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Sobbing uncontrollably, Cortland buried her face in her hands to muffle the sound. She didn’t want anyone outside her office door to hear her meltdown. The front part of the fifty-plus-year-old Cape housing the clinic didn’t have much in the way of sound diminishing insulation. A crushing feeling of loss had her bent over at the waist in her desk chair.
“OH!” She bolted upright as she felt the weight of a hand on the back of her head. Turning, she found Hannah kneeling beside her chair. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I’m sorry.” Hannah sat back on her heels at Cortland’s feet. “You did everything right. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Cortland’s vision blurred as she looked at her best friend, a moist tissue pressed to her cheeks, sopping up the tears. “I—I can’t believe he died. Everything was looking good. His vital signs were stable, and then ...”
“I know. It’s the biggest suck this job entails.” Hannah reached out again and grasped Cortland’s hand. “It was gutsy of you to even try to save him. Most vets would have given up as soon as he arrived.” Squeezing her hand, Hannah reiterated, “At least you tried.”
Fresh tears welled in Cortland’s eyes again. “It didn’t work.”
“But you tried.” Rising on her knees, Hannah turned the chair to face her. “You are not God. You and I and any other veterinarians out there are not miracle workers. We’re all perfectionists, but it’s out of our hands.” She rubbed Cortland’s back. “Our patients are our passion. Caring for them gives us meaning and satisfaction. And losing them bruises our hearts.”
“Bruise?” Cortland sniffled. “This one was a kick in the teeth and the chest.”
“Cort, our compassion and our skill have incredible value. We save and help so many. We all have to focus on the incredible good we do.”
“I understand that. It doesn’t make it any easier, though. Especially when a good owner turns on you.”
Hannah sat back on her heels again. “I heard everything you said to the owner. You never promised her you’d cure her cat. She got her hopes up too high. She wasn’t listening to your words of caution.”
Cortland sighed heavily. “I know. She jumped to the conclusion I’d save him no matter what.” She was quiet for a few seconds. “Do you ever consider quitting?”
Looking up at her wide eyed, Hannah shook her head vigorously. “No, not now. I did during my first internship. I lost the most adorable golden retriever puppy I’ve ever seen. He ingested an entire bag of chocolate Easter candy. By the time he was brought in, he was seizing. I’d just seen him two days before for his first physical. I cried my heart out for days afterward.”
Cortland’s hand grasped Hannah’s. “That must have been awful.” She looked away, breaking eye contact with her. “Do you ever feel like you’re on a conveyor belt with an endless supply of patients?” She ran her trembling hand through her hair. “Like you don’t own your time anymore?”
“Oh boy, did I ever. When I first got here only to find out Doc Cambria had that stroke, his wife told me I had to cover the clinic and the town vet position without anyone’s help. But then, I enticed someone to join me. My best friend,” she cocked her head to the side and smiled, “who I must admit is a great veterinarian.”
Remembering the call she received about the job, Cortland grinned. “I was so happy for so many reasons.” The grin dropped from her features. “But I didn’t expect it to be so much like a roller coaster.”
“Hmm, you’ve been working six to seven days a week.” Hannah hugged her knees to her chest.
“My schedule will be lightening up soon.” Having two days off in a row couldn’t come soon enough.
“Even so, tell me, what do you do when you get home?”
Her eyes widened. “I usually crash. Most nights, I don’t get home until after nine.”
“You need to spend less time at the clinic. I don’t want you staying after six p.m. unless there’s an emergency and you’re on-call. The veterinary techs are good here. They know when to call you in and when they can handle something simple. That’s an order from your boss. You need a better work-life balance.”
Cortland chuckled. “What life?”
“My point exactly. You need either a hobby or a man.”
Feeling the blush overtaking her face, Cortland looked away. “I’m working on a man.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Dawson?”
She nodded. “We had dinner last night.”
Her friend wiggled her eyebrows saucily. “And?”
“It was nice.” She shrugged and looked away.
Hannah recoiled, her eyes narrowing. “Uh oh. Nice? I would have hoped it was better than nice.”
A flicker of warmth sprouted in Cortland’s belly as she thought of Dawson’s tongue licking his lips free of Guinness foam. “We discussed our careers. And bantered a little.” The skeptical look on Hannah’s face forced her to admit the truth. “Okay, so we bantered more than a little. About curly fries and the pickle I didn’t want with my dinner. The innuendo feels funny now, but in my frame of mind at the time, I didn’t want to hear it.”
“Why? It was flirtatious, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” Shrugging, she answered, “I was uncomfortable in make-up, heels, and new clothes that were more risqué than my work scrubs.”
Shaking her head and raising her eyebrows with a look of surprise, Hannah remained silent.
