7. Cora
seven
cora
J ack’s final words replay over and over as I head into town to start my job search. He means well, but to suggest that I entertain the idea of someone new after what I just escaped? Yeah, I don’t think so. It would take an actual miracle for me to want to give love another shot so soon, and I mean a monumental miracle. It’s a shame that Nash and I didn’t meet before Ryan fucked my head up. Not that I’m truly interested in him or anything. I just happen to admire the view.
How could I even be thinking about this? I need to focus on fixing my mess of a life, not another man.
Walking through Abalone Bay, I’m met with the familiar scent of salt water, the crashing of waves against the rocky shoreline, and the sense that everything will be okay. This is exactly what I need to clear my head, to get back to the Cora that’s been missing the past few years. But even in this picturesque setting, I can’t stop myself from checking over my shoulder to ensure I’m not being followed.
A burst of nostalgia hits me when shops that I’ve visited since childhood come into view. Every shop has a brightly colored awning and vibrant displays in their windows. I doubt anyone will remember me, but maybe someone will take pity on me and offer me a job.
One sign in particular catches my eye: The Caffeinated Mermaid . The large wooden sign above the door depicts a curvy mermaid with a purple tail lounging on a rock as she sips a cup of coffee. My dad would bring me here each summer to grab drinks and pastries for breakfast. He always joked that the sign was modeled after my mother, and that she was secretly a mermaid. It was our time to bond every day, and I treasure the memories.
Hesitantly, I push the door open, a bell sounding above my head. My breath is taken away as I take in the familiar interior of the small shop. It’s practically frozen in time. The walls are covered in nautical pieces of art, and a large mermaid statue still stands tall next to the display case filled with delicious treats. Part of me almost expects my dad to be sitting at our corner table with a window overlooking the beach.
Thankfully, the line to place your order isn’t too long, and before I know it, my fingers grip a cold glass of iced tea. The only thing missing now is dad teasing me over the pile of lemon wedges in my cup. Taking a sip, I’m lost in thought over my job search when, in true Cora fashion, I walk straight into a tall curly haired woman. Her coffee splatters all over the floor.
Well, if this is a sign of things to come, then I’m totally screwed.
“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention,” I say. “I’m such an idiot.”
I blink once. Twice.. Nope, the nightmare in front of me is still real.
The woman, around my age, laughs. “No worries. This is probably the universe’s way of telling me to cut back on my coffee intake.”
She grabs a roll of paper towels from the counter—which contain a higher percentage of paper than towel—and starts cleaning up the mess. I rip a long piece off and wipe the ground, noticing her eyes settle on my face.
“Are you new in town? I haven’t seen you before,” she asks. She grasps the wet paper towels in my hand and throws them away before helping me to my feet.
“Yeah, I just got here last night. I’m Cora, and I promise I’m not usually this much of a hot mess.”
Well, that last part might actually be a lie.
“I’m Bethany, and it’s usually me knocking things over, so it’s nice to have someone else do it for a change.” Her smile radiates warmth and kindness.
“If you aren’t busy, I’d love to buy you another coffee.” I gesture to the ghost of a mess that was on the floor. “It’s the least I can do after all of this.”
Bethany checks the time on her phone. “I have an hour before I need to open the clinic. Coffee would be great. How do you feel about almond croissants? My treat.”
“I never say no to carbs.” We laugh as if we’ve known each other for years. It’s been ages since I’ve had a real friend, but I can only imagine that this is what it feels like to meet someone and instantly know that you click.
Bethany and I place our orders, taking a seat at one of the small booths against the wall.
At the first bite of the piping hot croissant, I swear my soul leaves my body. A moan that sounds far too sexual leaves my lips, and my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.
“I know, right.” Bethany laughs. “These suckers are addictive. I’ve got no clue what drugs Marianne puts in them, but her croissants are orgasmic.” She takes a big bite of her own flaky pastry. “What brings you to Abalone Bay?”I swirl my straw in my cup, trying to buy myself time to decide how to answer her question. Preferably without trauma dumping on a stranger.
