Karen Rose Smith Romance Author WITH ONE TOUCH preview at The Romance Club http://www.theromanceclub.com

MonaVie

Drink It ~ Feel It ~ Share It

With One Touch
by Karen Rose Smith
Silhouette Romance #1638 ~ January 2003

Brooke Pennington has always felt a special affinity with animals. When she was seven, she realized it was more than a bond--it was a gift. As a veterinarian, she attempts to keep her exceptional ability hidden. Yet whenever her gift comes to light, she feels she must move on.

She has moved to Whisper Rock, Arizona, to be closer to Granna who raised her, and to practice veterinary medicine with Dr. Nate Stanton who protects secrets of his own.

Can Nate accept Brooke’s gift when he shuns the limelight that destroyed his happiness once before?

Brooke Pennington grabbed her denim satchel and looped the strap over her shoulder as she exited her van and closed the door. She'd have to take the van to a mechanic to get it checked. It was leaking fluid and coughing, but it had gotten her to Whisper Rock, Arizona, and she was so grateful for that.

Approaching Whisper Rock Veterinary Clinic, she saw it was a cedar-shingled building. Along one side she could catch a glimpse of the stairway leading to the second-floor apartment that Nate Stanton had told her was hers if she wanted it.

As early-January snow flurries began to swirl, she peered across the parking lot through the white flakes to a fenced-in front yard and a spanking-new, two-story house. A ormer above the small porch gave it a homey look. That house was Dr. Stanton's new home.

How she wished she could have one of those. But wishes were less substantial than rmors, and twice over the past four years rumors about her methods of practicing veterinary medicine had forced her to pack up and find a new clinic where she could work.

She took a deep breath of cold air, smiled up at the snow-filled clouds and resolutely opened the door to Whisper Rock Veterinary Clinic, hoping Dr. Stanton would be there een though it was Thursday--his day off. She wasn't supposed to start until Monday, but she'd made good time driving from Syracuse.

A bell tinkled over the door when she opened it. Before she reached the long counter that divided the waiting area from the offices and exam rooms, a tall ruggedly handsome man emerged from one of those offices, carrying a few files. On his heels was a black-and-tan German shepherd who stopped when the man did.

"Hi," Brooke said, her insides fluttering. "I'm Brooke Pennington, and I'm here to see Dr. Stanton."

The German shepherd trotted over to her. After a look into his eyes, she crouched down and petted him. "Hi, there. Aren't you handsome! Are you the welcome party?"

"That about sums it up," the tall man said, his voice deep. It resonated through Brooke as it had over the phone during her interview, and her gaze was drawn up to his.

The man nodded to the dog. "That's Frisco. I'm Nate Stanton. I didn't expect you until the weekend."

During the two phone conversations she'd had with Nate Stanton, Brooke had liked the sound of his voice and his take-charge attitude. She'd also liked his receptivity when she'd told him that she didn't want to become the partner his ad had asked for but rather an employee. He'd said that since he needed someone to share his practice immediately, he would accept that--and her--sight unseen.

Now he set the files on the counter and extended his hand. Drawn to him in spite of herself, she rose to her feet slowly, letting him grip her fingers. He had a large hand that went with his solid build...broad shoulders, trim waist, long legs. He wore a dark-green flannel shirt, his athletic shoes were worn and his jeans were well washed. He looked comfortable and masterful and downright...sexy.

"You, too." His green gaze was examining her wavy, shoulder-length, dark-brown hair, her red-and-turquoise wool jacket, her black corduroy slacks and her ankle-high boots.

When Frisco bumped her hand with his head, she laughed. "I guess that's his way of introducing himself."

Nate nodded to the coffeepot on the back counter. "Would you like a cup of coffee before you get settled in?"

"I think I'd rather take a look around and get my bearings. I drove in last night and stayed at a motel at the edge of town. My suitcases are still there."

As his gaze passed over her again, less obviously this time, it was filled with masculine appraisal that brought color to her cheeks. "We can take a quick look around," he sggested. "Or do you want to check out the apartment first to see if you like it? Maybe you've decided to stay somewhere else?"

