The turkey probably wouldn’t have been much better if her dad checked on it when he was hinted to do so. She decided to keep that to herself.
“See, would you look at that? It’s not supposed to be like that,” her mom groaned.
“Well next time how about you say ‘Hey George, I need you to go check on the turkey.’ ”
“Because,” responded her mother, “I shouldn’t have to tell you to do everything.”
Juliet decided to change the topic. “So Dad, did you figure out what’s wrong with my car?”
“I did, but your mother started on me about that turkey as soon as I got out of the shower so I didn’t have a chance to tell you.”
“Okay, so what’s the matter with it?”
He chewed through a big bite of stuffing. “It’s done.”
“Oh! You fixed it!”
He shook his head. “No, I mean it’s broken. For good.”
“What! How is that possible? You can fix anything!”
“I can’t fix a broken timing belt. You should’ve let me replace that about 10,000 miles ago.”
“Why can’t you replace it now?” she said. “I need a car so I can get to Ann Arbor tomorrow for that video that I’m doing for the clinic.”
He shoved a large fork full of mashed potatoes into his mouth. “Can’t do it. The timing belt broke and damaged the engine. It’s game over. Don’t you think it’s time for a new car anyway? That Saturn is fifteen years old!”
“Yeah, except I won’t be able to get a new car in time,” Juliet said.
Plus, she was totally broke. Her parents didn’t understand why she didn’t have a lot of extra money. In their eyes, the $65,000 that she made a year was more than enough money for a single woman living alone.
Juliet knew that it was a good salary; it was more than her parents ever made when they were raising a family. The problem was that she took out $180,000 worth of loans to finish vet school.
When she did it, she knew that it would take a while to pay back, but she never actually did the math. The interest rates were so high that for her first year out of school, her entire payment went towards interest. She now put half of her wages every month into the loans.
Though they never said anything, she worried that her parents thought it was a mistake that she didn’t leave the clinic and go somewhere else for more money.
She couldn’t imagine doing that though, and it would break her heart to hear them suggest it. It meant everything to her that she could relieve stress for people who couldn’t afford their pet’s emergency.
Juliet knew first hand what it was like to lose a beloved pet and be helpless to save them. A lot of the dogs that she took care of reminded her of her childhood dog Ruthie, who all of a sudden came down sick with cancer. And a lot of families looked just like hers.
For the rest of dinner, her parents were annoyingly united. They went back and forth discussing the new car that Juliet should buy. Her dad thought she would get the best use out of a pickup truck, while her mom wanted her to get a whimsical convertible.
“Mom, how many months of the year am I going to use a convertible in Michigan?”
“Who said you have to use it in Michigan?” she said. “Why don’t you go and spend the winter months in Florida and take care of some animals there? You know what, we’ll join you!”
Both of her parents burst into giggles.
“Ha ha, very funny,” Juliet said. “I don’t want to live in Florida. I like it here. And I definitely don’t want a convertible. I just want a basic car that drives.”
“Well, what about a Hummer?” Her dad said. “I always thought you’d look good in one of those.”
“No! That’s totally impractical. Dad, when I get back from my trip, can you help me buy a car at auction – ”
He interrupted her. “Oh come on! You’re really going to buy some banged up car that got destroyed in a crash? Why not get something new for once? It’ll be the first new car any of us have ever seen.”
Juliet shook her head. “I don’t want a new car. I don’t need a new car. It’s a waste of money.”
“You didn’t go to school for all those years – ”
Juliet felt her blood pressure rising. “You know that I didn’t go to school so I could buy a fancy car.”
Her mom waved a hand. “I still think you could afford to pay less on those loans so that you could live a little. You’re only young once you know.”
Juliet closed her eyes, telling herself not to ruin the holiday over something as silly as a car. What was the point of coming home for Thanksgiving if they were just going to yell at each other?
“I know, Mom. I just don’t want a new car. I don’t think I’ll ever want one. So Dad, will you keep an eye out for something practical?”
He nodded. “Okay sweet pea, I’ll do it for you. I had a feeling we couldn’t get you to budge on that.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“But honey, I don’t know how you’re going to go on this trip. Dad’s car broke down last week, and I need my car to get to work.”
Juliet turned to her dad. “What’s wrong with your car?”
He shrugged. “Not sure. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet.”
Juliet bit her lip. “Do you know anybody who would loan me their car? For a good cause?”
“I know lots of people who would, but can’t,” her mother answered matter-of-factly.
“Shoot. Well, how much do you think it’d cost to rent a car?”
“For a week? And driving all those miles?” Her dad set his fork down and let out a sigh. “I’d say at least $200.”
“What! That can’t be right.” Juliet pulled out her phone and did a search to see how much a rental would cost.
“Well?” asked her mom. “How’s it look?”
“Dad was wrong,” said Juliet. “It’s not $200. It’s $350.”
That wasn’t going to work at all. Juliet had just enough money to pay for gas and a few very cheap motels for her trip. She could put the rental on her credit card, but she was already planning to put some expenses there, and she didn’t want to end up with a big bill that she couldn’t pay.