“Short story, I’m visiting my cousin. Long story, I just got out of a bad relationship and needed a change of scenery.” I avert my eyes and stare down at my cup. It’s uncomfortable being vulnerable, but it’s something that I need to do more often. “Now, I’m thirty-two and starting over, which is scary as hell, but my cousin’s been amazing and supportive, so that helps.”
When I look up, Bethany’s gentle brown eyes aren’t filled with pity, like others that I’ve shared my story with. Instead, they swim with compassion. She reaches across the wooden table, resting her hand on mine.
“That’s a lot to go through. I know we just met, but it takes an awe inspiring amount of strength to walk away from something that’s hurting you.”
“Thanks. I’m pissed at myself for taking so long to leave, but thankful that I finally had the guts to do it.” I shift in my seat, and Bethany must sense I’m uncomfortable.
“What are your plans for today?” she asks, changing the subject but keeping her voice casual. I’m so thankful for the change in topic.
My hand grips my cup tighter. “I have the exciting task of job hunting today.” I give her a wide plasticky smile.
“Job hunting’s the worst!” she dramatically replies, looking disgusted and shaking her shoulders as if a shiver ran down her spine. Her beautiful tight curls bouncing.
“Tell me about it. A root canal would be more fun.” I take a sip of my drink. What about you? You mentioned a clinic earlier. What do you do?”
“I’m the veterinarian in town and run the vet clinic,” she explains. Her bright yellow scrubs with the adorable daisy print make sense now. A pair of sunny yellow crocs complete the look.
My eyes widen. “Really? That’s so cool. I was a veterinary assistant for a bit before my father passed. Do you know of anyone around here that’s hiring for an office position or even retail?”
“Can you answer phones? Learn basic computer programs? Enjoy rewarding but hard work? Don’t mind the occasional difficult client?”
“Yes to all of those,” I say, trying to keep my excitement as contained as possible, but failing miserably. “Do you know someone that’s looking for help?”
“Me,” she replies with a casual grin, sitting back against the booth.
“You? Seriously?” Is this a joke? “I appreciate it, Bethany, but please don’t feel pressured into hiring me.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “Oh stop. My veterinary assistant and secretary retired last month and moved to Florida. I like to think that I can do anything I set my mind to, but I’m admitting defeat on this one. The clinic has been an absolute clusterfuck. It’s just been me taking care of patients and administrative work, but I can’t keep up. Would you be interested in the job?”
It’s too good to be true. Or am I so used to things being shitty that it seems impossible for someone to be kind?
She seems to sense my hesitation because she quickly adds, “Seriously, you would be saving my ass big time. The computer system we use is easy to learn, and all the patients are wicked cute, even if they go to the bathroom on the floor often.” Bethany lifts her eyebrows and gives me a wide smile. “Plus, I heard the boss is wicked awesome. Are you in?”
She reaches her hand across the table.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I shake her hand and reply, “Heck yeah I’m in! I promise, Bethany, I’m a hard worker and pick up things easily. You won’t regret this.”
“I have a good feeling about you, Cora.” She checks her watch and throws her head back, releasing a dramatic sigh. “I have to open the clinic. Why don’t you stop by around noon for a tour and to fill out some paperwork?”
I nod enthusiastically, not believing my luck. We exchange phone numbers before Bethany leaves, waving to me as she heads out the door.
My phone buzzes on the table, and a text from an unknown number flashes on the screen. A wave of nausea washes over me. There’s no way that this could be Ryan. I changed my number right before leaving, and barely anyone knows it.
UNKNOWN
Where the fuck are you?
My entire body freezes. An eerie chill runs down my spine. Without hesitation, I block the number as my heart pounds in my chest. I take a few minutes to close my eyes and focus on my breathing to calm down. How does he keep contacting me from different numbers? That walking ball sack has no power over me anymore. No man will ever have that much of a chokehold on my life ever again.
My knee jerk reaction is to tell Jack that Ryan has been reaching out to me so that I’m not so alone in this, but there’s no point in dragging him into my mess. Knowing my cousin, he would want to fix the problem, but my ex plays dirty. I don’t want Jack anywhere near him.
