Allie Bock's Blog, page 4
October 4, 2024
My Cowboy of Convenience: Chapter 4
Therewas so much work to be done on the ranch this morning. Fences mended, cowsmoved, and weeds mowed. A new string of young horses arrived last night, and Iwanted to see them settled.
But Levi was my best friend. Icouldn’t say no when he asked to get a cup of coffee. Why he didn’t just comeover to the ranch house and have one, I had no idea.
The place smelled of freshly brewedcoffee and blueberry muffins out of the oven. Levi claimed at a table by awindow. Two steaming cups of coffee along with two pieces of coffee cake sat infront of him. Viola Ann waved to me as she refilled coffee beans into agrinder. I wove between the tables and pulled out the chair opposite of him.
“What’s this all about?”
“I got you coffee, just the way youlike it. Black.” He nodded to a mug in front of me.
“Thanks.” I wrapped my hand aroundit and brought the steaming mug to my lips. “She does make some good coffee.”
“She does. Better than yours.” Hegrimaced.
“You’ve been drinking mine foryears.”
“Yup, I figured it was part of mypay when I worked for you.” His lips twitched up in the corners.
“I paid you fair.” I frowned. Ipaid my cowboys better than most ranches in the area.
“Sure, but Kade pays better.” Helifted one shoulder and reached for his mug.
I snorted. My youngest brother wasa champion bull rider. He started to plan for his retirement from bull ridingby buy a ranch with his fiancé, Delilah, and raising bucking bulls.“He should.He’s making money hand over fist this year on the bull riding circuit.” I drankthe coffee and ate a hunk of cinnamon apple coffee cake. “But why here? Thismorning?” I asked.
The door opened and Damien Allenstrode in. He was decked out in his customary black cargo pants and blackbutton up shirt rolled up to his elbows. He nodded a greeting to us beforeturning to Viola Ann.
“Well,” said Levi pulling myattention back to him. “I wanted to ask you something important and I wantedyour full attention.”
“You’ve got it.” I leaned back inmy chair.
“Katie and I are getting married inJuly.”
I nodded. This wasn’t news to me.“Ma and Pa are coming home from their mission trip for the weddings.” BothKatie and Kade were getting married this summer.
“You’ve been my best friend foryears.” He swallowed and his eyes held mine. Surprisingly, he was nervous.
I waited.
“I’d like you to be my best man,”he said.
“Yes, but we didn’t have to comeinto town for that.” I sipped my coffee, trying to figure out what he reallywanted.
“That’s not all.”
Why wasn’t I surprised? “Of coursenot.”
A grin broke over his face. “Katieand I want you to take dance lessons with us.”
Startled, I choked on the mouthful ofcoffee and sputtered. “What?”
“Katie wants to do a couples’ dancefor our first dance. Her maid of honor is learning the same dance in Denver.”His smile grew wider like the Cheshire cat.
I frowned at him.
The coffee shop’s door opened. Myother brother, Kurt, escorted a smiling Lindsay into the shop. They stopped atthe counter and placed their order. Meanwhile, Damien left with his cup ofcoffee.
“What do you say?” Levi drew myattention back to the table.
“Um…” My forehead creased evenmore. What more could I say? That this sounded awful? But this was my bestfriend and little sister’s wedding.
“Don’t I need a dance partner tolearn all the moves.” There, I had him. “I don’t know of any women to take.”
“We’ve found someone perfect to beyour stand in partner.” His teeth flashed into a grin. “Think of it like ablind date.”
“I don’t date.” I growled throughmy clenched teeth. “I’m not interested in dating.” Dating never ended well forme. I didn’t need the headache.
“But you’ll do this for us? Right? Katieis your baby sister.” Levi’s eyes grew wide and serious.
I ran a hand through my hair. Helaid on the guilt trip thick. I didn’t want to take dance lessons. I didn’thave time. I absolutely did not want to go on a blind date with anyone. Why couldn’tthey just be like any other couple and want to do their first dance bythemselves? I sighed and frowned at the smile that grew wider on Levi’s face.
Lindsay and Kurt approached thetable.
“What’s going on?” Kurt asked.“Kaleb, you never come into town for coffee.”
“I don’t, but this fella thought itwould be nice to go somewhere special for this conversation. Probably, so Ican’t get mad and walk away.” My eyes shot daggers at Levi, who smirked.
“Oh yah, what was that?” Lindsayslid her arm into the crook of Kurt’s elbow and leaned lightly into him.
“I asked him to be my best man forour wedding.” Levi leaned back in his chair. A smug smile still in place.
“Why does he look like he just steppedinto a rattlesnake nest? That doesn’t seem so bad.” Lindsay tilted her head,studying my face.
“That’s not the part I have aproblem with.” My jaw clenched and narrowed my eyes at my best friend.
“The suspense is killing us.” Agrin spread over Kurt’s face.
I shot him a dark look and staredinto my mug.
“He’s taking dance lessons with meand Katie.” Levi beamed.
Kurt laughed and Lindsay frowned.
“Don’t you need a partner to dothat?” She asked.
