LITMIR.BIZ

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in the worst possible way.

      “Garrett, how familiar are you with navicular disease?” Lydia asked.

      He shook his head. “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never had to deal with it before.”

      “Let’s begin with the basics, then. It’s a degenerative disease of the navicular bone. Don’t think of it as a disease the horse contracted. It’s more of a syndrome of abnormalities and it’s commonly misdiagnosed, which is why x-rays give a more definitive picture.” Lydia tugged her iPad out of her bag and flipped open the cover. Tapping on the screen, she opened a series of digital x-rays and pointed to a small bone located on the backside of the front hoof. “It also affects the tendon behind it, and this little sac between the bone and the tendon. It’s not something that happens overnight. While many times it’s attributed to incorrect shoeing, that wasn’t the case here.”

      “Then what caused it?”

      “We don’t know for sure. Quarter horses like Lightning Bug are more prone to it. They have large bodies on small feet. It was probably a trauma of some sort that resulted in an interruption of the blood supply. There’s no cure, but we can manage it with drug therapy, exercise and the use of a nerve block. We’ve already discontinued drug therapy due to his improvement. Today we’re looking to see what adjustments need to be made to his shoe.”

      “Which is where I come in,” Delta said. “In this case, I used a light plastic and aluminum glue-on shoe with a foam insert, similar to our own running shoes. It’s critical the hoof angles and balance are correct so Lightning Bug has the correct foot support. That’s why we’re checking to see if any adjustments need to be made since the hoof is continually growing.”

      “And you’re sure you can handle all of this?”

      Delta ground her back teeth together. She knew he didn’t mean anything derogatory with his question, but somehow she doubted he would have asked it if he had been dealing with her father instead.

      “I’ve been handling it,” she answered. “I have quite a bit of experience with corrective shoeing and navicular disease.”

      “And we’ve successfully managed it together on several horses.” There was a slight edge to Lydia’s voice. “It’s not that uncommon. We treated one of your sister-in-law’s rescues before Christmas. I want Lightning Bug to continue with daily light exercise to keep him moving. This is not something you want to baby, because stall rest will do more harm than good. I’ll be back to check on him midweek. Since Delta’s modifying the shoe, we like to make sure everything is doing what it should.”

      Delta wasn’t upset but she appreciated Lydia’s support. If Garrett picked up on the women’s tension, he didn’t show it. The man had a lot on his shoulders now that he was the ranch’s co-owner. It had to be difficult being a single parent and starting over.

      Delta checked her watch. It wasn’t even nine o’clock and she had already emptied her thermos of coffee. She left Lydia and Garrett to discuss the other horses in the stables and headed toward the new lounge area he’d told her about last night over dinner, praying there was a freshly brewed pot.

      Delta yawned, cursing herself for staying awake half the night. It hadn’t exactly been her choice. She couldn’t get her conversation with Garrett out of her head. Every time she had closed her eyes, there he was. The man was good-looking, she’d give him that. But that didn’t mean she wanted him invading her every waking thought.

      Jake trotted along next to her as she entered the lounge. She had expected one table and a handful of chairs, not several tables and a mini cafeteria setup. The mismatched furniture gave it a cozy feel. There were even Crock-Pots plugged in along the back wall, most likely courtesy of some of the ranch hands’ wives that worked up at the lodge.

      “Great.” Delta looked down at Jake. “Now he’s given me a reason to like him. I don’t want to like him.” The dog nudged her hand with his wet nose. “Don’t you get too attached to him either.”

      She’d met many widows and widowers over the last three years. She’d visited with children too young to understand what was happening to their bodies. Those were the hardest. But out of everyone she’d met, Garrett was different. The people she sat with were going through cancer or had gone through it repeatedly. Garrett had suffered through the ordeal long-term, and three years later the loss of his wife still haunted him. Maybe that was why she couldn’t get him out of her head.

      “Delta, do you have a minute?” A shiver ran up and down her spine at the sound of his voice.

      “Sure.” Delta reached for a tall paper cup and filled it to the top. “Coffee?”

      “Yes, please.”

      She watched him shift uncomfortably from the corner of her eye. “Tell me when. I always take mine black so I never know how much creamer people use.”

      Garrett waved his hand. “That’s good.” Delta handed him the cup. “About before... I don’t want you to think I’m questioning your abilities.”

      “Aren’t you?” Delta faced him. “I’ll admit, I was a little miffed, but I realize you’re concerned about Lightning Bug. I don’t know how much Dylan told you about my experience, so I’ll fill you in because you should know who’s working for you.”

      “Delta, you don’t have to do that.” Garrett set his cup on the table behind him.

      “Yes, I do. It’s the only way you’ll begin to trust me.”

      “If Dylan trusts you then I trust you.” He sighed and jammed both hands in his pockets. “But if it makes you feel better, tell me.”

      “I’m a Certified Journeyman Farrier by the American Farrier’s Association. I have both my forging and therapeutic endorsements. I also make a point to continue my education on a regular basis and I consistently work closely with equine veterinarians and hospitals throughout the state. I’m a fourth-generation farrier and this is more than just a job to me. It’s my life. It’s been ingrained in me since I could walk. And if there’s anything I’m uncertain about, I have an extensive network to confer with.”

      “Wow, no wonder my brother was afraid I’d run you off.” There was a nervous lilt to Garrett’s voice. For a man who had greeted her so cocksure yesterday, she rather enjoyed the softer side of him. Maybe too much so. He stiffened as if reading her thoughts. “I appreciate your understanding. And I wanted to thank you for last night. It was nice having a friend to talk to.”

      There was that word again. She didn’t want to be in the friend zone. Friends did things together. Friends relied on one another. The only thing she wanted to rely on Garrett for was a paycheck.

      “If you need to talk, I’m available to listen, but—”

      “That’s what I had started to say before Dr. Presley joined us. I enjoy talking to you. I felt human for the first time in a long time last night. So, yeah, I’d like to take you to dinner sometime soon.”

      “Garrett.” One of the ranch hands poked his head in the door. “We have a grain delivery coming in.”

      “Okay, be right there.”

      “Thanks for understanding about earlier.” Garrett slapped a plastic top on his coffee. “I’ll call you and we’ll make plans.”

      And then he was gone.

      “What the heck just happened?” She slumped in one of the chairs and began scratching Jake’s scruff. “Did he just ask me out on a date?” Jake lifted his paw and rested it on her thigh. Delta groaned and closed her eyes. This was not how she planned to start the morning.

      * * *

      BY THE TIME Kacey stepped off the school bus, Garrett was ready to call it a day. He still had a few hours of work to do, but it would have to wait until tomorrow morning. He wanted to spend a few hours with Kacey before they went to his brother Harlan’s house for dinner. Over Christmas, he had promised

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