“Fuck off, right back atcha, Doc.”

“Prior to college, I hadn’t thought much about what career path I’d end up on, even when I knew I’d never play pro ball. I registered late for classes and got stuck in an ag exploration course. I figured it’d be an easy A; I’d hung out with ranching kids my whole life. I ended up liking it and did well enough in subsequent classes that by the end of freshman year I decided animal sciences would be my career focus. Got my undergrad degree in pre-veterinary sciences at Colorado State and went right into their DVM program.”

“How long did that take?”

“Total? Six years. After graduation I worked for a large animal vet in Fort Collins for a year who was set to retire. He had clients in Wyoming. I moved back to Rawlins, took over some of those clients and went into business for myself.”

“I gotta ask, ’cause I’m still paying off my graduate school loans, but did you get a full ride for vet school too?”

Fletch grinned. “Yep. One of the few times it paid to be Indian. My advisor steered me toward every possible scholarship and I received every one I applied for and some I was just awarded. So not only did I come out of vet school debt free, I came out money ahead because I’d chosen to work in an underrepresented section of animal health care—large animals. And I’d chosen to work in a rural area—I always knew I’d be back in Wyoming. And I was a minority.”

“Man. That was smart.”

“I also realize that I was fortunate for the financial support. I try and give back, especially to the Indian community, even when I really don’t know a whole lot about bein’ Indian.” He smirked. “Of course, my cousin Eli is more than happy to school me on that every chance he gets.”

“Speaking of Eli . . .” Tobin took a swig from his mug and grimaced. “He called yesterday.”

“About?”

“About swapping out our old trail horse Lyle for one of his younger training horses.”

Fletch frowned. “Did he give you a reason why?”

“Said he was working with someone who’s really skittish around horses and wanted a horse that wouldn’t buck or get spooked by anything.”

Was that horse for Tanna? Question was, had Tanna requested it, or was it Eli’s decision? Whenever Fletch asked her specifics about the time she spent at Eli’s, she became evasive. Then she seduced him.

“So, it probably ain’t my business, but is Eli wanting that horse for your girlfriend?”

“I imagine so.”

“You don’t know?”

“Tanna ain’t talking. And Eli is the most trustworthy, secret-keeping motherfucker I know, so he ain’t talking either. It sucks.”

Tobin grinned. “A woman not bein’ honest or spilling her guts? I’m shocked.”

“Fuck off.”

“Tanna is always so upbeat and sarcastic around me. Don’t take this wrong, but the raunchy comments that woman makes would make a  p**n  star blush.”

Oh boy, you don’t know the half of what that dirty mouth can do. “Folks might say the same thing about you, Tobin. You act so laid-back. You’re so freakin’ happy-go-lucky all the time.” Fletch paused. “But that ain’t the case, is it? You’ve got a darker side that no one sees.”

Tobin looked startled for a second. “So, Doc, you’re an expert on all animal behavior? Or you just guessing about me?”

Fletch smiled.

“And with that,” Tobin said, “maybe we oughta talk about the business—or nonbusiness as the case may be—at hand. I’ve done next to nothin’ on this. Far as I know Renner’s done even less than me besides having Tierney set up the corporation and constructing the building.”

“I’ll tell you what—bein’s I’m on sabbatical, I’ve got way less to do around here than you. I’ll jump on the research. See what options we’ve got. I’ll see if I can’t come up with a concrete plan, or at least a reason to abandon this idea altogether. Then if Renner asks you about it, say I’ve taken over. That way you’re off the hook and I’ve got a valid excuse for bein’ at the Split Rock for the next few weeks.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

Fletch shrugged. “It’ll be a change for me, if nothin’ else.”

“Thanks, man.” Tobin stood. “I gotta get. Buzz me if you need anything.”

“Will do.” Fletch reached for his laptop.

Tobin’s footsteps stopped. His voice drifted across the cavernous room. “Can I ask you something?”

“I guess.”

“Is Tanna part of the reason you’re spending all your time off up here?”

No, she’s the only reason. “Yep. Something about that woman . . . just got to me from the get-go. Never happened before.”

“Does she know that?”

“No. So like you, I’m gonna try like hell to look like I’m busy.”

Chapter Twenty

Harper barreled into Wild West Clothiers shortly after noon, blond hair sticking up every which way. She set the baby carrier on the floor, looked around the store and burst into tears.

Slightly freaked out, Tanna gently took Harper by the hand and sat her in the chair closest to her baby.

“Harper? If you hate where I positioned the socks and slippers display, I can always put it back where it was.”