“Yes, this fool is setting me up ona blind date.” My hands clenched and my teeth gritted.
Kurt broke into laughter. He bentover, clasping his sides, trying to catch his breath. Levi smirked. Lindsay’slips pressed into thin lines.
Viola Ann approached with a traycarrying the two coffees and muffins. Kurt took it from her.
“We are going to enjoy ourbreakfast. Nice seeing you, Levi.” Kurt nodded to me and Levi.
I scowled at his back as they madetheir way to a table on the opposite side of the coffee shop.
“So what do you say? Will you doit?” Levi’s lips pressed over his teeth into a line. I knew he was suppressinga smile.
I sighed. Could I say no? Could Idisappoint Katie like that? “Fine, I guess I will do it.”
A smile broke through as he raisedhis mug to his lips. “One more thing, you’ll need to bring a date for thewedding.”
“No.” I narrowed my eyes at him.That was the line. I didn’t date. “I thought I’d dance with the maid of honor?”
Levi leaned back in his chair. “Thechoreography requires two other couples.”
I groaned. I wasn’t going to getout this one. “Fine, I’ll take dance lessons, but I’ll find my own date to thewedding.”
The mug lowered a few inches. Asmirk played on his lips. “I’ll tell her. First class is next week. Katie willsend you the details.”
My gaze narrowed at him. Would hetell her? Or will I be breaking someone’s heart before the end of the month? Ididn’t date and yet I had to find one for my little sister’s wedding.
#####
Laterthat day, I sat in the office of the ranch going over bills and receipts.Running the ranch was a full-time job. Some days, I found myself missing myparents, and this was one of those days.
A couple of years ago, they decidedto fulfill their dreams of being missionaries, leaving me in charge of theranch. They appeared happy in their letters, emails, and video calls when theyhad a chance. They traveled the world. I wasn’t sure where they were, but Katiekept track of them.
It left me with all theresponsibility of keeping things running. A headache brewed behind my eyes as Ibalanced the checkbook. Some of the numbers weren’t adding up. I thumbedthrough the carbon copies of checks. They were all accounted for but why wasthe bank balance not what the book said. I rocked back in my office chair untilit hit a wall. Placing my hands on top of my head, I closed my eyes. What was Igoing to do about the accounting?
A voice cleared from the doorway.Setting my feet down, I turned to the cowboy blocking the light.
“Boss, Bobby sent me to tell youhe’s got those colts ready for you to look at.” Shorty’s voice rumbled.
We called him Shorty because no oneknew his real name. He looked and moved like a bear in jeans and a T-shirt.Tall, blocky, and hairy. He was a good worker, never complaining and alwaysearly. I didn’t ask to many questions.
“Sure thing.” I grabbed my hat fromthe top of the table and followed him out to the round pen behind the barn.
The six new additions to the ranchstood tied to the rail within the arena fence. They pawed nervously and dancedback and forth. A dun colt hopped up and down on his front legs, testing thestrength of his rope.
Bobby had a sorrel filly in themiddle of the round pen. She circled him at a trot. Her back hunched and hertail clamped tight against her rump. The saddle creaked and squeaked with eachstride. Bobby’s hat sat back on his head as he squinted at the filly. The longline rested in his opened hand.
Shorty and I stopped at the fence.The filly circled a few more times. Bobby stepped backward and to the sidecoming even with her shoulder. She halted and faced him. Her neck tense andears pricked forward.
He cooed to her and stepped slowlytoward her. She lowered her head and worked her jaw as his hand came to rest onthe center of her forehead. He rubbed her head and neck. His mouth moving withwords I couldn’t hear. Then, he turned and led her toward us.
Resting my foot on the lower rung,I rested my elbows on the top of the fence. The filly fell in step behind him.Her ears flicked back and forth with each step.
“What do you think, boss?” Bobbycame to a stop a little way away. The filly flung her head up and snorted butstayed still.
The other young horses danced,pawed, and neighed. A few tossed their heads fighting the restriction of thehalters.
“They look a mite green and rangy.”My eyes scanned the rest of them. “I was told that they were broke.”
Bobby ran a forearm over his brow,mopping up sweat. “Nah, they ain’t broke like we need. Them is fresh off therange with a halter slapped on them.”
I swore under my breath. “Just whatI get for taking the horse dealer’s word for it. He said his cousin trainedthese horses.” I thought I bought broke ranch horses. Not a bunch of young ‘unsthat need training.
A bay filly danced from side toside and set back on the rope. Zack walked behind her and waved his hat. Sheleapt forward, releasing the pressure on her head.
“Nope, thems as squirrely as acaged jackrabbit and know very little about being a riding horse.” Bobbysquinted at the line of young horses.
“Have you gotten on them?”
“Nope.” He chuckled. “That wife ofmine would kill me if I broke my neck falling from an unbroke horse.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Doyou think they are something you can work with this summer?”
He shrugged. “I ain’t aprofessional trainer. I haven’t come across a mean bone in any of them. As longas you don’t mind.”
