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“Josie,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to make her sad. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“It’s fine,” she said, reaching her hand out to touch his softly, then dropping it away. “I’m new here and people are going to think that. It’s not quite a year since Colleen, my best friend, died. I’m Josie’s guardian. We needed a fresh start and when Laine reached out to me, things fell into place.”
“Laine?” he asked, scratching his chin. He had to move his hand; it burned from her touch.
“She’s on the town board,” she said. “She told me you were the one that brought up the need for a full-time vet.”
Now he felt like more of a fool. He didn’t even know the name of the woman who found Avery for the island.
“I did,” he said. “I’m used to keeping to myself. I should know the names of people I’m talking to.”
She laughed and reached out to touch his hand again and then pulled it back as if she didn’t think she should have done that. He was thinking she was used to doing that with patients. Maybe to make them feel more comfortable around her and the animals?
“It’s fine,” she said. “I’m going to assume you don’t know anything about me then?”
“No,” he said. “You could have been a man for all I know. Your name could go either way.”
She laughed. “Very true, but as you can tell, I’m not one. And what are you doing here by yourself?”
“As I said, I’m one of those that volunteered to get the clinic up and running. Well, it’s running, but I’m sprucing it up. You’ll have ideas of things you want, but a fresh coat of paint and some new fixtures and cabinets in the bathrooms and sinks in the exam rooms won’t hurt.”
“That’s very sweet,” she said. “I had no idea that was happening. I’ve been in contact with Dr. Mullins and he’ll stay on for a bit. He’ll make sure we are fully stocked with what I need, but I want to check it out myself. I’ve got equipment that will be here and installed in the operating room next week too. I shouldn’t have been shocked by how little was in the clinic, but there are things I need to work on. I’m not open until Wednesday of next week when he’s here, but I’ll be starting Monday to get the staff going and the place organized. Then I told myself, maybe I’ll start sooner...if I can.”
Man, that was a mouthful. “You can do what you want,” he said. “I’ve got the rooms all painted. Did that last weekend. I was replacing the sinks in the exam rooms next. The bathroom was finished over the weekend.”
“Show me around then,” she said. “I’m very appreciative of all you are doing along with those on the island. Since it seems to me you’ve spearheaded the project, would you mind giving me a list of names that have helped? I’d like to thank everyone.”
“Sure,” he said. They moved to the reception area. “This is where we normally checked in.”
There was one window beyond the waiting area but a large space behind it for files, a big desk built into the two walls that had chairs where more than one person could work doing things.
“It’s a nice space for owners and pets to wait,” she said, looking around the area. “Are those built-in benches? They look new.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Bode was out here a few weeks ago with his crew and redid this room in one day. They built the benches for seating and covered them with a faux leather. It’s easy to clean and disinfect. The animals can get up on it without problems. The flooring is new too.”
The place had looked so old and run down and if he wanted someone to stay, they had to make sure it was at least pleasing to the eye and welcoming when they came in.
“It’s nice,” she said. “Vinyl plank flooring for easy cleanup too.”
“Yeah. Everyone has donated time and materials. This area back here has a new workstation too. Bode and his crew again.”
He was thrilled his cousin could find the time to do it when he knew he was balls deep in working on multiple projects including the retirement community.
But this meant a lot for the island and the Bonds always put that first.
Plus, Bode and Drew knew that those living in the new townhouses could have pets and maybe the new vet would make house calls if need be for those seniors. Who knew, but one hand washed the other on this island most times.
“I’m touched,” she said. Her eyes got all soft and she looked stunned at what was being done. “It looks great in here. Even the paint colors are so soft. I love the blues and greens that were chosen.”
That was his idea. Not sure why, but he went with it when he was buying the paint.
“It works,” he said.
They moved into the three exam rooms, the sinks missing from them because that was what he was doing tonight, taking them out to put them in this week.
He showed her the operating room. There he made sure there were new floors and a fresh coat of paint. He didn’t know what else to do and she obviously did.
“What kind of sinks did you get?” she asked, moving to the boxes in the corner of the hall. “Oh, stainless steel. Perfect and easy to clean and disinfect too.”
