Lauren followed him to a room in the back and glanced around the spotless interior. “This is amazing. It’s like your own vet clinic.”
Seth had already placed the animal on the metal exam table and was busy pulling supplies from the cabinets.
“When Dad had the building put up, it was with the knowledge that he and Mom would eventually be moving south and I’d be taking over the ranch,” Seth explained. “He thought it would be convenient for me to have my veterinary practice right on the property. Since I didn’t finish the program, I’ve never fully utilized this portion of the building.”
An hour later Seth had cleaned the debris from the laceration and sutured it shut.
Lauren frowned as he carefully inspected the animal’s hind leg. “How bad is it?”
“There’s some swelling.” Seth’s expression gave nothing away. “The joint appears strong and functional.”
“That tells us...”
“That it’s probably not broken. I don’t think he damaged any ligaments.” Now relief flowed through his voice. “We should be okay with some anti-inflammatory medications and a short-term splint.”
Seth gave the sedated dog a pat and grabbed a bandage from the cabinet. He bent over the exam table where the dog lay snoring and began wrapping the bandage around the injured leg. “Not fancy but it’ll do.”
Since he’d used the ether sparingly, by the time Seth secured the bandage, the animal was already stirring.
Lauren glanced about the room. “Where will he sleep tonight?”
Seth leaned over and pulled a large wire cage from under the counter. “This should work.”
Lauren’s heart sank. She’d pictured the collie on one of those fluffy dog beds she’d seen on television, not in a wire prison. “I hate to see him in a cage."
“If he has too much freedom, he could reinjure himself.” With expert hands, Seth settled the animal inside the cage, latched the door and straightened. “Give him time and he’ll be good as new.”
“Thanks for sticking around.” His gaze locked with hers and she saw gratitude— and some other emotion she couldn’t identify—in the liquid blue depths. “Having that extra pair of hands really helped.”
Unexpected warmth flowed through her. While she’d always received kudos for her academic achievements, this one was personal. “My pleasure.”
“What a way to spend New Year’s Eve.” Though Seth shook his head, a tiny smile played at the corners of his lips.
“I can’t imagine a better way to end a year.” Lauren gazed at the sleeping dog and her heart swelled with emotion. “It’s not often I get to help save a life.”
“It feels good.”
“Good? That word hardly seems adequate.”
“You’re right.” Seth grinned. “There’s nothing like it.”
“You’ve got a gift, Seth.” She touched his arm. “You should be so proud of yourself, of what you did here tonight.”
The tips of his ears turned red, but she barely noticed. It was his eyes that held her mesmerized. The emotion she’d noticed before had returned, only stronger and more easily recognizable. Her body responded, sending heat thrumming through her veins. Despite the late hour, she was suddenly wide-awake.
“I suppose we should head inside.” She shifted from one foot to the other, waiting for him to make his move. She waited. Then waited some more.
His eyes darkened. For a second she thought he was going to kiss her again. Instead he moved to the stainless-steel sink, turning his back to her.
She watched silently as he took an inordinate amount of time washing his hands. When he turned back surprise flashed in his eyes. It was as if he hadn’t expected to see her still standing there.
“I need to get some ice on his leg.” He spoke brusquely. “I’ll have to continue with the neuro checks. Make sure there’s no brain injury. The signs don’t always show up right away.”
“I’ll stay and keep you company,” Lauren began to offer, but he started shaking his head before she’d even finished speaking.
“You’ll have Ivy to care for in the morning.” He wiped his hands on a paper towel and tossed it into the waste can. “You need your sleep.”
“What about you?” For a second concern replaced desire. “You’re still recovering from the—”
Without warning he stepped close and pressed a finger against her lips. “I’ll be fine.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest like a trapped butterfly. Though his hand dropped back to his side, his gaze remained focused on her.
Seth had long ago discarded his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. Stubble covered his cheeks and signs of fatigue edged his eyes. In her mind he’d never looked sexier. The fact that he would stop and care for an injured animal with such compassion only added to his appeal.
Ignoring the red flags popping up in her head, Lauren took a step forward and placed the flat of her hand against his chest. She could feel the solid thud of his heartbeat beneath her palm, the heat of his skin through the fabric of his shirt. So she was playing with fire. Send her to hell. The desire that flared in Seth’s eyes told her louder than any words that she wouldn’t be heading there alone.
It was that realization that gave Lauren the confidence she needed to slide her hands up his back and twine them together behind his neck. He was now so close she could see the flecks of gold in his smoldering eyes. He smelled of soap and an infinitely warm male scent that made something tighten low in her abdomen.
Before she could make another move, a tinny version of “Auld Lang Syne” filled the air.
“What is that?” Seth’s gaze never strayed from hers.
“I set the alarm on my phone for midnight.” Her pulse seemed to stall, then thump like a bass drum. “Happy New Year, Seth.”
“Happy New Year, Lauren.” He didn’t smile, but simply stood there looking at her, his eyes shadowed and unreadable.
She wasn’t sure who broke the stalemate. She wasn’t sure it mattered. All she knew was that his lips were finally, blessedly, locked with hers.
Lauren couldn’t remember
