He adjusted his baseball cap.“Erika, if you can convince him to set up shop here, that’d be incredible.I could use some help for a mare we’re trying to get to the next level in dressage since she’s a bit lame off and on.No one can figure it out.We’ve injected, blocked, and acupunctured about everything under the sun for that horse.I was thinking of having her hauled up to Dr.Haegan.How much do you think you need for this clinic?”
“A lot.”I closed the stall door and offered Buck a treat.
“I’ll pay for half of it and loan you the other half,” Jim said.
“That’s too much.I wasn’t here to ask for a loan.I need advice on how to go about funding it and then paying that kind of money back.”
He nodded.“I’ll do it.No argument.We’ll need to convince Ben to come down from Golden Stables in Southern Pines and Henry Paulson to drive from south Charlotte.If they agree to bring their horses to you, then everyone else will come.If you can guarantee Dr.Haegan and get an architect to draft a design of the facility, I’ll set up the meeting for all of us to talk about it.”
I felt relieved and overwhelmed.“I need to ask Josh if he’d be on board.”
“You didn’t already ask him?”Jim frowned.
“We haven’t always been on the same page about the business.I’ll talk to him and get the proposal put together.Let me work on Haegan.”
I couldn’t stop thinking about Josh and everything he made me feel the other day as we left, so I texted.Just a little text to check-in.I knew he was seeing some appointments until six tonight, so he probably wouldn’t get the message until after work.
I told myself I wouldn’t be disappointed if he didn’t answer.The connection between us felt dangerous, more so with this business proposal that might make him spin off into anger.I wasn’t scared of his anger.At least, not scared that he’d hurt me physically.I was a bit scared of losing the new closeness that made me feel as if I was alive for the first time in forever.That was worth the risk of procrastinating.
After sending the text, I noticed a new missed voicemail from the Philly clinic.I listened even though I knew I shouldn’t.Jay sounded unhinged, swinging from threats to apologies in the same breath.It felt less like communication and more like proof of presence.
It left me with the unmistakable sense of being watched.Of being tracked.
I didn’t like it.
* * *
JOSH
I brought Lexi back to Bunny after her nail trim.As I handed the dog back I asked, “Not bringing her to see Dr.Erika for this?”
“She was out visiting with Jim this afternoon before she headed out to a PTA meeting.I was in town and figured you should be able to handle this.Jim just texted me that he’s going to help fund your new facility.I don’t have the details.Sounds exciting to have an equine specialty center and pet emergency complex.”
What?I kept my face blank.She was leaving to build a new hospital.
Bunny put a hand over her mouth.“Oops.Didn’t you know about it?”She put her hand on my arm.“You better make sure you’re a part of her plans.I thought it was an expansion of this hospital.Maybe not?I’m thrilled she’s working to get Dr.Haegan down here.He’s one of the best equine lameness vets in the world.It’d be convenient to have him close by.”She waved at Marty.“Thank you, guys.”And left.
What the hell?Was last night a one-off?
“Did you know about Erika building her own clinic?”I asked Marty.
Marty gave me a funny look and busied herself with the computer.She knew something.
“What do you know that she didn’t tell me?”I stalked to the front desk.
“Well…” She did that thing with her lips that meant she had good gossip she couldn’t wait to tell me.“Roland bought an old farm out on the highway real near where he died.He purchased it last year.I know he planned to give it to her for her birthday next month.He hoped the idea of building her an emergency clinic would lure her home.”She stared at me like that was enough information.When I didn’t respond she said, “That’s all I know.I didn’t know she was moving forward with anything, but if Jim is bankrolling it, then I guess it’ll be a go.”
“Do you know Dr.Haegan?”I despised secrets like this.Even more, I hated the instant jealousy that another doctor might know about Erika’s plans before me.That he might know her, might even be my competition for her attention.
She shrugged.“Guess you better talk to her about it.”
Bunny said she had a PTA meeting.That meant she’d be at the school.
A half hour later, I marched up the elementary school’s sidewalk toward the main building.I followed signs for the PTA meeting to the library.Through the glass windows of the library, I spied Erika sitting in the back.I tried texting her to get her to leave, but she didn’t look down at her phone, which meant she must have it on silent.I understood.When not on call, why leave it on?
Three texts came in from Milly, which I ignored.She’d texted a few times earlier, asking me for a second chance or to call her.I definitely couldn’t handle dealing with her right now.
The door to the library creaked when I opened it.The speaker waved at me.He looked familiar, maybe a client.Every mom and the scant few dads watched me with more interest than they paid to whoever stood at the front pointing at a screen showing types of candy bars, probably for a fundraiser.I tried to scoot behind everyone to avoid blocking their view of the speaker.
