?”
He shook his head. “Never have. Freaks me out.”
Cady bobbed her head up and down. “They hurt, too.” She looked at the doe. “Is it going to hurt my new friend?”
A pang lit along my sternum. She had the best heart.
“She won’t feel a thing. She’s sleeping right now, which is what she needs.”
“I wish I was sleeping when I got shots,” Cady grumbled.
The man grinned. That curve of his lips and the flash of straight, white teeth had me sucking in a surprised breath. When he wasn’t scowling, his beauty was devastating.
“I wouldn’t mind napping through my shots either,” he agreed.
“Can I help?” Cady asked.
The man opened his mouth as if to say no but then glanced at the deer. “Sure.”
I watched as he led Cady into the stall. He explained each step as he did it. The deer didn’t flinch as he inserted the needle and pushed the medicine into her muscle. Then he slid on gloves and cleaned her wounds, placing ointment on the gashes.
There was a tenderness to how he treated the animal that was in direct opposition to his demeanor. The gentleness told me his cold, grouchy exterior was nothing but a defense mechanism. It was to protect the tenderness that lived within him.
“We did it, Mama! Did you see? I helped. I spread the medicine on her and everything.”
I crouched in front of Cady. “You were amazing.”
“I think I wanna be a vet or maybe a—a—what did you say you were again?” she asked the man.
There was that faint lip twitch again. “A Fish and Wildlife game warden.”
“A game warder,” Cady whispered. “That’s so cool.”
My gaze lifted to the man’s. “Thank you. For helping her.”
The hint of amused affection slipped off his face, and the mask came back. “It’s my job.”
I only smiled wider, having gotten a glimpse of what he was hiding beneath the fa?ade. “Well, thank you for doing it.”
He shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. I wanted to laugh but resisted the urge.