Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
A n uncommon quiet met Reilly when he woke up the next morning. He was accustomed to city noises; He got up and dressed. Was Lynne still sleeping?
Descending the steps, the quiet persisted. The cups from last night had been washed. She must have gone to work. His stomach sank at the thought of her predicament. Her grandpa had been a smart man. It was odd that he’d ended up with nothing.
Medical bills had bankrupted so many people. It was a shame. But it might be worthwhile for him to investigate the specifics. He shook his head. He'd be wiser to avoid involvement. The memory of her silent departure lingered with him. He’d thought… He released a sigh. It didn’t matter anymore.
The house looked good. He had been skeptical, given the building’s years of vacancy. He’d predicted that dust would be everywhere.
How significantly had they cut her salary? By more than half, she’d said. How could she afford to live?
Another sigh escaped his lips. He would inevitably become involved. Hopefully, it wouldn’t lead him down a path of hurt.
Wandering outside, he walked to the barn. Just how many animals did she have?
Three horses, a potbelly pig, two opossums, one mini horse, a hawk, and a wolf. A wolf? Really? She might have been like a crazy cat lady, but with a menagerie of animals.
How did she expect to re-home them? She couldn't possibly remain here. Daily contact with her would be too detrimental. He came here to regain himself not to allow an ex-girlfriend to stomp on his heart.
Stewart would be furious if he knew, even more furious at not knowing sooner. It was best to keep Lynne a secret for now.
Now what? He had no plan for self-discovery, or whatever people called it. He needed to reignite his passion as a lawyer. He was one of the best Billings—heck, the entire state of Montana—offered. He’d been approached about a political career more than once, but his love was defending people who were innocent.
Plenty of people hired him thinking they could fool him into believing they were innocent, but he’d always trusted his gut. He’d never been wrong until recently. Was it because she was beautiful? Was it because the evidence seemed preposterous? Maybe his anger at his client's mistreatment skewed his judgement. She’d just lost her whole family.
The fact that he lost the case didn’t faze him. There was evidence he hadn’t known about. Yes, they had withheld it, but it was inconsequential to him. His client was in jail where she belonged.
Now Lynne had appeared with a sob story. She had to leave.
Another cat with fleas. Lynne let out a sigh. The interns were seeing more interesting cases than she was. Her choice was gone; if she wished to remain, she had no voice. It wasn’t a want as much as a need. She’d look at a few trailers after work and hopefully find a piece of land she could park it on.
It would have to be a used trailer. There were a few advertised in the paper, and she’d made appointments to see them later in the day. There would be no choice but to find someone to take her animals. She lacked the funds to provide both shelter and animal feed.
Maybe she was crazy, collecting unwanted pets. Well, not all were pets, but still, she should have walked away. She shook her head. She was incapable of walking away. Her stubbornness had gotten her in this mess. How would she get out?
There was a time when she felt on top of the world with a degree in veterinary medicine and a partnership in a clinic. The door opened. “Doc Lynne, your next patient is here. A new puppy checkup,” the receptionist informed her.
She spent an hour that day riding to a trailer needing too many repairs, plus it had a big hole in it. She proceeded to the second one, after specifically asking its the condition. Since the seller of the first one had insisted it was in prime condition and the one she was on her way to was supposedly in fair condition, she was not terribly hopeful. Did it even have a roof?
As she drove closer to it, she caught sight of it and smiled. It didn’t look as bad as the other one. Dared she hope?
A good-looking, physically fit cowboy greeted her after she got off her motorcycle.
A friendly smile was on his face, as he greeted her. “I’m glad you showed up. So many people make appointments and don’t show. Howdy, I’m Bob Harding.” He put out his hand.
His handshake was warm and firm, but not too firm.
“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Lynne. So, this is the trailer you’re selling?”
“It is. Everything works. It was mine until my mother passed. I live in the house now. Come, I’ll show you the inside.”
He opened the door and gestured for her to go first. It was practically spotless. Would she be able to afford it? The stove and refrigerator looked new. No, it was probably too expensive. This one wasn’t for her.
“It’s nice, but I probably can’t afford it. The amount listed in the paper must be a mistake.”
“No mistake. I tried higher prices, but I didn’t have any takers, and I’d really like to get it off my property. I’ll need you to move it by Sunday.”
“I don’t have the land yet?—”
A car drove by slowly and then backed up to a stop. Another prospective buyer. She’d need to decide now.
“It’s a deal! I’ll be here tomorrow to drop off the check.”
A grin flashed across his face “You got it, Lynne. The check tomorrow and then moved by Sunday. You’ll be happy with it.”
“Thank you!” She got on her bike.
Now who was going to tow it for her and, most importantly, where was she going to park it? Paying for the trailer would wipe out her savings. But what other option did she have? Leave Tyrone and go where? She hadn’t heard a word about the job in Billings. When she got back to the clinic, she’d call.
Had she jumped the gun by buying the trailer? If she got the job, she’d be moving. Driving past her family farm, sadness washed over her. Word was it was going to be subdivided for tract houses.
Grandpa, I miss you!
The clinic parking lot was empty. That was odd. What was going on? She got off her motorcycle and walked to the front door. It was locked. A neatly handprinted sign on the door read “Closed for today. Under new ownership.”
So, this was what it felt like to be gut punched. Who did something like this? Who kept the clinic staff in the dark about this kind of change? David West, that’s who. If he’d sold the practice, he owed her money. Sure, she’d been taking a lessor role and had taken a pay reduction, but she had paid her way into the practice in the first place!
Her hands fisted as fury hit her. Turning, she saw West’s car parked in front of The Morning Glory Café. He had the answers she needed. Marching over, she opened the door and stepped inside. It was as if she had tunnel vision.
She only saw West, who was laughing heartily, and strode over to the table. His laughter stopped abruptly.
“I think we should have a conversation,” she informed him.
A smug smile played on his lips as he looked at her. “No, we don’t. I’ve finally gotten rid of you.”
Her face heated. “Excuse me? Rid of me?”
“Your reputation has gotten so bad, only old cat ladies will come into the clinic. I’m losing money because of you. We’ve all heard how you killed one of Stewart McKeegan’s prize bulls. I should have let you go sooner.” His gaze slid around the restaurant. “Perhaps you haven't noticed, but you're causing a ruckus.”
Though her gaze remained fixed on him, her mind spun. Killed a bull? She glanced at the other restaurant patrons, most of whom were staring at her. West was correct about one thing; she was creating a scene. Huffing out a sigh, she turned on her heel and walked out the door, trying to appear fine, though she was certain no one bought her act.
It was definitely time to leave Tyrone.