by Sarah Hegger
“Room two.” Cara pointed down the corridor. “I’ll be two seconds.” She jabbed a finger at Gabe. “You, come with me.”
Gabe followed her deeper into the building. “I don’t suppose you have…”
She shoved a stethoscope at him.
“Never mind.”
She looked around, and more talking to herself, she asked, “Anything else?”
“I—”
“Nope the rooms are fully stocked.” She gave him a push in the direction of reception. “Take the top name on the list and get started.”
It had been years since Gabe dealt with domestic pets. And their owners. He picked up the list and called the top name.
A man wielding the shih tzu followed him into an examination room. Just his luck, there was a high probability of getting bitten with his first patient.
He introduced himself and then said, “What seems to be the problem?”
“Tiger is butt scooching.”
Please don’t let it be. Please don’t let it be.
“I brought him in to have his anal glands expressed.” The man flushed.
Fuck you! Whoever the hell you are for letting it be anyway.
Tiger should have been named viper with the speed he could strike. Gabe barely got his hand out of the way in time as he attempted an examination. There was no assistant either, so it was him and Tiger’s adoring owner, who was making silly faces at the dog and cooing.
Gabe kept the irritation controlled. “Could you hold his head please?”
“Won’t that hurt him?” The owner looked concerned.
Not as much as Gabe tossing the furry little turd out the window. “Get a firm grip and don’t let him snap. Okay?”
“Okay.” The owner got Tiger’s head in a tentative grip. It wasn’t the dog’s fault. Tiger thought he ruled the roost and he did, which was not a happy place for a dog to be.
He waited until the man had Tiger under control before he went anywhere near the fiend again. Through much snarling, a few more near misses and a dry heaving owner, he got the anal glands done and Tiger on his way out.
The dog gave him one more menacing stare before he left. Just in case he thought Tiger would forget the indignity done to him today.
Cara called him in to hold another dog that needed stitches.
Next, he dealt with a cat whose teeth needed cleaning and a rabbit who was old and wouldn’t last much longer.
And so his day carried on, one thing after another, each of them the tasks that had made him certain he never wanted to do that sort of thing.
By the time they got the waiting room clear, the African sun was shrieking his name.
He sat behind the reception and put his feet up.
Cara brought them both a beer. “Thanks for today.”
“I’d say it was my pleasure, but that would be a lie.”
“Don’t be a dick.” Cara shoved his legs off the counter. “You need to let me know what you did today so I can send out invoices.”
“Gonna pay me?”
Cara snorted and pointed at his beer. “You’re drinking your salary. And think yourself lucky I’m not charging you for losing me patients.”
“Hey!” But it was a token protest as he had gotten into it with the owner of an overweight bulldog. “I’m not cut out for this sort of thing.”
Glaring, Cara pointed her beer at him. “That’s only because you’ve made up your mind that you aren’t. We treat families here, through their pets.”
“Thank you, but no.”
They finished their beers in silence.
Cara stood and stretched. She had an innate sexiness that was going to do it big time for some man. “Man, am I ever tired. I’m even too tired to play pool.”
“Say it isn’t so.” Which brought up an idea he’d had earlier. “You need a receptionist.”
“No shit, Sherlock.” Cara rolled her eyes. “But in my defense, I’ve never been this busy before.”
Gabe had to confess, “I may have had a little something to do with that. I asked my mom to get the word out about you on the prayer chain.”
“Ah.” Cara sipped her beer. “The mighty prayer chain. Thanks, I think, but if today is any indication, I’m going to have to get some help fast.”
“Kelly’s sister, India is staying with us,” he said. Some independence might be great for India. A job, even a temporary one, might show her that there was life after Piers. “I could see if she’s interested, and she might have to bring her son with her. Although I’m sure Ma can help with that.”
“She anything like Kelly?”
“Nope.” The idea made him laugh. “She is nothing like Kelly.”
“That’s a pity.” Cara shrugged. “I like Kelly.”
Gabe sipped his beer. Yeah, him too.
*
Kelly was having a weird day, which might account for her weird mood.
Vince sat at her counter drinking coffee. He’d been there for longer than usual and had been talking for most of that time. “So she said she had to have this new nail polish crap, you know?”
Kelly didn’t know, because she wasn’t really listening. She made a noncommittal noise and smiled. The line in front of her counter was eight people deep, and the bell over the door jangled with another customer.
“But she’s fourteen and…”
She turned on the frother and the noise drowned out the rest of his story.
Not that she didn’t appreciate him spending time with her, but Vince chattered on, oblivious to the packed coffee shop around him. There was not a seat open, and the orders were piling up. She really needed another body to help with the workload.
“What do you think?” Vince looked at her.
She’d missed something. “Think about what?”
“You’re not listening to me.” He raised an eyebrow.
She considered lying and then shrugged. “I’m sorry, I’m busy here is all.”
“Oh, right. Right.” He glanced about him with a look of mild confusion. “It is busy in here.”