Guess what?! You’re officially talking to a woman with a job!!
Jack
That quickly? Damn, Cora, that’s amazing!
Thanks! Do you know Bethany, the vet who runs the clinic? She hired me to be a veterinarian assistant and to do some light administrative work.
Jack
That’s perfect for you. Yeah, she’s incredible with animals. We actually went to school together.
Seriously? Be honest with me, is she as wonderful as she seems?
Jack
Yes. I appear to irritate her to no end, but she’s good people.
Oh there is SO MUCH more to this story…
I’m going over at noon to see the clinic and fill out some paperwork. See you later tonight!
* * *
I park in a spot outside the small vet clinic, watching as an older man with a turtle on a leash pushes open the door and walks inside.
That’s something you don’t see every day. Though, Abalone Bay has always had some interesting residents, so this doesn’t surprise me.
Hand on the clinic’s front door, I try to calm my nerves with a breathing exercise I learned in a yoga class years ago. Going to unfamiliar new places always makes my anxiety spike, but it’s time I push through.
Pressing the heavy glass door open, I immediately scan the whole lobby, a new thing I have to do to feel safe. The familiar sounds of cats purring, dogs panting, and birds squawking on their owners shoulders greet me.
Most people didn’t understand my love for any and all animals, big or small, fluffy or scaley—even the unique ones that looked like they were from a different planet entirely. Spending countless hours in the library as a kid, poring over non-fiction books on animal species and classifications, should’ve been a big neon sign—to myself and anyone else—that this is what I’m meant to do. Another reason for working with animals is their capability to give unconditional love. That’s something that isn’t valued enough.
Of course, I knew that stepping away from my last veterinarian assistant job would be difficult, but I was not prepared for the hole it would leave in my heart. Now, in this small clinic, it’s as if I’ve come home.
Bethany spots me. “Cora! I’m so glad that you could make it.” She walks over and gives me a hug before wiping her damp forehead with her hand. “As you can see, I’m a bit swamped right now.”
“Is it always this busy?” I ask, taking in the crowded waiting room.
“No, it’s never this bad.” She sounds exhausted as she sips coffee from a mug behind the check in desk. “Maybe there’s a full moon tonight, or something? Who freaking knows.”
“Your tour will have to wait. Would you mind filling out the paperwork I’ve pulled up for you?” She gestures to a neat stack of new hire forms. “Feel free to poke around and get used to this place. I’m so glad you’re here. It’s going to be a huge help.”
Bethany disappears to the back of the clinic while I take a seat at the front desk, filling out the paperwork.
After double checking every line on each paper, I take Bethany up on her offer to take a look around.
My self guided tour begins in what I can only assume is a supply closet. Everything is neatly labeled in color coordinating bins, which is a huge relief. Clutter and chaos are not my friends.
Next, I venture into some of the back rooms. One has a newer model x-ray machine, and another is set up with a surgical table and various machines for emergencies. I’m in awe of how much time and care Bethany went into when she designed this place. Every detail is clearly arranged to ensure her patients and their owners receive the best care. If I didn’t already like her, this would seal the deal.
The final room I explore is my favorite by far. It’s where all the adorable patients are kept while they recover. The pale yellow walls are cheery and covered in thank you notes from happy clients. There are even a few adorable drawings created by kids of their beloved pets. About a dozen crates line the back wall, filled with cats, dogs, and even a few guinea pigs. I can feel my shoulders release the tension they’ve been holding as I gaze at my new animal friends. This place is an absolute dream.
“Looks like you found my happy place.”
I turn to find Bethany, holding a file to her chest with a big grin on her face.
“Girl, this place is amazing. It must have taken you ages to get this up and running.” It’s officially official: I need to be a part of it.
“Thank you. Yeah, it took a few years to get the funding, but it was all worth it. So, what do you think? Are you ready to work together?”
“Is that even a question? Yes, of course!” I’m way past trying to appear chill right now. “When would you like for me to start?”
