The Coltons of Wyoming. Beth Cornelison

had already met the new foreman earlier that night.

      Peanut pawed the ground restlessly, and Amanda sent Slade a hard look. “Keep him still. I need to listen for gut sounds.”

      Trevor and Gabby helped Slade calm the horse while she moved the stethoscope from one spot to another on Peanut’s abdomen, checking for sounds of intestinal motility. “It’s pretty quiet in there, but I do hear some movement, which is good.”

      “Can you give him something for the pain?” Gabby asked, her eyes full of tears. “I hate to see him suffer.”

      Amanda moved the stethoscope to listen to Peanut’s lungs and heart. “I’ll need to sedate him before I insert the naso-gastric tube. That and a dose of Buscopan to suppress the intestinal spasms will help him feel better.” She returned to her medical bag and dug out the case where she kept a small selection of drugs for the most common emergencies. She prepared injections of both an appropriate sedative and the anti-spasmodic. Knowing she needed to perform a rectal exam, she gave her sister an errand to keep her busy. “Gabby, can you get me a pair of long gloves? I want to check for impaction.” She caught Slade’s raised eyebrow as she turned back to her patient and cocked her head. “Unless you want the honor of doing that exam.”

      He slid a pack of peppermint gum from his pocket and calmly stuck a piece in his mouth while he gave her a level look. “I will if you’re too squeamish.”

      “Oh, brother,” she grumbled under her breath. She refused to rise to his baiting. Now was not the time to lock horns with the new foreman.

      Nickering testily, Peanut tried to lie down again, and Slade walked the horse forward a few steps, then crooned to him. “Easy, fella.”

      Gabriella returned with the long examination gloves. Taking them, Amanda sent her sister off on another errand, this time for the mineral oil and naso-gastric tube she’d need once Peanut responded to the sedative.

      Feeling Slade’s watchful gaze on her, Amanda removed her parka and snapped the long latex glove into place, covering her arm past her elbow.

      Stepping to Peanut’s hind end, Slade pulled the horse’s tail up and held it out of her way.

      She cut a side glance to him, prepared to thank him for his helpfulness, but the smug challenge in his eyes stopped her. Did he think she would balk? That the less pleasant aspects of veterinary care would stop her from doing what was best for an animal in need? Amanda gritted her back teeth. A rectal exam was not her favorite way to spend an evening, but she was no shrinking violet. She’d never shied from doing the dirty work involved in either large animal veterinary care or ranching.

      She squared her shoulders and flipped her ponytail over her shoulder, silently accepting his challenge. The sooner the new foreman knew who he was dealing with the better.