“I wouldn’t say that.” Hunter crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head.
“Because you’re a gentleman.” She rolled her eyes and a few kids laughed. So did he. “Anyway, this was so foreign to me. I made notes and did so many sketches on everything that went into raising animals, exercising them, and the importance of stock shows. Once I was done with college, I’d learned how to put together a story. That’s when I finished 34. And, yes, it was based on Dr. Boone’s state championship calf. The one that sold for how much at auction?”
Hunter waved her question away.
“Were you two friends?” a girl asked, the emphasis on friends unmistakable.
Hunter glanced out, his gaze wandering over the crowd. But then he saw Eli, standing by the show ring, scowling and frustrated. The way his son looked at Jo broke his heart.
Jo’s voice wavered, drawing him back to the conversation. “Yes, we were friends.”
“How do you start? Writing, I mean?” Hunter asked her, trying to redirect the conversation.
Jo looked at him, relieved. “The pictures. I have some author friends who don’t write picture books and they start with a character. It’s a pretty individual process.”
“Is college really necessary?” another boy asked.
“I think it is,” Jo argued. “I think college is a good move for anyone, no matter what they plan on doing with their life. Think of it as a way to expand your horizons.” She paused. “I kind of stepped in here at the last minute. Does anyone have any questions?”
“Is this what you always wanted to do?” a girl asked.
He watched Jo, amazed at the smile that spread across her face. “It is. It makes me happy. I mean, it also makes me really unhappy, like when I get stuck on a story.”
Jo stopped then, her smile fading. He followed her gaze to Eli. His son wore a look of pure disdain. Jo’s voice distracted him. “But I guess all professions have ups and downs. Right, Dr. Boone?”
“Yes.” He swallowed, hoping he didn’t look as thrown as he felt. “Definitely.”
“How did you get into veterinary medicine?” she asked, sitting on the edge of the table, deferring the floor to him.
“I grew up working with animals. My father and his father and his father before that. I wanted to heal animals early on. Everything from field mice to injured hawks.” He pointed at the display board one of his teaching assistants had put together for him. “School was a challenge. I got accepted early, before I had my undergraduate degree. I won’t kid you—school is tough and very competitive. But it’s important to understand that some things take work to achieve. You have to want it. You have to do the work.”
He talked for a while, trying to include Jo in the questions being asked, but she’d withdrawn. One look at his son spoke volumes. It would be hard to engage when someone was staring daggers at you. And there was no denying the resentment on his son’s face.
Chapter Six
“I’m going to walk Lola home,” her father announced.
“Now, Carl,” Lola argued as she pulled on her thick coat.
He grinned, buttoning Lola’s top button. “Hush now. Doc said it would do me some good. Didn’t he, Josie?” Her father looked at her.
Josie managed to nod.
“See there?” Carl opened the doors. “Might take me a little longer, though—”
“I don’t mind.” Lola tucked her hand into his arm, winking at Josie. “Night, sugar.”
“Night, Lola.” She stared at the empty doorway long after they’d left. Her dad might just be catching a clue. About time.
“Jo?” Hunter’s voice was soft, his knock on the screen door startling her.
“Hunter?” She braced herself. “Come in.”
The past hour had been at once the best and worst time she’d had in a long time. She missed having that spark, that zippy back and forth that she had with Hunter. The way he smiled that crooked smile, arched his brow at her—she didn’t know whether she wanted to kiss him or run far, far away.
And then there was Hunter’s son. There was also the possibility that Eli’s scowl might actually kill her. She’d been on the receiving end of quite a few stare-downs in her time, but she didn’t know how to respond to Eli. If only there was something she could do or say to defuse some of his rage.
“Hey,” she said, peeking around him, expecting Eli to join them. “How many future vets do you think you made tonight?”