Page 40 of Fake It Till You Make It
“Where’s he off to?” Amarie protested.
“To play. You’re on the payroll. He’s not.”
“You’re either bossing me around or being a pit bull.”
“Either listen up or no OJT vet assisting for you, young lady.” Eli knew the threat of suspending her on-the-job training would work. Amarie Walker craved knowledge.
“Fine. What are they, spoilsport?” she huffed, rolling her eyes.
“First, keep your hands to yourself. Second, stay out of my way. Third, the manure is plentiful, the smell is powerful. If you get sick, take it behind the barn.”
“You don’t have to worry about me upchucking. I told you I’m a graduate nurse. I’ve seen all types of blood and gore, the human kind.”
“You say that. The stench of farm animals is hot asphalt thick. Singes the nose hairs.”
“Oh, that’s actually funny. And thanks to you, I’m looking forward to the burn.” She crinkled her nose in jest. Cute.“I’ve never had the opportunity to visit a ‘working farm,’” she said, making air quotes. “I enjoy adventure.”
“You would, wouldn’t you?”
“As long as there’s a return trip home?”
“Why wouldn’t there be?” Odd comment. Did she think he’d abandon her? Eli reminded himself what she’d said about her fiancé. Darn shame for a man to treat woman he professed to love with such malice. His father would’ve taken him and his brothers to the mat if he had ever caught wind of them mistreating a woman. Eli still recalled the ear blistering his dad had laid on an eighteen-year-old Noah.
“I-I… of course there would be. Sorry, that was stupid. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Sometimes, I say too much when I’m hungry—”
“Amarie,” he interrupted before a diarrheal monologue began. “Talk all you want. Just do it while working.”
She breathed in, then exhaled. “Let’s start again. Here’s what I wanted to say. I like learning and seeing new things. Routine is good, but once I discover something, I get excited. That’s how I got sucked into search engines. Thirsting for more in-depth knowledge. Last night, I studied for my exam, then I read more about veterinary medicine and… online auctions.”
Eli groaned at that last part.
“I read about the difference between a companion-animal veterinarian who cares for domesticated small animals like cats and dogs, and what you do as a mixed-animal vet trained in livestock and large animals. But I want to see you in action. Touch what you touch.”
“See, I knew it. That gleam in your eye. You’re planning to be a nuisance.”
“I’m not. Promise,” she grumbled. “I won’t be any trouble.”
“I’ma hold you to it.”
She gave him a two-finger salute. “Where do we start, captain?”
“The first thing you need to do is take off your shoes.”
“Oh, we get to frolic in the woods?”
He pointed to the green field behind the house. “Do not enter. That’s corn. And no frolicking in the fields in bare feet. There’s corn fleas, beetles, rootworms, and rodents among the stalks. I’m pretty sure you don’t want the bugs trampolining on your sparkle toes.”
“Urgh.” She shivered, face contorted in horror. “Point made. I’m ready.”
“Not yet. I have a second pair of work boots in the back of the truck.”
Amarie glared up at him, searching. “You want me to wear your shoes?”
“It’s either that or you stay in the truck.”
“Not going to happen.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Eli huffed, opening her door.
