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I make sure to keep a smile on my face for her. “Great! Tell your mama bye.”
Olivia goes to Vivian and wraps her little arms around her waist. “Bye, Mommy.”
Vivian holds her tight. “Love you.”
“Love you, Mommy.” I place my hand behind Olivia’s back and guide her forward, then meet Vivian’s eyes for a moment. Though I want to say a million things to her, I don’t bother. I shut the door and take Olivia’s suitcase.
“I missed you, Daddy,” she says, grabbing my hand as we walk to the truck.
“Me too, sweetheart. I’ve missed you so much!”
“Nuh-uh,” she replies with a giggle.
“Yes-huh. Promise, cross my heart!”
I buckle Olivia into her booster seat as she talks a million miles per hour. “Did Mommy make you mad?”
I hate lying to her. “Just a little.”
“She gets silly like that when she has alcohol,” Olivia says, and I try to keep a straight face.
“Oh really?” I ask, annoyed she even knows what that is.
“It makes her say funny things.”
I smile. “Her boyfriend?”
“Chuck. He has tattoos. A lot of them,” Olivia informs me. Before she sees my frustration, I close the door, then hop in the front.
Olivia fills me in on everything as we make our way back to Eldorado. I grow more pissed with every detail she shares. Vivian drinks several times throughout the week with her boyfriends and lets Olivia do whatever she wants, unsupervised. I know my mom told me last night I needed to call my lawyer and tell him what’s going on, and after hearing this, I will. No six-year-old should have to deal with their mother being too drunk to help them with their homework or get dressed for school. It’s the last thing Olivia needs to witness. Vivian has crossed too many lines.
Monday comes too quick. After the weekend I’ve had and all the driving I’ve done, along with trying to get Olivia settled, I’m exhausted. I’m not complaining, though, because I have my daughter with me again. Before work, I took Olivia to my parents', and she was so happy to be with her grammy and poppy. It warmed my heart like no other, and things finally feel like they are returning to normal.
Before the clinic opens, Beverly and Trina arrive and start setting up for the day. I have a few appointments before lunch and several in the afternoon. Right as I take a sip of coffee, I hear Elizabeth enter and say hello to the ladies. I stare at my laptop and wait for her to knock. When she does, I tell her to come in, and when our eyes meet, she frowns.
“Sit,” I say.
“Good morning to you too.” She plops down in front of me.
“Mornin’,” I say to appease her.
“So I guess it’s time to discuss the possible future of my employment here,” she says with annoyance in her tone. Now that she's actually said my words out loud, it does make me sound like an asshole. I wasn’t in a good mood when she texted me, though that’s not a good excuse.
It’s clear she’s waiting for me to speak, so I clear my throat and sit up straighter.
“Of course. I mean, if you’re planning to stay here, we need to work out some details.”
“Stay?” She arches a brow. “I thought we already discussed that I was staying. Your text had me thinking I was interviewing for a job that I’ve clearly already done.”
I let out a breath. “That wasn’t my intention. Just wanted to make sure you haven’t changed your mind.”
“I haven’t.” A smile slides across her ruby red lips, and that’s when I notice she’s wearing slacks and a nice blouse. She actually got dressed up for this discussion, which I find sexy as hell.
“So let’s talk about your responsibilities. You’ll still report to me, so we’re on the same page, and the other rules still stand. If you’re ever on a job and you need an extra hand, you know what to do.”
“Right. The last thing I’m going to do is lose my license after all the shit I’ve been through to finally get it. Trust me, you’ll be called if I need help.”
That makes me grin. “Oh, before I forget...” I reach into one of my desk drawers. “I got you a little something.”
Elizabeth’s eyes go wide as I slide a small box across the desk toward her. “Another gift? Has my boss been abducted by aliens or something?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Just open it.”
She bites on her bottom lip, and I think about what it’d be like to kiss her, to feel her soft lips on mine.
Taking her time, Elizabeth removes the small ribbon tied around the box and takes off the lid. She pulls out a silver chain and looks at the veterinary caduceus, a symbol representing modern-day veterinarian practices, hanging from it. On the back, DR. ELIZABETH BISHOP is engraved.