He smiled easily, as if he did it often, as if he was confident and relaxed with his world. "Good. Then I won't have to worry about advertising for a renter. While we're looking around, keep in mind that partnership offer is still open." He studied her intently again. "I know we discussed salaried employment, but I've thought about it since our last conversation. Are you sure you wouldn't rather invest in your future, rather than punch a time clock?"

"There aren't time clocks in veterinary medicine," she said lightly, wishing he hadn't brought up this discussion so soon...or at all. His eyes were forest green, and she gazed into them, feeling aware of Nate Stanton in a way she'd never been aware of another man. Time seemed to stop.

Then he gave her another easy smile. "Spoken like a dedicated vet. Are you afraid you won't like Whisper Rock?" He seemed to be searching for answers to questions he'd formed since they'd last spoken.

"I'm sure I'll like Whisper Rock just fine. My grandmother lives in Phoenix, and it will be nice to be close to her again." Granna was getting older, the arthritis in her shoulder bothering her more. Fortunately, Brooke had taken the board exams and gotten licensed in Arizona a few years ago. She'd known she'd eventually return to the state, wanting time with Granna before it was too late.

Leaning against the counter now, Nate crossed his arms. "Do you get bored easily?"

She didn't know what she had said to give him the impression she might. "No, I don't get bored easily."

Nodding, he agreed, "Yes, we did. You said you enjoy seeing different parts of the country."

"That's right." She wanted to leave the explanation right there. If he pushed her... "Are you having second thoughts about hiring me?"

He motioned to the counter with its triple stack of files. "No. I need assistance now. But I would like to know if you're going to stay for a day or a year. Or...if you might be running from the FBI." He said it with a trace of wry humor, but Brooke could see this was a man who wasn't satisfied with surface explanations.

She hesitated a moment. "All right. Nate. I'm not sure how long I'll stay. I told you that on the phone. More than a day, and I don't know about the year. But I can definitely assure you I'm not running from the FBI."

The handsome veterinarian raked his hand through his hair, and she could tell he was about to start in on another round of questions when the telephone rang.

Giving her a we'll-get-back-to-this-later look, he reached across the counter and picked up the phone from its console.

Nate listened to Everett McCoy while his attention was still focused on his new vet as she crouched to pet Frisco. There was something about her that drew his gaze to her again and again. There was also a scent surrounding her that reminded him of antique lace and verdant gardens. Everything about her was intriguing. Yet as Everett told Nate his problem, the rancher soon had Nate's full attention.

A few minutes later he switched off the phone and set it back on its console. "That was Everett McCoy. He has a ranch south of town. One of his cows is having a difficult time with labor. She's in trouble but won't let him get near her. I need to help out so he doesn't lose the calf. Would you like to come along? Or do you need time to unwind after traveling?"

"I just have to grab my jacket and bag," he said over his shoulder as he snatched both from his office and met up with her again in the reception area. "Do you want to ride along with me or drive out on your own?" he asked as he headed for the door, Frisco right behind him.

"I'll ride with you. My van's leaking some kind of fluid and I don't want to drive it too far."

As they stepped outside, Nate glanced at her van. It looked to be about eight years old. Maybe he could take a look under the hood when they got back. As he headed for his black SUV parked near the fenced-in yard, Brooke ran to keep up. He opened the back door and snapped his fingers for Frisco to jump inside. His canine best friend went most places with him. Why leave his pet fenced in and alone when they could enjoy each other's company?

Brooke climbed in and fastened her seat belt. As Nate caught the scent surrounding her again, he found his eyes drawn to her profile.After Frisco nosed Nate's neck, Nate jabbed his key into the ignition, and his dog settled on the back seat.

To take his mind off the way he was reacting to her, he shifted into reverse and thought back. "Seven years. I was working at a clinic on the West Coast when a passerby brought him in. He'd been hit by a car. I fixed him up and when no one claimed him, he became my best pal."

Brooke glanced over her shoulder and saw Frisco obediently sitting on the seat, peering curiously out the window. "He's well trained."

