by Toni Aleo
My mom was really excited when I called yesterday to tell her I was coming. I don’t think she expected me to come back. She screamed so loud even Wilbur heard her and took off under the couch. It felt good to hear the excitement in her voice after everything that has happened with my dad. It’s like a drug listening to her be so happy. I crave it; she’s always been damn good to me. Problem is, making her happy means I have to make a return trip to the center of hell.
My siblings don’t understand my dismay. They’re pumped to have me home. Well, I take that back. I don’t think Ambrosia cares one way or another. She is having a week-long heart attack. Her trip is going to start after Theo’s wedding, and she’ll be off to Asia. I laughed when I found out. Asia? My sister? She won’t make it. But then, what do I know? Some would say my dad was a smart man, and he always knew what was best for his children. He might have Ambrosia right, but he has me all wrong.
Coming back to Spring Grove will do nothing but give me a splitting headache.
A smile pulls at my lips as I ignore my destination and think about my sister heading for Asia in a little over two months. It’s funny that we’ll both be leaving town then to start a new chapter in our lives. She’s going to explore the world, and I’ll be coming back to Lexington to own half a vet clinic. When Noah offered to let me buy in after hearing about the money I would be receiving in eight weeks, I agreed without hesitation. I’ve always dreamed of this, but I never thought I would have to live in the ninth circle of hell to have it happen.
I glance over to Wilbur, and he’s hanging his head out the window, his tongue out of his mouth as his ears flap in the wind. It’s such a sight. I love this dog. I couldn’t do this without him, even though Mom wished I would. She’s sending me back to the cabin, which is another reason I’m wishing these eight weeks go quickly. No TV and no way of cooking food. I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it. If it didn’t have Wi-Fi, there’s no way I would have made it one night.
When Wilbur barks loudly, I glance over at him, and I swear the pup is grinning.
At least one of us is happy.
There’s a break in the trees, and then sun shines down on my arm as it’s propped on the windowsill. The town square comes into view, and I let out an aggravated breath.
I have arrived.
Like before, nothing has fucking changed, and that annoys me even more. I see people looking my way, taking in my big truck, and looking confused. They don’t recognize it, but then when they see me, their brows draw in even more. I have an urge to scream out the window, “I’m back, bitches!” but I refrain. I’m an adult now.
Somewhat.
Just as I’m about to turn past town to head to my mom’s, my phone rings.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, baby. Are you in town yet?”
“Just got here.”
“Oh, good. Head on over to the clinic. Dr. Ross needs some help today, and he asked if you were back yet.”
I glare at the road ahead of me. “Mom, I just got in.”
“Well, honey, he needs help.”
I want to say no, I do. But I can’t when it comes to Dr. Ross. He is the reason I am what I am. A damn good vet and a lover of all animals. “All right,” I say, turning to the left instead of taking a right.
“Great. See you soon.”
I hang up and mutter, “Not soon enough.”
The clinic isn’t far, like everything else in town. I pull into the parking lot of the clinic I grew up in within three minutes. It’s just how I remember it. The building housing Dr. Ross’s Animal House is bright green with a huge mural of all types of animals covering the outside. I remember the summer we painted that mural. Took all summer, and I sweated through at least thirty shirts. Theo wasn’t around to help—he was visiting his dad—but Devin and Holden did. Delaney also, but she was always wanting to help. She would get us iced tea, and when I ran out of shirts, she made sure I had suntan lotion. She was just there, always helping.
When I pull into a spot, I notice there is a line from hell outside of the building and throughout the parking lot. I think the whole town is here.
“What in the hell?”
I shut off my truck, put Wilbur’s leash on him, and get out quickly. After setting Wilbur on his feet, I head toward the clinic. I feel everyone’s gazes on me, and of course, I hear the chatter. It never stops in this town.
That’s McElroy’s oldest boy.
Guess he wants that money.
Isn’t he a vet? Think Ross brought him in to help?
I never thought I’d see him again.
He isn’t nice. Very rude.
