Hope for Tomorrow

By Markee Anderson

Maisy Wells and her father are stuck at her brother's alpaca ranch, being forced to work for room and sometimes board.

Veterinarian Jack Colten just bought the local vet office in town. The previous vet leaves fast, afraid for his life, thanks to Maisy's brother.

When Jack meets Maisy, he knows he has to help her. But will she accept the charity she needs to survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Markee Anderson
• Release date: Dec 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781938350481

Markee Anderson

Writing is escapism, at its finest, for Markee. With three grown children (a son and two daughters) and their daily issues, she escapes by writing about other people's lives. It's like playing with dolls all over again--giving them a life, problems, a past...and it all happens in her head, keeping her entertained.See more at MarkeeAnderson.com. See all of her books (and all her pen names) at SweetTaleBooks.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1

She mopped the floor of the alpaca stables as she muttered to herself. Maisy Wells. Voted most likely to succeed. Master's degree in chemistry with an area of interest in phytochemistry, because she loved the idea of using plants to solve problems. She had her whole life planned out as she wanted it to go. The dream was to settle down with some wonderful man, have two daughters named Hope and Holly, get her doctorate, do research to help mankind—

But it wasn't in the cards. She couldn't be more depressed about it, either, until her dead mother's words rang in her head. Negative thoughts make a negative person. She whispered the words aloud, the tears filling her eyes as she thought of her mother's other favorite phrases. Hope for tomorrow and your dreams will come true. Her mother could turn any situation to the positive, regardless of what it was. If only she hadn't died. The woman's hopes and dreams hadn't come true, so the phrase about hoping for tomorrow didn't always work. But she did like the name Hope after hearing her mother say that phrase for years.

Maisy had to use positive thinking. She had to turn it around to dream of the future or it definitely wouldn't come true. She wanted to get a job in chemistry at a university so she could teach and do research on making crops better and searching for cures by using plants. If a man entered her life, so be it, but her future wasn't going to depend on any other person. However, if she did get married, she wanted her husband to stay at home with their children. The thought made her laugh aloud, since no man she knew would ever do that.

The more Maisy thought about it, she was done with college and just wanted to be a mother, with lots of children. The rest of the dream sounded like more work than she could handle, if she were married. Just thinking about it made her smile and chuckle. A family would be so nice. In about a week, it'd be Christmas. To think of a Christmas with family sitting around the tree opening presents sounded wonderful.

But it didn't matter now, because Christmas was just another day to Maisy. She'd never have that 'happily ever after' life she really wanted.

Do you always talk to yourself and laugh when you're alone? It was a man's voice she didn't recognize.

As she spun toward the voice, she slid on the wet newly mopped floor. A stranger stood in front of her, but she didn't have time to do anything before she hit the floor, twisting her right ankle with a crack resonating in her bones.

This really wasn't going well at all. It was typical for all of her days, but since it was Monday, it was a double-bad day.

The pain of what had happened hit her brain, making her instantly nauseous. Owww! Maisy grabbed her ankle, still seated on the floor. If you're a burglar, take what you want but leave me alone. If you're going to kidnap me and take me away from here, you'll have to carry me. Just tell me it's better than where I am right now in my life.

The man ran to her side. It's that bad?

You have no idea. I'm alone even though I live here with my family. She pointed back toward the small home but knew the guy couldn't see it since they were inside the barn.

The man pointed toward her ankle and knelt beside her. I was talking about your injury.

Oh. She winced, but kept an eye on the guy. He was young and very good looking; with dark hair and the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. His chin was square and with his high cheekbones and other features, his heritage suggested the possibility of a European influence or maybe Native American Indian. But his skin was rather pale, making her wonder about his background. That undergraduate course in genetics was paying off, in case she had to identify this guy. Who are you? An angel or something? When she moved her foot, the pain made her moan. She lowered her head to stop from passing out. Even her stomach ached.

New veterinarian in the area. He touched her leg. Do you mind if I take a look?

As long as you don't shoot me or put me to sleep if it's broken. She nodded toward her leg. Go for it. I even shaved my legs this morning, on a whim. Lucky you.

