Crashing Into Tess (6 page)

4
“Cowboy Take Me Away”

On Tuesday morning, Jake pulled his truck into
a
parking space at the medical plaza, his neck and back stiff
and sore, and headed into Doc Estes office.

As he stepped up to the registration desk, a blond, curly
haired woman in an Irish wool sweater spoke animatedly to
the nurse, stepped backwards.Turning, she bounced against
his chest. At his nose was a pile of corkscrew curls, all baby
powder and lemony.“Tess?”

“Jake!” A blush spread across Tess’s face. “Hi. Sorry
about that.”
“I can’t get away from you, can I?” He tried to laugh it
off, but his attraction to her caught him, and a curl of desire
welled in his belly.
“I guess not,” she said with a puzzled look, taking a
seat along the back wall.
Jake gave his name to the receptionist. He took a seat
far enough away to resist Tess’s allure, but close enough to
be sociable. “So, why didn’t you tell me you were a vet?”
Glancing over with a shy smile, she lowered her
magazine and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and
whispered. “I didn’t want it to get around that the new vet
was a city brat who couldn’t drive in bad weather.”
“You were in a rental car with bad tires, Tess.
Everybody around here knows that exit ramp is a death trap
once it gets cold. It’s the most dangerous spot in town.”
“So, how are you feeling? Are you all right?” she asked,
concern in her voice. She gave him a smile, open and
inviting, a little bit curious.
Staying casual, he picked up a six month old copy of
Field and Stream.
“I’m fine. I’m just here for x-rays. I have
this thing with a disc, my back gets stiff. Too much rodeoing in my younger days.” He shifted in his chair. His brain
may have decided to avoid entanglements, but his body
wasn’t cooperating in the least. “How’s Alice?”
“She’s great. I started at the clinic yesterday. I was there
this morning, too. I really like it. Doc’s so great. He gave
me the rest of the day off, but I’ll probably go back later,
learn more about how the office works. ”Her face glowed
with enthusiasm.
He could not banish the memory of kissing her, and the
curl of desire intensified.
I am such a fool.
“I got the notice about a presentation on freeze
branding at the Rancher’s Alliance meeting on Monday.
Looks like you’ll be giving it. Good for you, jumping right
in.”
“Oh, right,” Tess blushed. “With Ron. It’s just a power
point the Ag Department puts out. Doc asked me to do it.
Honestly, I’m a little nervous about it. I don’t know where
the Grange is, and I haven’t done all that much freeze
branding.”
“Just outside town. Doc will show you. Don’t worry,
you’ll be fine. It’s not a tough crowd.”
“We missed you Saturday night at Green Forks.”
“Yeah, busy weekend,” he said nonchalantly, trying to
focus on the elk hunting article. Just as he’d adjusted to the
sensations in his torso, a wave of longing crossed his chest.
What is it about her, anyway?
He’d been out of
circulation for so long, not meeting anyone new. Tess was
pretty, but he’d always dated pretty women. He shifted in
his chair, relieved when the nurse finally called her name,
and she went in the back.
She came out a few minutes later, signing something at
the desk. “What’s happening with that Tacoma Lotts found
for you?” he asked, across the room.
“How do you know about my Tacoma?” She moved
towards him, pink chapped lips smiling, brow furrowed.
“It’s a small town, Crash. I was at the bar Sunday night,
and Lotts filled me in. I know the guy who’s selling it,
Aaron. His brother left town for a sales job in Atlanta. He
left the truck for Aaron to deal with.”
“Well, you know lots more than I do. I haven’t seen it
yet. I’ll have Dave check it out before I buy it like you
suggested, though.”
“Good girl.”
“You saved my butt last week, Jake, and you and Cassie
got me pizza. I owe you lunch.”
Her big blue eyes danced
invitingly.
“You don’t owe me lunch, Tess. I smashed into you,
remember? You still have my number?”
“In my cell,” she waved the phone.
“Call if you need anything,” he said, eyeing her over
the top of the magazine.
Pulling a down vest off the coat tree, she eyed him
quizzically. “Okay.”
She waved as she stepped through the door. Relieved,
he settled back in the chair, trying to convince himself he
was right to have turned her down for lunch.
There’s no
way I will have it this bad for her for the next time I see her.

*****

Tess walked home from the doctor’s office
trying to
brush off hurt feelings. The weather matched her mood;
damp, grey and chilly.
Why wouldn’t he get lunch with me?

Morning frost had turned to midday haze, and the
temperature hovered at the freezing mark. The sidewalks
were slippery, and the cold air made her head pound.
Ugh,
have I made a fool of myself already?

As she walked towards Mamma Boccini’s, homey
smells of yeast and tomato paste, warm and familiar,
grabbed her from the street. She ordered a slice and a soda,
and took them to a small table. There, gooey flavors of
mozzarella, salty, tangy prosciutto, basil and spinach
boosted her spirits.