Making a U-turn, Nate drove to the exit of the parking lot and out onto the road. "I worked with him. He just has one bad habit. If he gets anywhere near a moving car, he chases it. I have to make sure I have the latch on the fence gate secured properly, because he's smart enough to undo it if I don't. The road in front of the clinic isn't that busy, but busy enough."

Snow fell faster as Nate drove to the McCoy ranch. Brooke was silent as she watched the sway of the windshield wipers and the scenery speeding by. He wondered what she was thinking.

A mile later they turned onto a stone-covered lane. Nate pointed to a fenced-in corral behind the barn where a cow was running wildly. "There she is."

After he parked the SUV by the big, red barn, he switched off the wipers. "I have everything we need in the back. The problem's going to be if she won't let us near her to examine her. We'll talk to Everett about giving her something to calm her down."

Nate assumed Brooke would follow him as he let Frisco out of the SUV and crossed to Everett McCoy, who'd come out of the barn. "What are the chances we can get her inside?" Nate asked the older man.

Rubbing his gray, beard-stubbled chin, Everett shook his head. "Not good. Hildy's as ornery as all get-out since she's been pregnant. We might have to chase her down and corner her, but I don't know what she'll do then."

As Nate glanced around the barn into the corral again, his heart almost stopped. "Brooke! Don't go in there," he yelled.

She waved that she'd heard him but paid him no heed as she closed the gate behind her and walked slowly toward the cow who had stopped for a moment by the far fence.

"What in the hell does she think she's going to do?" Everett asked. "Who is she, anyway?"

According to her résumé, Nate knew Brooke had handled ranch animals. But had she ever been in a corral before with a cow in labor who wanted no part of a veterinarian's help? "Brooke," he called again.

Nate hurried toward the corral, really worried now, Everett close at his heels. But as he opened the gate and went inside, he suddenly stopped. Brooke had her hand on the cow's neck. She was talking to her in soothing tones! Nate noticed the satchel draped over her shoulder. Had she given the animal something?

As he and Everett stared in amazement, the cow folded onto the ground and Brooke lowered herself beside her. A moment later the pretty vet took off her coat, reached inside her satchel and pulled out a pair of latex gloves. She didn't seem to notice that snow was collecting on her hair.

"Brooke, this isn't safe," Nate warned in a low voice that he hoped wouldn't startle the cow. "She could kick out at you at any minute."

But Brooke was already examining the cow, one hand and arm inside, her other hand on the animal's belly. "Stay by her head, Nate. Talk to her. Soothe her. Her baby's caught. I almost have him..."

Nate knelt beside the cow and put his large hand on her head, marveling at her quietness under Brooke's handling.

The cow's legs started moving and Brooke said, "It's okay, girl. Just a little longer... There!"

During the next few minutes Nate watched as Brooke soothed and encouraged Hildy. They waited and watched as the cow finally pushed her baby into the world. The calf's forelegs protruded first, and then there it was in all its newborn glory.

Everett came over to them. "Well, by golly. I never thought I'd see Hildy this gentled."

Already recovering, Hildy was taking over her duties as a mama by licking and warming her calf.

Brooke was watching mother and calf with an expression on her face that Nate would like to capture for a lifetime. He knew the miracle of birth had touched her as it always touched him. For some insane reason, he wanted to capture Brooke Pennington's hand in his, tell her he understood...

She whisked off her gloves and gave the old rancher a small shrug. "It was just time she let someone help her."

Nate and Everett exchanged a look. Then the rancher just shrugged and grinned. "I don't care how you did it. It looks like I got a healthy calf and Hildy's in good shape. That's all that matters."

Suddenly Nate didn't know if that was all that mattered. He wasn't as gullible as Everett, and he wanted to know exactly how Brooke had quieted the animal.

From the book: WITH ONE TOUCH ~ By: Karen Rose Smith ~ Imprint and series: Silhouette Romance ~ Publication Date: January 2003 ~ ISBN: 0-373-19638-5 ~ Copyright: 2003

In April, readers will find the release of Karen’s new Special Edition. In EXPECTING THE CEO’S BABY, a mistake with artificial insemination leads a minister’s daughter and an experienced CEO into an involvement they never expect!

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