“You think?”
He looked chagrinned. “Sorry, Kel. I didn’t notice.”
“That’s fine.” Although she didn’t get how he hadn’t noticed with the number of bodies brushing past him. “So, what were you asking?”
“I was talking about Hannah.” He leaned his arms on the counter. “She wants to start using makeup, but I think she’s too young. She’s been using nail polish for a while.”
“Hi.” A dark-haired guy in his mid-forties edged around Vince at the counter. “Can I get a cappuccino? Extra hot.”
“You got it.” Kelly gave him her sassy smile.
He grinned back, not bothering to hide his appreciation. “I’m Dave, and I’m new in town.”
“Nice to meet you, Dave.” Again with the new in town thing. “I’m Kelly.”
“I see that.” Dave’s gaze lingered over the breast under her name badge.
Turning to face Dave, Vince held out his hand. “Vince Greerly. Kelly’s…friend.”
“Uh…hi.” Dave shook Vince’s hand, and beat a retreat to the other customers waiting for their orders.
Vince turned back to her. “So, do you think I should let her?”
“What?” Kelly had no idea what he was talking about.
He enunciated slowly and clearly. “Let Hannah wear makeup.”
“I don’t know, Vince.” She burned her hand on the steamer, which made her next words terser. “I’m not her mother. Ask Chelsea what she thinks.” Words Kelly never thought would come out of her mouth.
“I did.” Vince looked taken aback. “I already told you that.”
“Samantha?” Kelly read the name of the next order.
“Here!”
Kelly put the four lattes int
o a tray and handed them to Samantha.
Vince stood. “Look, I’m in your way.”
“I am busy right now.” Kelly didn’t see the point in prevaricating. “Maybe we can talk later?”
“Sure.’ He cleared his throat. “Actually, I was hoping we could have that second date. The adult one.”
“Really?” He had promised he would do the asking this time and he had. Kelly’s smile was unrestrained. “I’d really like that.”
“Friday at seven?” His face flushed and he looked pleased.
“You got it.”
Vince leaned over and kissed her briefly on the mouth. “I can’t wait.”
“Same.” An adult date would be great, but her customers were starting to show signs of impatience. “I need to get back to work.”
“Sure you do.” Vince winked at her and stood. “And Kel?”
“Yup.” She waited before she turned the steamer on.
Vince stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m glad we’re doing this.” He motioned between them. “Exploring this thing between us.”
“Same.” And this time she didn’t need to fake it. She tugged him back for another quick kiss and let him go. “ Now get out of here. People need their coffee.”
“Damn right,” Dave muttered.
Vince’s kiss was nothing like kissing Gabe. With Vince, it was like turning on the switch, but with Gabe it was like shoving a screwdriver straight into the electrical socket.
She couldn’t commit to this thing with Vince for as long as she kept almost climbing into Gabe’s pants. She wasn’t fooling herself about that. If she and Gabe kept carrying on like they were, it was only matter of time before place and opportunity presented themselves.
Vince stepped back and nearly ran right over India. He caught her and steadied her. “India?”
“Vince?” India stared up at Vince.
Vince blinked and stared at India.
“Excuse me.” A customer threw him a look and brushed past him with their order.
“Wow! Look at you.” Vince stepped out of the way. “All grown up.”
India managed a wan smile. “And no more braces.”
Kelly kept her eye on India as she completed Dave’s order. She didn’t like the way her sister flinched around all men.
Dropping his hands from India, Vince studied her. “How are you doing, darlin’?”
“Okay.” India responded to his gentle tone. “I have good days and bad days.”
“Sure you do.” Vince reached for her and dropped his hand before he made contact. “You need to be patient with yourself.”
“I will be.” India flushed. “Thank you, Vince.”
“My pleasure. It’s really nice to see you again.”
India flushed. “Same.”
“Well, I’ll see you around.” He gave Kelly another wave. “I’ll text you.”
India slid behind the counter. “Dot is watching Jacob and she suggested I get some fresh air.” India had said that as if she expected to be rebuked.
“It’s okay, India. All mothers need time to themselves.” Kelly forced a cheerful smile. “At least that’s what the books tell me.”
“I feel…guilty.” India scrubbed her hands on her thighs. “Like I should be with him all the time.”
Kelly wanted to talk to her sister, but she had customers waiting. “Listen, help me here, and then we can have a cup of coffee and chat some more.”
“Oh.” India’s eyes widened. “I don’t think I can work the machine.”
“Then why don’t you work the cash register? It’s really simple.”
India gave her a timid smile. “That I can do.”
Ten minutes later, Kelly wished she’d put India in a chair with a coffee. Customers made India nervous, and she fumbled their money. Twice she’d rung up the wrong thing, and Kelly had to stop and void the transaction.
A few times a customer had to correct her on the cost of their order.
“India?” India was so fragile, she didn’t need Kelly bitching her out when she was only trying to help. “Can you grab some more bags of coffee from the back?”