At home, Rhiannon was waiting. Tess took her for a
long walk. Then, unable to resist the lure of lavender polka
dot flannel, she crawled beneath the covers. At half-past
two, her cell buzzed, startling her awake.

“Hi Tess! Lotts called. Aaron can bring the Tacoma
down today, if you want,” Alice chirped. “Doc will be here,
too. I can come get you anytime.”

“Thanks.” She felt a rush of gratitude for Alice. She
already felt like family.
“So what did Doc Estes say?” Alice asked when she
pulled to the curb an hour later.
“Not much, it’s just a strain, she suggested the
chiropractor.”
Alice nodded. They drove in silence, the radio playing
softly.
“Jake was there,” Tess blurted. “I bumped into him in
the reception area, like a total dork. He wouldn’t get pizza
with me, but he said to call if I needed anything. I don’t get
it. Maybe he just feels guilty about the accident?”
Alice shot her a look of sympathy. “Oh, honey, I don’t
think it’s that.”
“What else could it be?”
“I think he’s scared,” Alice said, braking at a stop sign.
“Really? I just didn’t want to eat by myself.”
Well, more
kissing would be nice, too.
“You’re certain he doesn’t have
a girlfriend?”
Alice shook her head. “There’s nobody else, I’m
positive. Jake falls kind of easily, and I’ll bet he’s already a
little head over heels for you. He got burned so badly in his
divorce, he most likely feels safest keeping his distance.
Lotts told me he’s always asking for you.”
Tess remembered how he’d been in the diner.
Shy,
and a little nervous.
The idea that she’d scared him off
made her face burn. But then she thought of when he’d
touched her.
He hadn’t been scared then. Or shy. At all.
“You said he was the best catch in town, Alice.”
Alice’s eyes were understanding. “He is. But just take it
easy, and give him some time. I’ll teach you billing codes
when we get back to the office, okay?”
“Oh, billing codes? That should get my mind off Jake,”
she laughed.

To:
[email protected]
,
[email protected]
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Petticoat Green Junction
Date: September 27, 9:34 pm

Dear Mom and Dad,
I looked at a pickup truck today: It’s everything I need,
four wheel drive, high off the ground, less than fifty
thousand miles, and really nice inside. Doc Harnes offered
to buy a toolbox for the back and put new snow tires on it
for me. It has heated seats, so I’ll be set for the winter.
Once I have a truck, I can start doing farm calls on my
own, so I really hope this is the one. The mechanic checks it
out tomorrow.
I’m taking small animal visits at the clinic alone now,
and I’ve gone out on a few farm calls with Doc. Work
outside the clinic setting is challenging, but Alice is a huge
help, and I’m learning so much.
It’s already cold here, and it snows a little bit every
night, just an inch or two. I set up firewood delivery for
next week. I’m glad I brought those insulated coveralls
along. I know how you love those, Mom. Besides being a
total fashion statement, they are super warm.
Mom, if you can mail the rest of my winter clothes that
would be great. Hug Grandma for me~ I called and told
her about Mamma Boccini’s. Knowing how much I like to
cook, she’s glad someone is feeding me ~

Love you both Oodles, Your girl, Tess

 

*****

Friday morning, Tess worked in the clinic, and her
afternoon ranch calls lasted well past dark. Tired and dirty
and still in the mountains, she was heading for home when
her cell buzzed.

“Hey, bet there’s a hungry vet heading towards town
about now,” Alice’s voice called cheerfully. “I just called
Mamma’s. Eggplant parmesan on special, and fresh
napoleons for dessert. How about I bring dinner over to
your place?”

“Homemade napoleons in Green Junction, Colorado?

Yum,
mia nonna bella
will be so happy for me.”
“You have an Italian grandmother?”
“Nonna Maggie. Northern Italian. She lives in South

Philly, in the house where my mom grew up. Every
Sunday, she takes the train from the city to make us dinner,
lamb or beef or veal, homemade pasta and her own gravy.
It’s a tradition.”

“Hmm, just like our Friday night dinners, from
Momma’s,” Alice teased.

 

“I’m always one for tradition,” she giggled.

Alice arrived with dinner as Tess was kicking off her
boots and dirty coveralls. “Wow, it smells like heaven. You
and Mia Nonna, si così generoso! You both feed me,” she
laughed, grabbing silverware and napkins from the
drawers.

“Nonna Maggie sounds like my kinda girl,” Alice
answered, sorting through the bags on the counter.

“I adore her. My table cloth and napkins are from her
hope chest, from the old country, and Nonna Maggie made
the quilt on my bed. She makes fresh mozzarella and grows
herbs in tubs in her little garden. I hope she can come visit
next summer, with my parents. She’d love to meet you.”

