Loving Her Cowboy Crush Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Loving Her Cowboy Crush

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Epilogue

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  Chapter One

  With a spring in her step, Amity King made the short walk to her car—another successful renal transplant completed. Excitement bubbled in her heart. She slung her purse over her shoulder, hunching against the chill that smacked her in the face, nearly robbing her of breath. She loved winter, especially when the snow blanketed the ground turning everything into a pristine white sea.

  All the more reason she loved Alberta. The sunsets inspired her to put her drawing skills to use again. Except that the life of a surgical resident didn’t afford many opportunities for fun. In fact, in almost one year, she’d managed to scratch the word from her vocabulary.

  She smiled. Taking time off for her friend’s wedding would afford her some much needed time to unwind again.

  Amity climbed into her car, turned on the engine and heater and sighed at the immediate relief in her aching feet and the warmth that enveloped her. She powered on her phone. Voicemail messages streamed in one after another. She’d listen to those when she got home and had a long soak to ease her aching body.

  As she was about to pull out of the hospital parking lot, her phone rang. She checked the caller ID to see her twin sister’s face smiling back at her. Amity accepted the call. “Hey, Adriana.”

  “Amity, I’ve been trying to reach you,” her sister said, dispensing with niceties.

  Trust Adriana to hit a matter straight on. She was that way with everything she did. Her level of organization and to-the-point attitude had made Amity realize early that she’d not make as good a doctor as her sister. “I just got off work. Have you arrived?”

  “Not yet, and that’s why I’m calling. There are only two of us in the unit. Unfortunately, my partner had an accident. It’s pretty bad, and I can’t start my vacation as a result. Could you fill in for me until next week? I’ll be there in time for the wedding rehearsal or earlier, depending on how things go.”

  “You mean like a temporary bridesmaid?”

  “Um ... something like that.” Adriana giggled.

  Amity laughed at the hilarity of it. This was like when they were kids. Identical and all, people could hardly tell them apart, and Amity was always the one who stood in Adriana’s place when she got into trouble. Even when they became adults, Amity was Adriana’s stand-in when she couldn’t make it to events.

  “Ronnie arrived at Walker’s place this afternoon and will be meeting with the wedding planner. She wanted me to be there, but I was thinking if you agreed, you’d go in my place.”

  The mention of Walker’s name stirred something in her. She’d had a crush on him forever. What did he look like now?

  Last she heard, he was married. Shaking her head, she said, “I’m not going to be able to make arrangements either. You know how that is. Besides, I’m on call. My time off doesn’t start until Monday.”

  “I know. But you can drive back and forth if she needs you through the weekend. I hate to ask, except that Ronnie is counting on me to be there.”

  “I don’t know...”

  Adriana blew out a breath that vibrated across the line. “Pretty please, Ami.”

  “So, what am I supposed to do until you come? By the way, does Ronnie know about this change in plans?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to be sure you’d agree first.”

  Amity sighed. “You knew I wouldn’t let you down.” If that was one weakness she had, Amity hated to disappoint people. She couldn’t let her sister down and hurt Ronnie in the process.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re the bestest sister in the whole universe? I know that’s not a word.”

  Amity laughed again. “You’re telling me that now.”

  Funny how they reconnected. Adriana had met Ronnie in Las Vegas where her soon-to-be-husband had been admitted. One year later, wedding bells sounded. It had been a happily ever after that Amity didn’t dare dream of. “I’m not going there posing to be you.”

  Adriana laughed, her bubbly sound causing Amity’s lips to hitch.

  “No, you don’t have to. Can you go like right now and rest at the ranch for the day?”

  “We’ll see. I gotta go.”

  “Thanks. I knew I could count on you. I’m sending you the directions as soon as we get off the phone. Let me know how it goes.”

  “Definitely. I wish you could be here. We’re supposed to have two weeks of fun.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll come as soon as I can, and we will have all the fun in the world. I’m praying for you. Love you, sis.”

  Within seconds of the call ending, Amity’s phone beeped.

  Great.

  Amity nosed her car toward her condo five minutes away. She could still take a quick shower before heading out to the ranch. Arriving home, she parked her car and then rode the elevator up to her condo. She opened the door and walked into the living room.

  Stepping out of her sneakers, she set her bag and keys on the kitchen island. “Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping? How was your call?” she asked Rhonda, her roommate and fellow resident.

  “I couldn’t sleep. My shift wasn’t so bad, though. I had some naps here and there.”

  Amity glanced at the show her friend was watching on the TV, then walked over and grabbed one of Rhonda’s sandwiches. “I’m going to my friend’s.”

  “The dude ranch? I thought you weren’t heading up there until next week?”

  Amity swallowed the bite. “That was the plan, but Adriana called me on my way home. She can’t make it out until the wedding. She wants me to stand in for her until she gets there.”

  Rhonda raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like fun. I’ve heard beautiful things about those dude ranches. I bet you will get up there and never want to come back.”