I shook my head and slammed my hatback on. “I don’t have time and the last bunch we sent to a ‘professional’trainer came back with torn up mouths. I paid a lot for this group. Take asmuch time as you need to get the job done, right.”
“Boss, could I get Grayson to helpme? He’s a good hand with the horses just green.”
“Yes, hay is done for a couple ofweeks and the rest of the work we can handle.” I turned to go. “Shorty andZack, take the feed wagon out to the south pasture and feed those cows.”
“Yes, sir,” Shorty said. Zacknodded. They pushed off from the fence they were leaning on.
“When you see Adam in the machineshed, have him check the engine. It was making a horrible noise last time Idrove it.” I reset my hat on my head.
Shorty paused and turned toward me.“Yes, sir. He looked at it yesterday and said he had to order a part.”
“Good. I’ll be in the office if youneed me.” I turned back to the barn.
Bobby went back to the horses asShorty and Zack walked to ancient red flatbed truck that we fed cows from. Itwas over twenty years old and made more noise than a passing train. All thecows knew the engine and came running.
Back to the check book and bankaccount that won’t balance. I needed to decide if I was going to call the horsedealer about the green horses he sold me. It wouldn’t change anything, rightnow, but cause more headaches. They were at my place, eating my hay, and beingtrained. Hopefully a few will turn out to be something special.
The barn was dark and quiet when Ientered. The stalls were cleaned, and the barn aisle swept clear of debris. Thesaddle horses were turned out for the day as they weren’t needed. The cowhandswere busy with their tasks to keep the ranch running.
The office sat at the back of thebarn. I swung open the door to find Kurt in my chair. His feet clad inexpensive loafers with those ridiculous tassels rested on the edge of my desk.He frowned at the ledger in front of him.
“Can I help you?” My voice clipped.
His head jerked up. “Youraccounting is a mess.”
“I know. What do you want?” Mypatience for the day was in short supply.
His eyebrows raised an inch. “Myunruffled brother is a little testy today. I just stopped by to tell you myplans.”
I closed my eyes for a minute,willing myself to calm down. None of the things going on was Kurt’s fault.
“And those are?” I opened them tosee a smirk pulled up at the corners of his mouth.
“I’m heading back to Dallas for afew days to tie up loose ends.” He flipped another page in the ledger. “Then,I’ll be back to Sunnydale for good, it looks like.”
“Is that so? What about your lawfirm in Dallas?” I leaned against the door frame, crossing my arms over mychest.
He closed the ledger book and sethis feet back on the ground. “I’m selling my share to my partner.”
Surprised, I nodded for him tocontinue.
“Then, I’ll move back to Sunnydalefor good. Mr. Philips and I are in negotiations about his law practice in town.”His hazel eyes studied me for a minute. “Lindsay sold the Wilson Ranch thismorning.” His face impassive when he dropped that bombshell on me.
“What? No. Lindsay would never sellthe ranch.” I shook my head and frowned. She loved that place with all herheart.
He shrugged. “There werecircumstances, and we made a deal.” He shrugged, but the corner of his lipspulled up.
“I don’t know if I want to knowwhat kind of deal you made with her. As long as you aren’t going to hurt her orher mother.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Lindsay and her mom, Candy, lived onthe Wilson Ranch next door for years and I felt protective toward the twowomen.
“Nah, I’m going to marry hersomeday.” The chair creaked with the movement of his weight as he stood up.
“Does she know this?” I raised aneyebrow.
“She’s coming around to the idea.”He stepped around the desk. His hand still resting on the ledger book. “Anyway,when I come back, we are going to get you into the twenty first century withsome decent accounting software.”
“What do you know about accountingor software?”
“I know that you need professionalhelp getting organized and I just happen to know people good at doing it.” Hiseyes twinkled when he was happy with himself. He clapped me on the shoulder andwalked past me into the barn. “I’ll be back, sometime.”
His whistling faded as he walkeddown the barn aisle, leaving me standing drop jawed in my dusty corner office.
I couldn’t believe that he’dnegotiated the sale of the Wilson Ranch. I walked around my desk and sunk intothe chair. It creaked with my weight as I rocked back, placing my boots on thedesk. I knew that there was some circumstance in Old Man Wilson’s will. What itwas I had no idea. But then again, it wasn’t my business. I made a mental noteto check on them either this afternoon or tomorrow.
I frowned at the ledger book,flipping it open to the latest page I was working on. Maybe Kurt was right, Ineeded a professional. I had a tax accountant I took the book to in SanAntonio, and he never made a comment. If things were more organized, I couldfigure out what was going on with the ranch’s checking account.
At least this was a problem I couldwork on. Not like the dance lessons with a strange woman. No matter how Ithought about that, there was no way to get out of it.
September 29, 2024
A day in the life and a cover reveal
Can you believe that October is creeping in? Literally. Some days it is hot and sunny and other days it is obvious fall is here, especially with the shorter days and cooler nights.
With the shorter days, I feel like I have to pack everything into the daylight hours. Work has been super busy this week. In my practice, I do a lot of performance horse work. What that means is that I get to work on horses that are athletes and help them perform their best.
