AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Actually, I was just going to wear one of the old ones from past years.” She shrugged.
“Would you mind getting a new one with her? I want her to feel comfortable about going to the event. It’ll help if you’re both looking together.” I fished out my wallet.
“Sure. I’m guessing she’ll need the works.” Jessie held out her palm for my credit card.
“Yes. The gala is in two weeks. Make sure you get everything you need. I don’t think there will be much time between now and then to go out again.”
With as much as I knew about the girls, I knew they wouldn’t go crazy. “Get her whatever she wants and be sure to have fun.”
I handed over the black card with no spending limit.
ALEX
Iwent over the numbers again, and things still didn’t add up. Dad hadn’t raised his fees even with the increase in supply costs, and I still had no idea how he made ends meet.
I’d been searching through each line item one more time when I found it.
The contract with King’s Ranch.
I’d read it over but didn’t understand what it meant until now.
Dad kept the people in town happy over the last eight years, and the Kingstons would cover the extra expenses. That didn’t make sense. Why would they do that?
They agreed to a set fee for the year and then paid an additional amount at the end to cover whatever Dad came up short.
I didn’t know whether to be sick or to fall in love more.
Thomas and Declan helped make sure my father didn’t lose his clinic, and they made our services affordable to the neighboring ranches and families. But that also meant when the contract was over, I would be stuck with a no-win situation.
I didn’t expect them to renew it since they had two men graduating vet school in a little over a year and both of them would work on the ranch.
My throat grew tight as the panic set in. How was I going to survive?
The only way was to increase the prices… by a lot. I couldn’t afford to lose business, and with the price increase, it was likely I would, but the only saving grace was I was the only vet in town. Hopefully, the townspeople wouldn’t be too upset with me.I’d need to send out a letter giving them notice that the prices would have to increase by the first of June. This way, they wouldn’t be shocked when they made their next appointment or received their next bill. I also needed to talk to Dad.
My stomach churned all Friday. I wanted to ask the guys about this when I saw them, we didn’t have plans to see each other until Sunday. Tomorrow, I was going shopping with the girls for our dresses for the gala. I didn’t want to ruin what could be a fun day with thoughts or talk about money.Besides, I doubted Declan or Thomas would have discussed the arrangement with anyone else.
I tossed and turned all night long. By the time I woke up, I only had a half hour to pull myself together before Martin arrived.
Martin pulled up in front of my house at eight on the dot. In a limo. My mouth dropped open, and a little thrill went through me. I’d never ridden in a limo before.
When I stepped outside, the back door flew open and Grace, Blake, and Jessie jumped out. They looked just as excited as I felt.
I threw my hands up and squealed as they rushed over, and we had a group hug.
When Dec said he would send help, I honestly had no clue he’d ask all of them.
I locked my front door, and we climbed into the car.
“Thank you, Martin,” I called out, hoping he could hear me through the privacy window.
It rolled down, revealing the handsome older gentleman sitting in the driver’s seat. “It’s my pleasure, Dr. Brooks.”
“Please call me Alex.”
“As you wish.” He smiled. “Where to, ladies?”
“How upset would you be if I said Oklahoma City?” Jessie’s face scrunched up.