  Amity rolled her eyes, dusting the crumbs of bread from her fingertips. “Now, why would you think I wouldn’t come back? I’m not the one getting married, remember? Besides, the wedding isn’t until Christmas morning.”

  Rhonda held out the last sandwich to Amity which she gladly took.

  “Duh,” Rhonda giggled. “Like I don’t know. What’s to say you won’t find a cowboy to fall in love with like your friend’s brother?”

  Amity rolled her eyes as thoughts of Walker flashed again. But, she didn’t date married men. The ship of her crush on him sailed when her family moved to the US. “Nope. I’m a stand-in maid of honor as of today. Funny, it’s like old times with one of us taking the other’s place.” She finished up her sandwich. “Besides, as far as I know, he is married. I haven’t seen him in ... ten years. We were in junior high when my family moved to Las Vegas until Dad passed, and then my mom decided to move back to Alberta to be close to family. Somehow we all lost touch.”

  “Yeah, maybe he is married, but I’m sure he’s not the only cowboy that will be on that ranch for the wedding,
” Rhonda pressed on with her romantic thoughts.

  Amity washed her hands at the sink while her thoughts went to the past. She and Walker had been quite close back then, studying and doing things together. Somehow, she’d thought he was developing feelings for her. Except that he never asked her out.

  Then her parents decided to move because of her father’s job with the security company he worked for. Walker had come to say goodbye and she’d yearned for him to tell what he felt for her, maybe promise to keep in touch. He never did.

  “Wait, aren’t you on call tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be back early.” She slipped her jacket off, and her gaze landed on the brown mole on her arm. Amity stared at it.

  “Do you really think it’s growing?” Rhonda asked.

  “Not sure. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.” She was going on her second year since her renal transplant and despite the ups and downs, she thought she was finally on the road to full recovery. The first mole had appeared shortly after her transplant, but the biopsy had come back negative.

  She probably was worried for nothing. Knowing she could get skin cancer from the medication was part of her concern. Yet, it was just a side-effect that may never happen.

  She shook her head. Sometimes, too much knowledge could be a hindrance to faith. And she was letting it get in the way.

  “You think...” Rhonda rose and came to take a look. “Maybe you need to have it checked out. We could always trust our instincts when we’re not sure, right?”

  Rhonda’s words shaved off the years. She’d been having symptoms for weeks and ignored them. She should’ve known better. “I’m booked to see my doctor in three weeks.”

  “But you’d rather not know, right?”

  Amity nodded.

  Rhonda hugged her. “You’re doing the right thing by seeing a doctor. Not knowing doesn’t make it go away.”

  Amity’s eyes stung, but she wasn’t going to let herself despair. These next two weeks she would have fun with her sister and friends, and then be back. If it was growing like she thought it was, she’d deal with it.

  When her friend let go, Amity hid a grimace at the pity in her friend’s eyes. She winked at Rhonda to hide her turmoil and then headed toward the room to pack her art supplies. “I might have time to do some drawing,” she said over her shoulder.

  “You bet.” Rhonda followed her. She was quiet for a moment, then she gave Amity a genuine smile. “You know why I like you? You don’t let things weigh you down.”

  “I’ve been down this road before. It’s not worth stressing over. Life’s too short to dwell on things we can’t control.”

  “Yeah, true. Can you invite me? Maybe I can find my own cowboy.” Rhonda gave a dreamy sigh.

  Amity shook her head at her friend. “You watch too many western movies, so you think cowboys are romantic.”

  “Are you kidding? The muscles, the rugged looks, cowboy boots and all.”

  Amity placed her hands on her slim hips and gave Rhonda an incredulous look that she would even think of that. “How about the cow dung, mucking stalls, the long hours in all kinds of weather? Wake up, girl. Medicine and ranching don’t mix. It’s like oil and water.”

  “Not if I become a veterinarian. It’s easy to switch.” She giggled. “Tell me you won’t grab one for yourself if you get the chance.”

  Amity got to the door of the room and turned. “Don’t worry, I’ll ask Ronnie if you can come. Maybe you will find one. I’m not shopping.” Not any time soon. Not after what she’d been through or the uncertainties ahead of her.

  “You haven’t met the right guy yet. But I’m serious. I’d love to come.”

  “I’ll ask Ronnie, seriously,” Amity said over her shoulder. In the bathroom, she glanced at the mole again. Why did it look like it was growing? She sighed. Just a couple of weeks and she’d see her doctor. Until then, she refused to worry.

  Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your request known to God and the peace that passes all understanding shall guard your mind and heart. That was her favorite scripture in the last year. Yet, was delaying her doctor’s visit a smart decision? Was she tempting fate?

  God, I know You’ve got me. No matter what happens, help me trust You, in Jesus name. Amen.