For example, a client will say that when they ride their horse at trot to the right the left hind leg feels like it isn’t “swinging” like it should. The horses aren’t lame in the traditional sense where they are limping. They have some sort of body discomfort that I need to find and fix. It is like doing a puzzle or reading a good mystery book. The horse gives me and the owner clues. We put them together to help the horse.
I usually start with watching the horse on the lunge line. As he or she walks, trots, and canters around in the circle, I can see how they are moving. Also, the horse will land heavier on its good legs so I listen too. Then, comes the a very thorough physical exam where I feel the horse’s legs, neck, back, and hindquarters. The next part is flexion tests where the joints are put through their full range of motion and then the horse trots off. If anything is bothering, it shows up. Think of it like sitting on the floor and then getting up to immediately sprint across the room.
So this week, I had a client that was worried about her horse. They had an accident and she wasn’t sure if the horse needed help. She thought something was wrong but she doubted her intuition. So I did all the above steps and found a sore spot. It was so sore that when I got close to the sore spot on its leg, the horse jumped away. The client was relieved that she “wasn’t going crazy”. Those were her words.
We came up with a treatment plan that involved rest, icing, pain relievers, and exercises. Just like with us. The body needs exercise to get stronger. Now, it is a waiting game to see how the horse does.
On the writing front, I have been able to write a tad bit more since the days are shorter and the littles go to bed when it gets dark. Yah! I have about 34,000 words written for Cassandra’s story, which is about halfway.
Drum roll, please!
Next week, we will be starting a new story on my Substack newsletter. Yah! It is My First Kisment Christmas.
Book Description:
Judy is coming home to Sunnydale, Texas for Christmas. Pregnant and widowed, she is looking forward to spending a quiet holiday with her aunt and uncle.
That is until she comes across a stranded cowboy with a trailer full of horses. The cowboy is none other than her high school sweetheart whose heart she crushed when she left for college.
Now that boy is a man with all the love he had for her years ago. He has three days to convince her that his love is real before she heads back to the East Coast.
Is three days enough time to rekindle the love they shared? Stay tuned to find out!
Happy first week of October!
Hugs,Allie
September 16, 2024
Food truck with family
Dear Reader,
How has your weekbeen?
It has been busyhere with work and two small children. Thankfully, it was my weekendoff. I share emergency call with another veterinarian and this pastweek was hers. We took advantage of the free time and nice weather byloading the kids and Tank into the car for a road trip. We went tovisit my family in southeastern Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is abeautiful state, especially in the fall. The trees were just startingto change to the vibrant oranges and reds. Some of the corn fieldshad turned golden and the lakes teemed with waterfowl. I haven’tlived in Wisconsin for many years but each time I go “home” Imiss the beauty that it has to offer. Maybe even winter. At least,the winters I grew up with had a lot of snow but weren’t the bittercold with the nasty wind chills that are characteristic of Minnesotawinters.
On Sunday, we met myfamily at the local park on the shore of Lake Michigan for a foodtruck festival. It was fun. There were a variety of food trucks, acraft fair, face painting, crafts for the kids, and Little Bock 1’sfavorite, a bounce house. We strolled through the almost 40 foodtrucks, trying a little bit from each one until we were full. Deepfried cheese curds, ice cream, mini donuts, crepes, gyros, egg rolls,mac ‘n cheese, etc. My favorite is the ice cream and gyros. It waslike a county fair without the rides and animals. What is yourfavorite food truck food?
We had a nice timevisiting my family and the littles got to play with their cousins.Then, we made the road trip back with two very exhausted littlepeople.
On the work front,I’ve had a full schedule of appointments all week. Nothing supercrazy. My passion in equine veterinary medicine is sports medicine. Ilike working on lame horses or horses that just are “right”. Ienjoy the challenge of finding out where they are hurting and helpingthem heal. It is rewarding to get videos and messages from clients oftheir horses doing well whether that is riding a dressage test,jumping, running barrels, or walking down the trail. My week lastweek was filled with those kinds of cases. I see them every day, butif it something you are curious about let me know and I can writeabout working on performance horses.
And finally awriting update. Next week, I am going to have a cover reveal andblurb of the next story we will be reading here. It is the story ofhow Judy and Tim Kisment came together. They are the parents toKaleb, Kurt, Kade, and Katie. I am slowly drafting Cassandra’sstory. For some reason, it is taking longer to come together than Iexpected. But it is coming along.
On my Substack, Iincluded some good reads. Head over there to check them out.
That’s all fornow. Hugs,
Allie
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September 13, 2024
My Cowboy of Convenience: Chapter 3
“What in the world am I doing? Why did I, Erin Murphy DVM,think it was a good idea to move to Texas?” I complained to my co-pilot. Theafternoon sun beat into the windows of the vet truck, heating the inside. Sweattrickled down the back of my neck and it was only the middle of April.
Clifford sighed and opened one eyeto look at me.
“I know I woke you up.” I rubbedhis long red ears. “Did you see the size of the spider in the bathroom thismorning?” I shuddered thinking of the large black spider crawling up the sideof the shower.
