A Secret Amish Love. Rebecca Kertz

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СКАЧАТЬ son Nate entered the building. “Can you help us for a minute?” James asked after a quick look in the young man’s direction. “Do you have any rope? We’ll need to secure it to the rafters and around Buddy to help keep her steady after I give her a sedative.”

      “Ja,” Abram said. “Nate, will you get that length of rope from the tack room?”

      Nate immediately obeyed then slipped inside the stall, being careful to skirt the animal until he reached the front right side. “Dat? You oll recht?” he asked.

      “I’m fine. Be careful, soohn,” Abram warned as Nate came up on Buddy’s opposite side.

      James grabbed the rope and with a toss of his arm, he threw one end over the rafter until it fell in equal lengths to the ground. “Nate, could you wrap this around Buddy? Abram, you don’t have a wench or pulley, do you?”

      The man shook his head. “We’ll make do.”

      He addressed Nell, “Would you get me a syringe and the bottle of anesthetic?”

      Nell handed him the bottle and the needle.

      He took it without looking at her. She could feel his concern for the animal. She’d seen different sides to the veterinarian over the past week, each more impressive than what she’d seen before.

      His face was full of concentration as he inserted the needle. The animal jerked and kicked out, her hoof making contact with James’s shin. He grimaced, but that was the only sign that he’d been hurt. Nell worried about him when he continued as if the horse hadn’t clipped him.

      He stood back. “We’ll have to wait a moment or so until the anesthetic takes effect.”

      His eyes met Nell’s. She gazed back at him in sympathy, recognizing pain in his face. She wanted to take a look at his leg and help him, but she remained silent. It was clear that he didn’t want his injury to detract from helping Abram’s horse.

      She felt a rush of something she didn’t want to feel. This man clearly loved animals as much as she did.

      They waited for tense moments until the horse seemed to quiet. Nell looked at Abram. “It’s oll recht,” she said. She watched as he and Nate released their hold on the horse.

      “You might want to leave,” James said. “This won’t be pleasant to watch.”

      The two men left, leaving Nell alone with James. He met her gaze. “All set?”

      “Ja,” she breathed, ready to do whatever he needed.

      “Come around to this side. Bring my bag. I’ll tell you what I need.”

      Nell watched while James worked on Buddy. He sutured the mare’s wounds, noting how gentle he was with the animal, soothing her with a soft voice.

      After twenty minutes, James seemed satisfied that he’d done all he could for the horse.

      “Nell, would you please see if you can find a container of antibiotic? I’d like Abram to give her a dose twice a day. He can sprinkle it on her food.”

      Nell understood when she found the bottle and saw that the antibiotic was actually granules instead of pills.

      Soon they were driving away from Abram’s farm, heading back toward the clinic. Nell caught James’s wince more than once as he drove, but she kept silent. She couldn’t offer to drive him since she didn’t know how and wouldn’t be allowed anyway because of the rules in the Ordnung.

      James pulled into the parking lot and drove around to the back as usual. She saw him grimace as he climbed out, but she didn’t say anything as she followed him inside the building. James went into his office while she went right to work restocking his medical bag with the supplies he’d used at Abram’s. When she was done, she entered his office and confronted him.

      “You hurt your leg,” she said. She swallowed hard. “May I see?”

      He gazed at her a long moment, and she felt her face heat, but he finally nodded. Fortunately, the legs of his black slacks were loose. James gingerly pulled up his pants leg.

      Nell gasped. His shin was swollen and severely bruised. She eyed the black-and-blue area with concern. “You should see a doctor,” she suggested softly.

      “I’ll be fine,” he said sharply. She didn’t take offense for she knew he was hurting.

      “I’ll get some ice,” she said and went into the kitchen.

      When she returned, his head was tilted against the chair back, his eyes closed.

      “James,” she whispered. His eyes flashed open. She held up the ice pack. “For your leg.”

      “Thank you.” He shifted, straightening. His pants had fallen back to cover his injured leg. He tugged up the fabric again, and Nell bent to place the pack on his bruised skin.

      “It looks sore,” she said with sympathy as she knelt to hold it in place.

      James gave her a crooked smile. “A bit.”

      She shook her head, trying not to be uncomfortable looking up at him from near his feet. “You should go to the emergency room—or a clinic.” She rose, and her gaze traveled around the room.

      “What are you looking for?” James asked.

      “Something to prop your leg up on so you can ice it properly.”

      “No need.” He dropped his pant leg and rose. “It’s time to head out. I can ice it at home.”

      Nell saw him wince as he moved, but she held her tongue. “I’ll check the reception area and make sure it’s locked up.”

      “Okay.” He waited while she hurried out to the front room to lock up and retrieve her purse from under the desk. She took one last look around, then returned to where James waited near the back door.

      “Thanks for your help today.”

      Nell shrugged. “That’s what you pay me for.”

      A tiny smile formed on his lips. “I guess I do.”

      They headed outside together. James pulled the door shut behind them and made sure it was secure.

      Nell saw that he held the ice pack and was glad. She became conscious of him beside her as she waited for him to turn. “I will see you on Wednesday?” she asked.

      He hesitated. “Yes.”

      “Is anything wrong?” she asked, sensing a shift in his mood.

      James opened and closed his mouth, as if to answer but thought better of it. “It’s late.”

      Nell experienced a burning in her stomach. “Ja. I should head home.” She turned away. Something was definitely bothering the man.

      “See you in the morning, Nell.”

      She paused but didn’t look back. She was afraid СКАЧАТЬ