“How does tomorrow sound?” she asks, walking over to the line of kennels behind me. Crouching, she gives a pissed off looking cat with a post-surgery cone around its head a scratch behind the ears.
I crouch next to her, chuckling at the disgruntled feline. “Tomorrow sounds perfect. Is there anywhere in town that sells scrubs? I didn’t bring any of them with me when I moved.”
“Don’t even worry about that. We look close to the same size, so I’ll just bring you a few pairs tomorrow. You can borrow those until you can get your hands on some.”
How is this woman real? It’s hard to believe that someone so kind can exist. Especially an essential stranger.
“Thank you so much, Bethany. Today’s the best day I’ve had in a very long time, in large part thanks to you.”
“Babe, us women need to look out for each other. Now, I’m a big believer in animal therapy, so feel free to hang out here as long as you need.”
Bethany stands as I take a seat in front of the cages.
“Don’t let this old lady fool you.” She points to the cat she was just petting. “Her name is Queenie, and her personality fits her name. She’s been through a lot recently, but through it all, she’s been a resilient fighter. She hasn’t lost her fire.” A bag of cat treats appears in front of my face and I grab them. “Why don’t you get to know her? I think you two have a lot in common.”
Bethany leaves Queenie and I alone, and her parting comment isn’t lost on me. I shake a couple fish-shaped treats into my hand before opening the door to her cage.
“Hey, pretty girl. So, I hear you’ve been through a rough time recently.” Queenie meows as if to respond. The fluffy orange Maine Coon stares at me with amber eyes filled with a familiar wariness. “Yeah, me too.” I slowly reach towards her and she hisses, sharp white teeth on full display. “It’s hard to trust people after what we’ve been through, I know. But there are actually some really amazing people out there.”
I pause. Am I trying to convince Queenie or myself of this fact?
“Would some treats sweeten the deal?” I ask, deciding I don’t care either way. I hold the treats close to her mouth so she can get them even with the cone in her way.
Just as I’m about to pull back, Queenie releases a soft meow. Her tiny pink tongue licks the treats out of my hand. A gentle purr radiates through her body and she finally allows me to pet her. Warmth radiates in my chest at the amount of trust that simple act required of her.
If Queenie can learn to trust people, maybe I can too.
* * *
The sun hangs low in the sky by the time I reach Jack’s house. Stepping through the front door, I’m met with a deafening cheer.
“You got a job!” Jack chants over and over again, beating a large pot with a wooden spoon like a drum.
Covering my ears, I laugh so hard that a tear gathers in my eye and runs down my face.
Jack holds his arms out. “Get your ass over here for a hug, cousin.”
I give him a squeeze before stepping back and playfully smacking him on the shoulder.
“Could you have been any louder?” I tease. Jack’s always been like this, loud and incredibly joyous. It’s one of the reasons we always got along so well as kids, now adults.
He quirks a brow. “I mean, is that a challenge?”
“Absolutely not.” I roll my eyes.
After we agree on pasta and salad for dinner, there’s a peaceful silence as we begin cooking. Cooking has never been my thing, but a salad isn’t that hard to throw together. I chop some tomatoes and cucumbers.
Jack breaks the silence just as I’m almost finished assembling the salad.
“So, tell me about the job. You said you’re going over to the clinic this afternoon, right?”
“The job sounds amazing, and it completely fell into my lap. Bethany seems like she’ll be a great boss, and you know I’ve always loved working with animals. It’s the perfect way to save some money while I’m here.”
Jack stops what he’s doing and looks at me thoughtfully. “You know, Abalone Bay is a pretty great place to live. Why not put some roots down here?”
“That was never my plan,” I reply, going back to cutting up the remaining veggies,avoiding eye contact to escape his gaze.
“Plans change.”
“Not mine. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved it here, but I can’t help but worry that if I settle down here that something bad will happen.”
“Bad? Like what?”
I almost lie to him. Since I’m already lying to myself, why not keep going? My conscience won’t let me though. I wipe my hands on a soft kitchen towel. “I don’t know, like what if Ryan shows up here? There’s a lot about our relationship that I didn’t tell you.” My fingers start fidgeting with my glasses as I try to find the right words.