I roll my eyes as I tug Wilbur along, making sure he ignores all the dogs and cats he is desperate to sniff. When we reach the front, I move past the crowd just as Dr. Ross is coming out of the back.
“Oh, thank God. I swear your momma is always coming through for me.” Dr. Ross looks tired, a lot older than I remember, and at his wit’s end. I can hardly hear him. The dogs are barking. Kids are loud as hell—and is that a goat? Shit. “It’s free rabies vaccine day, and I am swamped. Can you help me, boy?”
I walk with him as he hands a cat to an older lady. “Of course,” I agree eagerly. “Where do you want me?”
He doesn’t answer me; he looks down at the cat’s mom. “Now, Milo needs to go on a diet, Ms. Yates. You hear me?”
“Yes, Dr. Ross.”
Dr. Ross doesn’t look convinced; the cat is as round as his owner. “All right now, see you in three months.” He then turns to me, smacking my back lovingly. “Ya look good, boy, and I need you in exam room two. I’ll take one, and let’s get these people in and out.”
I reach down, picking up Wilbur. “Can I put him in your office?”
Wilbur is now trying to lick Dr. Ross, but this place is crazy and he needs to find a place to stay. “Of course.”
I follow him to the back, passing all the staff and dogs that run around here like they own the place. They sort of do. This place has always been a haven for dogs.
“It’s gonna be a long day, but I really need to talk to you about the schedule when we’re done. So let me take you to dinner tonight.” I must have missed something, but he doesn’t give me a chance to figure out what he’s saying. “Nothing has changed. We’re more digital. Everything is on these damn tablets that drive me up the wall, but it’s all the same. The rooms, the patients…though we do have a lot more animals coming in from Hamby now. But I’m sure it will be easy peasy for you since you’re a hotshot vet from the big ole city.”
“I’ll have no problems,” I agree as he opens his office door, and I guide Wilbur in. It’s just as I remember it, full of paintings his wife painted. I used to do my homework in here. I wrote my essay to get into pre-vet school here. Damn, the memories are rushing over me like a sentimental wave. When he hands me a white coat off the back of a chair, my heart freezes in my chest. What is going on here? I take it from him out of respect. Then I ask, “But what are you talking about when you say schedule?”
Wilbur goes into the office, but I don’t miss the betrayal in his eyes before Dr. Ross shuts the door. “Oh yeah, sorry. If I can get you to take afternoons, that would help a lot. I gotta be home more with Ileana since she’s been having all these issues with her asthma.”
Say what? “Sorry, I don’t understand.”
He looks back at me, slightly exasperated. “What don’t you understand, boy? I need you to work afternoons so I can take care of my wife. We’ll split the patients, and I’ll pay you good. That’s no problem. I talked to Shirley. Didn’t she tell you that?”
I press my lips together. I know it’s not his fault, but I have no desire to work here. “No.”
He gives me a sheepish look and shakes his head. “Oh. Well, I do, and since you’ll be home for the next eight weeks, you have a job.”
But I don’t want a job. “I’m sorry, Dr. Ross, but—”
Before I can finish, though, he opens the door to exam room two,
and standing at the exam table with a beautiful Dachshund is Delaney.
Her eyes meet mine just as mine meet hers. She looks good in a pair of pink scrubs, and her hair is up in a high bun. She has no makeup on, but her eyes are glowing. Her cheeks fill with color as her eyes widen in disbelief, her mouth parting a bit.
She sure does look pretty.
But this is all wrong. I had a plan to stay out of town and away from this girl who is wearing the same expression I am. I’m pretty sure my dad is up in heaven filling the clouds with his laughter ’cause my plans keep getting blown to shit.
And it’s all entirely his fault.
Chapter Nine
Delaney
So, the rumors were true. Reed McElroy was coming home.
I really didn’t think he would.
I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth as Dr. Ross comes in, wrapping his arm across my shoulders. “I don’t know if you remember Del—”
“I do,” Reed barks, his green gaze piercing into mine.