He nudged me with his nose beforetucking it back and falling to sleep.
“I know. I have to tough it out fora while. We can always move back home if Texas doesn’t work out. Not that Iwant to do that.” I sighed and thought about going home. Not desirable.
“It’s just that there are snakes,poisonous ones. And spiders.” I shuddered.
Clifford didn’t respond, not that Iexpected him too. He took his nap time seriously and spent twenty-three hours aday practicing it. I rubbed his long silky ears as we bumped down the gravelroad in my vet truck.
The first two weeks of myemployment went fast; from learning how they did things to meeting people topracticing medicine.
It was the long hours in betweenwork that seemed to stretch on forever. The walls of my duplex shrunk everynight and I found myself pacing with boredom. Even my online chess games andmystery novels didn’t help break up the time.
The GPS signaled to turn into the long drivewith a gate blocking the entrance. I flipped through my notebook. This was myfirst day out in the country without Louisa or Connie. Patty hadn’t mentionanything about a gate that needed a code to enter when I left the office. Iopened my cell phone. The dreaded line through the bars. No reception. Nowwhat?
“How do I get in? Do you have anyideas, Clifford?”
He twitched in his sleep.
I tapped my fingers on the steeringwheel and chewed on my lower lip. What was I going to do?
A cowboy rode a horse down thedriveway. The horse tossed his head and danced the whole way. He turned hishorse toward the gate when he saw my veterinary truck. He trotted the horseforward to the outbox. He leaned over and hit the open button. The gate swungopen silently. He held the horse steady as the truck inched forward. The gateswung shut behind me. I rolled my window down and leaned out of it.
“Thanks, I didn’t realize I neededa code.”
The cowboy swept off his hat. Hisblack hair sticking up in all directions. “I forgot to tell Patty that we putin a gate, so it’s my fault. I’m Levi, the ranch foreman.” He slapped it backon his head. “Follow me to the barn.”
He turned his horse around and trottedin front of me. The drive made a wide sweeping turn before it forked. A largeranch house sat off on one side, shaded by trees. We followed the horse andrider to a red and white barn. A few horses stuck their heads out of the stalldoors and whinnied at the horse.
Levi dismounted and loosened thecinch on the saddle. I parked my truck in front of the barn, cracking thewindows.
“Be good, Clifford. This shouldn’ttake too long. You’re in the shade, the A/C is running, and the windows are cracked.No barking.”
He opened one eye and squeezed itshut again. I shrugged and exited the truck.
“So, you’re the new vet.” Leviapproached with his hand extended.
I grasped his hand. “Yep, that’sme. Dr. Erin Murphy.”
“I believe that you met my fiancé,Katie Kisment. She mentioned that the new doc was a woman.” He smiled at me.
I raked my memory. I met so manypeople, but the name stood out. “Oh, the pretty blonde girl I met at the coffeeshop.”
He nodded. “That would be her. I’vebeen looking forward to meeting you.”
“Really, why?”
“Doc said some good things aboutyou and my sister, Annie, saw you a couple of days ago with her new puppy. Sheliked you and Katie talks about you.”
A blush crept up my cheeks. “Idon’t know what to say. I ran into Katie for only a few minutes, and Annie’spuppy is cute.” I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. “Patty said you neededsome blood drawn for Coggins testing.”
“These are therapeutic ridinghorses. The kids are going to a horse show next month and need the blood testto attend. Follow me.” He led the horse into the barn.
I grabbed the supplies I needed andfollowed him in.
The barn was spotless. Brassnameplates on the stall doors announced each occupant. Halters and lead ropeshung next to each stall. The fresh-cut hay bales were stacked neatly at the endof the aisle.
Levi tied up the horse in his stallbefore coming back out.
“Alright, Doc, I need four done.Jasper, Billy, Penny the little pony, and Kit.” He haltered the first horse.
The job took a few minutes to drawblood and take pictures of the four horses for the blood test that allowed themto go to horse shows. I slid the last full tube into my green coverall pocketand capped the pen I used.
“That’s it. Patty said that theybill the ranch?”
“Yep, I’m just the ranch manager.Kade Kisment and Delilah Allen own the ranch.”
“Sounds good.” I wiped my hands onmy pants and turned to exit the barn.
“So…” Levi followed me out of thebarn. “Not trying to be creepy. But what do you like to do for fun?”
“That’s not creepy…yet… if youstart stalking me or buy me breakfast every morning…well, then…” I placed theblood tubes in the cooler in the truck.
He laughed.
I paused with my hand on the doorhandle of the truck. What did I do for fun? Play chess, read books. That makesme seem boring and unsocial. “For fun? I used to dance back home, but aftermoving and work, I haven’t had the time to join a studio.” I shrugged. Also, Ididn’t have the money, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Really.” A grin spread on hisface. “This is kind of awkward.” He ran a hand through his hair. “My fiancéwants me and my best man to take dance classes. She has this idea for our firstdance where we would dance with a couple of other couples. She hates being thecenter of attention.”
