Sorry. Weve got a ton of people waiting. Dr. Carmichael tried to take up the slack, but he had a full load this morning. I managed to get a couple of them to just leave their animals, so we could work them in as we can, but you know how most people are. We had one emergency. Doc Carmichael took him. She continued to talk as Antonia washed her hands and put on her white lab coat, checking in the small mirror above the sink to make sure that she looked more together than she felt.
Antonia sighed and smoothed down her coat. A lot of work, she thought, would take her mind off her inner turmoil. All right, she said. Lets get to them.
There was far too great a rush for Antonia to take a lunch break, but finally, around two oclock, one of the techs who had gone out to eat brought her back a burger, and she gratefully took
the bag down to the employee lounge.
The only other person in the lounge was Rita Delgado, one of the technicians and also Antonias friend. Rita was short, with a voluptuous build, and she was constantly fighting a battle with calories. Today, as was often the case, she was eating a lunch brought from home, consisting of an apple and a carton of nonfat yogurt. Antonia knew that the odds were that Rita would be hitting the snack machines by four oclock.
Rita glanced up when Antonia entered the room and smiled. Hey, come sit down. I havent seen you all day. What a rush, huh?
Antonia nodded, going over to the table and setting down her bag. Rita was exactly the person to see if one wanted information. She had a huge circle of family and friends and was always abreast of all the latest gossip. She was also, unfortunately, like a bloodhound once she scented news.
So Antonia sat down in her chair and with studied casualness began to unwrap her burger.
So? Rita prodded, eyeing Antonias sandwich with envy. With a sigh, she dug her spoon into her own cup of fat-free yogurt.
Antonia shrugged. I dont know. Just a conversation opener.
What conversation?
An awkward one, Antonia admitted, a smile touching her lips as she looked at her technician. I want to ask you something, but I know youll go all big-eyed and pushy on me.
Me? Rita brought her hand up to her chest dramatically, opening her expressive brown eyes wider, until they looked almost round. Big-eyed? Pushy? How can you say that?
Antonia quirked an eyebrow at her. Rita leaned forward.
So whats the conversation? You cant just throw out a line like that and stop! Whats going on?
I wanted to ask you a question. Antonia hesitated. Now, dont read too much into this. Im only asking out of curiosity.
Sure. Sure. I know the spiel. Are we talking about a guy here?
Antonia took a deep breath and plunged in. Daniel Sutton.
Daniel Sutton! Rita sucked in her breath. She stared at Antonia, apparently rendered speechless by Antonias words.
Yes, Daniel Sutton, Antonia retorted with some asperity. Why are you looking at me like that? Is he the local ax murderer or something?
Rita made a face at her. Of course not. Hes gorgeouswell, not as gorgeous as Cater. Now, that one is the kind that could make a person forget shes a happily married woman.
Cater? Whos Cater? What are we talking about here?
The Suttons, silly.
How many are there? I met his father last week.
Oh, there are a bunch of them, all male. Well, except for one sister. Beth. Four boys. Theyre all gorgeous, even Cory, whos just a babyhes still in college. Daniel is the oldest, then Cater, then Quinnhes the sheriff. Hes a charmer, too, that one, and theres something about a uniform Ritas voice trailed off dreamily, then she shook herself and went on. But hes got that red hair, and Ive never been much for redheaded men, myself. Now, my cousin Lena, shes the evening dispatcher over at the sheriffs office, and she says hes sexy as hell. She has the hugest crush on him. But give me a black-haired guy any day, like Cater and Daniel. Cater doesnt live here, though. Hes a big writer now, and he lives in Austin.
Cater Sutton! Antonia straightened. The mystery writer? Hes Daniels brother?
Thats what I just said. I dont read much, but Roberto says hes famous.
He is. Definitely. Ive read all his books.
If youd rather hold out for him, he comes back to Angel Eye pretty often. He owns a little house off of Highway 43. Sometimes he stays there for weeks at a time. Roberto says hes recharging his batteries, either that or he comes here to work out the hard parts of his plot. Robertos got several theories.
I am not holding out for Cater Sutton or anybody else, Antonia said repressively. I was curious about Daniel, thats all. I went to his farm today.
Rita nodded. Lilian told me. Howd it go?
I managed to deliver the foal. It was tough, but
I know that. Rita grimaced. I meant how did it go with Daniel? Is he interested in you? Are you interested in him?
I justwondered what the story was on him. He, uh, well, he was quite obnoxious at first, but then later we talked and
Daniel Sutton? Rita asked. Obnoxious? Are you serious? Daniel is one of the most laid-back men Ive ever met.