Chapter Twenty-Two
AMARIE FLOATED INTO the Black Bear, a mixed ball of emotions. Giddy at having passed her licensure exam dominated, but uncertainty about Eli’s reaction to her probable career move threatened to overshadow the heaven-on-earth moment. But that’s the thing about the new her, she liked this accomplished, self-assured lady looking back at her in the mirror, and difficult decisions, like jobs and replacements, could wait until after the celebration. Her boyfriend—oh how she loved the word, and possibly the man attached to it—had surprised her with a pretty sweet bonus in last week’s paycheck.
For the rest of the evening, it was all about her and Eli. She had it all planned in her head. First, naked dinner for two. Then they would spend all night under the birch trees—the pine trees poked in not-so-pleasurable places—exercising his hard-as-stone triceps with dips of her hips.
Gracie Lou passed two bags over the counter. “There’s enough in food here to feed for three meals.”
Amarie looped the plastic over her wrist and gripped the grease-stained paper bag in her other hand. “Smells scrumptious as usual.” Amarie smiled.
“The apple butter is Caleb’s grandma’s recipe. The skillet cornbread and pan-fried trout are all mine. What you two celebrating?”
“I passed my nursing exam.” Amarie beamed.
“Of course, you did, smarty-pants. So, why are you not down here celebrating with everybody?”
Amarie realized the possibility of the whole town celebrating one of its own was unique to Service, but for her personal accomplishment, separate from the vet clinic, to be deemed worthy floored her.
“Is that an option?” Did Gracie really view Amarie as a part of Service, in her own right? Not an extension of Eli or the business? She felt like she belonged, but she had a habit of creating the world she wanted to circulate in. For years she’d created a false reality to justify staying in a failed relationship with Russell, tolerating his shenanigans. Allowing herself this joy, Amarie refused to feel guilty that she celebrated what many would consider a small win. She hadn’t gotten a job yet. She hadn’t saved anyone else’s life yet, besides her own, of course.
Gracie Lou grinned. “This is Service, Amarie. We celebrate big and small. And you being the one nurse in town, well, that’s huge.”
How could she leave a town that wanted her to be their one? She thought of how Matt and Eli had rallied to help Ruth and Phoebe, protect them when they were most vulnerable. How Leah had welcomed her with open arms and biscuits. How long had she searched for a place where she could work with people who appreciated, rather than exploited, her willingness to offer a helping hand? She’d wanted this kind of connection, dare she say family, her whole life.
“I mean with the way the bachelor auction is going, Eli can actually afford a round of drinks,” Amarie joked.
“Oh honey, the whole town is glued to their TikTok page following #SexyKittyVet. We are so proud of how you’ve worked with Eli to save the family business and land. The Calvarys are country royalty in these parts. Mr. Calvary never met a stranger. That man would give anyone the shirt off the clothesline if they needed it.”
“I think the term is ‘off his back.’”
“This is Service. Other than Noah, any man with a woman from this town knows there’s a cast-iron skillet aimed at his head if his shirt comes off for anybody except for his lady.”
“I see your point.”
“And I see that you’ve raised seventeen thousand dollars to keep our vet here in town.”
“It’s amazing really. I can’t believe we’re so close to reaching our goal.”
Gracie walked around the counter and pulled Amarie into an embrace. She smelled of flour, sugar, and hot cooking oil.
“You’ve given that man of yours a new lease on life.” Gracie Lou released her with a sigh. “I have known Eli since we were in diapers, and honestly, he was a grumpy baby. A serious toddler, and that lasted until he was about, I don’t know, maybe college. He acted like a cardboard cutout of his father. Then he married whatever her name was, but she never stuck around long enough for the town to meet her. He came back home worse than when he left. We’ve gotten our Eli back. It’s rare to find a partner in this life. What you share with Eli, it’s precious.”
Amarie’s heart started to giddyap in her chest. When she held Eli, warm and secure in her arms, he was like that long-lost missing sock. Her mate.
“Caleb and I are thinking there’s wedding bells in the future for the two of you.”
“Oh my goodness, Gracie Lou, I don’t think we’re anywhere near picking out rings.”
“You must not know our story.”
“Do tell.”
“Caleb and I met online, which is crazy because we live right here in the same town. I guess hiding behind our handles made it easier to get past folks’ opinions about us hooking up.”
“Why would folks look down on you two dating? Caleb’s perfect for you.”
