Chapter 11
11
Leo
I unlock the door to my veterinary clinic and step inside. The familiar scent of disinfectant greets me, mingling with the soft sounds of animals stirring in their enclosures.
“Good morning, everyone.” I flick on the lights. My days are filled with routine check-ups, vaccinations, and the occasional emergency surgery. My overnight animals are going crazy in the back. The best part of my morning is getting to show them some love. Most aren’t used to staying away from their owners. An elderly golden retriever named Daisy wags her tail slowly as I approach, her cloudy eyes shining with trust. “Hey there, beautiful.” I stroke her silky fur before examining the healing incision from her recent surgery. “You're looking better every day.”
As Daisy licks my hand in gratitude, I move on to the next enclosure where a feisty tabby cat named Whiskers awaits his attention. The cat hisses at me playfully, but soon purrs under my expert touch as I check its injured paw. “Alright, a few more days of rest and you'll be good as new.”
My love didn’t stop at household animals. From the tiniest hamster to the largest horse, I treat them all with the same gentle expertise and unwavering dedication. My secretary saunters in with her huge coffee cup and a bag that is clearly too big for her. “Morning, boss.”
“Good morning. Overnights have been checked on… I’m going to get caught up on some paperwork in my office until my appointments arrive.”
She sits down at the desk and signs in. “Looks like you are good today until one. Pending any drop-in’s of course.”
“Great.”
I retreat to my office and skim through invoices until I notice a newspaper is neatly folded in the corner. Curious, I pick it up and unfold it, scanning the contents.
‘Proposed Commercial Center Expansion: Potential Impact on Surrounding Businesses’ is typed in bold letters at the top of the page. My brow furrows as I read on, quickly realizing my veterinary clinic is one of the businesses mentioned.
Wait a minute. I had no idea this was even being considered. I’ll be the first one to admit that sometimes I am a recluse and miss out on important news, but this changes things.
The document details how the proposed commercial center will not only impact the land surrounding the clinic, but also encroach on the parking lot. The more I read, the more my heart sank. They are going to tear down Page Turners. That is the reason Brylee was so upset last night. Why didn’t she say anything?
Everything I've worked so hard for... I grip the paper in my hands. This new development threatens not only my livelihood but also the welfare of the animals I love and care for. The weight of the situation settles heavily on my shoulders, leaving me with a growing sense of unease and uncertainty about the future.
I pace back and forth in the small confines of my office, every step echoing my racing heartbeat. My mind races with thoughts of what this expansion might mean for my clinic, for the animals I devote my life to helping.
Dammit. I lean against the wall, feeling the cool plaster against my fevered skin. The weight of this discovery bears down on me like a vise, tightening its grip upon my chest with each passing second. I need to do something, but what?
The intercom on my desk phones screeches. Sir, there is someone here to see you .
“Leo?” Brylee's voice filters through the door. “Have you heard about this commercial center?”
“Come in,” I call, straightening up as she enters the room. Her vibrant green eyes are wide with worry, her chestnut hair framing her face like an untamed halo. “I just read about it in the paper. Why didn’t you say anything last night? This affects both of us. Hell, it affects the whole town.”
She sets her purse down. “I didn’t want to ruin our night. Can you blame me?”
I understand why she kept it from me, but now we need to come up with a plan. I didn’t vote for our current Mayor… she seems more worried about taking over our town and changing it to be the next commercial stop in. Lawson Ridge is meant to be enjoyed as a small town.
“What's wrong? You look...upset.” She reaches out, resting a gentle hand on my arm.
“We have to fight against this expansion. Except I don't know if I can,” I admit, running a hand through my short dark hair. “I have the clinic, my clients, the animals to think about. What if fighting against this is the wrong move? What if it does more harm than good? Our mayor can be a little vindictive.”
Brylee steps closer. “You've always done what's best for this community. It's scary, but sometimes we must stand up for what we believe in. Protect the community.”
I let out a slow breath, considering her words. She is right, but fear clawed at the edges of my resolve. It is so much easier to maintain the status quo, but I can't stand by and watch as my life's work crumbles before me.
“You're right. Commercial greed shouldn’t burden the businesses that have been here.”
Brylee smiles, squeezing my arm in support. “We'll face this together. We won't let her destroy everything we hold dear.”
“The paper said the next meeting is tonight. How are we going to build a case that fast?”
“Would you be surprised if I said I’ve already started.”
As we plan the course of action, I become more and more invested in our shared cause. I must protect the clinic, the animals, and the community. But along the way, I am also driven by my growing feelings for Brylee and the desire to protect her and our future together.
After hours of strategizing and gathering support from local business owners, we find ourselves at the town hall for a crucial community meeting. The air hums with an electric energy as concerned residents fills the room, eager to voice their opinions and hear what others said.
“Remember, we need to stay calm and composed when we present our case,” Brylee whispers to me as we take the seats near the front of the room. “It won't do us any good to lose our tempers or let emotions get the best of us.”
I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The thought of losing everything I have worked so hard for made my blood boil.
“Evening, everyone,” Mayor Collins says. “There are many concerns regarding the proposed commercial center, and I want to assure you all that your voices will be heard.”
