James faced her. “Is this something I should be concerned about?” He asked it, but already he knew the answer. She was worried about her stability, and that worry seeped into his mind with a force he hadn’t been prepared for.
Constance shook her head quickly and smiled, though it wasn’t as bright as her other grins. “Everyone should have a fallback plan, right? I’m sure you have one or had one at some point.”
He frowned. What she said made sense, but he knew too much about her family to just take her reasons at face value. On the other hand, she was a Callahan and if he pushed too hard, he knew he’d be met with resistance. Even Constance could be capable of that.
James jerked his chin toward the barn. “Come on. We have a horse to work with.”
The happy spark returned to her face and her step appeared lighter. “Do you think there’s enough work for me to stay in town?”
He peeked at her. “That’s a strange question.”
“Not really. There are only so many people who live in this area. Everyone knows you. They might only want you to care for their animals.”
He stopped suddenly and held up both hands. “Hold up. Are you saying that when you’re done with school and training you would want to start your own veterinary clinic?”
Constance’s face paled momentarily. “Is that not okay? I thought when everything was said and done that you’d want me to venture out on my own.”
James’s chest tightened and his heart ached. It was sudden and sharp, and he almost thought that he was having some kind of episode. But that sensation left before he could examine it further. He folded his arms and considered her for a moment. “In answer to your question, I had assumed if you were to stay in town, that we would continue working together. But I suppose if you wanted to start your own business, then I would support you in that if that’s what you wished.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Sounds like you’ve already come up with a few thoughts on the matter.”
Her boots kicked up some dust as she shifted from one foot to the other. “I haven’t decided anything yet. I—” She gave him a wry smile. “I guess I just thought that you wouldn’t want me tagging along everywhere.”
He placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “You couldn’t be more wrong. I would be happy to have you as part of my team.”
That sounded so dumb. He could have come up with a more articulate way of assuring her that he had expected her to stick around. He opened his mouth to make a better attempt but was cut off.
“James! Good, you’re here. I think she’s gotten worse.” Shane waved them over toward the barn.
James snapped his mouth shut and jerked his chin in Shane’s direction. “Shall we?”
They made it to Shane, and he didn’t give them any time for introductions.
“I noticed that she’s limping worse than she had the other day.” Shane strode toward the stall where the horse was being held. Every so often he’d turn around, walking backward as he spoke. “Is that an indication that she’s not healing right?”
“I don’t like it, but I’d have to see just to be sure.”
Shane opened the stall door and let James in. Constance stayed on the outside of the stall, resting her folded arms on the door the second Shane closed it. They stood side by side as James knelt down and lifted the animal’s back hoof. It didn’t appear to be any worse than it had been the last time he’d visited. The likely cause could easily be that she was favoring her good side.
He glanced up to say as much and his words died in his throat. Shane was leaning his side against the door and facing Constance. He smiled broadly, and they were speaking quietly. Shane was pulling out all the stops. He ran a hand through his hair and made a comment that elicited a laugh from her lips.
Constance glanced away and laughed again when he commented once more.
James’s stomach churned with an uncomfortable sensation. The back of his neck was hot and every muscle in his body had tightened, coiled and ready to spring. He cleared his throat and the two of them glanced in his direction. “It looks like she’s just favoring her good side. Could be nothing. But it would be a good idea for me to observe her while Constance exercises her.”
Constance straightened, the excitement in her gaze returning. Witnessing that small shift caused a small amount of relief, but not enough to put him at ease. He stepped forward. “Shane, will you hand me that lead rope behind you?”
Shane turned, putting a few feet of distance between himself and Constance to pluck a rope from the wall. He returned with it, but rather than handing it to James, he gave it to Constance. “I guess you’re the one who’s going to need this.”
She reached for the rope, their hands brushing.
James watched their interaction and once again, he cringed. Seeing Shane with Constance gave him the strangest urge to shove his friend aside and demand he leave Constance alone.
She slipped into the stall, brushing past James to put the lead rope on the horse. Shane’s eyes followed Constance until James stepped between the two of them. Folding his arms, James lifted his chin. “Are you still on track with the opening in December?”
Shane nodded. “I believe so. We won’t have all the horses I want for the opening. It’s turning out harder than I thought to get them trained in time. But we should have enough that we can start bringing folks here for treatment.”
“That’s good.”
“It is. Right now, I’m working with a few charities to get the first six or so clients to have a free session. I want to show the world how good it is for kids and adults alike to spend time with animals.” His gaze darted to Constance and he lowered his voice as he leaned forward and nodded toward her. “Is she the girl?”