Gracie Lou frowned, which was rare. “This is my second marriage. My first husband was a selfish ass. Took advantage of folks we both grew up with. I defended him at first, made excuses for his behavior. I knew he was wrong, but I wanted to be a supportive wife. People started avoiding us both, friends stopped calling. Trying to do right for the wrong man… it costs you a piece of yourself—”
“Gracie, honey,” Caleb called from the kitchen, “you going to get yourself overheated.”
A girlish grin flashed on Gracie’s face. “Isn’t your job to hose me down,” she yelled back, not caring that Amarie was right there.
Amarie cleared her throat. “You were saying?”
“Basically, I married the wrong man. The union damaged the both of us. Caleb heard warnings from every corner of the county to stand clear of me. Plus, I’ve got three years of extra road dust compared to my hot young husband.”
“The hottest.” Caleb laughed, the loud and boisterous sound carrying to the empty dining room. It was still early for the bar crowd, just past four thirty.
“Anyhoo, I tied myself to the wrong man. And the thing about forcing a fit into a space where you don’t belong—you get nicked in places you didn’t realize were vital until a part of you is good and broken.”
Angling her head, Amarie considered Gracie Lou’s journey to love. She thought of her own timeline, six years of an ill-fit with a man who could never value her love above his own selfish desires. “Wow, that’s a hardball that hit with a soft landing. I’ve been that shoe on the wrong foot. Felt the uncomfortable rub on all sides, but I was too scared to let go. Scared I wouldn’t find a shoe that looked as pretty, I guess.”
“Pretty is nice, but when a woman finds the right pair, she can go the distance, walk for miles, without pain and exhaustion. I think it’s kind of cute that you and Eli make a pretty pair. Maybe meeting each other at your lowest makes the new fit all the sweeter, huh.” She nodded.
“Try not to give him the boot.” Caleb appeared behind the bar, a tub of ice in his hands.
“Gracie Lou, Caleb, I can’t speak for Eli.”
Caleb tipped the ice in the metal cooler, the cubes crashed and banged against the metal, a noisy shower of ice cascading on top of the waiting pile.
“You don’t have to. Like I said, I’ve known him since we were in diapers. And thanks to you, he’s no longer a shit.”
“Hey, that’s my man.” The cooler door clanged with a heavy thud. Caleb waved before vanishing behind the glass wall with east-to-west liquor bottles.
“And that’s why I’m only telling you. I put a little something extra in the bag. Just for you. Carbs be damned.”
“Biscuits?”
“You know it. Finally talked Mrs. Leah into baking a batch for all the visitors coming through for the weekend. It’ll get more folks buying food and booze.”
“How did you manage to win her over?”
Gracie Lou winked. “Told her that the next fundraiser she dreams up to get those other two boys hitched up if it doesn’t happen this time around, she can kick it off here at the Black Bear. Maybe even hire a techy new nurse to overhaul our website?”
“Really?” Amarie grinned.
“Me and the mister have been talking about doing online orders for a few years now. I appreciate him taking his time with most things.” Gracie Lou winked. Amarie’s cheeks heated and she thought about the man waiting on her at home. “After witnessing all you did to make the Calvarys TikTok sensations, I figure us womenfolk can work together and make things happen. The mayor took notice, too. Been talking with the sheriff about raising money for a police vehicle with the town seal on the door.”
“Fine by me. Speaking of Kanaan, when you see him and Cocktail, let them know I want my car back.”
“What in the world for?”
“Prince and I have been through tough times. I’m driving that car till it returns to ashes.”
“Honey, you don’t need transportation no more. From what I hear, Eli prefers to carry you around. If it makes that man feel like a king to sweep you off your feet, I say let him do it while the back’s still good.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Listen to me. And listen to me good. The way to a man’s heart, it’s not his stomach, it’s opening your heart to his. That’s what you’ve done. I know their last name is Cavalry, but you’re the one that rode in and saved him, Amarie Walker.”
“I’ve never really had a relationship where my friends felt confident sharing advice for a happily ever after. This is nice. I never planned on Eli happening. Us happening.”
“I know, but maybe pretending to be happy gave you the freedom to get out of your own way and learn how to make it a reality. Loving a man is a learning process. Don’t let nobody tell you different.”
“Maybe, Gracie. I never thought of it that way.”