I frowned at him.
“The class requires us to comes ascouples for lessons. My best man needs a dance partner…”
“You want to know if I would come?”
“That’s the idea. Dance with himand help him learn the steps.”
“What about at the reception?Shouldn’t he be learning how to dance with the maid of honor.”
He shrugged. “She doesn’t livearound here. What do you say?”
I chewed on my lower lip. Thiswould break my boredom and I had a little room left on my credit card to put afew lessons on. Come on, Erin. You promised yourself that you try new things. Andthat decided it.
“I don’t know anyone here, so sureit would be fun.” I pulled out my business card, scribbling my cell number onthe back. “Text me the details and I can meet you there.”
He pocketed my card. “Lookingforward to it. Talk to you soon.” He headed back into the barn.
I climbed into my truck and turnedit back up the driveway.
“Well, Clifford.”
He raised his head off the seat. Irubbed his long soft ears.
“Texas may not be so bad.”
September 8, 2024
What are you reading and other updates
Hi y'all!
How has your week been? Anything exciting happen?
I can't believe that it is September already. We have been busy chasing kids. Little Bock 1
likes to run everywhere. I read a book on parenting toddlers and it described different
types of toddlers. She falls into the spirited category.
We have a local zoo of native Minnesota animals. It is small, like it takes only an hour to
walk through the park. We took her this week because it is one of her favorite places to
go. She sprinted from one habitat to the other. It only took us 30 minutes to see
everything, but she loves to go around several times. Her favorite is the river otters.
There are two and they have a swim area that you can stand by the glass and watch them.
She put her hand next to the glass and the two otters would swim past it as if she was
petting them.
Work has been steady. I have seen a lot of hoof abscesses lately. It is where pus builds
up with in the hood capsule. It is pretty painful. Kind of like a blood blister under your
fingernail. The pus builds up and there is no room as the hoof capsule is pretty solid.
To fix it, I have to find the pocket and open it up to drain. The relief is almost
instantaneous. All of the horses this week had shoes on. Thankfully, Hubby works with me
and he can pull shoes (take the horseshoe off). It can be hard work, especially if the shoes
are new and the horses hurt. They don't want to stand still. His comment at the end of the
day was that he "got to be a cowboy" this week.
The people that trim horses' hooves and put on shoes are called farriers. They have a
tough job and I am thankful that Hubby doesn't have to remove shoes regularly. As a side
note, I can pull shoes too, but Hubby does a better job. He has more patience and strength
than I do.
In my book, My Cowboy of Convenience, Erin has to treat a horse with a hoof abscess.
Erin
I watched the cowboy trot his horse up and down the alleyway in the back. The head
bobbed up whenever the horse landed on his right front foot.
“That’s good. Let’s look at Charlie’s foot.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The cowboy stopped the horse a few inches from me. The gray gelding blew
out his breath into my hair when I rubbed his forehead.
I grabbed my hoof testers and ran my hand down the back of his right front leg. The horse
lifted it up. The hoof testers pressed along the sole of his hoof. He stood still as a statue
until the end of the exam. He flinched but never jerked his foot from my grasp.
“I think he’s working on an abscess in here.” I pulled out my hoof knife and parred away
at the sore spot until a black spot appeared. “Just a little bit more.” One more swipe with
my knife, pus squirted out from the spot and landed on the floor a foot away.
“That’s a good one.” The cowboy chuckled.
“Yep, he should feel better in no time.”
I packed his foot with a drawing salve and wrapped it up. “Now, leave that on until
tomorrow and then take it off to soak his foot in warm water and Epsom salts.”
I straightened up, rubbing my hand over my lower back.
Charlie placed his hoof on the concrete, testing to see if it hurt. His eyes relaxed when he
discovered the pressure in his hoof was gone.
“Well, look at that. He’s walking better already.” The cowboy led him forward. “Good job,
Doc.”
I wiped my hands on my jean legs. “Load him up and stop inside. Connie will have your bill
and some pain medication for him.”
“You giving him Bute?”
“Just for a couple of days.”
“I’ve got plenty at home. I’ll just pay the bill.” He clasped my hand in his. “Not bad for a
lady doc.” He winked at me before leading his horse to the trailer.
Connie stood inside the door, smiling at his comment.
“Not bad at all, Dr. Murphy.”
I shrugged. “That was an easy one. What’s up? I thought he was the last appointment.”
“We just got a call from the Kisment ranch. One of their cows is calving and having a
hard time.” She handed me their file and directions to the ranch. “It’s across the road from when you pulled those Coggins for the therapeutic riding stable.”
“Is this Kaleb Kisment?” I flipped through the papers.
“Yep, have you met?”
“Just briefly,” I lied.
“He’s a little prickly, but soft on the inside. My advice to you is to ignore his attitude.
He has plenty of help, so I’ll stay here and hold down the fort until you get back.”
“Sounds good.” I jogged to the vet truck. He’s a little prickly? That’s not how I’d describe
him. More like surly and awkward. I climbed into the truck, starting it. I pointed it on to
the highway out of town, following Connie’s directions. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be too bad.