Steam escaped from the containers Alice was opening.
“Oh, before I forget: Jackalope dinner, next month at the
high school, Doc and Bea’s treat.”

Tess dished up dinner, handing Alice a plate of
eggplant and chicken. “Jack-a-what? I thought Trick or
Treat was next?”

Alice laughed as she sat down. “It is. A Jackalope is a
mythic creature: a jackrabbit with antlers. The taxidermists
make them up around here as a gag. There’s one down at
the bar, I’ll show it to you. They do fundraising dinners
with game dishes, elk, antelope, rabbit, and so on, and call
them Jackalope dinners. Rotary is hosting. The whole town
will be there. Doc and Bea are excited about introducing
you to everyone.”

“Bea’s not wearing a costume, is she?” Tess asked,
grabbing Pellegrino from the fridge and pouring it into the
glasses Alice had set on the table.

“Nope, that’s the Hallowe’en Dance at the Elks Club,”
Alice said patiently. “That’s the last Saturday in October,
three weeks away. Better put that one on your social
calendar, too. We’ll need to come up with costumes.”

Tess put a fork loaded with chicken and eggplant in her
mouth. “Yum, will the food at the Jackalope be this good?”

“Well, I’m not a big game eater, so I pretty much stick
to the smoked trout and wild rice, but you can try
rattlesnake jerky if you want,” Alice offered diplomatically,
digging into her salad.

“Rattlesnake jerky?” Wrinkling her nose, Tess
shrugged. “When in Rome, I suppose. I should probably
give it a shot. It’ll give me something to talk about with the
ranchers.”

They ate the better part of dinner silently, enjoying the
food. Finally, Tess pushed her plate back. “I was hungry. I
start running again tomorrow, now that my hip is better.”

“Has Cassie stopped by?”

Tess smiled. “She was here yesterday. We looked at my
vet books and I made her a root beer float. It’s clear her dad
adores her, but I get the feeling she doesn’t get much
attention from her mom. She’s such a great kid. Next time,
I want to take her to the library, but I can’t figure out if I
should ask her mom. I don’t want it to seem like I don’t
think she’s doing her job.”
“Mmm,” Alice said noncommittally. “This is Vicki’s

weekend, so we’ll probably see Cassie at the clinic
tomorrow. Did you set up your bank account?”
“What?”
“Your bank account, did you set one up here in Green
Junction yet?”
“I get my first paycheck next week, I’ll do it then.
Why?”
“Vicki’s the manager at the branch near the shopping
plaza. Avoid it. She knows that Cassie and Jake helped you
move in, and she’s got you marked. She can be lethal.”
Tess got up to make coffee. “Are you kidding me?
What problem could Vicki possibly have with me? We’re
neighbors. Cassie stops by to visit like it’s nothing.”
“Green Forks Ladies night was Tuesday.” Alice set the
new pickaxe cups and saucers on the table with the sugar
bowl. “Twice a month, mixed drinks two dollars. Lotts
usually works. As you can imagine, he’s much more patient
with the single girls than I am. He wasn’t feeling well, so I
covered the bar. Vicki came in with a bunch of friends. She
knows we work together. You’d think she’d appreciate the
time her kid spends at the office with us, and play nice,
especially since she’s Bea’s niece, but that’s not Vicki. I
heard much more than I wanted to know, Tess. I’m telling
you, open your account on Main Street. Out of sight, out of
mind. You don’t want to give her any ammunition. ”
“Thank you for that. It’s sad for Cassie, though. Was
her mother always this way?” Tess asked, pouring fresh
coffee.
“Vicki? I wish I had something nice to say, but Vicki is
just miserable, as far as I can tell. I’ve only been around
since right after Cassie was born, but best I can figure, she
took Jake for all she could get from the start. The worse it
got at home, the more Lotts and I saw of him at the tavern.”
Alice poured milk and sugar in her coffee and stirred.“The
custody situation with Cassie just tore him apart, but things
seem to have settled down in the last six months.” Flashing
a devilish grin, Alice said, “Jake usually stops in Friday
nights around seven-thirty when Cassie’s at her mom’s, for
a beer with Lotts. Let’s head to Green Forks after dinner.”
“Oh, to add fuel to the fire?” Tess rolled her eyes. “I’m
not even sure I should make the effort, Alice. He hasn’t
called.”
Alice sipped her coffee.“Hey, Doc made me promise to
do what I could to keep you around. I take my work
seriously, and Jake’s the best Green Junction has to offer.”
Then, at the look on Tess’s face, she said gently, “He’ll
come around, don’t worry. This coffee is great.”
“My sister sent fresh roasted beans and a grinder from
New York as a housewarming gift. I’ll give you some to
take home. Lotts will love it.”