Riding Hard

“You’re kidding.” Drake thought of her efficiency and the intelligence shining in those brown eyes. “She’s smart as a whip. Anyone can see that.”

“Yeah, but nobody in her family has ever set foot on a college campus. She’s only taken online classes so far, and she probably doesn’t want to make a big deal out of this and then fail.”

“She won’t fail.”

Regan smiled. “Spoken like a man who always knew he’d end up with a degree and a profession. She doesn’t have that kind of background, and she has doubts.”

“Well, she shouldn’t, but I see your point.” He paused. “Wait, are you saying she was trying to psychoanalyze me? That’s all I need.”

“At least it would be free.”

Drake skewered his friend with a look and discovered Regan was working hard not to laugh. “It’s not funny, damn it. I might need a shrink, but I sure as hell don’t need a shrink in training. I’m messed up enough without accidentally gettin’ the wrong advice.”

“I wouldn’t discount Tracy’s insights. She’s spent a lot of hours behind this bar, and she has a knack for reading people. She can’t officially hang out a shingle until she graduates and gets licensed, but she has excellent instincts.”

“Mmm.” Drake didn’t like this discussion any more than the one he’d been having with Tracy. He took another swig of beer.

“Look, you told me you wanted to get your head on straight while you’re here. You could do worse than talk things over with Tracy.”

“I beg to differ.” Drake sighed. “Besides, aren’t psychologists supposed to be nonjudgmental?”

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

“Then Tracy didn’t get the memo. She believes what I did was heinous and she’s not cuttin’ me any slack. I hardly think she’s the person to help me.”

“Okay, maybe not. I’m not sure why, but I know infidelity is a hot button for her.”

Drake winced as he always did when that word came up. He’d willingly participated in an act of infidelity. Even though liquor had been involved, which created some sort of lame excuse, the sharpness of what he’d done couldn’t be filed down, and it still cut deep.

“So I guess it’s not such a good idea,” Regan said. “Forget I mentioned it.”

“I surely will. Besides, there’s another factor that makes the idea a nonstarter.”

“What?”

“I think she’s hot.”

“Oh.” Regan’s glance slid past Drake and focused on a spot over his shoulder. “Here she comes. I’d advise you to keep that information to yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not about to make myself vulnerable to a woman who thinks I’m pond scum.”

“She doesn’t think that.”

“I’ll guarantee she does.” Drake swiveled his stool back around and smiled at Tracy.

Her mouth responded with an obligatory upward tilt, but the rest of her face was devoid of emotion. Then she looked at Regan, and everything changed. “Here’s your beer and some peanuts in case you get the munchies.” She’d never offered Drake peanuts.

“Thanks.” Regan pushed the bowl toward Drake. “Want some?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” He’d show Tracy that he wasn’t too proud to eat Regan’s free peanuts.

Tracy lingered in front of Regan. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Nope, this is great. But I have a big favor to ask.”

“What’s that?”

“Nick’s going to a conference in Washington, D.C. next week and he’s taking Dominique because she’s never been to the Capitol. At the last minute he asked if Lily and I wanted to come along. The women can pal around and sightsee while we’re in meetings. I wondered if you’d be willing to house-sit again while we’re gone.”

“Of course! I’ll have to make sure my hours here will mesh with feeding the critters, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I can trade off with somebody if necessary.”

Drake was flabbergasted. And more than a little hurt. A couple of weeks ago Regan and Lily had taken a two-day vacation and had asked Tracy to house-sit. When Drake found out, he’d told them to ask him next time.

He was a vet, for crying out loud, so he could easily deal with the animals. He also had zip going on. Instead Regan had asked a busy person who already had a full-time job and was studying to become a psychologist.

“Great!” Regan gave Tracy a big old smile. “Same deal as before. Don’t accept any new animals.”

“I won’t.”

“And because we’ll be gone for so long, I’ve arranged for a vet in Jackson to take the routine calls at the office and help you out if you need it. But I’m hoping Drake will consider stepping in if there’s an emergency.” He glanced over at Drake. “Would you be able to do that, just until the guy from Jackson can get down here?”

“Uh, sure. Be glad to.” He could have handled everything, if Regan had bothered to ask.

“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I keep most of my supplies in my truck, and it’ll be parked beside the house. Tracy, if you have any problems at all, call Drake. He’s an excellent vet.”

Drake had been so busy having his feelings hurt that he hadn’t seen that coming. Tracy hadn’t either, judging from the way her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

“You’ll need my number, then.” He enjoyed saying it, even if she didn’t enjoy hearing it.

“Uh, yeah, I guess I will. But I’m sure nothing will happen.”

“Probably not, but just in case, you’d better take it. Call or text anytime.”

“Right.” She scribbled the number he gave her on her order pad.

“Then we’re all set.” Regan beamed at them. “We might stay a couple of extra days, if that’s okay with you two.”

You two. Drake was amused by the way Regan had neatly linked them up. Tracy probably hated it. “I’m fine with y’all staying longer,” he said. “How about you, Tracy?”

“Uh, sure. Just let me know in advance so I can adjust my hours. Listen, I’d better get back to my customers. Drake’s burger and fries should be up by now, too.” She quickly made her escape.

Drake wasn’t ready to let the issue go. “I could have handled all of it,” he said in a low voice. “I believe I told you that the last time you asked her.”

“I know, and I was keeping you in reserve if she had other plans. But she said yes, probably because she needs the money for school. I figured she did.”

“Oh, you’re paying her.” Drake felt better. “I didn’t realize that.”

“We’re absolutely paying her. We paid her last time, too. There’s a lot of work involved. I wouldn’t expect anyone to do it for free.”