Chapter 14 Nicole
Nicole wrapped her hands around the warm paper coffee cup, blowing across the dark surface before taking a careful sip. Steam curled into the cold morning air as she stood near a low stone wall, surveying the small campus spread out before her.
Great Basin Veterinary Institute in Eagle Mountain wasn’t flashy or sprawling, barely the size of a community college. It had a comfy, purposeful feel—just five brick-and-stone buildings arranged around a tidy courtyard, with walking paths dusted by the recent snow.
Beyond that, a small animal hospital gleamed with glass windows, a sign over the entrance announcing it was open to the public for everything from vaccinations to emergency care.
A few hundred feet away stood a long, low barn with a covered paddock, the sound of a horse whinnying carrying faintly across the crisp winter air.
At the edge of the campus, there was a tiny coffee shop with a green awning that seemed quiet on this New Year’s Eve morning, but Nicole could imagine it bustled with students on a class day.
There was even a fenced park area that was clearly designed for both two- and four-legged members of the student body. Calm today, but she knew that when the next semester started, GBVI would hum with purpose and passion for animals.
Just like Elise Hale would if she were a student here.
Assuming she was accepted, assuming she was safe, assuming it was affordable—and Elise seemed certain of all those things—why wouldn’t the family want her to start her life here? Surely, they couldn’t want that bright and beautiful creature trapped in Heber forever?
While it wasn’t really Nicole’s business, she couldn’t help wondering. She had a vested interest.
She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the clean scent of snow and pine, and imagined Elise wheeling along those pathways, bright-eyed and independent, surrounded by others who shared her dream. It felt right. It felt possible.
She paced slowly, sipping her coffee. That morning had been a whirlwind—she’d driven to Elise’s house and arrived just after eight, missing Cameron by minutes, she learned.
That left an unsettled feeling, but she tamped it down, concentrating on figuring out how to drive the family’s specially modified van. Elise knew everything, of course, and proved over and over that she was a competent and bright young woman with one problem—her legs were paralyzed.
“I’m not dead,” she’d repeated to Nicole. “Just the nerves in my legs are. I’m so sick of being babied!”
Nicole understood and sympathized, which was the only reason she’d risked her budding romance by going directly against Cameron’s wishes. He’d never been a twenty-four-year-old girl, and Nicole had.
Still, once they were home, Nicole wanted Elise to tell him everything, whether or not she got into the program. If the timing worked out, Nicole would tell him herself, but she couldn’t hang around long, since she wanted to make Benny’s dog thing this afternoon.
Bubbling with the stress of it all, she paced the sidewalk, too wound up to sit on a bench.
After what felt like an eternity, the frosted glass doors of the administration building swung open, and Nicole’s breath caught.
Elise rolled out, her face luminous with joy, her pale locks tumbling over her shoulders as if even her curls were celebrating. An older man walked beside her, silver-haired and serious, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Nicole!” Elise called, her voice breaking with exhilaration.
Nicole hustled forward, trying to read Elise’s expression. “How did it go?”
“Slayed it!” Elise turned to the man. “Didn’t I?”
“Absolutely,” he agreed, extending his hand to Nicole. “Dean Luis Mendes.”
“Hello, I’m Nicole Kessler.” Nicole shook his hand, impressed by his kind, steady gaze. “Thank you for seeing Elise. I know it’s New Year’s Eve, and—”
“Thank you for bringing her,” he countered, smiling at Elise. “Don’t make us wait long to sign that acceptance letter, young lady. Classes start January fifteenth.”
Nicole’s jaw dropped. “Wait—you got in?”
Elise’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes shining. “You are looking at a new student on the spring semester roster of GBVI! Can you believe it?”
Nicole dropped to her knees beside the wheelchair, hugging her fiercely. “Of course I can believe it. You deserve this so much.”
Dean Mendes gestured toward a three-story brick building across the courtyard.
“Why don’t you two go take a look at the housing?
You’ll want to see where you’ll be living.
Here’s a master key card to enter the handicap-accessible apartment.
” He slipped a card into Elise’s hand. “First floor, end of the hall. Everything’s been customized for full independence.
Go check it out and start planning your décor.
And pets are more than welcome, of course.
