Chapter 11
11
T he tantalizing aroma of bacon coaxed Lila from her bed. After throwing off her covers, she headed for the shower. While she dressed, she took a quick mental inventory of the day ahead of her—Doc Tillman’s first day back at the clinic.
It was Monday, and they had no overnight patients at the clinic, no boarders.
The first appointment wasn’t until after lunch. She’d been scheduled to go out to Teton Trails later in the afternoon to check on one of Charlie Grace’s trail horses, thought to have an infected abscess on its leg.
Things had remained busy in Doc’s absence. She hoped to show him the clinic had been left in good hands.
Downstairs, she headed for the kitchen to find Camille standing at the stove with a spatula in her hand. “Morning, Mom.”
“Well, what’s this?” Lila asked, peeking over her daughter’s shoulder.
“I made breakfast.”
“I see that.” Lila had noticed a growing maturity in her daughter lately—a glimpse of the woman she would become. She liked what she saw. “Thank you, honey. I’m starving.”
While she didn’t have time, she sat and let her daughter bring her a plate filled with bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast.
“I know you’re in a hurry,” Camille said. “So, eat and I’ll clean up.”
Lila swelled with pride. “That’s so thoughtful. I need to get to the clinic this morning.”
“Yeah, ’cuz Doc’s back, right?”
“He is,” Lila confirmed. She scooped a bite of eggs. “I need to bring him up to speed on everything.”
After finishing her food, Lila kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Thanks again, honey. Gotta go.”
Camille shooed her out the door but before she reached her car, she called her back. “Mom. You forgot your keys.” She dangled the set from her fingers.
Lila scrambled back and hooked them over her own finger. “Ugh. My mind this morning.”
Minutes later, as she steered her car down the winding roads toward the vet clinic, her mind continued to buzz with the imminent return of Doc Tillman. Emotions tangled within her, an unease she grappled to admit.
She was grateful for her job. But her boss’s condescending demeanor always managed to chip away at her confidence. His arrival meant enduring his patronizing remarks and belittling attitude, stirring up feelings of frustration and inadequacy she’d rather keep buried.
Through the windshield, the early autumn morning unfolded like a scene from a picture-perfect movie. The sunlight danced upon the foliage lining the river outside of town, painting the landscape in hues of amber and gold. Lila couldn’t help but be captivated by the serene beauty surrounding her, even as her thoughts continued to drift back to Doc’s return.
As Lila’s car approached the outskirts of town, Thunder Mountain came into view. The quaint charm of the town enveloped her as she drove along the main street. Wooden sidewalks lined with rustic storefronts greeted her, each building adorned with awnings. Whisky barrel planters brimming with vibrant mums and trailing bright green potato vines added bursts of color to the scene, creating a picturesque tableau against the backdrop of the mountainous landscape. The sight filled Lila with a sense of nostalgia, reminding her of the simplicity and beauty of small-town life.
She offered warm smiles and waves to familiar faces of townspeople beginning their day. Barb Miller and Patty Guerard stood at the front of their tiny clothing store, Apricot Lane, hanging a sale sign on their front window offering forty percent off summer items. Albie Barton was busy unlocking the door leading into the Thunder Mountain Gazette office. Dorothy Vaughn stood at the open door of Bear Country Gifts and waved as Lila passed.
Lila took a deep breath as she slowed at the intersection leading to the vet clinic. “Well, here goes,” she said out loud while pulling into the gravel parking lot minutes later.
Doc Tillman was in the back. “Morning,” he said, in a singsong voice Lila barely recognized. “How are you this fine day, Lila?”
She tried hard not to frown. Who was this man, and where had her boss gone?
“Good morning,” she said tentatively while pushing her purse and sack lunch into a waiting cubby. “Glad to have you back, Doc.”
“Glad to be back,” he told her. “But I have to say, I enjoyed my time away. I hate to admit Winnie was right, but a vacation was just what we needed.” His face broke into a wide smile. “We met up with Derek and his family.”
His son lived in Florida with his wife and three little children, all elementary-aged. Winnie adored her grandchildren and often lamented she didn’t see them enough.
She once told Lila that Derek had an important job at the Kennedy Space Center. He was an engineer and couldn’t get away but for two weeks a year. That time was split with seeing his wife’s family who lived in upstate New York.
Lila slipped her arms into her white lab coat and clipped on her name tag. “Oh? How is your son?”
“He’s great. For the first time in a long while, we had a chance to catch up. And those children…well, I’ll have you know this ole grandpa rode on It’s a Small World with those little girls.”
Lila’s eyes widened with surprise. “You did?”
Doc nodded with enthusiasm. “I sure did. And the Matterhorn, the spinning teacups, and we toured Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Oh, and did you know there’s a Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Same name as our town.” He chuckled. “Who knew?”
She listened with rapt interest. This was a side of Doc Tillman she’d never seen. His entire demeanor was different. His eyes sparkled with a newfound excitement, and a genuine smile lit up his face as he recounted his adventures.
Lila couldn’t help but feel a twinge of awe at the transformation before her. Gone was the condescending tone and aloof demeanor she had grown accustomed to—in its place was a warmth and openness she hadn’t expected from Doc Tillman. As she gazed into his eyes, she saw a glimmer of joy and passion that she had never witnessed before. It was as if her boss had shed his old self and emerged anew, revealing a side of him she had never known existed.
“Well, that’s good to hear, Doc. So glad you had a good time.”
The phone buzzed in his pocket, and he plucked it out. He looked at the tiny screen and smiled. “Well, hello sweetheart,” he answered, beaming.
Lila continued to listen, still amazed at the profound change in Doc.
“Yes, Winnie. Yes, dear. No, I haven’t told her yet.” He smiled as he listened. “Okay, yeah. I’ll try to be home early. I love you, too.” He whispered something then and chuckled. “I look forward to it.”
Doc pocketed his phone and opened his mouth. “We have something we need to discuss,” he told her.
Suddenly, they heard the front office door open. “Doc! Come quick!”
Both Doc and Lila raced into the waiting room to find Earl Dunlop rushing toward them cradling his ginger-colored kitty in his arms.
“Fluffy is sick again, Doc!” Earl announced, his voice filled with concern as he made his way to the front counter.
Doc Tillman gently pushed Lila aside, his eyebrows knit with worry. “Here, give Fluffy to me.”
Earl shifted uncomfortably and quickly did as he was told. “Doc, you have to do something.” He placed his precious pet into Doc’s waiting hands.
Lila’s heart dropped as she glanced between the frantic man and his lethargic cat. “Wait here, Earl.”
She followed her boss to the treatment area in the back of the clinic.
Doc Tillman’s commitment to saving every creature was evident in his every action. With a gentle touch and a determined spirit, he worked tirelessly to heal the beloved pets of their town, including Earl’s cat, Fluffy.
Despite his best efforts, there were moments when the harsh reality of veterinary care was painfully clear. Even given Doc’s expertise and compassion, he couldn’t save them all. Each loss weighed heavily on him, casting a somber shadow over his demeanor. In those moments, she couldn’t help but admire his dedication, even as he faced the heart-wrenching truth that not every animal could be saved.
Sadly, when Doc looked up at her, she knew.
This was one of those cases.