Chapter 15 #2
After slipping on a red sundress, she contemplated going over to Mac and Maddie’s early to help them finish getting ready but dismissed that idea.
They needed some time alone after the day’s drama.
With an hour to kill, she sat down at her computer workstation and thumbed through the files in the drawer.
Finding the one she wanted, she pulled it out and opened it on the desktop.
Memories came flooding back. Transcripts and letters of recommendation and applications and essays.
Her professors in the school of animal sciences at the University of Connecticut had written glowing letters.
Enclosed in the folder was the rejection letter from the top-ranked Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
But she had gotten into number two Colorado State and number five Ohio State.
She’d all but settled on Doc Potter’s alma mater, Ohio State, when David convinced her they couldn’t possibly both go to medical school.
“What an idiot I was,” she whispered as she read over the letters from her professors.
Remembering her trip to Columbus, Ohio, Janey smiled and thumbed through the catalog of courses.
A zing of anticipation raised goose bumps on her arms. She’d been so excited, so certain of her calling in life.
And then David had stepped in and changed her plans.
“Never again,” she vowed. “I will never again allow a man to make decisions for me.” She skimmed through the catalog twice more. “But if I’m in Ohio, how can I start a relationship with Joe?”
“Why not?” she heard him say as if he was right there in the room with her. “Why couldn’t we have it all, baby?”
Janey smiled. That’s exactly what he’d say. Encouraged by his imaginary support, she fired up her laptop and, before she could lose her nerve, sent off e-mails to the three UConn professors who’d recommended her, asking if they’d be willing to endorse a better-late-than-never applicant.
She couldn’t wait to tell Joe.
As she was getting ready to leave, her cell phone rang. Kay Lawrence. Again. Reluctantly, Janey took the call from the woman who’d been like a second mother to her.
“Hi, Kay.”
“Oh Janey! Thank goodness you finally picked up. I’ve been really anxious to talk to you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just needed some time.”
“Please don’t apologize to me. I should be apologizing to you.”
“It’s no reflection on you.”
“Could we get together, honey? I’d love to see you.”
“Things are so crazy this week with Mac’s wedding.”
“You need to talk to David, Janey. He has something he has to tell you.”
“I have nothing to say to him.”
“You can’t mean that—”
“I mean it, Kay.” Janey regretted taking the call when she’d been in such a good mood. “I know that’s not what you want to hear, but I can’t possibly marry him now.”
“Would you please wait until you talk to him before you make any decisions?”
“I’ve already made my decision, and I won’t change my mind.”
“You might when you hear what he has to tell you.”
Janey’s stomach began to hurt. “I have to run now, Kay. I’m due over to Mac’s for a cookout.”
“We both love you very much, Janey,” Kay said, her voice thick with tears. “Please let David tell you what he needs you to know.”
“Bye, Kay.”
By the time Janey arrived at Mac’s, the setting sun had cast a warm glow on the yard and the meadow that stood between Mac’s property and the coast. Sitting in chairs sprinkled around the yard were her parents, Luke Harris from the marina, her dad’s friend Ned, Maddie’s sister Tiffany and her family, Maddie’s coworkers from the hotel, and some of the other guys from the docks, all of whom greeted Janey with hugs and words of encouragement that touched her heart.
She had to give Maddie credit. No one would ever know she’d been traumatized earlier by her mother’s less-than-favorable reaction to her engagement.
Wearing a white top over red shorts, she flitted about making sure everyone had drinks and passing trays of hot and cold appetizers while Mac worked the grill.
He looked so happy and content that Janey was almost tempted to tell him about her and Joe.
Almost.
Her father came up to her and slid a tree-trunk arm around her, tugging her in close to him. “How’s my princess?”
“Hanging in there, Dad.”
“I’m proud of you.”
She glanced up at him. “For?”
“Holding your head up. The gossips on this island can be vicious when they get a bone to chew on. You’re not hiding out.”
“What else can I do?”
Big Mac kissed the top of her head. “That’s my girl.”
“Could I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Remember a few years ago when I was thinking about going to vet school and David was worried we couldn’t afford for both of us to go?”
Big Mac’s normally amiable expression shifted to a scowl. “I don’t like to think about that.”
“I know it was upsetting to you.”
“I would’ve given anything to see you in vet school. It’s where you’ve always belonged.”
“I was kind of hoping you’d say that.”
A white brow lifted in question.
“Are you still willing to float me a loan?”
“Really?” he asked softly.
She bit her lip and nodded.
“Oh, baby.” He enveloped her in a tight embrace. “No loans.”
Surprised, she pulled back to look up at him. “I know you just retired—”
“Don’t say another word,” he said with a playful scowl. “I will not loan you the money. I will gladly and happily give it to you. It would give me great pleasure to see my daughter become a veterinarian. Allow me to do this for you. Please.”
Janey smiled at him, knowing she could argue all day and he wouldn’t budge. “You’re sure you can swing it?”
“I might have to switch to hamburger instead of steak,” he said with a teasing grin, “but I’ve got you covered, Princess.”
She hugged him again. “Thank you.”
“Now I’m even more proud than I was before. This is the best news since your brother’s engagement.”
“Don’t say anything about it yet. I still have to get in.”
“My lips are sealed.”
Janey eyed him skeptically. The news would be all over the docks in the morning, and they both knew it. “Sure they are.”
They shared a laugh, but Janey’s smile faded when David strolled into the yard.
“What’s he doing here?” Big Mac asked, scowling again.
“Good question.” Janey squeezed her father’s arm and went to stop David from progressing into the party.