A/N: Thanks to everyone that has added Gold Buckle Dreams to their story alerts and favs. You guys rock my world!!! Reviews are what encourage me on! Had a great time this past weekend at the barrel race, was 20th out of 136 runners, so I was pretty excited about that!

Thanks to the one and only StephieB for cracking her whip and keeping this fic straight!

Disclaimer – Stephenie Meyers owns all that is Twilight.

Chapter 6

Diagnosis

BPOV

What… The… Fuck… Was…That? If I weren't out of the whole dating, flirting scene I would swear that the man of my dreams was actually saying he wanted to see me again. No! He was just being nice. There is no way someone that looks like him could ever want to go out with someone that looks like me. I am so not in his league. Back to reality Bella! I am not here to make googly eyes at the sex incarnate. I have bigger things to worry about; especially what Dr. Cullen is going to say when I walk into his office.

I have been lost for so long during my marriage that I never would have thought in a million years that I could ever feel like the old me. These last few days with Phoenix have been exactly what my soul has been longing for. I have felt more peace in the last few days then I ever did in three years of marriage. Pieces of the puzzle that were once missing seem to be fitting back into place.

Walking towards Dr. Cullen's office I take one deep breath as I cross the threshold. Once inside I am surrounded by warmth and comfort, the office is very tastefully decorated. There is a mahogany desk situated almost in the center of the office, with a burgundy leather wing back chair. Directly behind the desk are what I assume to be Phoenix's x-rays hanging on the white backlights. Covering the walls are various pictures, a large horse anatomy poster, more race track winner circle pictures and numerous degrees from various Universities.

Dr. Cullen's back is to me as he intently studies the x-rays hanging against the whitish-blue light. Ugh, this can't be good. He turns towards me as he hears me enter the room and speaks softly, "Please take a seat Bella." I numbly do as he instructs, expecting the worst. I sit on the edge of a comfortable chair, covered in leather and cowhide. I run my fingers through the hair on the chair as he continues talking. "My main question is…what are your long-term plans for Phoenix?" He glances back at the films then directs his gaze back to me. Dr. Cullen has a way about him that is very comforting and for that I am extremely grateful because I suddenly feel sick to my stomach.

I look down nervously at my hands in my lap "Well Dr. Cullen, um… I mean Carlisle. If Phoenix came away from this vet visit with an okay from you I really was going to get back in to barrel racing. If that was no longer an option for her; then I would breed her and raise beautiful, talented babies." Why would he ask me that? Crap I just bought a freaking broodmare! Great way to go Swan! When I fell out of the bad luck tree I must have hit every branch on the way down!

Dr. Cullen moves to take a seat at his desk. "Well Bella, I am not going to lie. At one time Phoenix's injury to her back leg was horrific to say the least, she actually had nicked her suspensory tendon. See here on the x-ray." He once again stands and motions to one of the films behind him. "There is some scar tissue still visible, which is the cloudy gray color you see. It does appear that everything has healed nicely. She may need some extra hydro-therapy on the leg after each work out and maybe some Absorbine rubbed on it. But honestly Bella, I think she will be quite alright to proceed in whatever fashion you see fit. Just remember it has been awhile since she has been ridden so take it slow with her for the first few weeks." Dr. Cullen smiles warmly and settles deeper into his chair and crosses his arms.

There is a god and he loves me!!!! This man has just made me the happiest girl of all time! I am one step closer to getting back into that arena and doing what I love so much! "I don't know how to thank you enough Carlisle; seriously you do not understand how happy this makes me!" At that exact moment the euphoria of what he just said actually sinks in, I feel like I am rocket launched out of the chair as I lunge forward to give this wonderful man the biggest hug I can muster. I fell him start to shake as I realize he is laughing.

"No problem Bella. I much would rather deliver good news to an owner than bad, especially if I get this kind of reaction from them." I step back and nod my head at him, "Oh Bella one other thing; I have worked out a strict diet for Phoenix for the first few weeks. She is still a little on the malnourished side. We need to make sure she is gaining weight in a healthy way."

"No problem Carlisle! I will make sure that she has everything that she needs." I smile at him as I take the paper from his hand.

Dr. Cullen chuckles and smiles warmly at me, "Somehow I do not doubt that Bella, she is in good hands now"

As I walk back to the truck and trailer to load up, I can't help but think of all the possibilities that are now before me. There will be a lot of work ahead before we can actually enter our first rodeo. Months of conditioning, not to mention hours of practice brushing up on Phoenix's skills, I am sure we are both rusty when it comes to the barrel pattern itself. I am so lost in my own thoughts I do not even realize that there is someone leaning against my truck door as I walk around to get in.

