Chapter 15
15
“ Y ou did what?” Lightheaded from Capri’s news, Lila dropped into a chair, unable to believe what she’d just been told. “What do you mean you talked to him?”
Capri shrugged as she slid into a chair opposite her at the kitchen table. “Yeah. I talked to him.”
Reva carried the pot of coffee to the table. “Oh, Capri. I’m not sure that was a good idea.”
Charlie Grace held up her mug to be filled. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe he needed to understand the situation. Clearly, Doc isn’t broadcasting what little regard he has for all Lila’s hard work.”
Reva raised her eyebrows. “So, you don’t find anything a little—uh, uncivil about confronting this guy? I mean, he was likely clueless in all this.”
“Maybe,” Capri admitted. “But that doesn’t excuse the situation. The clinic should belong to Lila.”
“You don’t understand.” Lila buried her head in her arms on the table and groaned. “He’s the guy from the rodeo.”
Capri glanced between the others, confused. “He’s what?”
Lila straightened and reluctantly met their combined gaze. “My new boss is the same guy I confronted at the rodeo.”
Charlie Grace let out a low whistle. “Well, that certainly complicates the situation.”
Lila groaned. “What a mess.”
Capri lifted a powdered donut from the plate on the table. “Mmm…my favorite kind.” She stuffed her mouth and added, with her mouth full, “He needs you.”
“Come again?” Lila asked.
Capri swallowed. “I said…he needs you. Think about it. Doc’s record keeping was not stellar. You complained about it many times. The clinic’s history is in your head, Lila. You know every person in town and their animals. You know what illnesses have been treated and who has paid and who hasn’t.”
Lila wasn’t having any of it. “That doesn’t matter. He can start fresh. He can learn.”
“Maybe so,” Reva said. “But it would be in his best interest to tap into one of his most beneficial resources…you.”
Lila moaned. “I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t fire me. Not only did I get off on a bad foot, but my—” She jabbed a finger in Capri’s direction. “My friend marched in and bit his head off. Yeah, I’m scoring points right and left.”
She wrapped her hands around her coffee mug. “Thing is…I need this job. Camille is barreling toward high school graduation and all the expenses associated with that. Follow that up with getting my girl settled in college. All that on top of my regular expenses. And jobs aren’t pinecones hanging on tree boughs around here. I can’t simply pluck another—unless I want to flip burgers and schlep beer at Moosehead Tavern.” She looked at them. “Veterinary medicine is my thing. I don’t want to do anything else.”
Charlie Grace reached across the table and took her hand. “You don’t have to quit, and he’s not going to fire you. What you are going to have to do is figure out a way to work together.” Her voice grew more firm. “You can do this, Lila,” she said, her jaw set in determination.
Reva nodded enthusiastically. “This situation will all work out. You’ll see.”
Even Capri joined in. “Absolutely.” She wiped her arm across her mouth to clear the remaining donut crumbs. “What they said.”
The next morning, her friends’ words rang in her head as she climbed from the shower and got ready. She rehearsed their encouragement again in the car as she drove to the clinic, mentally acknowledging that she’d grown accustomed to her dreams being elusive and unattainable, always just out of her reach. “I can do this,” she said out loud as she unlocked the door and entered the clinic.
Lila flipped on the lights and went directly to the peg on the wall where she hung up her jacket. She tucked her purse in the cubby behind the front counter. Then she took out the clipboard and checked the appointments for the day.
The sound of an engine drew her attention to the front window. A sleek dark blue pickup pulled in and stopped, signally her new boss had arrived. Seconds later, the door opened, and he stepped inside. Upon seeing her, he cleared his throat. “Good morning, Lila.”
“Morning,” she forced a brightness she didn’t feel.
“We need to talk,” he said, rubbing at his right earlobe.
Oh, here it comes. He was going to fire her. And she wouldn’t blame him. She’d been rude. He’d gotten into her business in that rodeo arena, and she hadn’t held back in telling him so. Maybe not using those exact words, but her message had been clear.
She hadn’t exactly been welcoming upon learning he was taking over the clinic either. And only God Himself knew what Capri had said to him. Given the look on her face when she marched out of her house yesterday, Lila imagined her reprimand had been sharp as nails. What she couldn’t imagine was how Whit Calloway had taken her harsh words.
Lila drew a deep breath. “Yeah, sure.”
“Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’d like to start over,” he suggested.
Immediately relieved, Lila released the air she’d been holding. She still had a job at the clinic. At least for now.
She cleared her throat, willing her voice to be strong and firm. “Sure. We have a litter of pups coming in for vaccinations in about an hour, so we have a few minutes.” She placed the clipboard on the counter. “Let’s talk.”
She trailed him to the back room.
“Uh, is there a coffee pot somewhere?” he asked.
She nodded. “Over here.” She moved for a counter at the back of the room that held a sink with a line of cupboards above. At the far right, there was an older model Mr. Coffee machine, that frankly, had seen better days. “The filters and coffee grounds are in here.” She opened a cupboard door and pulled out the items and proceeded to make coffee, adding an extra scoop. She needed her brew strong this morning. Liquid courage.