“Then I mentioned my Aunt Faith, and I got nervous because I hadn’t heard from her. I had a dream the other night that she was calling me. In the dream, I couldn’t get to the phone. It kind of freaked me out and brought the evening to an early close.”
“Did you ever hear from her?”
“I called after the date. She broke her fibula. It’s casted, and she’s home. But she sounded awful. Her voice was weak. I need to go see her. She wouldn’t say why but she wants me to fly out to see her. I was thinking of next weekend. You’re covering that weekend, and I can be back by Monday morning on the red-eye flight.”
Hannah bit her lip a few seconds before replying. “Sounds okay. If you have any appointments, have Alissa reschedule them.”
Cortland stared into space, her mind ticking through all the possible reasons Aunt Faith wanted her to go to Alaska. The conversation left her feeling something else was going on that Aunt Faith needed help with.
Interrupting her thoughts, Hannah said, “I’m sorry. I hoped you two might have hit it off.”
“Me too, frankly.” Cortland paused, remembering Dawson and their parting on the sidewalk. “He said he’d call, but he hasn’t. But it’s only been since last night. Still, I don’t want to read too much into our date.”
“Hmm.” Hannah stretched her legs out on the floor in front of her. “I bet he will. Andrew seems to think he’s got the hots for you. Speaking of which, we’re inviting you both over Friday night, eight o’clock, to discuss something.” Smirking, she said saucily, “You’ll have another chance.”
Rolling her eyes and covering her ears with her hands, she looked away again. “Enough. I don’t want to hear anymore.”
“Suit yourself.” Hannah started to get up but fell back. “Help me. I can’t get up.”
Cortland giggled as she helped Hannah up from the carpeted floor. “Way to go, boss.”
––––––––
Cortland turned her car into the small guest parking area at Hannah and Andrew’s apartment building. A glance in her rear-view mirror confirmed her suspicions and ignited unease. The vehicle trailing her for the last few miles followed her into the parking lot. She stayed in her car and picked up her phone. She could call Andrew and ask him to come down and escort her. Or am I just being paranoid? Maybe it’s someone who lives here?
She had been to their apartment before but only during daylight. Located in the outskirts of town in a heavily wooded area she was otherwise unfamiliar with, she was not feeling comfortable here at night. The quarter moon threw little light. She waited to see what the driver of the vehicle, a pickup truck, would do.
A tall, sturdy male figure got out of the truck. He paused beside his door and smoothed his hand over the top of his head. His silhouette looked familiar. Dawson? What’s he doing here? She hadn’t heard from him since the date.
Remembering Andrew and Hannah’s talk about inviting her and Dawson over for dinner at the same time made her clench the steering wheel. Hannah had said she was inviting both of them over. Had they dared to try to arrange this get-together as a matchmaking ploy? A flash of anger and dismay filled her gut. She did not like the meddling if that’s what was happening.
When Dawson started up the sidewalk, Cortland dialed Hannah. When she answered, Cortland lit into her. “How could you? Contriving something to get Dawson and me together? I specifically remember telling you not to do something like this!”
Hannah shushed her. “That’s not what this is about. Just come into the apartment. All will be explained.” And she hung up.
Cortland grumbled as she got out of the car and headed for the apartment door. It opened as she approached. Hannah took her hand and led her toward the living room.
“Beer, wine, or lemonade?” Hannah asked as Cortland set down her purse on the foyer table.
“Wine, red, please.” She eyed Dawson and Andrew across the living room. Dawson’s eyes met hers. He grinned as he held her gaze, Andrew talking to him all the while. Her insides fluttered the longer he stared. “Do you swear you’re not playing matchmaker?”
“Positive.” Hannah’s hand rubbed Cortland’s back briefly, then propelled her into the living room. “Have a seat.” She gestured Dawson and Cortland to the sofa. Whining and barking sounds echoed down the hallway to the bedroom where the dogs, Toby and Maggie Mae, were sequestered.
“Thanks for coming, both of you,” Andrew said, taking the lead after ensuring everyone had a drink. Cortland had settled on the sofa, leaving over a foot of space between her and Dawson.
Cortland glanced at Hannah and Andrew furtively. She took a gulp of her wine before asking, “What’s going on?” Her eyes avoided Dawson’s though she could feel his on her.
“We’ve decided to make it legal. And we’d really like you both to be in the wedding party as maid of honor and best man.”
Dawson looked at the couple first, then his eyes slid to Cortland. “Just a maid of honor and a best man?” Dawson asked.
Hannah piped in, “I’ve asked Tulsi to be a bridesmaid. And Andrew’s godson, Daniel, will be a ring bearer.”
“Tulsi? Tulsi is coming too?” The excitement in Cortland’s tone was unmistakable.
The bride-to-be chattered, “I know, isn’t it exciting. All three of us together again.”