  WALKER CARUTHERS GOT out of his truck and took a deep breath of clean, cold prairie air. The weather forecast said they’d most likely have a blizzard in a few days. He looked forward to seeing the snow cover the land, the badlands landscapes. The picture never ceased to take his breath away. That was something he wouldn’t trade for anything.

  When she was alive, his mom made winter fun. She took them to all kinds of winter games. Growing up in Calgary, she loved the snow and made them love it too. It still remained his favorite time of the year. He wasn’t surprised that his sister chose to have a winter wedding.

  The door opened, and his German Shepherds bounded down the steps of his historical ranch home, jumping over each other to welcome him. He could hear Ronnie talking to someone through the open door. He smiled at her bubbly laughter. He’d missed his family and was more than excited at the prospect of seeing them all in one place before the wedding weekend. He hadn’t been surprised that they agreed to come out and hold the wedding at the ranch. He needed the publicity for when he opened up in the spring.

  He turned his attention to the dogs. Their dark brown-black fur had thickened a bit, glossy as ever. Boeing and Belle had been his companions this past year. He crouched down and gave both of them vigorous rubs. “Hey, buddies. Miss me?”

  Their tails thumped in response, their bodies twisting in their joyful dances. “Let’s go.”

  They ran after him.

  Ronnie stepped out of the house, a huge smile on her face. “You’re back?” she asked, giving him a hug.

  “Yeah. Was the ranch difficult to find?”

  “Not at all. You have a huge place here, dear brother. You were quite modest in your description.”

  Walker chuckled. He’d made good progress in the last year if he said so himself. “I don’t like to toot my own horn. It’s good to see you. Where are your friends?”

  She looked at him for the longest time. “Walker, you look great. I’m so happy for you. My friends are inside.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be in to greet them in a few.”

  “Sure.”

  Ronnie went inside while he stayed outside to play with the dogs a bit.

  The sound of a speeding car reached Walker’s ears, and he looked up. The road to his ranch was a private one, and the rest of his family weren’t due in until the following Friday.

  The red sports car topped the road, tearing down and came to a halt in front of the driveway in a screech of tires that would’ve raised lots of dust in the summer.

  How dumb could anyone get driving like that?

  A young woman climbed out, grabbed an overnight bag, closed her door, and hit the button on her key. The car blinked a couple of times as it locked. Whoever she was, was dressed in a red cashmere sweater, her dark hair covered in a matching beanie, flowing midway down her back.

  Seconds later, she turned and walked toward him. It was Adriana, Ronnie’s maid of honor. He didn’t know she drove that rough. She’d always been the quieter of the twin sisters.

  She reached him, a huge smile on her face.

  “I’m here to—” Then her dark irises lightened. “Oh my ... Walker Caruthers?” She seemed to give him a once-over. “You look so much different than you...” She blushed. “Of course, it’s been a long time.”

  Her surprise told him this wasn’t the person he’d thought, because he’d seen Adriana a couple of times in the last year. Growing up, he’d given up on trying to figure out who was who, especially when they used his lack of clue of their identity against him. That was until he and Amity grew close. His pulse sped up at the sight of the girl who’d stolen his heart many years ago and he’d been too shy to tell her.
“Amity King! What a surprise! Ronnie told me you would be coming in a few days.”

  She grinned, showing perfectly white teeth on her heart-shaped face. “Go figure. That was the plan before Adriana got stuck at work.”

  “You’re standing in for Adriana?”

  She gave him a thumbs up, a quirk to her lips. “I guess some things never change.” She reached out her hand and shook his firmly. Her heeled boots brought her to his chin. She wasn’t the same girl he used to call shorty. “I heard all the good things you’re doing for yourself. I keep telling myself to give you a call. Sorry I never got around to it.”

  “It goes both ways. Everyone’s busy these days, but that shouldn’t be us. We all used to be best of friends until your family moved away. How are your parents?”

  “Mom’s great. Dad passed a couple of years after we moved.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your dad.”

  Walker couldn’t get over how grown and beautiful the twins had become. For the life of him, he didn’t know why he was so afraid to ask Amity out then, beyond the fact that she was his friend. He feared if her answer was no, it would crush him and ruin their friendship.

  “Thanks.”

  “So, we’re neighbors. I should give her a surprise visit, say after the wedding.”

  “Mom would love it. She lives in Edmonton. She’s always been your greatest ally.”

  “That’s less than three hours away.”

  She petted the dogs who were, as usual, struggling to outdo one another. “You still love dogs.”

  “Yeah. It’s good to see you, Ami. I hope we find time to catch up later.”

  “That would be cool. Though I’m gonna have to leave first thing in the morning, but we really need to meet up. So good to see you again.”

  “Same here. Please come in from the cold.”

  “Thanks for having us,” Amity said with a smile.

  He’d always liked Amity’s vivaciousness. That was something that when he paid careful attention to, helped him tell the twins apart. And when they started spending time together, he could recognize nuances that were different from her sister that people didn’t know at first acquaintance.