For the second time today I am assaulted by the man I am sure I could never have, and if at all possible he looks better than before. Edward looks like he just got out of the shower. His hair is still a little damp and hanging slightly in his eyes, I fight every urge I have to walk over and brush the strands from his eyes. He is wearing a tight fitting black t-shirt with a pair of distressed jeans. His shoes appear to be black Converse low tops. Edward totally pulls this look off. There is a god and he definitely loves me today!

"Hey Bella." God, his voice sounds like velvet. "I just wanted to see what my dad had to say about that mare of yours?" Lord he is just too gorgeous for his own good, even when he is trying not to be…..

"Oh thanks for asking Edward. Your dad said that everything healed well from her injury on her back leg. He gave me the go ahead to start conditioning her. I am pretty excited about it; I can't wait to get back on a horse again after all this time." I finally look up at his beautiful face. He is smiling that damn crooked smile again. Edward has some of the most dazzling white teeth I have seen. I really have it bad for teeth, I chuckle to myself.

"What are you going to use her for? Just pleasure riding or do you have something else in mind?" As I watch his mouth move to form the words, all I can think about is how much I want his lips all over my body…

Snap out of it Bella he just asked you a question! "I am going to start running barrels again. I have been living out of state for awhile, I moved back home to be closer to my mom and my cousin Alice. There is nothing like feeling the adrenaline course through your veins as you run down that alley for that first barrel. Nothing can top it!" I have always loved talking about the sport that I love. I look up at Edward; I notice his eyebrow quickly shoots up. I wonder what that was all about.

"So you are a barrel racer? I treated a lot of barrel horses when I was in vet school at A & M, also had an extensive clientele when I worked for a practice in Stephenville before I moved here." Edward's face seems to have a hint of sadness as he continues. "Barrel Racers… well… um… let me just say they are an interesting breed of woman." I wonder what he meant? Then I remember Emmett and Jasper had said he had dated a barrel racer on the college rodeo team at A & M. I wonder what happened to her? I may ask them.

Just as I was about to ask Edward if he remembered Emmett and Jasper my cell phone rang. Perfect timing! It is probably Alice. She always has a way of interrupting at the most inopportune times! I glance at Edward, his face is not as sad as it was awhile ago. I smile reassuringly. "Could you please excuse me? I will be right back." I ask hoping he doesn't magically disappear as I step to the rear of the horse trailer to answer the call.

"Hello? Oh! Hey Jake, how are you? Tomorrow night? Yes that is fine. No, six o'clock is too early I will still be out in the barn. Can we make it eight? Okay, see you then. Bye." Great I groan to myself. I am pretty sure that Edward just heard my whole conversation with Jake. Really what does it matter if Jake wants to go out with me, Edward Cullen has not asked me out, like he even would. I shake my head as I walk back around to where he is still standing. Glancing down at my watch I realize I really need to get going. I promised to help Mom with an unruly colt this afternoon.

"Well Edward, I really need to be headed home. I have got to get my mare tended to and I promised Mom I would help her with a colt this afternoon. It really has been nice talking with you." I extend my hand, just like last time the minute our skin touches I feel that electrical current start flowing through my whole body. How the hell does he do that?

EPOV

There it is again that jolt of electricity.

Why does this woman have this effect on me? And who the hell is Jake and why the fuck is he calling her? It actually sounded like they were planning a date. Calm down Edward, there is no need to get bent out of shape. Bella is a single beautiful woman of course she is going to go out on dates. The problem is why am I seeing red at the thought of another man laying his hands on her? Fuck! Never has one female been able to elicit these kinds of strong urges from me when I first meet them. Not even Tanya. It is like she is the most powerful force in the universe and I am unexplainably drawn to her.

She is getting in her truck idiot! Say something before she drives off and thinks you are not interested!

"Oh… hey Bella…here I want to give you my personal cell phone number. Just in case you need ANYTHING, ANYTHING at all…well you know when it comes to your horse." Damn it to hell! I feel like I am back in elementary school flirting with the prettiest girl in class. SHIT! Cullen get it together!!

Bella takes the card, looks up at me through her long eyelashes. Her mouth begins to crinkle at the corners as she starts to smile. "Oh…okay…thanks Edward. I will be sure to hang on to this in case I need anything….well anything for Phoenix that is."

Just like that she gets in her truck and drives away with my heart. I begin walking back to the house when I realize what she called her horse, Phoenix. It couldn't be! I barely looked at the mare when dad was examining her. I only have known one mare named that and I was told by someone I once trusted that the mare I had known as Phoenix was dead…

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End Note: I have put a link on my profile page to tendon injuries if you are confused as to what Phoenix's injury is. Please review guys it makes me happier then Bella's vet visit.