Royal Trouble by Becky McGraw Page B

whoever she wanted to.  But damn if the thought didn't make his stomach lurch.  Loneliness settled in his chest and his heart sank to his toes like a rock.  He fought the urge to run over there and tell her not to go, as he watched Dylan lead her to his truck.  The man opened the passenger door, then put his hands at her waist to lift her up inside.
    Wes was definitely going to town tonight.  Maybe he could think straight then, get his head out of his ass and take care of his business.  Not pine over a woman who was no good for him.
     
    Dylan stopped the truck in front of the travel trailer she had called home just a couple of weeks ago.  It would be her retreat for the weekend now.  A place where she could avoid running into Wes Jepson every five minutes.  A place where she could gather her emotions and get rid of the anger burning a hole inside of her.  It might only be three-hundred square feet, but it was enough room for her to think.  And a place where she could be alone to do that.
    "Thanks for the ride, Dylan," she said with a short sigh, as she reached the steps to the trailer.  Rocky had been tied up giving riding lessons to a new group of guests when she called earlier, so Dylan offered to come and get her.  Her sister was going to meet her later for dinner.
    "Anytime, sugar...you sure you don't want to come out with me?" he asked with a sexy grin and a wink. 
    Leigh Ann wished she felt like going with him, it would probably make her feel better, but going out was the last thing she felt like doing.   "Nah, but thanks, I've had more than enough man trouble this week," she replied with a forced laugh. 
    Leigh Ann had decisions to make.  Like whether she was staying at the vet office or trying to find another job.  She knew at the rate she was going, Wes would probably fire her soon, so she needed to be prepared, make a backup plan.  Leigh Ann could not afford to be jobless again.
    Next week would be the test.  The schedule was packed with office visits for cats, dogs, hamsters, a ferret and a fainting goat, as well as several farm calls.  Roxanne would be there, but she expected Leigh Ann to help him.  Dealing with those animals, and helping him with his treatments was going to be the supreme test of whether things were going to work out with her being his assistant.  Considering her history with animals, the odds weren't good it was going to work out.
    Dylan's eyes narrowed as he asked, "Doc giving you grief?"
    Leigh Ann waved her hand then forced her lips up into a smile she didn't feel.  "Not really, it's just been a long week, and I need some space."
    "Well, if you change your mind about tonight and want to let your hair down, come find me at Smack Daddy's.  I'll probably be there til closing time."
    Leigh Ann stepped forward and slid her arms around Dylan's waist to give him a quick squeeze, then pushed back to smile at him.  "Thanks for everything, cowboy."
    "Just lay off the beer, it makes your clothes fall off," he said with a grin.  "I fixed the air conditioner, so you shouldn't have to strip this time."
    Leigh Ann shivered remembering.  "No more beer for me.  I learned my lesson," she assured him.  And no more Wes Jepson, because she had learned her lesson there too.  With one look of liquid heat from his hazel eyes, he made her drunk enough to take her clothes off as well.  If she wanted to keep her job, that would have to change. 
    While she was in the shower earlier, she had done some thinking.  There had to be other men out there who lit her fire like Wes Jepson.  Men who had his good qualities, but who weren't so jaded on love.  She would just have to take her time to find one, even though that was last on her priority list right now.  Wes had just been the first attractive, younger man she met after she broke free from her mother.  Leigh Ann needed to slow down and focus on getting her life together now, and finding that man later.  At least she knew now what she