It is available in ebook or paperback.
What are you reading this week?
I am halfway through the third book in A Court of Thorns and Roses series,
A Court of Wings and Ruin. The story swept me away and I find myself looking for little
pockets throughout the day to listen to it.
Book Blurb:
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on
Tamlin's actions and learn what she can about the invading king threatening to bring
her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit. One slip could
bring doom not only for Feyre, but for everything-and everyone-she holds dear.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place amongst the
High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers-both magical and
political-and her love for her court and family. Amidst these struggles, Feyre and Rhysand
must decide whom to trust amongst the cunning and lethal High Lords, and hunt for allies
in unexpected places.
On my e-reader, I am reading Camilla Isley's It Started with a Book. I love the premise of
the story with her falling in love with a book boyfriend. Plus, Camilla's stories are always
a light-hearted romp.
Book Blurb:
When she’s ghosted by yet another Tinder match, Leighton swears off dating for life.
Who needs apps and blind dates when she has the perfect-in-every-way (apart from
being fictional) heroes of her beloved romance novels?
That night Leigh finds a second-hand book on her TBR pile, which transports her to the
small-town of Lakeville Hills, where the heroines wear shorty-shorts and the men drink
bourbon. And as Leigh drifts off to sleep, she dreams of billionaire cowboy Killian St Clair,
who could win a gold medal for smouldering and bicep flexing.
For a while, Leigh finds it easier to stomach misogynistic supervisors,
newly coupled friends, and extravagant bridesmaid duties knowing she can return to
Lakeville Hills each evening. Until one day, she wakes up to find she’s brought a bit of
Lakeville Hills back with the impossible sexy and entirely implausible Killian St Clair
is in her apartment.
Now Leigh must help Killian navigate the real world. But as she gets to know the man
behind the trope, can she keep her heart safe, or does she risk falling in love with her book
boyfriend in real life?
Next week, I’ll announce the next book we will be reading. Stay tuned! I hope you have a
great week.
Hugs,
Allie
September 2, 2024
Happy Labor Day!
Happy Labor day to those in the United States. Did you have any plans?
We took the Little Bocks to the lake to see the grandparents. LB1 was so excited. She was talking about going to visit the whole day before. When we got there, she dragged Hubby into the lake with her. The weather was nice, but breezy and the water was a little chilly. She came out shivering but that didn't stop her from jumping back in. We had a nice visit and both kids were exhausted all the way home.
Once we got home, I was busy running emergency calls. For some reason, three day weekends trigger horses to get sick or injured. Such is the life of a veterinarian.
Besides those things, I have been reading Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorn and Roses. I know it isn't a western romance or even something that I normally. A client of mine was raving about how good the series is. She said that she did nothing but read the series for a whole weekend. I love those kind of books that just suck you in. Don't you? So I checked out the audiobook from my library via Hoopla. It is so good. There is even a dramatized version with voice actors. I might have to try that one some day. If you like fantasy and romance (romantasy) check it out. If you have read it, what did you think of it?
That's all for now. I'm working on the next story and will be starting that one soon on my Substack.
Hugs,Allie
August 25, 2024
The End of Summer
Summer has flown by, again. Our local county fair was this past weekend. It marks the end of summer. The kids will be back in school next week and the Minnesota State Fair will be going.
We live in an area of the state with lots of small counties. We can drive 30 minutes in any direction and hit a county fair. But our county has the best one. Even before we lived here,we came to this fair as they had a bull ride that Hubby competed in.
We took the little Bocks this year. Their eyes lit up at all the animals. There were the usual 4-H and FFA projects, an exotic animal petting zoo, and a dinosaur skeleton. The camel and zebras we're a huge hit at the petting zoo. The dinosaur skeleton was pretty cool. LB1 stood on the fence staring at it. LB1 pretended to take pictures of it.
Then there was the food and all the lights from the rides. LB1 was memorized with it all. The words “cool” and “awesome” we're thrown around. It's refreshing to take in something through the eyes of a child.
But as with anything, the fair ended. And so is the summer. Our nights are getting cooler and longer. Our days not so warm. Pretty soon it will be fall and on to something new.
Do you go to fairs? What is your favorite part? Or what was your favorite part of the summer?
August 2, 2024
My Cowboy of Convenience: Chapter 2
If you are just joining us, you can find Chapter 1 HERE
Chapter TwoKalebI eased my horse closer to him.
“We all set?” I leaned on thesaddle horn to hear him over the noise in the working pens.
He pushed his hat back on hishead and wiped at the sweat already accumulating. “I think so. Doc is justpulling into the drive.” He motioned toward the gravel road leading up to theworking pens.
Doc’s vet truck rumbled along,leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. He pulled to a stop next to the pens andclimbed out.
“Howdy, fellas. How’s thingsgoing this morning?” He stretched and walked stiffly around the front of thetruck.
Louisa jumped out from thepassenger seat, waved to us, and ran around to the back. She opened and closeddrawers on the vet box, gathering syringes, needles, vaccinations, andmedications.
