Lila tore a handful of paper towels from a roll and went to work cleaning the stainless-steel examination table.
While ninety percent of her high school class had fled Thunder Mountain the minute they had their graduation certificate in hand, she had elected to stay. Even after she married. She appreciated the security her hometown provided—especially when Aaron left on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan which left her stateside waiting for him to come home.
She loved Thunder Mountain and the people who had become family. This tiny mountain town was her home. Besides, how could she possibly do life without Charlie Grace, Reva, and Capri—even if leaving might mean a real veterinary career?
Lila noticed the trash can was getting full. She lifted the plastic bag from the container, tied it off, and headed for the back door that led to the dumpster.
Outside, the air was filled with the earthy fall scent of pine and sagebrush that lingered long after the last lupine blooms had faded. The aspens were now showing off their shades of gold and there was a crispness in the air that signaled winter could swoop in and dump snow on the mountain peaks at any time.
Lila took a moment to take it all in, reminding herself once again how lucky she was to live in Thunder Mountain.
Yet, even given all the benefits of residing in a small town, there were also drawbacks.
The produce down at Western Drug and General was rarely fresh, given the trucking times—especially in the winter when the roads made travel treacherous. Thank goodness for summer gardens. Her mind drifted to people who knew how to preserve the fruit and vegetables they grew. And to Diane’s canned rhubarb.
Unlike metropolitan areas, Amazon didn’t deliver overnight—no matter if you were a Prime member or not. There was no Costco, no Walmart, and only one place to buy clothes.
Apricot Lane, the quaint clothing store nestled in the heart of the tiny mountain town, was a charming relic of simpler times. Owned by Patty Guerard and Barb Miller, it exuded warmth and nostalgia, with its weathered wood exterior and flower-filled window boxes. Inside, the cozy shop was neatly organized, with racks of clothes arranged by season and a rustic counter adorned with a vintage cash register.
Though the selection was limited, focusing on practical mountain wear and a handful of consigned hand-knitted items made by the Knit Wits, Apricot Lane was a beloved stop for both locals and visitors alike. The friendly chatter and laughter of Patty and Barb made every visit feel like catching up with old friends.
The worst drawback of living here in Thunder Mountain was the lack of men. Oh, there were men, all right. But no one Lila might find interesting. Unless she wanted to date Albie Barton or Brewster Findley. Uh…no thanks!
Fortunately, Charlie Grace had better luck. The arrival of Nick Thatcher, a production executive with a television show filming nearby, changed everything for her. His charm and ambition instantly caught her attention. What began as a chance encounter quickly blossomed into something much deeper.
Reva was now on her honeymoon in Maui with Kellen Warner, the charismatic musician slash car mechanic. In a matter of months, she’d fallen in love and became a mother.
Watching Reva and Kellen together, Lila couldn’t help but feel hopeful. It was like seeing a fairytale come to life. Lila knew that if anyone deserved this happiness, it was Reva, and she felt privileged to witness her friend find it.
That left her and Capri—still single—still waiting. It was hard not to feel a twinge of envy, but Lila took comfort in knowing that Charlie Grace and Reva finding happiness was proof that love was out there, just waiting for the right moment to find them, too.
Capri’s independent streak might relish remaining single, even into her senior years, but Lila hated the thought of Camille leaving the nest and having to grow old alone.
She hoped there would be someone out there for her again someday.
Of course, she had little time to pursue such things. She barely had time to sleep with all that she was currently juggling.
Lila tossed the bag of trash into the dumpster and headed back inside.
“Yoo-hoo. Anyone here?”
Lila rushed to the front to find Nicola Cavendish holding her miniature Yorkshire terrier, a tiny bundle of energy with a glossy long coat and a bright pink bow perched atop its head. “Oh, Lila. I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, placing her Yorkie into Lila’s arms. “It’s Sweetpea. She’s feeling a bit under the weather,” the woman said with a worried expression.
“Oh? How so?” Lila pulled the tiny animal against her chest and petted her.
“Wooster fed her some bacon off his plate this morning. I’ve told him a thousand times that her little tummy can’t take all that fat. Does he listen?” She shook her head vehemently. “No, he does not. My husband is a pushover and lets her have anything she wants, even ice cream. I tell him over and over he must stop indulging our sweet baby.” She lovingly clutched Sweetpea’s tiny chin. “Isn’t that right, baby?”
Lila held back a grin. “Well, let’s take a look.”
She headed for the exam room in the back with Nicola following at her heels.
Nicola Cavendish had a striking presence, both in appearance and demeanor. Her dark hair was styled into a sleek updo that gave her a touch of old Hollywood glamour. She wore expertly applied makeup, complete with bold lip color and well-defined eyes. Nicola’s attire was always polished, favoring tailored designer suits, statement jewelry, and high heels that clicked confidently against the pavement.
She carried herself with an air of confidence that bordered on theatrical, her laugh a sharp, staccato burst that could be heard across the room. Despite her petite stature, she had a commanding presence, often punctuating her sentences with a dramatic gesture or a raised eyebrow. Nicola’s demeanor was a mix of charm and mischief, her voice dripping with sarcasm or playful banter as she engaged with the townsfolk, effortlessly weaving through conversations with a wry smile, always leaving others curious about what she would say or do next.
Even more, she prided herself on being in the know about every subject.
“I was on social media yesterday and saw thatBear Countrywill be wrapping up filming their first season soon.” Her face went into a pout. “I really liked hanging out on set. Do you think Charlie Grace has heard any inside scoop about a second season?”
