Fresh-Start Ranch by Leann Harris

Author:Leann Harris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Tessa got up early to fix breakfast for everyone. When she glanced outside, Doc’s truck still hadn’t returned. She located the Barlows’ phone number and called.

“They’re finishing up now,” Connie Barlow explained. “Doc was able to pull the horse through, but it took work. I’ll feed Doc breakfast before he leaves.”

“Thanks, Connie.”

Doc arrived back at the clinic a little after nine. From his expression, the night’s work had exhausted him.

“I’m glad you were able to save the horse,” Tessa told him as she poured him a cup of coffee.

“Thanks.” He settled in a chair and took a sip of the coffee. Joan sat watching them.

After he took several sips, he shook his head. “That horse was poisoned.”

“What?” both women exclaimed.

“The hay in the horse’s stall was tainted. Oddly, we didn’t find any other contaminated hay anywhere else in the stables.”

“Only in the rescue horse’s stall?” Tessa asked.

“Only there.”

“Did Steve have any explanation?” Joan asked.

“No, he didn’t. But I know Steve Barlow. He wouldn’t feed any horse bad hay.”

Tessa sat at the table with her mom and Doc. “How could that hay only be in that one horse’s stall?”

Doc sighed. “I’ve seen this before. When Doris had an argument with one of her neighbors several years ago, his stock ended up being poisoned. No one could prove Doris had anything to do with it, but she seemed pleased with what happened.”

Joan’s eyes widened. “This Doris person would do something like that?”

“I’m afraid so. She wasn’t happy her horses were taken from her.”

“Have you notified the sheriff?” Tessa asked. “You know the court issued that restraining order against William and Kevin.”

“Steve was going to call him. I’ll need to put out the word to the other people caring for those rescued horses about what happened. They’ll need to be on guard.”

“And tell everyone you talk to about the restraining order. I’ll call Mary, and let her know about this development.” Tessa remembered when Kevin showed up at the clinic wanting his horse. “We’ll need to keep extra watch on Lady and Hope.”

Doc pushed away the coffee cup. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to hit the sheets for a couple of hours of shut-eye. I’ll leave everything in your capable hands, Dr. Tessa.” He stood and disappeared down the hall.

Dr. Tessa. She liked how that sounded and hoped others would start calling her that.

Joan turned to her daughter. “You need any help with the animals in the clinic?”

It touched Tessa that her mom offered to help. “It’s been a while since you worked in a barn.”

“True, but I think things will come back to me.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

“Let me contact Mary and tell her what happened, then we can go into the barn and work.”

After the call, arm in arm, they walked into the stables, reminding Tessa of one of the good memories she had from her childhood of all three of them working together in the barn. They were among her very few good memories.

* * *

The day passed swiftly for Tessa and her mom.

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