While he laughed aloud, he removed her shoe with a gentle touch, and then took off her sock. It hurt like crazy, but she watched him studying her ankle. Good job on the shaving, he said. Want a job with me? I can make you my top animal shaver for surgeries.

Very funny. My ankle really hurts. She looked down at her skin. It's swollen, isn't it?

It's hard to tell since it just happened. Do you have an Ace Bandage near here?

Inside. Go get my dad and tell him you're the new vet. I'm sure he'll want to talk your ear off for an hour or two. Something wasn't right. Wait. What happened to Doc Johnson?

The guy kept looking at her ankle. He's retiring in a month. I don't think he told many people yet. I'll be taking over his practice when he's gone.

A new vet. She grabbed his left hand and looked it over. Single. Interesting.

He lifted his blue eyes in surprise. Why?

He was so magnificent-looking, Maisy had to collect her thoughts for an extra moment. The pain in her ankle made her suck in a breath before continuing. "I'm sure Louise Sutton will have her claws in you. Be careful of that one. She's dated half the men in Montana, or so she says, and compares them against each other with ratings she puts on social media and her blog. You really don't want that woman. Her family doesn't even know she's like that, because they live over in Billings. She got a job as a seamstress in town and rents out a room. But she does gets around, if you know what I mean." She winced, just from the blank stare he shot her. She was oversharing again, one of her biggest vices.

He chuckled. I'll make a note of that. He stood up and offered her his hand. Can you stand?

She moved her foot and groaned in agony. Nope. When she put her hand on the concrete floor to steady herself, she felt something in her pocket. Oh wait. I have my dad's phone. I forgot it was in my pocket. I'll call inside. She pulled the old cell phone from her pocket. This is all I have if you want to rob me.

He laughed again. She must be funny or stupid sounding. Probably the latter.

I'm not going to rob you. He took the phone from her hand and slipped it back into her pocket. Don't waste the minutes. With one quick motion, he bent down, put one hand under her knees and the other on her back, and lifted her into his arms.

Whoa, buddy. She closed her eyes and held her breath for a moment. Now that thing really hurts. Besides, I barely know you. That's a second date position here. She groaned again.

He laughed and almost dropped her, pulling her closer to his chest. I think you're really checking me out for a date.

No. She shook her head in a fast motion. I can't date. I have too many obligations to this here plantation. She'd even used a southern accent for effect. No can do.

He studied her face for a moment as he stood still. You're serious.

Yes, I am, but that's a different issue. She squirmed. Now put me down. I'll hobble inside and handle this myself after I finish this work. It's probably just a sprain. Even so, the pain and the fact that she'd heard a crack told her it might be worse.

I can't do that to my patient. You need to go inside right now.

She stopped trying to get down and stared into his eyes. But you're a vet. I'm an animal now?

No.

Since his eyes were mere inches from her face, his gaze was intense yet magnetic. But Maisy had to put it out of her mind, the ache in her leg reminding her to stay focused. Even so, she swallowed hard, imagining him kissing her.

He continued speaking, pulling her out of her fantasy. You're a patient and I intend to heal your ankle, since you twisted it because of me. He took a few steps toward the door. Just bear with me. It's a bit icy and snowy out there, so I don't want you hobbling anywhere.

I know. I about died getting to the barn. She looked down at her foot. Um, my foot's cold and naked. I'm going to get frostbite out there. The temps are way below freezing. I also have to get the animals inside. I don't want them to die.

He sighed. I want to wrap it right now so it won't swell much.

No. She motioned toward the chair. The animals first. They're probably freezing.

He paused and watched her, finally seeming to relent in his mind. Fine. I'll put you in the chair for now. But you stay put.

She grabbed his arm, stopping him. No. I have things to do. The animals come first.

They'll be fine. He sat Maisy down in the chair. Now, what kind of animals do you have out there?

She lowered her foot, trying to find a position where it didn't ache as much. Alpacas. Twenty of them on a whole bunch of acreage. I was just finishing up feeding them and cleaning out the stalls. I was almost ready to call them all back inside. I put them out there because the males can be mean when they're hungry. She moved her foot, but couldn't get comfortable. If only she had another chair so she could prop it up, but it wasn't to be.

I see. He looked around at the stalls. I'll have this done in no time so I can wrap your ankle.

