Chapter 24
Max turned back to Hadley after Kendra walked away.
Although not as powerful, tension still stretched across his chest. Every time he saw Kendra that happened. Their relationship had started strong but had quickly fizzled.
He didn’t want to be with someone who was too clingy or emotional. He’d tried to explain to her that the two of them just weren’t right together. But sometimes he still wondered if she understood that.
He cast those thoughts aside and turned back to Hadley. “By the way, I meant to tell you this earlier when we were talking about it. Sheriff Sutherland said I could go with him to search the cabins.”
Her brows lifted with surprise. “Really?”
“It’s not exactly standard. But he’s down a man right now. One of his deputies broke his leg snowmobiling last weekend, so he’s working with less help than usual.”
Hadley’s expression softened. “Sounds like he could use a hand then. I hope you find her.”
“So do I.” He held her gaze another second. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Max hesitated before asking his next question. “I know Kendra just asked you about dinner tonight. It sounds like you have plans.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I’m hoping I do.”
He tilted his head, asking a silent question.
She grinned. “I was hoping to eat with you.”
Something eased in his chest. “I’d actually love that.”
“Good. Because I’d love that also.” Her smile widened.
He gazed at her another moment before stepping back. “As much as I’d love to stay here with you, I should get going. Sheriff Sutherland wants to head out soon.”
“Be careful. I’ve been praying that Lyndee will be found and that she’s okay.”
“Me too.” Max gave her one last look before turning toward his truck.
He knew the more time that passed, the more danger Lyndee could be in.
That was why they needed to find her soon.
After leaving Refuge Cove, Hadley paused inside the clinic and scanned the waiting area.
A woman sat near the front window with a basset hound, gently stroking its head while flipping through a magazine. A man stood at the counter speaking with Susie, a small carrier at his feet.
For the first time since yesterday, things felt . . . normal.
She let out a quiet breath. Maybe her run of bad luck was over.
“Morning.” Susie glanced up with a small smile. “We’ve already got two checked in, and Mrs. Talbot just called to confirm she’s still coming.”
“That’s good. That’s really good.”
After yesterday, Hadley would take any sign of recovery she could get.
She went through the morning without much pause, one appointment leading into the next. Working with animals grounded her and reminded her why she’d chosen this profession. Animals were so pure and without pretense. Life made more sense when they were around.
For a few hours, things felt steady again.
By the time she stepped into her office for a quick break between clients, the tension in her shoulders had eased. She set her coffee on her desk and lowered herself into her chair, closing her eyes.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, expecting to see Naomi’s name—or maybe Max’s.
Instead, her breath caught.
Her ex-husband’s name stared back at her from the screen.
Ethan.
For a moment, she didn’t move. She was long since over Ethan and their broken relationship.
That part of her life was behind her, and he’d moved on as well.
But seeing his name still stirred something deeper.
The feelings weren’t necessarily about him, but about everything that had come with that life.
The future they’d planned. The baby they’d lost. The heartache all of it had brought.
She swallowed before answering. “Hey, Ethan.”
“Hadley.” Ethan sounded cautious, as if he wasn’t sure how this conversation would go. “I wasn’t sure if you’d pick up.”
“I almost didn’t.” Talking to Ethan always took an emotional toll on her. “What’s going on?”
“Listen, I wanted to let you know that I just got a call from the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine. It was about you.”
Hadley straightened in her chair. “Really? Why would they call you about me?”
“Because they’re investigating your license.”
Her stomach squeezed tighter. “What? That doesn’t make any sense. I’m licensed here in Virginia now, and I have been for the past three months.”
“Since I was officially your supervisor here in Georgia, they wanted to talk to me. They said they’re investigating a complaint. Said one of your former clients here claims you overcharged them and did unnecessary tests just so you could pad your pocketbook.”
“That’s ridiculous! I’d never do that!” Hadley tightened her grip on the phone. “I haven’t heard anything about this. No one’s contacted me, and I have no idea what this is about.”
She went still as her mind raced through everything.
The broken window. The missing appointment book. The canceled clients. The fake reviews.
She was being targeted, and the person behind it was escalating. Had this person taken things so far as to threaten her license? Her very livelihood?
“I didn’t tell them anything negative,” Ethan continued. “I said that you’ve always been careful and professional.”
Hadley pressed her free hand against the desk. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“I figured you should know before it goes any further.”
“For sure. I’m glad you called. Thanks again.”
Another pause stretched, quieter this time, before he asked, “Are you doing okay? We were all worried about you moving like you did.”
Hadley pressed her eyes closed, his words ironic considering everything that happened between them. However, she’d worked hard to keep their relationship amiable. She knew better than to let bitterness take root in her life.
Hebrews 12:15 filled her mind. “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
No bitter roots. That was her goal.
“I’m fine,” she finally said. “Or I will be fine, at least.”
They said their goodbyes, and the line went dead.
Hadley lowered the phone, her pulse still racing as the reality settled in.
The unease that had been building since yesterday sharpened into something harder to ignore.
Someone wasn’t just trying to rattle her.
Someone was trying to destroy her, and she had a feeling there was more to come.