Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) Read Free

to look around. One of the apple trees had been hit and was on fire. She’d made a mad scramble using her one good arm and leg and had gotten away from there as fast as she could. About halfway to the house, she had lost her strength. The adrenalin that had fueled her need to escape had deserted her. When she’d looked back, the burning tree was lying on its side right where she had been sitting.
    Lightning flashed in front of her now, lighting up the darkened sky as if it were the Fourth of July. She jerked in response, and the truck swerved alarmingly. It hit the gravel at the side of the road, and she was barely able to get it back under control. The rain poured down in sheets, making it hard to see the road, so she slowed her speed and cautiously finished the drive to town. Never had she been so glad to see the clinic. Allison parked close to the front door, which was protected by an overhang, but she was soaked through by the time she got it unlocked and stepped inside.
    The office phone rang, a jarring noise in the quiet of the reception area. She took off her wet jacket and boots before crossing the room to answer it. Why hadn’t it switched over to voice mail? “Wakefield Clinic, Allison speaking.”
    “Oh, thank goodness you made it. That storm came up so quick I was worried sick.”
    “I’m fine, Winnie. Thank you for caring.” And she meant it. It had been a long time since someone worried about her. “I’m here at the clinic, and if this storm keeps up, I’ll be spending the night here.”
    “But I thought you had more calls to make.”
    “I did, but I need to cancel them due to the weather. I hate storms.”
    “Especially when they’re as fierce as this one. Well, you stay inside and rest up. Tomorrow will probably be busy for you, what with the appointments you’ve had to cancel today.”
    “Thanks, Winnie. I hope the clinic doesn’t lose customers because of this.” Allison walked around the room, closing the blinds as she went to keep the storm outside. It was bad enough hearing it pound on the roof.
    “People around here are good about things like this. I’m sure Jack would be happy to drive you around if any of those calls were emergencies.”
    “No, thanks. Visibility was very poor when I drove in. I wouldn’t ask anyone to come out in this weather.” Especially Jack, who seemed to think I was there for his sake. “And besides, they were all rechecks from last week. I’m sure everything is fine, but I need to make those calls. Thanks again for caring about me. You’re a real sweetheart, Winnie.”
    “Nonsense, I’m only glad to know you made it back to town. Take care and come back soon.”
    “I’ll stop in the next time I’m out that way. Bye for now.”
    “Good-bye, dear.”
    Allison disconnected the call and put the phone back on its base. She walked into her office, closed the blinds, made the calls, and then figured she should catch up on some paperwork. Since she’d taken over the clinic, she hadn’t had much time to herself. It didn’t help that the receptionist was out on maternity leave and Allison hadn’t yet hired a replacement. She’d been run off her feet, although she wouldn’t complain. Business was good.
    Before she started the paperwork, she composed an ad for the receptionist position and faxed it to the local paper. Then she went to her website and posted it there as well. That done, she opened the top file in the stack waiting on the corner of her desk. She didn’t mind updating the accounts, but it took too much time away from her real work, which came first. Therefore, it had really piled up.
    She was working her way through the stack and making good progress when the power went out. Grabbing a flashlight from her desk drawer, she went to the kennels at the back of the clinic to check on her patients, although they were probably more tolerant of the darkness than she was.
    Her four overnight guests greeted her with gusto. One was a parrot with a