Page 93 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
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"Do you want to pick flowers with me?"
Emmett's heart clenched in his chest as he watched little Maya approach Alana cautiously.He held his breath as he watched his daughter glance over to where the boys were all poking at the dirt with sticks.
"They don't like flowers," Maya added.
Alana held her hand out."Sure, I'll come.I know where some pink ones grow down the side of the barn.Have you seen them?"
"No."Maya grinned up at her."Show me?"
Alana shot him a quick look, and he nodded.He was fine; he didn't want her sticking by his side in case he needed help—he didn't.He just hoped that hanging out with Maya wasn't a different form of caretaking for her.She'd seemed eager to come this afternoon, but he wasn't sure that spending it with him and his friends and a bunch of younger kids was the best way for her to be passing a Sunday.She got to see her friends after school because of rehearsals, but she rarely got any downtime.
Blane nudged his shoulder."She's good with the little ones."
"Yeah, but…" He didn't need to say it.Blane knew as well as he did that losing her mom had left Alana feeling like she needed to take care of both her sister and her dad.
"She's good," Blane assured him."She enjoyed Friday night with Cash and me—Tanya did, too.But it's easier for Tanya."
Emmett looked up at his friend."It is.She gets to be young—the younger one, you know what I mean."
"I do.Alana tries to be everything to both of you."
"You let her be a little kid."
Blane nodded."I do what I can for her; it's easier for me because I'm not her dad.Same as you do what you can for Brooke."
Emmett looked around."Is she coming this afternoon?"
Blane's usual stony expression fell back into place."She had plans.Didn't say what."
"But you've been getting time with her now that you're back."
"Yeah.I felt bad all this time that I wasn't here for her.Now that I am, it turns out she doesn't need me."
"Oh, she does.Just not living in her pocket."
Blane gave him a wry smile."I know.I'm not pushing it.What about you?How are things with Harper?"
"They're going well.I'm able to do a little more every day now, so I feel like less of a burden on her.I was thinking I could try driving next week, too.That way I won't—"
Blane scowled at him."I hope you're not about to say you won't need me to drive you.If it comes down to it, I'll snitch on you to Trip and he'll ban you from getting behind the wheel."
Emmett barked out a laugh that he immediately regretted as the pain shot through his chest.
"See," Blane said with a smirk."You're not ready to drive yourself.And I cleared the decks for the next couple weeks, at least.So even if you insist on driving, I'll be right there riding shotgun."
"All right.I give in.I'll keep asking you to drive me, but we'll reassess next week, okay?"
"Okay."Blane jerked his head to where Hallie was standing talking to Ty's girl, Shayna.As they watched, Laney and Janey joined them."She's your temp vet?"
"She is."
"And what are you hearing about her?"
"No complaints so far.In fact, Wendell Hollis called me to say he wasn't happy to have some young girl—his words, not mine—sent out to do his herd check.He was going to turn her away when she arrived, but she talked him around, did her job, and chatted with him afterward long enough and smart enough that he had to call me to let me know she's all right.Even said that if any of the old-timers complain about her, I should tell them he recommends her."
Since Hollis owned one of the largest and longest-established herds in the valley, his endorsement carried real weight.