Oh no. You're not doing my work. She got to her feet, but the pain in her ankle made her sit right back down and lower her head a bit. This was nasty. I'll just call—

No. He stood in front of her with his hands on his hips. I'll do this. It won't take more than a few minutes because you were almost done. Just talk to me. He grabbed the mop and got to work while Maisy watched.

She pointed at him. You're going to ruin your thousand-dollar suit there, sir.

It's Jack. Jack Colten.

Doctor Jack Colten, she all but whispered to herself. That name really has a ring to it. You sound like one of those cowboy-doctor types. Those men are way up there on the romance scale, you know. I bet you're the type to sweep a woman off her feet and make her respect you. She laughed, even fanning herself. Be still my heart. Even though she laughed, she already respected him and would never call him Jack. If only she wasn't injured, she'd be flirting with this guy. But the steady beat of her injury seemed to consume her thoughts.

Yeah. Right. He chuckled and kept working. As for this suit, it was off the rack at a cheap store. I just wore it to meet Doc Johnson, then it's scrubs for me. I'm not a suit kind of guy or very good at romance. He seemed to scowl at the thought. She wasn't sure if the scowl was for the suit or the romance.

Something struck her funny. Why did you stop here if you're meeting Doc Johnson?

He glanced up at her with a wince and then mopped some more. I'm lost. I saw the light on inside this place and figured someone must be awake. I'm not sure where Doc Johnson's place is, because his directions were weird. He said to take a right in the fork in the road and go past where there used to be a dry goods store back in the 1940s, I think. He didn't know what went in there recently, and wasn't sure which fork to take the right, but he said once I got past Big Timber and then reached Snowridge and drove on Mistletoe Lane, north of the juncture between Bozeman and Billings, it'd be easy to find. I'm near Snowridge and on Mistletoe Lane, but I can't find the vet office.

Typical Doc Johnson, she muttered. The guy's what…90?

Something like that. Dr. Colten kept mopping. You never told me your name.

She nodded. Maisy Wells, at your service.

He chuckled and glanced over at her. Service?

Well, that's what I have to say at work, over at the store. She sighed, wishing the pain would subside. Doc Johnson's place is just catty-cornered from here, about a mile down the street.

Dr. Colten's eyebrows lifted. Catty-cornered, but a mile away?

She leaned up a bit. That's the closest building to this ranch. It's on the other side of the street, the next building up. In-between, there are woods, elk, bears, and a lot more beasts.

Bears and beasts? His eyebrows rose even more.

She nodded. You're not chicken, are you? If so, I can ride shotgun for you, with a shotgun. She sighed. "That is, if I can find the shells and can walk to the car. She looked down at her ever-swelling ankle. I don't think it'll happen today."

He kept working. Um…a gun?

She nodded. It's necessary in these parts. But don't worry. My dad usually uses it. He's in charge of the alpacas, so he keeps an eye out for bears and other animals like wolves, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes. I'm sure he knows where the shells are.

He glanced toward her as he worked. Does he use it on strangers?

She waved him off. You worry too much. If his dog likes you, you're golden. And Beatrice loves everyone.

Beatrice? He seemed confused. What's a…Beatrice?

A Boston terrier. She's a hoot. Dad got her right before Mom died. She's about two years old and is just fun. She moved her foot just slightly. A wave of sickness in her stomach hit her, so she bent over a bit until it subsided. Breathing seemed to help, so she sucked in air and let it out. This was just nasty. She never should've moved her foot.

You're not well. He put down the mop. I'm taking you inside right now.

She lifted her hand and looked up. No. Animals first. They're worth it more than anything or anyone else.

Fine. At least you like the animals. He grabbed the mop and got to work. You don't sound that happy here. Are you here against your will?

She sighed, trying not to move. I don't have anywhere else to go. My brother, Dan, and his wife Carolyn, own this place. They're building a house behind the small one. She pointed, but knew he had no idea what she was talking about. Actually, it's already built but they're waiting for the paint to dry inside or something before they move. She looked down at her ankle. It had now started to throb but she kept quiet.

Does your ankle hurt more?

I'm fine. The alpacas need to come inside first.