Ryan was 6’ 5”, had a pretty face, wealthy family, and a great job. Too bad I ignored the enormous red flags that started to reveal themselves over time. Before my dad’s death, my self-esteem was at an all time high. As he would say, “I was all that and a bag of chips.” Watching him struggle through an unimaginable amount of hospital visits and eventually losing him shattered my world, made me question who I was and what a life without him meant. Like a fuckboy bloodhound, Ryan caught my scent and found his next victim.
Jack stops what he’s doing and gives me his full attention, his tanned face etched with concern. “What didn’t you tell me? Did that bastard hurt you?”
“Not physically, no,” I quickly say, wishing I didn’t open my big mouth.
Things started off small in the beginning, where I didn’t even notice his controlling nature. He would always choose where we went, or recommend that I wear certain outfits. Then it slowly escalated to where he was isolating me from my family. He would guilt trip me if I made a new friend at work and wanted to hang out with them. Don’t even get me started on his piece of work mother. That sorry excuse for a woman was conniving, condescending, and thought that her precious golden boy could do no wrong.
“Cora, look at me.” When I don’t comply with his request he adds, “Please?”
I do. My breath is shaky as I continue, “He never hit me, but he might as well have. Ryan took every opportunity he had to make me feel small and weak, and like an idiot, I just allowed it to happen. He’s not above using his mother’s connections to make other people miserable. So no, I can’t stay in Abalone Bay. I can’t let him anywhere near you, your parents, or my mom.”
Jack’s eyes soften. “You’ve been holding all of this in? As much as I appreciate you looking out for us, we don’t need it. What we do need is for you to be safe, and for you to know that your family has your back.”
“But—”
Jack cuts me off. “No buts. You’re not carrying this alone anymore.” He wraps a comforting arm around my shoulder. “Can I ask what happened to make you leave? I didn’t want to push you to share when you asked to come here, but I want to help shoulder some of this burden.”
This is one of the reasons why Jack is not only my cousin, but best friend. My pale freckled arms slowly become red as I flush with anger. “The final straw was when the bastard tried to sell Lola to a friend of his behind my back.” My blood still boils thinking about it. “It was at that moment that I snapped out of the fog that I’d been living in and knew that I had to get out and get out fast.”
Jack shakes his head, eyes wide. “Have you considered talking to someone about what you went through? I can get you a list of counselors that we recommend people to at work.”
“No. I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet.” I know deep down that therapy would help me process the trauma I’ve been through, but that’s a wound I’m not ready to open up.
“All right, well I’m here if you need someone to talk to.” He releases my shoulder and returns to the stove.
“Hey Jack, thank you. For everything.”
“That’s what family’s for, cuz.” Jack shoots me a shit eating grin as he settles into his seat across from me at the small kitchen table. “You want to talk about last night?”
“Nope,” I reply, popping the P . The most beautiful man I’ve ever seen accidentally crawled into bed with me and I punched him in the face. How mortifying.
“I saw the bruise you gave him this morning. Damn girl, you got him good. Glad to see that your dad’s self defense lessons came in handy.” The bastard starts laughing as he takes a large bite of his pasta.
“Ha-ha. Very funny. What was I supposed to do? How was I to know he was your friend?” I stab a cucumber a little too aggressively. “It could have been some psycho coming to murder my ass.”
“Nash Montgomery is the farthest thing from a psycho.”
Damn, even his name sounds sexy. Nash Montgomery .
“I know that now!” I practically shout at him, considering making one of the chunks of cucumber a projectile. “Honestly, I feel pretty bad for the way I reacted, even if it was a perfectly normal reaction to finding a stranger in your bed.”
“Don’t feel bad. Apologize to him the next time he’s over, if you feel you need to clear your conscience.”
My heart races as his words sink in. Does he stop by here often? This could become a problem. A very sexy problem.
Nope, not going down that road. Men are bad news. Plus, it’s not as if he’d be interested in me. I mean, not that I care.
Or do I?