Another Chance Read Free

woman who needed pretty words.  All she'd ever wanted was to be accepted for who she was, a woman who also happened to be a skilled doctor.  Good Lord in Heaven, why was it so blasted hard for a man to accept that?
    Annoyed, she hurried through cleaning her instruments, but was careful when she placed them back into her bags.  Standing, she grimaced at the squishing sounds coming from her boots.
    Down the aisle, Hope's snuffle caught Jillian's attention.  Scott had stepped back into the barn.  He stopped as he passed the horse and spoke in a gentle way, his eyes locked with those of her horse as he scratched her withers.  Jillian watched, mesmerized, as Hope nickered and leaned into Scott.
    "He's got a way with animals, especially horses," James said.
    Jillian marveled when Scott walked toward them and Hope stared lovingly at his back.  He set a shovel against the wall.
    "I buried it far enough away that it shouldn't attract any trouble."
    "Thanks," Wade said.
    Jillian gnashed her teeth.  His ranch hand, who'd done nothing more than bury the afterbirth, got the man's thanks when she didn't get so much as a nod of gratitude?  Her gaze went to the shovel Scott had returned.  She was sorely tempted to use it.
    "Miz Matthews," James approached, his hand outstretched, "That was fine work.  Thank you."
    His hand was calloused, his grip firm.  Because it was the same handshake he'd have given a man, Jillian smiled, knowing she'd gained at least one man's approval.  And if she had one man's then hopefully-
    Wade's head snapped back as though slapped.  "Wait!  Did you say Matthews?"
    Seeing the shock in his eyes, Jillian braced for an even fiercer storm than the one that raged outside.  James' brow furrowed, then the wrinkles smoothed out as realization dawned.
    "We introduced ourselves when you were gone fetching the water.  This here's Jillian Matthews, she's the new vet."
    Wade's face went crimson.  His chest heaved.
    Jillian crossed her arms.  "I responded to the advertisement and was given the position."
    "No.  Miles and I read through the replies for our post together and we offered the position to the most qualified man that responded.  A Jared Matthews."
    It was the first time Jillian had heard her father's name spoken since his funeral a month ago.  For a moment, she cherished the sound, held it close as though, somehow, she was holding him.
    "That's not possible.  Jared was my father and he died last month."
    "If he's gone how is it that-"
    James put a hand on Wade's arm.  "Let's go inside.  We could all do with a cup of coffee and I'm sure Miz Matthews would appreciate a chance to get dry."
    Extending him the same courtesy he showed her, Jillian ignored Wade and turned her eyes to James.  "I'd love a cup of coffee, thank you."
    She could almost feel the frost form in the air.  "Fine," Wade muttered.  "We'll finish this inside."
    Lightning shot for the ground outside the open door.  Thunderclap rattled the building.  Lifting the collar of her slicker against the wind and rain, and hoping the menacing weather wasn't a sign of what awaited her in the house, Jillian trailed Wade across the yard and into the house.
    The smell of fresh coffee greeted her like a warm blanket.
    Mrs. Parker was there to take her slicker and hat.  "I've set warm water and clean towels for you upstairs, the door on the left.  Wade, dear, I've set a basin and some dry clothes for you in the parlor."
    Cold and wet, Jillian didn't argue.  Lifting the hem of her soiled riding skirt, she padded up the stairs, stepped into the room, and closed the door.  Immediately the masculinity of the space hit her and she realized that she'd been sent to Wade's room.
    A dresser displayed a handful of coins and a comb.  A blue quilt covered the bed.  At the end of the mattress was a pine chest with a pair of pants tossed over it.
    She'd been courted by Clint for almost a year.  They'd gone to dinner, gone dancing, gone to the