Andrew interrupted his fiancée before she could ramble on, “You’ll both do it?”
Simultaneously, Dawson and Cortland said, “I will.”
“Perfect, Hannah and I are so happy. You’ll both be helping us out.”
“I only have one question: what’s the date? I need to know for work.” Dawson said, sitting back against the sofa cushions, his arm slung along the top.
Cortland tensed slightly when he stuck his arm out in her direction. “Same for me, especially if Hannah is going to be away on an extended honeymoon.”
“Fear not, my brave associate. We’re only going away for a long weekend. One you are already scheduled to cover.”
Cortland was silent as she sipped her wine. Dawson was also quiet.
Andrew picked up the lagging conversation. “We’ll get married at St. Thomas Church at eight p.m. The reception is for family only at the Elks Club hall down the street. Well, you two are invited, of course!” He hesitantly chuckled as if afraid of what their silence meant.
Dawson asked with a tone of exasperation in his voice. “What’s the date?”
“Oops, sorry. The wedding is Friday night, July 1st. We’ll return Monday night.”
Dawson pulled out his phone and began scrolling. “I have that day off and the day before. If there’s any decorating to do at the hall, I can help, but I’m always on-call in case something big goes down.”
Doing the same, Cortland said, “I’m on-call that weekend, starting Friday.” She glanced up and held Hannah’s eyes.
Andrew piped in. “I’ve arranged for Dr. Paul Tabs to cover on Friday. He’s the vet in the next town over. My new assistant will handle the animal control office.”
Andrew, Dawson, and Hannah chatted together as Cortland opened her phone to add the date to her calendar. “You’re going to pull off a wedding in six weeks? I better get on arranging the bridal shower quickly!”
“No shower. Promise me, Cortland. I do not want a bridal shower or anything similar.” Hannah's voice was full of menace, and her body tense.
“Can’t say I’m not relieved about that. Are you sure? Don’t say that unless you truly mean it.”
“Oh, I do mean it. I mean every word of it.”
Cortland looked back at her phone’s calendar app. Her eyes lit up, and her voice was full of disbelief. “That’s the Fourth of July weekend.”
Andrew’s eyes widened as he slapped his forehead with his palm. “Oh, crap. I can’t believe that didn’t even register in my brain.”
Standing up to refill his glass, Dawson looked at the three of them. “I’ll probably get called in for extra duty that weekend. Especially if the fire hazard is high. We often have small fires break out from firework cinders.”
Cortland softly said, “Fourth of July weekend is a disaster for animal control and for the vet clinic. Dogs get scared of the noise and run. We get dozens of calls at the clinic for sedatives.” She looked at both Hannah and Andrew. “But you’re returning the night of the fourth? Right?”
“Right. We don’t know when we’ll be back, but—”
“You could get a phone call asking for help,” Cortland smirked.
Andrew’s eyebrows rose. “You can try.”
––––––––
Cortland and Dawson walked away from the apartment after their goodbyes to the couple. She skirted ahead as the sidewalk narrowed, picking up her pace.
Dawson called out, “Wait up, please.”
Cortland’s body stiffened as she halted, turned, and watched him jog to catch up. Her eyes roamed up and down his body. His jeans were standard fare, but he filled them out as though they might be a little too small for his brawny frame. His T-shirt also seemed too small as it outlined his wide sturdy chest, broad shoulders, and muscular upper arms. Clinging to his belly, it hinted at rock-hard abs. Her mouth watered as she continued to stare, and she itched to explore his fine figure.
“I was wondering if we could have another try at a date? Maybe a hike or bike ride?” He asked, his hands now stuffed in his pockets but his eyes not leaving hers.
A flame ignited in her chest and lower. “Yes, I’d like that. But it’ll have to be after next weekend. I’ll be out of the state from Friday night until Monday morning.”
“How about Tuesday?” When she nodded, he asked, “Can I get your phone number?” He reached for his back pocket.
A tremor ran through her gut. “You don’t have it?” It became clear why he hadn’t called her as he said he would. She reached for his phone.
Relinquishing it, he waited, bouncing on the balls of his sneakered feet as she punched in her number, hit send, and handed it back to him.
A cell phone rang in her purse, giving them assurance he had it. “And now I have yours as well.” She smiled. She’d promised herself she’d make it up to him for cutting their first date short. “Call before Friday night. The cell phone doesn’t work where I’m heading.”
The statement seemed to pique his interest, but he didn’t ask. She wasn’t offering the location or reason.
“It was great seeing you tonight.” He said, gesturing to her. “You look great.”
Again she smiled. “Just jeans and a t-shirt like you.”
“Yup.” His beautiful broad smile emerged. “Excellent. I’ll call you with details later in the week.”