"It's a pretty small detail and there was a lot going on. What will happen to the real Ruth Meadows?"
"She's missing. I think my phone calls spooked her. Then Constance probably missed a couple of phone calls and Ruth decided something had gone wrong. When the Knoxville police got to the house Sunday morning, her clothes and personal effects were gone. She left the dog she'd walked every day so she'd be seen. One of the neighbors is taking it in."
Natalie smiled. "Just like you're taking in Constance 's cat Callie."
Nick tried to scowl. "It wasn't my idea. When Paige heard there was a homeless cat, she decided Ripley needed a girlfriend."
"You could have said no," Natalie said innocently.
"I couldn't and you know it. So now we'll have two cats."
"And I have a dog. No one answered the ad for Blaine."
"To your tremendous disappointment," Nick laughed, then sobered. "So what are you going to do with her in Columbus?" he asked softly.
Natalie looked down at her pearl ring. "Have you seen that empty building on Dawn Street?"
"The little brick place beside the park?"
She nodded. "I think it would be a great place for a clinic with boarding facilities. The dogs could be walked in the park each day."
"Nataüe, what are you trying to say?"
"I'm going to buy it." She glanced up. "I believe there's room for another vet in this town."
Nick's dark blue eyes widened. "Are you joking? You want to stay here and open a clinic?"
"Yes. My life in Columbus is over."
"I thought you had someone there. Someone you cared about."
"I never told you that."
"I did a little investigating." Natalie raised her eyebrows. "Not for personal reasons. There was a murder investigation and-"
She held up her hand. "It doesn't matter. There was someone, but there isn't anymore. I've already told him. And the funny thing is that I'm not all that upset about it. I suddenly realize I haven't been happy for quite a while, and not just with my personal life. With my own clinic, I can give more personal care and run the place exactly as I please. And in Port Ariel are my father, and Lily, and…" She smiled. "Well, I just believe it's time to come home." She paused. "I might be making a big mistake…"
Nick reached out and ran a finger over the curve of her cheekbone. 'Then again, you might not," he said gently. "There's only one way to find out."
***
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