Chapter 19 Elena
Ididn't usually bring Daisy to the diner, but it was Sunday and she'd been cooped up in the truck for two hours while Lucy and I dealt with Mrs. Patterson's mare. The foal had come early—two weeks early—and we'd spent the morning making sure both mother and baby were stable.
Now Daisy sat at my feet under the booth, her head resting on my shoe. She'd put on a few pounds since that first night, her gangly frame filling out, though she still had those oversized paws and that same trusting expression that had won me over in the first place.
Temporary, I'd said. Six weeks later, here we were.
Lucy was working her way through a burger, still in the scrubs she hadn't had time to change out of, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.
"That was intense," she said. "I've never seen a foal that small."
"She'll be okay. Mrs. Patterson knows what she's doing." I picked at my fries. "Thanks for coming in on your day off."
"Are you kidding? That was amazing. Way better than meal prepping." She grinned and stole one of my fries. "Plus you're buying me lunch, so I'm not complaining."
"Fair trade."
"Speaking of trades, did you ever find homes for the rest of Caleb's puppies?"
I took a sip of my Coke. "Four of them. He kept the last one. Named it Scout."
"The quiet one, right? The one who just sat in the corner?" Lucy's grin widened. "Of course he did. That man and his strays."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." But she was still smiling. "Just that he's got a type, you know? Quiet, watchful. Needs someone patient."
I felt my face warm. "He kept a dog, Lucy. Don't make it weird."
"I'm not making it anything. I'm just saying… he's been coming by the clinic a lot lately. And he always brings you coffee."
"He's got one of the puppies. I'm just making sure he’s healthy."
"Uh-huh. And the coffee?"
"Is just coffee."
"Right." She took another bite of her burger, eyes sparkling. "So when are you going to admit you like him?"
"I'm not…" I stopped. Rolled my eyes. "It's not like that."
"But you want it to be like that."
I looked down at my plate. "He's been helpful with the puppies. That's all."
"Mm-hmm." Lucy was still grinning. "Well, for what it's worth, I think he's nice. And I think he—"
"Lucy." I gave her a look.
"Fine, fine." She held up her hands. "Subject dropped." But she was still smiling as she took another bite of her burger.
I was about to respond when a sheriff's car rolled past the diner window. Lucy's attention snapped to it immediately.
"Oh my God, is that the new guy?" She craned her neck to look. "I heard they finally filled the deputy position."
I glanced out the window. "Did they?"
"Yeah. Margie told me yesterday. Apparently he's from out of town. Used to be a detective somewhere." She turned back to me, eyes bright with the thrill of new information. "Bill Reeves' son. Can you believe it? I didn't even know Bill had a son."
The fries on my plate blurred slightly. I set down my Coke, very carefully, and didn't say anything.
"Margie said he's really good-looking. Tall, dark hair, you know the type. He's been staying with his parents for a couple weeks, getting settled." Lucy grabbed another fry. "Apparently his mom's sick. Alzheimer's or something. So sad."
My throat felt tight. Mrs. Patterson had mentioned it a few weeks ago, while I was checking on one of her horses.
Carol Reeves isn't doing well. Forgetting things.
Bill's having a hard time. I'd said I was sorry to hear it, because I was.
Carol had never been anything but kind to me, even after everything.
I just hadn't let myself think about what her getting worse might bring back to town.
"He starts officially tomorrow, I think. Or maybe he already started? I can't remember what Margie said." Lucy was still talking, oblivious. "Anyway, small-town gossip. You know how it is. Everyone's going to be talking about the new deputy for at least a month."
I should say something. But my tongue felt thick, and the words wouldn't come. Lucy had only been in Millbrook a couple of years, moved from somewhere upstate for reasons I'd never pried into, and sometimes I forgot how much town history she'd missed.
"Do you know him?" Lucy asked, finally looking at me. "Since he's from here originally?"
The diner felt too bright. I could hear the clatter of dishes from the kitchen, the low hum of conversation from the other tables, the jukebox playing something old and familiar.
"He's my ex-husband," I said.
Lucy's face went white. "What?"
"Matt Reeves. He's my ex-husband."
"Oh my God." She put down her burger. "Oh my God, Elena, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I didn't… Magie didn't… I wouldn't have said anything if I'd known…"
"It's fine."
"It's not fine. I just…" She pressed her hands to her face. "I feel terrible."
"Lucy. Really. It's okay." I kept my voice level, using the practiced calm I’d perfected after years in this job. "That was years ago. It’s ancient history."
"Are you sure? Because I can—"
"I'm sure." I reached for my wallet, pulled out cash, and set it on the table. "I should get back. I want to check on a few things before the clinic opens tomorrow."
Lucy was still staring at me, horrified. "Elena—"
"Really. Don't worry about it." I slid out of the booth. Daisy stood up immediately, tail wagging, ready to go. "Thanks for coming in this morning. I owe you one."
"You don't owe me anything. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "See you tomorrow."
I didn't look at anyone as I walked out. Just pushed through the door and headed for my truck.
Daisy jumped into the passenger seat, and I climbed in after her, closing the door behind me. I gripped the steering wheel and stared out at the street.
Matt was here, and he wasn't passing through. He'd moved back. And in a town like Millbrook, that meant seeing him was inevitable. I couldn't avoid him forever, no matter how carefully I planned my errands.
Daisy leaned over and put her head on my lap. I ran my hand over her ears, feeling the soft fur, the warmth of her.
"Ancient history," I'd told Lucy.
I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. Ten minutes to the clinic. Tomorrow's schedule to review, supplies to restock. The work would be there, same as always.
I told myself that was a comfort.