“I know you’ve got options now that you’ve passed your exam. Service may not have a clinic or a hospital now, but I believe we can make it happen. Just like we’re working to save the Calvary Vet Clinic. Folks are serious about other improvements. First the vet clinic. Then on to the next goal, together. That’s what family does for family; we take care of one another.”
“Wow, Gracie. Thank you for always welcoming me, like family.”
And that’s what Amarie was. Eli was her family now. She could count on him. He hadn’t let her down even though she’d walked into his life a stranger. They had gone from enemies to friends to lovers.
“Sure Eli’s looking for you by now, Amarie.”
“Oh, shoot. See you tomorrow.” Amarie was walking out the door when a beautiful woman collided with her.
“Oh, excuse you,” the woman snapped.
Amarie was in such a good mood she didn’t even get offended. She would’ve considered the woman attractive with her supermodel blonde hair pin straight, Cupid’s bow lips tight with disapproval. But her brown eyes were narrowed, shrewd, with a condemning quality. A large designer tote hung from her shoulder, and inside was a white toy poodle. Its paws clutched over the snap closure in what Amarie imagined was a Help me, please. My owner is a mean girl expression.
“Have a good day.” Amarie waved, food in hand. Heart above the clouds. New clients. Fresh lookout. The world beneath her feet. This is what it felt like to be on top.
“That’s doubtful.” She flipped her thick locks off her shoulder. “But perhaps you can be of assistance.”
The woman was a prima donna type Russell would’ve drooled all over. Okay, she could be a butt and walk away, or she could welcome this woman the way Leah had made her feel seen and heard.
“What do you need?”
“I’m lost.” She pouted as if that would work on Amarie. Save it, girl, she thought. Thank goodness Amarie had learned that she was made of tougher stock.
“How did that happen?” Amarie smirked.
“I’m looking for Calvary Vet Clinic. I got a little turned around when I came into town.”
Amarie would not be releasing Raspberry, Formerly, Graffiti, Artist, or Dove to this hapless creature. Seemed if she broke a nail, six weeks of intensive therapy sessions would have to happen for a full recovery.
“Okay, this might work out in your favor,” Amarie said. “I’m headed there now.”
“On foot?” The woman scowled.
“It’s back the way you drove into town past the main road and up the hill.”
“That’s right,” she chuckled, “the uptown Calvarys.” The drawl sounded rather refined but exasperated. “Oh yes, I remember the distinction. I’d forgotten all this uptown-downtown nonsense.”
“I’m headed there on foot. If you want to walk, we can take the bridge across the creek and, voila, you’ll arrive at your destination.”
“Is my car safe here?”
Amarie literally fell speechless. Who was this knock-off princess masquerading as if she had money?
Amarie pushed past her. “My food is getting cold. Bye now.”
“Wait up. I do have on high heels.”
“Not my problem.”
She heard muttering behind her back. No introduction. No thank you, gentle stranger, for offering to assist me in my quest.
The woman stomped along behind Amarie, talking more to her toy poodle than to the actual person who had offered her help. Amarie bypassed the house and decided it best to give Eli the signal that Cruella would not do for her kittens. Amarie pushed into the door of the clinic.
“Eli.”
“Yep,” he called, his voice harsh and none too pleasant. His footfalls came fast and rolled like thunder. And there were clicks of cultured steps on smooth tile, followed by a stride she knew without seeing his face. Amarie’s mouth fell open when she saw who materialized from the staff lounge located behind Eli’s office.
“Russell. Mom. What are you two doing here?”
Her ex spoke. “You made your point. Time to come home.”
“He came to try and take you away,” said Eli, at the same time.
Then Eli just stared at her, a ferocious scowl on his face. But then she realized he was looking right past her at Cruella.
“Cara,” Eli hissed.
Amarie swung around to stare at the woman behind her.
“Who. Her?” she asked, anger surging that she’d lent a helping hand to the woman who’d hurt her boyfriend.
Eli morphed from a grumpy vet to a six-foot angry ogre. “Cara, what the hell are you doing in Service?”
“Where did you think I’d go when you locked me out of our house? I decided to come home to you, my once-loving husband.”
“Husband?” Amarie’s mother and Russell parroted in unison.
“You never mentioned your boyfriend was married,” her mother demanded. Drop. Drop. Splat. Amarie said nothing as the food slipped from her hands in a slow-motion reel. The contents spilled onto the floor, leaking away just like her good mood.