Rafe wondered if she was the kind of woman who needed to make a man grovel for forgiveness. He didnt grovel well. On the other hand, he wasnt above turning on a little charm to see if that would get him a second chance.
ALEXA FELT A LITTLE GUILTY at dredging up busy work in order not to go back to the house until suppertime. Professionally, she knew patients sometimes hit on their doctors. And Rafe had been suffering some type of flashback. But the real problem lay with her. She found Rafe attractive. And she wasnt a desperate woman living in an isolated area. One park ranger in particular had hinted he was interested in her romantically, and shed ignored him without a problem.
But shed come within inches of kissing Rafe. There was no question about it, thoughgetting involved with Rafe would be ethically wrong and violate doctor-patient trust. In any case, Rafe had undoubtedly been thinking of some other woman today when hed reached for her. Someone from his past. Or maybe hed just been looking for comfort. Right now he was probably regretting coming here and packing his duffel to leave the ranch. But no matter what he decided, her professional code of conduct was intact. No romantic fraternizing with the former major, regardless of how compelling a man he was.
Shortly before dark, she entered her house through the back door and found Rafe and Compadre standing in front of the open fridge. Guilt rose up in her.
Im sorry, but I got tied up cleaning stalls. Time just got away from me, she fibbed.
No problem, Rafe said lightly. As you pointed out this morning, this is a working ranch. Care and feeding of stock comes first. He shut the fridge door. I thought maybe I could fix us an easy meal. Maybe soup and cheese sandwiches. His shoulders drooped slightly. But, I couldnt find bread or cheese. I feel bad for being here and causing you extra work.
So he wasnt going to mention the incident in the barn, Alexa thought. Well, neither would she. I came in fully expecting you might have phoned Sierra to come pick you up.
Rafe crossed his arms and leaned on the counter. The truth is, I like it here. I especially like the fact that you dont take any crap from me. I want to learn to do things for myself again. Can we start over tomorrowon a better footing?
He looked so boyishly contrite, an errant black curl or two falling down over his forehead, that Alexa couldnt have refused his request if shed wanted to. That sounds good to me. She figured she might have to rethink her approach. Give me time to shower, then you can help me fix soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Sure, but I figured youd want to soak in that hot spring you keep talking about.
Another day. We both skipped lunch. Compadre cleaned his dish, I see. Alexa picked up the empty bowl and took a bag of kibble from a cupboard. She thrust both into Rafes hands. Theres a cup in this sack. Put two cups full of dry dog food in this dish and set it on the rubber mat on the floor across from the fridge. Compadre will thank you and so will I. Fifteen minutes. Twenty, max, and Ill be back. She hurried into the office that sat adjacent to the kitchen and led to her rooms, ignoring the anticipation surging through her.
The rest of the evening went off without incident. Neither she nor Rafe made any reference to what had happened earlier. Rafe was the first to head off to bed.
I found you an alarm clock, Alexa told him. Its set for seven. She passed the clock to Rafe. Ill go out at six and feed the wild animals, then come back and make breakfast. Ive been thinking that working with the horses will probably suit you best.
I used to have a real rapport with horses, Rafe told her. Of course, back then I could look one in the eye and show him who was boss.
Alexa refused to let herself respond to the regret in his voice. Hope and confidence were important tools in the medical arsenal, both for doctor and patient. Rome wasnt built in a day, she said. Well go slow. Being active restores energy, so the work will be good for you. Ive got some new herbal combinations I think you should try.
Just so you knowIm not drinking any more of that crap tea. It tasted like dirty dishwater.
Alexa laughed. Im planning to brew up a little skullcap and passionflower tea tomorrow.
I hope youre kidding. Rafe shuddered as he left the kitchen.
ALEXA HADNT BEEN TEASING.
Rafe chugged down a full cup of tea the next morning but said nothing. And he seemed in better spirits when the two of them, with Compadre, started for the horse barn.
Are you raising a particular breed of horse? Rafe asked.
Andalusian.
Ive never worked with any of those. But horses are horses, right?
I chose the Spanish breed for several reasons. Theyre tall, strong and intelligent, and have a good temperament. Most of my clients want gentle riding horses. I buy two or three at a time from a reputable breeder. Mares and geldings. I gentle them over time, and get them used to trail rides. But one of the mares I have now needs to be trained as a barrel racer.
Really? Rafe appeared interested. They entered the large barn, and this time there were no flashbacks. The mare shed mentioned, named Esperanza, whinnied and nuzzled Rafes neck the minute Alexa led her out of her stall.
I think she likes you. Alexa clipped a rope to the mares halter and handed the lead line to Rafe. You want to take her into the corral? Put her through her paces?
Youd trust me to do that?
Its a big, bare dirt corral. I showed you where it is. Give it a whirl. Ill feed my saddle horses, then pop out to see how youre getting along before I take Tano, Esperanzas brother, into the smaller exercise pen. She handed him a pair of sunglasses and reminded him to cover his eyes before she opened the double doors that led into the corral. You need to protect your eyes from sunburn since you cant tell how bright or intense the sun actually is.
The mare pranced out into the sunshine, forcing Rafe to jog out, too. Alexa kept Compadre from getting under his feet.
Standing just inside the barn, she watched the pair. Rafe got off to a rocky start, stumbling around the corral, but then he managed to stabilize his footing. Smiling, she made the dog come with her as she measured oats for Tano and her own two mares and one gelding.
When she was finished, Alexa returned to lean on the top rail of the corral to watch Rafe put Esperanza through changing gaits. She was struck by two things. First, there was a look of pure joy on his face. Second, he dug in the flat heels of his combat boots, wrapped the rope around his narrow hips and coaxed the exact gait out of the horse that barrel racers wanted.
Alexa whistled approvingly. Hot dang, cowboy, yall have that little lady eating out of your hand. I havent been able to get her to transition like that from a walk to a trot to a canter. Youre the man.
Rafe directed a wide smile over his left shoulder toward her voice. It singed Alexas insides, and she felt the heat all the way to her toes.
Lordy, a scowling Rafe Eaglefeather had been a sight to behold. But when he smiled, he was pure devastation. Alexa felt knocked off-kilter. Then, for no reason at all, fear moved in, welding her to the top rail. Memories of Bobby swirled. She had failed him, and herself as well. What if her infusions, herbs and needles were no more than the hocus pocus Bobbys parents had claimed? Alexa shivered in spite of the sun.