Dr. Ross doesn’t seem affected by his gruff tone. But I am. His tone hits me right in the gut, creeps down a bit, and tickles my loins…
“Oh, good. She’ll be your assistant three times a week. Good girl. Well, you know that.” Dr. Ross looks to me. “Take good care of him, all right?”
Good care of him? I glance back to Reed, and under his gaze, I actually shudder. My thighs tighten together, and my body turns to white-hotness in seconds. Shit. When Penny, Ms. Patrick’s Dachshund, licks my chin, I remember where I am and what I am doing, and I grin back to him. “Of course, Dr. Ross.”
“That’s my sweetheart.” He squeezes me tightly and, on his way out, squeezes Reed’s shoulder. Reed is a whole head taller than Dr. Ross, but you can see the respect he has for his senior. “Put that coat on, boy. You earned it.”
Reed exhales heavily and seems to hesitate before he puts on the jacket. The door shuts behind Dr. Ross, and with a bright smile, I say, “You’re back.”
He doesn’t even spare me a glance as he walks to the counter and begins looking through the drawers. When he finds a stethoscope, he says, “I’m back.”
“I didn’t think you would be.”
He comes to the exam table, holding out his hand for Penny to smell him. She’s a hussy, and soon she’s licking his hand. A slow grin appears on his face before he reaches for her, pulling her to his chest. I realize he has no intention of answering me. I don’t mind, though. I watch as he softly coos to Penny, checking her out and making sure she is healthy. As he holds her, he looks down at the iPad I have set out for him. He swipes his fingers over it as she starts to give him kisses.
His grin is unstoppable.
I swallow the saliva in my mouth. I may have been drooling. I clear my throat. “It’s cool you’re working here too. Your mom wasn’t sure you would.”
A tic appears in his jaw. “She’s a little overweight, and her iron is low.”
Okay… “Who? Your mom?”
“No, the dog,” he says dryly without sparing me a glance.
Oh. “Yes, Ms. Patrick already knows about the weight, and we’ve discussed it.”
He looks at Penny’s teeth and then her tail before running his hand down her long torso. He looks down at the iPad and announces, “I would like to talk to the owner. But before that, can you get me some iron pills, please?”
“Absolutely.”
I’m already moving before I finish speaking. I go to the back, grabbing the pills out of the top cabinet. I’ve been helping out at the clinic for a while. As with everything else, when someone needs help, I don’t hesitate to jump right in. I love it. I live for it. The perk of working at a vet, though, is loving on all of the dogs and cats.
While I’m in the back, I drop to my knees to make sure the dogs from surgery the night before are all okay. When I’m satisfied they are and have given them kisses, I stand up. I’m about to take the front way to the waiting room. But instead, I run right into Abby Mack, the full-time vet tech.
“Oh. My. God. Have you seen the new doctor Dr. Ross just brought in? I mean, holy crap on a cracker. Butter me up, gorgeous.”
I flash her an obliging grin. “You know Reed. He used to live here.”
She pauses, and then her eyes widen in shock. “Holy shit, he’s back?”
“He is.” And I honestly cannot believe it. It bothers me that he won’t talk about it, though. It isn’t like we’re two strangers; we grew up together. Plus, I’m really nosy, and I want to know!
“That’s just crazy. Is he single?”
I give her a displeased look. Why does it bother me that she’s asked that? “I don’t know.”
Before she can ask more, I shake the pills at her and run off. As I pass the exam room, though, something occurs to me. I reach for the door and poke my head in just as Reed and Penny look up at me. He gives me an expectant look, but it’s hard to think of words or even remember what I was doing when those beckoning green eyes meet mine. A tentative smile sits on his lips, and the hair that is giving him a dark and lusty five-o’clock shadow is sinful. He looks flawless in his lab coat, like it belongs on him, and it does.
But I wasn’t ready to see him in it.
“Yeah?” His voice is throaty but dark too.
All kinds of wrong in my opinion.
I swallow hard, my eyes about to pop out of my head as our gazes lock. Finally, I ask, “What do I call you?”
He furrows his brows at me. “Call me?”