When she finished the task, she turned to find Whit leaning against the opposite counter, watching her. His gaze made her uncomfortable. She pointed her thumb back at the coffee maker. “Should be done soon.”
He thanked her and invited her to follow him to the sofa against the left wall…a battered piece of furniture covered with animal hair. Normally, she would have brushed the seat before sitting. Not today. She simply sank into the cushion and watched as he took a place on the other end.
He opened his mouth, and she preempted him. “Look, I know Capri came to see you yesterday. She tends to be a little impulsive. Anything she said…well, she meant well. She’s protective of the people she cares about.”
Whit nodded. “Yeah, that girl’s got some fire in her spirit. I admire her loyalty.” He paused, gave her a long look. “I think I understand the situation now.”
The comment got her dander up. He thought he understood? Not likely.
“Well, it’s like this,” she began. “Despite the fact I just made the coffee, that’s not what I’m here to do. I have years of experience—general animal husbandry and veterinarian medicine. I’ve encountered a lot of precarious situations in my years here. I know my way around. I hope you don’t think you have to coddle me, or?—”
He laughed.
She stiffened. “Did you just laugh?”
Whit quickly put up his open palms. “I’m not laughing at you.”
“Sounds like laughter to me. And we’re the only ones in the room.” For emphasis, she looked around. “No one but you and me.”
He reached and pulled at his right earlobe. “Look, let me start over.”
“Why do you always do that?”
“Do what?”
She pointed to his ear. “You pull on your ear.”
His face flushed with color. “A nervous habit,” he reluctantly admitted, his voice a bit defensive.
“Nervous?” Her eyebrows lifted. As soon as the words left her mouth, she could tell from his expression that he regretted his word choice.
It was then she began to consider his side of this situation. Maybe this wasn’t all that easy on him, either.
He was taking on a whole new endeavor. While she wasn’t privy to the financial end of things, no doubt he had an investment on the line. He was new to town. Despite being friendly, he would be sized up by the residents of Thunder Mountain in these early days. He’d have to earn their trust. Especially when dealing with their animals and precious pets.
Worse still, Nicola Cavendish would undoubtedly revel in broadcasting that Doc Tillman had favored the newcomer over her. Soon, everyone would be keeping their distance, blaming him just as she had.
Her demeanor softened slightly. Perhaps it was time to steer the conversation in a new direction. “Where are you from?” she inquired, tentatively aiming for a fresh start. “Let’s start there.”
Whit nodded. “I’m from Texas.”
“I guess that explains the huge star emblem on your pickup.” She fought to hold back an eye roll. “Must be a thing,” she muttered.
Whit bristled. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with having pride in where you come from.” His tone edged on the defensive. “That Lone Star? It’s not just decoration—it’s a symbol of pride. Not everyone gets it, I guess.”
Lila shrugged, offering a half-hearted apology. “No offense meant. Everyone’s got their thing, I suppose.” Inside, she scoffed. Some people took things far too seriously.
Curious, despite her irritation, she asked, “What part of Texas?”
“Abilene,” came his reply. Something came over his expression as he quickly added, “I grew up on a cattle ranch. Graduated from vet school and have been practicing for five years. I wanted to go out on my own when I heard of this opportunity through a posting on AVMA.”
Lila immediately tensed. Doc posted the clinic was for sale through the American Veterinary Medicine Association? How could she not have known this? She often browsed the website.
“I knew this might be the very thing I was looking for, so I jumped on the opportunity.”
Lila mentally calculated the timing. Had Doc posted the information recently—since his health episode? These things took time. There were attorneys and contracts and such. Did Doc have this in the works even before then?
She would probably never know unless she asked Doc directly, and she wasn’t about to do that. Besides, he and Winnie were packing and would be pulling out of town soon. His mind was already on his new life…a life in Florida.
The thought both pleased her and made her extremely sad. Doc was the only boss she’d ever known. Despite his gruff nature, he had taught her a lot since the early days when she’d shown up and asked for a job, barely a widow and needing a way to support herself and her daughter.
He’d hired her as a front desk assistant, letting her progress over the years. His passion for animals fueled her own. He’d even encouraged her when she told him of her plans to enroll in school and get certified. Oh, he had his criticism, but she could tell he was pleased to hear she would become a vet.
Perhaps that is why his decision hurt so much.
Lila turned her attention back to Whit. “Did Doc tell you I would have my certificate soon?” Her tone carried a subtle challenge. She didn’t want him discounting her contributions or abilities.
“He mentioned it,” Whit told her. “I was glad to hear it, frankly. There can never be enough qualified hands on board. But we do need to come to an understanding.”
“And that is?” She stared at his strong profile, his solid square face, high cheekbones, clean-shaven cheeks. Calloused hands.
He wasn’t a city boy.
Whit shifted uncomfortably. “This clinic is under my direction. You’re a valuable part of the team, and while I value your insights, the final calls are mine to make.” He met her eyes, inviting her to challenge him.
There was a lot she wanted to say. Instead, she swallowed and pushed out an appropriate, and likely expected response. “Certainly,” she said, her voice steady and cool. “This is your clinic.”