Another Chance Read Free Page B

him."
    "When you first sent your letter of interest we telegraphed Philadelphia, asked for information on J. Matthews.  All the information that came back about a vet in Philadelphia was for Jared Matthews."
    Jillian finished her coffee, pushed the cup aside.  "I'm not responsible for that.  Clearly you sent away for this information prior to his passing."
    "Regardless.  This," he said waving his hand in her direction, "isn't what we asked for."
    "Wade Parker!" Eileen hissed.  Though James said nothing, his scowl said he didn't think too highly of Wade's words either.
    "Ma, the town entrusted me and Doc to find Doc's replacement.  They're not going to be happy about this and I don't have time to soothe feathers nor to start looking for another doctor."  He glared at Jillian, laying the blame at her feet.
    Jillian grabbed the last edge of her temper before it snapped wildly.  She'd come west to practice medicine.  Nobody back east wanted a female vet.  She'd believed moving west, where trained veterinarians were in shorter supply, would be the answer.  That the need for her skills would matter more than her gender.  That there might actually be a man out west open-minded enough to acknowledge her skills.  That she wouldn't have to fight, every single day, to be accepted.
    She took a deep breath, knowing she had to convince Mr. Parker that he hadn't made a mistake.  Moving back home wasn't a possibility.  Not only would it mean giving up her dream of being a veterinarian, but it would also prove Clint right.  And after the way he'd treated her, she'd never give him the satisfaction of seeing her back in Philadelphia.
    She forced a smile she didn't feel.  "I have no doubt my being a woman is a shock to you.  I realize it's not common, but I assure you that I am everything I claimed to be.  My father, as I'm sure you know if you've sent for information on him, was the most highly sought after veterinarian in Philadelphia.  He was schooled in London.  He taught in many cities and towns in Pennsylvania.  I learned at his hand and worked alongside him for years. 
    "I assure you, Mr. Parker, that you won't be disappointed in having hired me.  All I ask is that you give me a chance to prove so."   Jillian gestured to the darkness behind the windows.  "Now if you'll excuse me, it's time I got home.  Eileen, thank you for the coffee."
    Jillian took her cup to the counter and almost bumped into the other woman when she turned around.
    "Jillian, it's the middle of the night.  The rain isn't letting up.  I won't have you going home in this weather."  As though to prove her point a gust of wind splattered a sheet of water against the window.
    "Eileen, it's fine.  I'll be home in-"
    She held up a hand.  "No, I won't have it.  You've been through enough tonight.  Not only has my son been unquestionably rude, but you've worked hard.  Surely you must be tired."
    "Exhausted," Jillian answered.  "Which is why-"
    "Then it's settled.  You'll stay the night.  Let me just change the sheets on Wade's bed, and then you can go on up and get some sleep."
    "What?"  Jillian sputtered.
    Wade leapt to his feet.  "Ma!"
    James chuckled and slipped out of the kitchen as Wade's ma ignored them all and went upstairs.

THREE
    Wade drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the moist air.  Exhaling slowly, he rolled his shoulders, tried to relax.  Another hell of a day he'd had.  The work that needed to get done multiplied faster than rabbits, but the time and money needed to accomplish it seemed to do the complete opposite.
    It wasn't only the ranch that required his money and attention, however.  He also had Annabelle, his eight year-old daughter, to consider.  And now, thanks to Jillian Matthews, the added responsibility of having to hire a new vet, which would take yet more time away from the ranch.  Again.  Was it any wonder he couldn't seem to get himself out of debt?
    He exhaled heavily as the responsibility