Alexander Ranch

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The next day when I walked into my office at the back of the animal treatment clinic, I had a sticky note pasted to my computer screen. It read, Call John as soon as you get in. I had several messages in my voicemail as well. I intended to call John, but I wanted to check my messages first. No doubt, he'd probably left me voice messages as well. I wanted to have some idea of what he wanted to talk to me about so urgently.

I was right. He had left me a message, but unfortunately, he gave me no other clues as to what he wanted. Just another message to call him as soon as I got this message because he had a special assignment for me he needed to discuss. But, he saved me the trouble of calling him. As soon as I set the receiver down he walked into my office.

"Good morning, Lela. How are you?" he asked in his usual cheerful voice.

"I am doing well, John. How about you?"

"You don't look like you're doing well," he frowned, looking me over and seeing some of my bruises and scrapes. "I thought you were just a little sick yesterday, or wanting some additional deserved time off. What happened to you?"

"I just had a little accident when I went hiking on Sunday."

"What kind of accident?" he asked sitting on the edge of my desk now. "Were you badly hurt?"

"I, sort of, fell in the river," I tried to lie. "Just a few bumps and scrapes is all."

"Did you go to the doctor?"

"Yes, I did. Now stop worrying over me and tell me what this sticky note and your message is about," I insisted, trying to change the subject. He looked at me critically, and I put my hand on his and squeezed it. Then I spoke through gritted teeth and a forced smile, "I am fine. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here. Now, please, tell me about this assignment."

"Ok," he said reluctantly, "but just remember I've got my eye on you."

"Duly noted." I gave him my best smile.

"Ok, are you familiar with the Alexander Ranch? It's about 30 minutes from here."

"I've heard of it, but I don't know much about it."

"Well, they apparently have heard of you. They requested you specifically."

"Specifically for what?"

"Well, they recently lost their staff vet and they need a temporary one to help with the animals on the farm."

"Ok," I said slowly, confused, "but, I'm not a vet, just a vet tech."

"I know. I told them that. They said that if they needed a vet, or something more than what you could do, they would have you contact one of our vets to provide the service."

"So, I'm supposed to go out there and just do an assessment of an animal or something? I'm confused."

"Well, they asked if they could borrow you, just for a few weeks, until they could replace their vet. Apparently they have some animals there that are ill and were under the vets care."

"What do you mean, borrow me?"

"Just that. They offered to pay your salary and pay me a fee for the inconvenience of not having you here."

I was stunned. I didn't know these people. Why did they want me?

"But..., I don't understand? I don't even know these people. Why don't you send one of our vets? I have to work under a licensed vet."

"I told them that. The owner, Logan Alexander, asked for you by name. He said he needed you to make sure that the staff worked smoothly with the animals without the vet being around. Apparently their vet also handled the staff. So, you don't need to worry about veterinary care. He said he'd heard about you from someone and you came highly recommended."

Logan, hm? The name was familiar. It took me a moment to realize where I'd heard that name. Didn't Jordan say his brother's name was Logan? Hadn't he mentioned something about Logan punishing him for something? What was going on?

"Ok, but, why don't you tell them I'm not available and send one of the other staff? I have too much to do. I only fill in as a vet tech occasionally now with all of my other duties as Director of Facilities. You know this," I frowned up at him in puzzlement.

"Did I mention that he offered to pay me a sizable fee for the inconvenience? Besides, it's good business for us. The Alexander ranch is very prestigious. It will be good for the business for people to know that such a prestigious ranch uses our business for the needs of their animals. And, they may decide to just let us handle their veterinary needs rather than replace a full time vet. You are the best we have. Who else could I send to represent us on such an important assignment?"

"And, we would still be working with them if you sent someone else," I pointed out knowing it was futile.

"They only wanted you, and I sort of already agreed to it."

"What? Why?" I practically yelled.

"I thought you would be thrilled." He sounded puzzled. "You love going from one location to another, so I figured this would be just another location for you to work in. Besides, it's only temporary."

I sighed. He was right. This was definitely something I would usually be interested in. Though, usually when I did an off-site visit it was just for one day to check on some cows or horses, or judge a contest. This was something altogether different. They didn't need a vet. They wanted to keep an eye on me, but I couldn't tell John this. What had I gotten myself into?

"You know I won't make you do it if you really don't want to," he said reluctantly and hopeful at the same time.

"Alright," I said with resignation. "Where is this place?"

John gave me the directions and a phone number. I didn't bother to call because I knew they were already expecting me. They'd made all of the arrangements after all. And, roughly thirty minutes later, I was driving up a path that led to the same ranch I'd been taken to by Jordan and Daisy on Sunday afternoon.