Free Next Door Daddy by Debra Clopton

into the waiting room. It was probably Polly’s imagination, but she thought Nate took a step behind her as the woman settled amazing eyes on him. Amazing eyes that, Polly realized with interest, were looking at Nate as if he were a Hershey Bar.
    â€œHello, Nate,” she drawled in a silky southern voice. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
    So that was how it was, Pollyanna thought, glancing at Nate. Maybe he wasn’t as reclusive as everyone thought.
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    Nate took one look at the you-never-called-me-but-the-offer-still-stands smile of Susan’s and wanted to turn tail and run for the hills. He sure hoped Pollyanna didn’t notice he’d stepped closer to her. He’d actually forgotten about Susan for a few minutes, he’d been so busy talking to Gil. If it hadn’t been for having seen Gil’s devastation at the prospect of losing Pepper, and feeling a need to help Pollyanna, he wouldn’t be standing here in the first place.
    He’d been using this clinic for years, but Doc Riggs had retired a little over a year ago and his practice had been bought by Susan. She was single and had asked him out the first time she’d come out to help him pull a calf. Nate had been uncomfortable around her ever since. It wasn’t that she wasn’t a nice woman, she seemed to be, it had just shaken him up. Kayla had been dead for only two years when Susan had first asked him out. He hadn’t gotten used to the idea that he was a single man, much less that he was date material—he’d still felt like he was a married man. Susan asking him out made him realize that people thought it was time for him to move on.
    Move on.
    The words still made his stomach roll.
    He pushed the thoughts aside and focused.
    â€œHello,” he said as Susan looked from him to Pollyanna, then back again. “I’ve been keeping pretty busy,” he hedged. “This is Pollyanna McDonald.” He looked from Susan to Pollyanna.
    Speculation laced Pollyanna’s eyes and it made him more uncomfortable than before.
    â€œWe’re Nate’s new neighbors,” she offered, holding out her hand to shake Susan’s.
    â€œAnd we’re gonna look at some goats after you fix Bogie’s eye,” Gil chimed in.
    Susan settled questioning eyes on Nate. He wanted to leave. He didn’t want to date anyone and he didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, either. He reached for Bogie. “If you’ll lead the way, I’ll carry this big brute in for you,” he said taking control of the situation.
    He was relieved when Susan turned and led the way into the cramped examination room. Nate held the wiggling dog while Susan moved in too close for comfort to examine him. The dog, that is. But Nate was acutely aware he was still under the microscope himself. The examination only took a few minutes, but they were some of the most uncomfortable minutes of Nate’s life.
    â€œIt was nice to meet you, Susan,” Pollyanna said as they were leaving with a prescription of antibiotics and the suggestion that Bogie wear the cone another few days.
    Nate all but herded Pollyanna and Gil as he pushed them toward the door.
    â€œI’m sure I’ll see you again,” Pollyanna said, pausing. Nate rammed into her. “I have a regular zoo at my house. Do you work with birds and turtles?”
    Susan laughed, leaning against the door frame. “Yes, I do. And goats, too.”
    Nate nudged Pollyanna. “Thanks. We better be getting to that goat,” he said, knowing that would at least get Gil moving.
    Susan followed them as far as the porch. “The next time I’m out Mule Hollow way, I might stop by and visit your little farm.”
    â€œOh!” Polly exclaimed, spinning and drawing Nate up short again. “That would be unbelievably nice of you. I’ll give you directions—”
    â€œThere’s no need. If you’re Nate’s