As the discussion progresses, I speak up more than I planned with the potential negative effects of the development on local businesses. My heart races as I speak, but Brylee's encouraging gaze from across the room grounds me and fuels my determination. “The construction of this commercial center threatens not only my veterinary clinic but also the very soul of our town. We've worked hard to build a close-knit community here in Lawson Ridge, and we won't let it be sacrificed for short-term profit.”
A murmur of agreement ripples through the crowd, and the impact my words are having are evident. “That will conclude our meeting tonight. We will post our next scheduled meeting on the town’s bulletin.”
Brylee meets me in the aisle, and we walk outside, hand in hand. It might not be the best outcome yet, but I will keep fighting until the mayor concedes.
“Great job. I knew you had it in you.”
The days following the town meeting are a whirlwind of activity. We work tirelessly, organizing protests, gathering like-minded supporters, and spreading our message throughout Lawson Ridge. The more time we spend together, the easier it becomes to anticipate each other's thoughts and ideas.
“Hey, I picked up some more flyers from the printer.” Brylee enters the clinic, her arms laden with stacks of paper. "I thought we could distribute them this afternoon."
"Perfect timing." I look up from treating a small kitten with an injured paw. "I was just finishing up with Mr. Whiskers here."
As I carefully wrap the kitten's paw in a soft bandage. "Give me a few minutes. I’m almost done."
“Absolutely.”
She stands there, watching me. It shouldn’t make me nervous, but it does. We haven’t really talked about us, since the last night we slept together, but I am going to be patient. With all this going on, most of our time outside of work is focused on stopping this.
“Okay, all done. Take it easy for a couple days.” I hand the cat back to the owner and wave as they walk out the front door.
“You sure have a way with animals, huh?”
“Probably why I do what I do. There are definitely ups and downs of the job though. Animals don’t stay young forever, and when they get closer to the rainbow bridge, it breaks my heart to watch.”
Her hand reaches out for mine. “I’m glad you get to do what you love, Leo. Not everyone gets that. And mine is being ripped away from me. Ready?”
As we walk through the streets of Lawson Ridge, distributing flyers and talking to passersby, it becomes increasingly evident our partnership has evolved into something much deeper. We seamlessly navigate conversations, effortlessly picking up where the other left off. However, not everyone in town agrees with the cause. While handing out flyers near the town square, I encounter a group of people who seem particularly hostile to the message.
“Your efforts are pointless,” one man sneers, crumpling the flyer in his hand. “The mayor's plans will go forward whether you like it or not.”
“Change is inevitable,” a woman chimes in, crossing her arms defensively. “Why are you fighting so hard against progress?”
I grit my teeth and glance at Brylee, who stands firm by my side. Drawing strength from her unwavering support, I take a deep breath and address the group.
“Progress doesn't have to come at the expense of our community. We believe there's a better way to grow and thrive without sacrificing what makes Lawson Ridge special.”
“Besides,” Brylee adds, “if we don't stand up for what we believe in, who will?”
The group exchanges uneasy looks but, ultimately, have no response. They disperse, leaving Brylee and I to continue our work. As we walk away, there is an immense sense of gratitude towards her – not only for her unwavering conviction but also for her ability to ground me when I need it most.
I stand on the steps of the town hall, a small group of supporters gathered behind me, holding a megaphone in one hand and a stack of leaflets in the other. “Thank you all for coming out today. We're here because we believe in the future of Lawson Ridge – a future that respects our community's values.”
Cheers erupt from the crowd. I have never been one to shy away from challenges, but this fight seems more personal than ever before. It isn't only about saving the veterinary clinic; it is about preserving the essence of our small town.
“Today, we take a stand against the mayor's plans for a commercial center that will disrupt our way of life,” I continue. “Together, we'll show them the people of Lawson Ridge won't back down without a fight!”
A chorus of voices join me, chanting slogans and hoisting homemade signs into the air. In the midst of the fervor, I catch sight of Brylee standing near the front, her green eyes shining. As our gazes lock, there is a renewed sense of purpose, driven not only by my love for my town but also by the growing feelings I harbor for her.
“Look at you,” Nina says, smiling proudly as she approaches. “Who would've thought my big brother would become the town's champion?”
“Hey, I couldn't have done it without your support, sis,” I reply, clapping her on the shoulder.
“Or without mine,” Miles chimes in, grinning as he hands out leaflets to passing townspeople. “We make a pretty good team.”
“Absolutely,” I agree, eyes flicking back to Brylee. “We're stronger together.”
As we continue to rally the townspeople, it becomes clear that my dedication to the cause has galvanized not only my closest friends but also the entire community. We work tirelessly, organizing meetings, posting flyers, and engaging in spirited discussions with those who doubt the intentions.
“I just wanted to say... thank you. For everything.”
“Thank you for giving me something worth fighting for,” I reply, pulling her into a warm embrace.
“This has proven to me there is no time like the present. I know you wanted to work on some things… but I’d really like to take you to dinner.”
“Are you suggesting...a date?” Brylee asks.
“Maybe. If you're up for it.”
“I’d love to.”