“Yeah. Like, Dr. McElroy. Dr. Reed. Reed. Mr. McElroy? I need to know what to call you. For the patients.”
His eyes turn thunderous. Wow, even when he is pissed, he’s sexy. “Dr. Reed is fine.”
“Cool,” I affirm, but just as I go to shut the door, his voice stops me.
“And what do I call you?”
I look over my shoulder at him. The door is blocking most of him, but I can still see his gaze sweeping over my body.
“Nurse Delaney Kate? Or wait, I know. Nurse Sweetheart.”
He means it as a dig; I know he does, and my gaze turns aggravated. “Del is fine.”
“Sure? I know how you’re everyone’s sweetheart around here.”
My lip twists at the side as his gaze stays on mine. “Sure am.”
“And you live for that crap,” he mutters.
“Why does that matter?”
“Because it’s annoying.”
“Maybe you’re jealous.”
“Maybe I don’t give a fuck.”
Oh. Oh, my. Now, the word fuck is a magical word in my opinion. It can cut someone in half, it can make someone feel a bit of rage, and then it can make someone feel like they are about to come.
I am the latter.
And the way Reed McElroy says fuck should be a sin.
My cheeks flush, but I don’t look away. “I don’t know, Reed, maybe you should try it. You know the saying, ‘You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.’”
He looks down to Penny, kissing her nose. It breaks our intense staredown, and I’m so thankful for that. “Good thing I don’t give a damn about those flies, then.”
When he peeks up at me through his lashes, I shrug. “Ya never did.”
“And I never will,” he insists, and my heart knocks hard into my ribs. “Can you please get the owner?”
“Of course I can,” I say. But before I leave, I look back at him. He’s watching me, but he didn’t mean for me to see that. “Dr. Reed.”
Then I walk out of the room to get Ms. Patrick.
While trying to figure out how the hell I’m supposed to work here and not beg Dr. Reed to bang me on top of the exam table.
I throw a softball into the air and then set up before swinging my bat hard when the ball comes down. My frustration is real, and the ball flies through the air, landing out in right field.
I shake my head, annoyed. “Reed was a complete tool the whole day.”
Gen sits in a lawn chair by the visitor’s dugout,
a beer in hand with her ankle resting on her knee. She’s wearing a ball cap to keep the sun off her face while the rest of her body is exposed in her itty-bitty blue bikini.
She lies out, and I smack balls.
We’re two different people.
“I’m surprised he went back to the clinic. Theo said he wasn’t going to do it. His mom must have talked him into it.”
“I couldn’t tell you because he wouldn’t even talk about it. I brought it up plenty. And each time, he ignored me. I mean, we were busy, but we could have chitchatted during patients. But he wouldn’t. He legit worked on the animals and demanded shit from me. It was so annoying!”
“So, it’s annoying that he did his job and didn’t gossip with you?”
I glare back at her. “Yes!”
She snorts with laughter before taking a long pull of her beer. She misses her mouth, though, and the liquid runs down her chest. If Theo were here, he’d probably hump her.
“For my best friend, you sure don’t understand me.”
I’m answered with more laughter before I take my own drink of beer. I grab a ball, repeating the same motion I’ve been doing for the last twenty minutes. I’m just so pissed! I don’t understand why he’s treating me like he doesn’t know me. He’s all stoic and right to business. We used to run to the creek in our underwear, we shared a popsicle on hot sunny days, and we got into trouble together. Well, they did. I was never blamed. I was the good kid. It just doesn’t make sense! Add in the fact that he looks at me like a peach pie on a hot Sunday morning, and I am beyond confused.
Does he want me?
’Cause I sure as hell want him.
But he’s leaving. Oh, Del, that would be bad. It would. He has only been here maybe eight hours, but the whole day, I could see he wanted to run right back out of town. It blows my mind that he came back for the money. He’s pretty successful up in Lexington. He doesn’t need it, but he came back. It boggles my mind. I want to know more, but I know the more I know, the faster I would fall face first into his dick and, a day later, in love. I’m that pathetic. I love love. As stupid as that is, I do.