“Everything is set. They’realmost done separating the cows and calves.” I swung down from my horse toshake his hand. “How are things in town?”
“Good. Couldn’t be better. Thenew vet starts today.”
“Hopefully, this one works out.”
“I hope so too.” He took somesupplies from Louisa. “I can’t wait to retire. The wife is collecting rescuehorses like they are going out of style.”
I brought over the folding tablenext to the chute. Doc laid out the syringes, needles, vaccines, medications,and his notebook on the table.
“Patty always did have a bigheart.” Last month, she came home with five miniature horses from a place thatcouldn’t feed them. Now, they were part of the local 4-H program.
“Well, it’s turned into afull-time job just keeping up with her.” He flipped to a clean sheet of paperand drew columns on it.
“Hey Doc,” Levi grabbed asyringe and started filling it. “When is the new doc going to be doing ranchcalls?” His lips twitched up in the corners.
I frowned at him, and he shrugged.Why did he care when the new vet would be doing farm calls?
“It depends. Connie and Pattyare showing Dr. Murphy the clinic today. It would be best to get that downfirst and then they can start out in the country.”
“Yo, boss!” Zack, one of thecowboys, called. “The calves are down the lane.” He waved his hat above hishead and steered his horse closer to the alleyway. The calves slowed down asthe horse and rider grew closer to them.
The back chute doors stood open,and Levi jumped to man the levers. The doors closed with a clang. The calveshalted their forward motion.
“The calves are ready. Let’s getto work.”
#####
The day passed as smoothly as working cattle could go.All the calves were vaccinated, dewormed, identified with ear tags, and thebulls were castrated. The cows were vaccinated, dewormed, and retagged if theirear tags were lost over the past few months. Once the cattle were released,Levi paired up each cow and calf. Then, the cowboys herded them out to thespring pasture.
“They look good this year.” Docwashed his hands at the back of his truck.
“It was an easy winter and wehad good hay.” I shook out a rope that someone had left on the ground. “We haveone more group to work, but they are in the back pasture. It’ll take us sometime to get them all up.”
“Call the office when you getthem corralled. We can work something out.” He closed the tailgate on histruck. “Now that there are two of us, we can get more work done.”
Levi rode back toward us. Hetossed me his notebook. “All paired up and ready to go.” His choppy handwritingcovered the page matching cow ear tags to calf tags. “I better head back acrossthe road. Katie’s cooking supper tonight and I’m starved.” He wiped the sweatfrom his brow and turned his horse.
Doc chuckled. “I thought I’dnever see the day that Levi would be happy to stop working.”
“He’s smitten with my littlesister. They seem happy together.”
“What about you, Kaleb?”
I crossed my arms. “What aboutme?”
“Are you happy?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I have the ranch,a house, and a herd of cattle to keep me busy.”
“Busy and satisfied aren’t thesame thing.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “I’ve know you Kisments for a longtime. Katie is happy and so are your other two brothers. Are you missing it?”
“What are you getting at, Doc?”
“Nothing. Just I hate to see youspend your life taking care of cows and missing the good things in life.”
“Like a wife that rescueshorses?” I teased.
“Yes, like a wife.” He tappedthe top of the veterinary box in the bed of his truck. “Louisa, time to goclock out.”
Louisa separated herself fromthe group of cowboys she was talking to and hopped into the passenger side ofthe truck.
“Call the office when you wantto work the next group of cows,” he called out the window.
The vet truck pulled away in a cloud of dust, leavingme to my thoughts. I was happy here, wasn’t I? I shook my head. I didn’t need awoman to make me happy. They brought headache and heartache. Afterall, theywere only after one thing. A man’s money. All of mine was tied up in my ranch.No woman would want to be burdened with it. And that's a fact.Author's Note:Thanks for reading! What do you think so far?
July 29, 2024
Motivational Monday
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
700 words in WIP & 1 short story
What are your goals for the week?
July 28, 2024
The Dog Days of Summer
July brings the vet business to a nice little slow down. County fairs are going on, trail riders are out camping, and the show horses are on the road. So I've been taking some time to do fun things with the kids when I don't have an emergency to run to.
One of our favorite things is to go to the park by our house. Little Bock 1 (LB1) is game to go all the time. Today, we went during the hottest part of the day. The baby was sleeping and LB1 just couldn't be quiet anymore.
So we packed our bags with water bottles, a notebook, and a pen. She grabbed her favorite doll, Jessica, and climbed on her trike. Off we went to the park.
Our little town is very sleepy on the weekends. Sometimes, I wonder where everyone goes. Today was no exception. We were the only ones there.
Thankfully, Jessica was a long. LB1 took her down the slide, on the swings, climbed the monkey bars, and jumped off things together. Jessica herself is pretty special. She was mine when I was little. My grandparents brought her back from their trip to Hawaii. She went on many adventures with me. My mom had to sew her back together many times. And now I do the same for LB1. Jessica is held together with lots of string and love.
What is your favorite activity to do in the summer? Do you have a favorite toy from your childhood?
Hugs,Allie
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