He sighed and continued working. I'll wrap it as soon as I get the animals inside so they don't freeze. We'll prop it up, too. He looked around the room. I don't see anything to prop it on right now. He was silent for a moment as he worked. Anyway, when your brother and his wife move to the big house, you'll stay in the smaller house I saw when I came in here, right?

Yep. She tried to ignore the pain. I'll stay with Dad and Beatrice. When Mom died, about two years ago, Dad and I came here to help Dan and Carolyn because Dad's house burned down. Like I said, Dad's in charge of the alpacas and I do the rest. Since Carolyn's expecting a baby, I run the store, feed the alpacas, and clean out their stalls. I also make lunch and dinner… She stopped, watching Dr. Colten. I talk and whine too much. Where are you from?

He chuckled. I told you to talk to me, so you're doing your job. Besides, you're in pain. I wouldn't doubt that you broke that ankle, just from what you're describing.

Lucky me. This was typical for her life.

You said you went to grad school? he asked.

Yeah. I have a master's in chemistry, but it doesn't matter. You didn't answer me. Where are you from?

He sighed. I grew up in Connecticut and went to various schools in New England to get my vet degree. I wanted to get out of the city and back to the country, so I applied up here, updated my license for Montana, and got the job. I have very good credentials; in case you're wondering.

I trust ya. If Doc Johnson hired you, you have to be good at your job.

He kept working. You must be bright to have a master's degree in chemistry.

I doubt that. I'm just a science nerd. She sighed, thinking back over her lonely past. She had to lower her head a bit, until the thought of losing consciousness subsided. My mom died the day I graduated. I raced up here from college right after getting my degree and went to the hospital with Dad. She died not too long after I got there. It was the same day the house burned. That had to be the saddest day of her life but she tried to take it in stride. I really wanted to go into research and teach at a university, but never got to continue on with my Ph.D. So now, I make things out of alpaca yarn and run the store. As she pointed toward the shop, she couldn't think of anything more depressing than her life. Even her sore ankle was typical but she had to continue and not whine about it. We sell food and alpaca things. I work from five in the morning until I make dinner around five, at least.

He kept working. That's a long day. Twelve hours?

Yep. Not including cleaning up after dinner or working on the loom over in the store after that. Dad helps me sometimes with the dinner. If he's not watching over the alpacas, he does woodworking for fun. Dan and Carolyn both have full-time jobs in Bozeman but work from home. Dad and Dan get along fairly well, but I'm kind of alone. Carolyn used to help me at the store, but we rarely talked. She's from Aspen, Colorado, and lets everyone know how much money her family has. Maisy rolled her eyes, irritated with the snooty woman.

Is she really that uppity?

Maisy snorted her laughter, trying to ignore the pain in her ankle by keeping it in one place. That's an understatement, but I'm not one to gossip. Instead, I just talk to the alpacas because they have good insight into things. She chuckled. Can you imagine really being able to communicate with those things?

Yeah. If so, I'd be the best vet around. He finished mopping. The animals need to come back inside, then we can handle your ankle. Tell me how to bring them in, because I'm sure there's a process.

Yep. She pointed as she talked. Pull that divider up between the pens, first, to keep the genders on their correct side. That way, there will be no babies.

He did as he was told, and then came through the door in the middle of the divider, closed it, and turned toward her. Done. Next?

She pointed toward the back door, wincing at the pain in her leg. See that bell? Open each door one at a time, and then ring the bell and stand back.

He seemed to be confused. Stand back?

Yep. They'll race to get inside where it's warm and there's food and water.

Okay. Whatever you say. He opened the door on the right, for the female pen. With one ring of the bell, he stood back and the females all ran inside to the feeder. Cool.

The females are the easy side, she said. For the male side, they fight with each other to get to the feeder first. I just let them do it, because if I get in the middle, I'll get hurt. She moved her foot, hoping she could get more comfortable, but it just wasn't happening. Instead she lowered her head and tried not to look injured.

Dr. Colten went through the door in the middle of the divider, shutting it behind him. Maisy couldn't see what was going on, but she heard plenty. The outer door squeaked opened, the bell rang, and a stampede of hoofs raced inside.

"Hey! Get away! You're hurting me.