“I’m sorry honey,” her mom said. “I get paid next week, I can help you out.”
Juliet stood from the table and gave her mom a hug. “No, Mom, I’m an adult. I’m not going to take money from my poor, old mother.”
“Who are you calling old!”
Juliet gathered some dishes. “You always refer to yourself as my ‘poor old mother.’ It’s practically the nickname you gave yourself.”
“She’s not wrong,” her dad commented.
“That’s enough out of you,” her mother snapped.
“This is my problem,” said Juliet, “and I know how to solve it. It’s just a very…unfortunate solution.”
Juliet carried the dishes into the kitchen and pulled out her phone. She stared at it for a good minute before forcing herself to type out a text message. “How do you feel about loaning me your taxi for a week?”
James’ response came just a few minutes later. “Can’t do. Insurance won’t cover you in an accident.”
“You have to be kidding me,” she muttered. He could afford to buy ten brand-new cars even if she wrecked whatever fancy thing he was driving.
“Is it good in the snow, or is it some impractical rich person car?”
“Four-wheel-drive,” was his response.
Juliet set her phone down and rubbed her hand over her eyes. On the one hand, spending any time with her ex-boyfriend seemed like a cruel punishment. On the other hand, she would do anything to win this contest. Even if it meant dealing with James Balin.
She still couldn’t get herself to send him a message. She started washing dishes when he texted her again.
“I’ll pay for gas, you pay for snacks?”
Juliet laughed. He used to say that when he wanted to convince her to take a trip somewhere. Then he found a way to pay for
the snacks, too. If he was trying to be cute, he needed to stop.
“I can pay for everything myself, thank you. Can you pick me up tomorrow at 10?”
He responded instantly. “I would be honored.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to washing the dishes. If he was enough of a sucker to drive her around for the next week, so be it. She didn’t owe him anything. All that mattered was winning the contest and saving the clinic. That’s what she would stay focused on.
Chapter 4
On Friday morning, James got up early to prepare for the road trip. He wasn’t sure how many stops or cities Juliet needed to travel to, but he was hopeful that she would be agreeable to using him as a chauffeur for the entire trip.
In order to entice her to keep using his free taxi service, he did a couple of things. First, he made sure to wash and vacuum the car. Then he went to the grocery store and filled a cooler with all of her old favorite snacks – Combos, Doritos, peanut butter filled pretzels, and teriyaki beef jerky. As he loaded it into the car, he realized his dad would scold him for putting a cooler on the leather seats.
Good.
He also bought 24 bottles of ginger ale. He hoped it was still her favorite. He would use any and every trick to make her want to hang out with him.
James pulled up to Juliet’s parents’ house five minutes early. His stomach was unsteady. He knew that she wouldn’t like his flashy Porsche; unlike the girls he met in the city, Juliet wasn’t interested in cars, private jets or his six million dollar condo in Manhattan.
James himself wasn’t terribly into these things, either; it all sort of fell into his lap. It was expected of him – well, expected of someone in his position. The company paid for his condo and car so that if he needed to entertain an investor, he looked like he had money. It all felt fake, and he knew that Juliet would see it and disapprove.
After taking a deep breath, he got out of the car, walked up to the front steps, and knocked. After some yelling, the front door opened.
“James! It’s so wonderful to see you,” said Mrs. McCarron. “Please come in.”
“There’s no need,” bellowed Juliet’s voice from inside the house. “I’ll be down in a second.”
Mr. McCarron emerged from the side room and stepped past his wife. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yes sir,” James said with a nod. “That’s a Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive.”
“Do not start talking about cars,” Mrs. McCarron said with a sigh, “or I’ll shut you both outside.”
“You promise?” Mr. McCarron flashed a mischievous grin. “Mind if I take a look?”
James pulled the keys out of his pocket. “Of course not, go right ahead.”
They were seated side-by-side in the front seats when Juliet came out with a duffel bag.
“I didn’t know you were coming along Dad,” she said.
He ran his hand along the center console. “I wish I was.”
James leapt from his seat. “May I take your bag?”
“No, thank you. I’ll just put it in the back.”
James opened the back door for her and she threw the bag in.
“Did you fill the back seat with this cooler and a bunch of drinks so I couldn’t sit back here? I thought I was being chauffeured around?”
James suppressed a smile. “Of course not. You can sit back with your snacks if you prefer. You’ll notice that the only drink I’ve brought is ginger ale, and the cooler is stocked to your liking.”
She lifted the lid of the cooler. “I thought I was supposed to pay for snacks? And why do a bunch of chips and pretzels need to be in a cooler? Is that what you do in New York?”
Her urge to make fun of him overruled her desire not to speak to him. That was a good sign. “No, I just didn’t want all the snacks to get smashed by the drinks.”
“I see.” She crossed her arms and shot a disapproving look toward the front of the car. “Alright Dad, we’ve got to get going.”
“No,” he protested. “I didn’t take it for a drive yet.”