You’ll find plenty of service animals at Great Basin. ”
“Thank you,” Elise whispered, clutching the card as though it were solid gold, then she looked up with narrow eyes. “You, dear sir, are truly open-minded. I am so grateful that you see me as any other student who walked into your office.”
“You aren’t like any other student, Elise,” he said. “And that’s exactly why we want you here so much. Like I said, I would very much like to meet with your family, too. I know you are an adult, but I want to assure them you’ll be in good hands and getting a great education.”
“I’ll talk to them,” she promised as they shook hands.
Nicole’s heart lifted with hope, and at how good it must feel for Elise to know she could have a meaningful, productive, and exciting future.
After they said goodbye, the two of them headed to Aspen Hall, which really looked like any suburban apartment complex, not a dormitory.
Inside, it was bright and modern, with sunlight streaming through wide windows into a cheerful lobby. The walls were decorated with student art—paintings and photos of beloved animals.
“This place is well-funded,” Elise said as she rolled past a giant silk Ficus tree and headed for the hall.
“Dean Mendes was telling me that fundraising is huge, and tons of local ranchers support the program, and the Department of Agriculture matches most donations. The cost will be essentially covered by scholarships and grants.”
“Getting in here is a coup,” Nicole said, and meant it.
As they headed down the hall, Elise’s hands wobbled on the wheels of her chair, her excitement so palpable it was contagious.
“I can’t believe this is real,” she murmured, breathless.
“It’s so perfect for you,” Nicole said. “Right here on campus, surrounded by everything you need.”
When they reached the designated apartment, Elise swiped the key card. The door whooshed open—a beautiful feature—and she rolled inside, and Nicole followed.
The sweet little unit took their breath away.
It wasn’t fancy, but it was exactly what Elise needed: an open-concept layout with wide doorways, low counters, and plenty of space to maneuver her chair.
The living area had a sliding glass door that led to a tiny enclosed patio, sunlight glinting off the snow outside.
A compact kitchenette lined one wall, with accessible drawers and appliances—microwave and oven at just the right height, a side-opening oven door, even a lowered sink.
The bedroom held a low platform bed with sturdy grab bars nearby.
The bathroom was the real marvel: a roll-in shower with no lip at the base, a secure fold-down bench, and adjustable showerhead.
Grab bars were installed strategically around the toilet and sink, every detail designed for independence.
“It’s…it’s perfect,” Elise whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. “I can do this, Nicole. I can live here on my own. And never in my entire life have I wanted anything so badly. The last time I did? It was to get up from a hospital bed and walk.”
Nicole’s throat tightened as she reached down to hug Elise. “Honey, you deserve this.”
“I’ll work so hard and do so well in school,” she whispered, almost as if she was practicing a speech she’d have to give later. “I’ll be the best vet in the world.”
“I know you will.”
On a happy sigh, Elise wheeled herself into the bedroom, running her fingers along the dresser’s edge. “I’m going to hang sheer curtains right there,” she said, pointing to the window. “And maybe a photo wall above the desk. Oh, and look at all this natural light! It feels so open and welcoming.”
Nicole took a few photos on her phone, already imagining how she’d show them to Cameron later as proof of how safe and supportive this environment was. Surely he’d see that this wasn’t dangerous or reckless—it was Elise’s chance to thrive.
Reluctantly, Elise agreed it was time to go. “I want to tell him right away,” she said, rolling back toward the door. “If I can get Cameron on board, I know my parents will follow. Cameron’s the key to getting them to see the light.”
“And he will,” Nicole said with determination. “When he sees all of this? How could he not?”
After they’d finished, they returned to the van in the admin building lot.
Nicole helped Elise position her chair on the hydraulic lift platform.
With a smooth hum, the lift raised her to the vehicle’s interior.
Elise rolled into the designated space, locking her wheels before Nicole secured the straps that held the chair steady.
Already comfortable with the van, Nicole climbed into the driver’s seat, setting the GPS for the route back toward Heber City.
“We’ve got plenty of time,” she said, glancing at the clock. “I’ll get you home, then head straight to Benny’s dog talent show. Then you and Cameron will both come to tonight’s New Year’s Eve party, and if you haven’t persuaded him by then, I will. You are coming, right? You’re not too tired?”
“Are you kidding? I haven’t been to a New Year’s Eve party in…forever.” She snorted. “And I mean that literally. Will there be any cute single guys there?”