“She twisted her ankle or maybe sprained it. It would have been hard to walk out of there, but she could have done it without our help. Problem was, she had no clue where she was going and no idea what to do. She was in a panic and wasn’t thinking straight. Her mental state was more dangerous than her swollen ankle.”
Charlie guffawed and looked around at his audience. “He makes it all sound so easy, doesn’t he? And according to Cade, she was leaning on our boy here way more than she needed to. Didn’t she ask you to pick her up and carry her at one point?”
Sheepishness overtook Reece’s features. “Well, I kind of had to. There were ruts in the trail and a small rockfall we had to maneuver.”
Joy clapped. “Ooh, and another woman succumbs to the Reece Rescue Syndrome.”
“I doubt that very much. She was just happy that someone saved her from her bad decisions.”
Par for the course when it came to Reece. Fate had a way of depositing the wounded and needy in his path, and being Reece, he always came through with a huge helping of humility.
“Then maybe you should ask her out,” Charlie prodded. “You have a lot working in your favor. She’s on the rebound,andyou just saved her life. Chicks dig that.” He turned wide eyes on Joy. “Or so I’m told.”
“No way, Charlie Hunnicutt,” Dixie barked. “That dummy is obviously not the brightest bulb in the box, and Prince Reece needs someone smart to keep up with him. Like the doc here.”
Wait, what?
Leo let out a mirthless chuckle. “PrinceReece? Is there some blue blood flowing through this town I wasn’t aware of?”
Reece’s beard didn’t hide the blaze in his cheekbones. “It’s a joke Dixie made up.” He gave her a pointed look. “A reallybadjoke.”
Neve elbowed Leo. “I’ll fill you in later.”
Now Reece directed that pointed look ather. Was it because she had insinuated there would be a “later” with Leo? That was none of his big-brother business.
Charlie stepped into the awkward silence and steered the conversation in a different direction. Neve wanted to hug him for it. “So, Cantrell, what’s the latest on our railroad tracks?”
The two men delved into conversation about a joint project aimed at reviving Fall River’s train from its glory days when the town thrived on mining. Instead of transporting miners and supplies, though, this train was going to bring in tourists looking for a unique experience in the Colorado Rockies. The whole town was primed for the upscale enterprise, but the plan had hit a number of speed bumps that were delaying its completion.
Neve was interested in the venture insofar as its benefits for their town, but the details didn’t capture her attention. Fortunately, Joy came to her rescue when she slid beside her.
She dropped her voice so only they two could hear. “You look fabulous, and the effect seems to be working on one male in particular. Let me see the nails.”
Neve recoiled with embarrassment and felt that familiar flush. But it was impossible to say no to Joy, so Neve held out her hands for inspection. “Don’t look too close. I already chipped one.”
“Hazards of the job, I expect. But they look great. Luanne did a really nice job.” Joy looked around and held her thumbs up to the manicurist currently bussing a table. Neve mouthed, “Thank you,” and Luanne grinned back.
Neve sighed. “It’s hard to be a girlie girl when you’re being slobbered on all day.”
“Slobbered on is what you’re going for, lady, and I’m not talking about the kind that comes from your fur babies.” Joy poked a playful elbow against Neve’s upper arm.
Neve stifled a laugh.
Joy whispered beside Neve’s ear, “Leo is perfect for you, you know. Not to mention downright delicious.”
Reece chose that moment to deliver their drinks. Other than one slightly raised eyebrow, he didn’t give away whether he’d overheard Joy’s comment. Not that it mattered. Not anymore.
Neve raised her glass to Leo’s, and he gave her a flirty wink that set off a few sparklers in her belly. This dating-someone-else thing might actually work.
Yep, she was definitely on her way to getting over Reece.
Chapter 5
Eviction Notice
For the next hour,Neve talked to every last local hanging at Miners Tavern and let herself get carried away on the current of cheerful conversation. The entire time, Leo’s solid, soft heat hovered by her right shoulder—not touching her, but making its presence known. The pleasant smell of his spicy cologne drifted toward her now and again, erasing most thoughts about the broody bartender who quietly observed from his station.
When Noah announced last call at ten thirty, the bar began emptying out. Neve was ready to leave too. She’d stayed out later than she’d intended, and Pearl was probably antsy to do her business, get some human contact, and go home and crash. Plus, Neve was an early riser, and between her five-thirty wakeup, followed by her workout and the day’s excitement, fatigue had spread through her and settled deepin her bones. Tomorrow would be another big day, and she needed to be ready for it. Hell,everyday seemed like a big day. As one of the few vets in the entire county, she rarely experienced downtime, and mostly that was okay. She had dedicated her life to taking care of animals, like the poor wounded feline currently snoozing away his sedation. What if she hadn’t been here when the animal had been brought in? He would have had to travel at least twenty miles to the nearest vet clinic, and on these twisty mountain roads, the journey would have taken an hour—and the animal might not have survived. Throw in a slow-moving truck, and the drive could have easily doubled.
