The Maverick's Snowbound Christmas. Karen Smith Rose

probe, question or bully. Ever since she’d found her “happily-ever-after,” she was worse. Hadley was just glad her sister Claire wasn’t in the kitchen right now to weigh in on this conversation as well.

      Hadley cast her dark brown eyes on her grandmother Melba Strickland, who was matriarchal and grandmotherly all at the same time. But her grandmother was no help at all because she asked, “Have you dated in the past few months?”

      There were so many ways to answer that question. Hadley put in long hours at the veterinary clinic where she worked in Bozeman. She often covered for other vets when it wasn’t her turn in the rotation. She kept up on all the latest veterinary journals. On top of all that, she was qualifying for her pilot’s license. However, the simplest answer could usually turn the subject of the conversation in another direction much faster. She didn’t want anybody dwelling on her personal life.

      She added cherry tomatoes to the salad she’d been fixing and said offhandedly, “I’m too busy to date.”

      As a small animal vet, she was thinking of expanding horizons by owning her own practice someday. But for now, if she became a pilot, she might be able to help animals at a greater distance or in the wild. She knew someday her life would come together. But she also knew it might never include romance again. Her family didn’t know her secret, a secret that was embarrassing and showed how foolish a woman could be when she was wildly attracted to a man.

      She could see Tessa was gearing up for another question when the cell phone attached to Hadley’s belt buzzed. She kept it there from habit because she was never without it. Gratefully, she plucked it out of its case, gave a sheepish smile to her grandmother and sister and checked the screen.

      “It’s Brooks Smith,” she murmured. He was the town’s main veterinarian. She always stopped in when she was in Rust Creek Falls to check out his practice and talk to him about the latest advances in animal care. She even helped him now and then. Maybe he wanted to set up a time they could get together while she was in town. He and his wife, Jazzy, ran a horse rescue ranch, and Hadley was always fascinated by the work they did there.

      She held up her finger to her sister and grandmother, indicating she was going to take the call. “Hi, Brooks,” she said.

      “Hey, Hadley. How are you?”

      “I’m good. What’s up?”

      “I need a favor.”

      “What can I do?”

      “I’m tied up on a ranch near Kalispell. Dr. Wellington, a vet working with me, quit unexpectedly, and my backup vet, my dad, just had knee replacement surgery.”

      Hadley knew Brooks and his dad coordinated their practices even though they were in separate locations. Brooks’s dad had been gearing back, hoping to retire soon.

      “What’s the favor?” Maybe he wanted her to go in and check on animals at his practice.

      “There’s a mare in labor at the Circle D, and Eli thinks she’s in trouble. No obvious signs, but he knows horses. She’s down in her stall, and he’s worried.”

      Her grandfather, Old Gene as he was called, came into the kitchen and was studying the women with a probing eye. He spotted Hadley on the phone.

      “So you want me to drive to the Dalton ranch and see if he needs help?”

      “That sums it up. I know it’s snowing and you’re spending time with your family, but Eli wouldn’t put out a call without good reason.”

      “I have all-wheel drive. I’ll be fine. Does he know you’re calling me?”

      “He doesn’t know I’m specifically calling you. I told him I’d try to get somebody out there. I’ll call him back and let him know. Thanks for doing this, Hadley. I owe you.”

      “You owe me nothing. You know, Brooks, I mostly handle small animals. Horses aren’t my specialty.”

      “You’re a vet, Hadley. That counts right now. I’ll tell Eli you’re coming, and I’ll text you his number in case you need it.”

      Drew and Benjamin, two of Hadley’s cousins who were here for Thanksgiving, suddenly made an appearance in the kitchen doorway. Hosting family for the holidays, her grandparents had a full house. Drew and Benjamin were over six feet tall, and with their sudden male presence, the kitchen seemed very small.

      “Are you really going out in this?” Old Gene asked.

      Drew studied her with a worried expression. “This is supposed to be a monster storm. We could get a lot of snow in a short amount of time.”

      “Then I’d better get going,” she said. “There’s a mare who needs me.”

      And before anyone else could protest or stop her, she left the kitchen to dress in warmer clothes and boots.

      * * *

      Hadley veered down the lane to the Circle D, her vehicle’s tires churning up snow as she drove. She’d almost been relieved to leave her grandmother’s boardinghouse, and that was unusual. She enjoyed being with family. But on this visit there seemed to be pressure from her sisters, her grandparents and even her cousins to talk about her love life. She had no love life—with very good reason. No one knew why, and she wasn’t about to reveal it. Her parents were supposed to arrive for Thanksgiving next week, and that would mean even more pressure.

      Pressure for what? Finding Mr. Right when Mr. Right didn’t exist? Pressure to be some woman she wasn’t? Pressure to get hurt again?

      She took the fork in the lane that led to the house and barn. She assumed that if the mare was having problems, that’s where Eli Dalton would be. She thought about this rancher who was supposed to be one of the eligible bachelors in town. Their paths had crossed now and then, most recently at his sister Kayla’s wedding. But there were so many cowboys and ranchers in Rust Creek Falls that Hadley didn’t pay much attention to him. After all, she wasn’t looking.

      As she climbed down from her vehicle and slammed the door, complete silence surrounded her. There wasn’t a creature stirring. Snow fell more heavily now, and she supposed they’d all taken cover as best they could. Montana was beautiful, but the winters could be harsh. Most humans and creatures living here knew how to survive and thrive. She was still trying to figure out the thrive part.

      Opening the back door of her SUV, she grabbed her bag, closed the door and trudged to the barn. After she opened the door, her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light. As they did, she took in the scents—horses, hay, aged wood. She took a few more steps forward, and then she saw him. Eli Dalton was leaning low over his horse. She assumed it was his horse. The way he was caressing her, she saw so much caring just in the stroke of his hand. He was murmuring to her, encouraging her, and something in his tone made Hadley’s throat tighten. That was silly. She’d seen a man’s kindness to a horse before.

      Eli’s hair was dark brown, thick, and fell over his brow as he leaned forward. He knelt by the horse’s back, his own back long and lean as he bent down to the horse’s belly and put his ear to it. His shoulders were so broad. Although he was kneeling, she could tell his legs were long. He was wearing the requisite worn cowboy boots that looked like his favorite pair. His navy insulated vest fell open over his green-and-navy flannel shirt. He was so focused on the horse, he was totally unaware that she’d come in.

      She made sure her boots made a scuffling noise as she approached him.

      He looked up as if startled from his concentration.

      “I’m Hadley Strickland,” she said in explanation. “Brooks Smith called me to help you.”

      He looked torn, as if he wanted to stand and approach her, yet he didn’t want to leave the horse. To help him with that dilemma, she went to him.

      He held out his hand to her.

      “I’m Eli Dalton. We met at Kayla’s wedding briefly. In the receiving line.”

      As Hadley shook his hand