“Sure.” India leaped up with an alacrity that spoke of how much she hated doing the register.
Fortunately, the shop was quieting down, and Kelly managed on her own. But days like that were happening more and more often, and it would start to cost her business if she didn’t find help.
Maybe not India, though. Except, it wasn’t fair to criticize India for today. Kelly had dropped her in the deep end and expected her to swim. With training, India would be fine.
When India came back with the coffee, Kelly tried again. “Thanks. Do you think you can load those cups into the dishwasher in the back?”
“Sure.” India scooped up dirty coffee mugs and headed into the kitchen.
As Kelly was handing over a caramel latte, a crash sounded from the back. Kelly flinched and hoped it wasn’t as many cups as it had sounded like.
“Kelly?” Eyes swimming with tears, India stood in the kitchen doorway. “I’m so sorry, I—”
“It’s okay, India.” Kelly stopped long enough to give her a big hug. “Accidents happen. You wouldn’t believe how many cups I’ve broken.”
“Really?”
“Really.” It was tragic how India’s confidence had disappeared. “Be careful you don’t cut yourself.”
India nodded. “I’ll fix it, Kelly. I promise.”
“It’s okay, darling.” Kelly put as much reassurance as she could into her voice.
Nodding, India slipped back into the kitchen.
India’s self-esteem seemed to be rock bottom as well. India had never been an outgoing kid. She was always introverted and quiet, but this whipped look she wore was completely new.
Kelly’s anger against Piers hardened. Someone had done this to her little sister, and despite his visit the other night, her money was still on Piers.
India’s brokenness hadn’t happened overnight. Someone had filled her with fear and anxiety, and that person would pay for that. Kelly would make sure of that.
Chapter Fifteen
Getting ready for her second date with Vince was easier than the first. Given it was an adult date and the only date-worthy restaurant in town was the Grove, she knew where they were going. Also, Vince had called and asked if they could not go out of town. He didn’t want to be too far from his children.
Kelly went all out: hair, makeup, little black dress and heels that made her legs look miles long. Even if she did say it herself, she had it going on.
Right on time, Vince rang her doorbell.
He looked good in a button-up and dress pants. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.” Kelly leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Vince helped her into her coat. “You look nice.”
Nice? Nice! Forty minutes on the makeup, thirty for the hair deserved more than nice. “So do you.”
He opened the door for her and lying on her seat was a single white rose. And like that she forgave the nice thing. Vince had remembered she didn’t like red roses as much as white. On their second date, way back when, he had also brought her a single white rose.
“Thank you.” She picked the rose up and smelled it as he climbed in the driver’s side.
Vince leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome. I’m glad we’re doing this.”
“Me too.”
Classical music played over the radio as Vince drove them to the restaurant.
Kelly restrained the urge to fidget. “I assumed we were going to the Grove.”
“You assumed right.” He smiled as he drove.
Vince drove exactly at the speed limit, signaled before he did anything, and came to a full stop every time. If she had been driving, she might have turned his hair gray by now.
Whistling through his teeth, he tapped one finger on the steering wheel in time to the music.
Not being able to come up with a topic of conversation, she watched the passing scenery.
What was Gabe doing tonight?
When Kelly had called India earlier to check on her, and also to ask for dress advice, India had said that Gabe would be out for the evening and she, Jacob, and Dot were heading over to see Claire and Poppy at Winters House.
Saturday nights with Claire, Dot and Poppy had become an informal thing since Claire had been there. Kelly was relieved to see India getting out.
“Here we are.” Vince broke the silence
The Grove parking lot was nearly full, and they drove down a couple of rows before finding a spot. Vince opened her door for her and took her hand as they crossed the parking lot.
As they walked to the restaurant, delicious cooking smells hit them.
Vince took her coat and handed it to the hovering hostess. “Is this okay?”
“Yes.” More than okay. Kelly had no idea the place was so nice.
Vince had made a reservation, and they were taken to a table by the window.
“It’s lovely in here, ” Kelly said. Beams crossed the high vaulted ceilings. The tables were all set with white tablecloths, gleaming glassware and silverware. One perfect lily sat on each table. It was tasteful and elegant and totally worth a great dress and heels. “I’ve never been here.”
“No?” Vince raised a brow. “Why not?”
“No real reason to come.” And that sounded a lot more pathetic than she’d meant it to. “I mean, I work long hours, and the Twin Elks dating pool has never been deep.”
“Right.” Vince laughed.
They looked at each other and smiled. She didn’t know if Vince had any hobbies they could talk about. God knew hers were down to Netflix binges and the occasional book, neither of which made for scintillating conversation. She couldn’t remember Vince ever reading much.
Tapping his fingers on the tabletop, Vince looked out the window. “The view must be amazing in the daylight.”
“Yes.” Kelly jumped on the topic. “It’s pretty good now. With all the lights and stuff.”