"Let me see if I can…" She rolled back her sleeves and shoved her arm up the birth canal. A few tense seconds passed before she latched onto the hoof and followed the line of it. Her lips pinched in concentration, she adjusted the foal as best she could.
In the distance came the sound of a car and then a door slamming.
"Mr. Rayburn," a female voice called seconds later.
Nash hailed the vet, and Hayley was just pulling her arm free when she stepped into the stall. The vet knelt and Nash introduced Dr. Janna McLean to Hayley as she checked the animal.
Hayley went to the sink and washed up as the vet took over.
"Okay, Belle," the vet said to the horse. "You're doing fine. The rest is up to you." She palpated the horse's stomach, glancing between the pair, her gaze ending on Hayley. "Nice to meet you. You're the talk of the town, you know."
Hayley frowned as Janna checked the animal's breathing. "No, I didn't. How so?"
The vet laughed, but kept her gaze on her work.
"Every woman in two counties has been doing her best to get Nash's attention for years."
"I had his attention years ago," Hayley said with a glance at Nash. "So I guess I had an advantage."
"That and the fact that I've always loved her," Nash said.
Hayley's breath caught. Saying it to her was one thing; saying it aloud to a stranger was quite another. A lump swelled in her throat.
Janna looked up, her gaze again shifting between the two. "And you're not shy about it, either, I see."
"No, ma'am." He leaned toward Hayley, cupped her jaw and kissed her.
"Oh, Nash," she said on a soft moan.
Janna sent them a disgusted look. "Why don't you two get out of here? Belle and I are fine. My assistant should be here any second, and frankly, you two are no help."
Nash looked skeptically between her and one of his prize broodmares.
"I swear. A Scotswoman's honor," Janna said, grinning.
Hayley walked to the entrance. On his knees near the horse, Nash hesitated. Janna gave him a shove. "Go," she said in a low voice. "From what I hear, she's leaving soon, so go."
Did everyone know their business? he wondered as he stood and followed Hayley. She hadn't made it out of the barn yet when Nash swept his arm around her waist and walked with her toward the house. Behind them, Janna's assistant sped up the drive.
"Lunch is probably spoiled."
He frowned at her, then tipped her head back to look her in the eye.
"Out with it."
She sighed and laid her head on the crook of his shoulder. "Nothing, really. I miss the girls, I guess."
Liar, he thought, and knew what she was thinking. Leaving. The thought speared his chest painfully and he gripped her a little more tightly. As they walked through the front doors, he led her into the formal dining room. She was still looking down and he nudged her. She looked at him, and the sadness in her eyes made him bleed inside. He nodded toward the table.
Hayley's breath caught. On the center of the table wrapped with a big blue ribbon was a black medical bag. She stepped away from him and reached for the card.
I knew you could do it, it said.
Her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, darlin', but I thought you resented my career."
His brows shot up in surprise. "Heck no, honey. I grew up. You don't resent mine, do you?"
"No."
He stepped close and slid his arms around her waist. "I'm so proud of you. Not many people have your determination."
"You mean stubbornness."
"That too," he said with a smile.
His finger traced her temple. "I love you, Hayley. I want a future with you. God, you have to know that by now."
"I guess I do." Her gaze searched his. "It's just too much right now, and it's not fair to you or the girls."
"Are you refusing to even consider it?"
"No, no," she cried softly. "But I'm talking three years."
"It's been seven and my feelings for you haven't changed. They've only grown stronger." His gaze darkened with frustration and disappointment. "I thought it was the same for you, but I guess I was wrong."
"No, you weren't," she was quick to say.
He couldn't hide the anger in his voice when he said, "Then maybe you're just too damn scared to let me in and really share a life with you." Nash reached for the medical bag. "I know what I want, Hayley."
He spun the bag around and walked away.
When he closed his office door behind him, Hayley dragged her gaze to the medical bag. There was a brass nameplate that read Hayley Albright Rayburn, MD.
* * *
Twelve
Nash stirred and reached for her, but he found the space beside him cold and empty. He sat up, rubbing his hand over his hair and looking around. Hayley wasn't here. He knew things weren't solved between them, especially after she'd stayed away from him most of the night, but when she slipped into his bed and made love with him, he thought at least they still had a chance to smooth the edges.