“They don’t have time for that!” Mrs. McCarron yelled from the front door. “Get back inside, you’re going to catch pneumonia!”
“This seat is heated!” Mr. McCarron yelled back. “You don’t catch pneumonia on a heated seat!”
“Dad,” Juliet said, “the car isn’t even on. I think you’re imagining things.”
“I made sure to heat the seats on my way over,” interjected James sheepishly.
“So it will be your fault when he catches pneumonia.”
“I’m not going to catch pneumonia,” Mr. McCarron protested.
Juliet got into the passenger seat next to him and buckled her seatbelt. She gave her dad a kiss on the cheek.
“Daddy, I’ve got a date with a parrot.”
“I know, I know. Have a good trip.”
He got out of the car. James thought they were going to shake hands, but instead, Mr. McCarron nodded once at him and said, “Drive safe.”
“Will do,” said James, returning an awkward nod. He got into the driver’s seat and closed the door.
Juliet cleared her throat. “Would it be okay if we stopped in Lansing so I could pick up a few more things from my apartment?”
“Sure, that works for me.” James wanted to ask if that meant that he’d be driving her past Ann Arbor, but he didn’t want to spoil the moment. He had a week’s worth of clothes in the trunk, because he figured it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Do you want to put your address into the GPS?” he asked.
She responded without looking at him. “No, when we get to Lansing I’ll just tell you where to go.”
“Okay.” He stole a glance at her – her cheeks were slightly pink from the cold. She was so pretty. He reminded himself not to stare. “Is there anything that you want to listen to? I’ve got lots of music, a few comedy shows, the news…”
Juliet shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I have my own stuff.”
She pulled out a set of headphones and placed them into her ears.
James did not plan for that. While he knew he’d have to do most of the talking, he didn’t expect her to come prepared to fully ignore him.
He put on some quiet music, hoping that she might change her mind. After half an hour, she hadn’t, but they were coming up on the Lansing exit and she had to start giving directions to him. He had an idea.
Just before he took the exit for Lansing, he put on a new comedy special from Jim Gaffigan. Juliet always loved him – they even went to one of his shows back when they were still dating.
Juliet finally removed her headphones. “Turn right here and go straight for about a mile.”
“Okay.”
She was about to speak again when she cocked her head to the side. “Is this new? From Jim Gaffigan?”
James nodded.
She bit her lip, listening to a joke about pizza with vegetables on top. She let out a chuckle.
Bingo. Good old Jim Gaffigan.
They got to her place quickly and James pulled into a parking spot behind the apartment building.
“You can stay here, I’ll be quick,” she said.
He was already unbuckling his seatbelt. “And miss the chance to see where you live? Never.”
“Why do you need to see where I live?”
“Because,” he said slowly, “I need to meet all of your pets so I can feel jealous that I don’t have any.”
“I don’t have any pets,” she said, grabbing her bag from the backseat.
“What? Why not? What kind of vet doesn’t have pets?”
“Just stay here, please?”
James settled back into his seat and decided that it was best not to push his luck. Maybe her apartment was really messy and she didn’t want him to see it.
Or maybe there were pictures of her boyfriend all over the place. He hadn’t found a way to ask her if she was dating someone. It would be a little obvious to just blurt out, “So what’s your bo
yfriends name?” Though that’s exactly what he wanted to do.
Juliet disappeared into the building. James waited for about ten minutes until she reappeared again with a slightly larger bag.
Before she could get back to the car, an older man approached her. James couldn’t make out what he was saying, but he could hear the increasing volume of the man’s voice. Was he an aggressive panhandler or something?
James got out of the car and approached them. He could just make out what Juliet was saying.
“I know, and I’m working on it.”
“You work on it, and I’ll work on evicting you,” the man said.
James approached them. The man had a thick accent – it appeared that the homeless population in Michigan was quite diverse. “Is everything okay over here?”
“Yes, it’s fine, let’s go,” Juliet said.
The man turned to him. “Oh it’s Mr. Fancy Car! Are you her boyfriend? You should give her some money so she can pay her rent.”
James looked the man up and down. It was freezing outside, yet he’d run outside wearing just a thin t-shirt. His chest hair was sticking out, tangled in a gold chain. James felt a flash of embarrassment that he assumed this man was homeless. Though the guy was behaving like a jerk.
James raised an eyebrow. “If I were her boyfriend – ”
Juliet cut him off. “I don’t need a boyfriend to pay my rent. You’ll get your money, calm down.”
The man threw his arms up. “You better get somebody to pay it before I kick you out!”
“Hey!” James turned to face him. “You don’t talk to her like that.”
Juliet had her hand on the car door handle. “It’s okay, let’s get going.”
He stared the man down. “I’m serious. Watch it buddy.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll get the best lawyer in Michigan to drag you through two years of eviction hearings.”
The man stared at him, clearly weighing if he wanted to continue the argument. After a moment, he walked away, muttering to himself.
Juliet pulled the car door open and took a seat. James followed.
Once they were back inside, he asked, “What was that all about?”
Veterinarian's Date with a Billionaire Page 3