Throat tightening with emotion again, I close my eyes.Help me find a way to make this work,I pray.Please, God.
With my mind in a haze, I set up my station, arranging the clippers, shears, and brushes neatly, while making sure everything is within easy reach. Then I fluff the cozy beds in the kennels and adjust the framed portraits of today’s canine clients above their designated spots, smiling at the familiar faces. Even though it’s an extra task, I switch out the photos daily depending on who’s coming in. Each dog has their own little nook separated by teal gates against the long wall, a touch I’m particularly proud of. It’s all about making them feel at home.
By the time Paige walks in,I’m practically bouncing on my heels. She must have come straight from work because she’s wearing loose sweats over a pink leotard.“Is that my favorite girl?” I say when I see Betty Lou. As I approach them, I noticePaige’s mouth set in a slight cringe. And then I mirror her expression when I take in Betty’s short, black and brown fur, caked in mud. Her nails are practically curling, they’ve gotten so long.
Paige laughs uneasily. “She had a little too much fun chasing a stray chicken around this morning. It’s been hard to keep her off the sofa while we’ve waited to come in.”
“That’s okay,” I laugh. “How do you feel about a shave?”
Her dark gaze turns sheepish. “That bad, huh?”
“I’m kidding, Paige.”
She visibly relaxes. “Okay good. But I honestly would have gone with it, Rom. You know I trust you. And it doesn’t help that I’m chronically gullible.”
I laugh and capture the leash as she passes it to me. “I’ll take Betty Lou from here. It will be about two hours for her bath, brush, and nail trim. I’ll give you a call when she’s done.”
“Thanks,” she says, waving at her dog. “Be good, girl.”
I walk Betty Lou through the barn door to the back of the salon where we keep the wash tubs. Lana meets me back there, holding a leash with Koda, a matted, black Goldendoodle on the other end. “Trade ya.”
I hand her Betty Lou to wash and take Koda. While we’re back there, I shave him down to within an inch of fur. “I’m sorry, boy,” I whisper. And I am. I love his curly, black fur. But unfortunately, shaving all the fur off doodles is one of the things I do most at work. It’s practically my bread and butter since their fur gets easily matted without daily brushing.
With all his fur gone, Koda is a breeze to wash. I scrub him down with a delicious, toasted almond shampoo, and he sits perfectly under the powerful velocity dryer. When I bring him back out the front of the salon, I notice Lana facing the mirrored wall, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Betty Lou is tethered by leash to the metal loop in the ground near my grooming table.When Lana sees me, she scurries back to the table and the room grows quiet.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Lana bites her lip. “Ugh. I was going to try to wait until after today to tell you.”
My stomach flips. “Tell me what?”
“I’m leaving Maine at the end of the week. I got into that computer science program in Colorado I was telling you about. It was all so last-minute. Remember I told you they put me on the waitlist? Apparently someone dropped out, so I get to take their spot.”
Instead of answering, I secure Koda to the tether at my station. For a moment, I don’t know how to respond, but then Lana adds, “I was hoping today could be my last day of work so I can spend the rest of the week packing. You can find a replacement for me, right? Easily.”
I nod my head, mumbling, “Of course, Lana. And congratulations. I’m so happy for you.” But inside, it feels like I’m about to crumble. First the rent increase, now this? Am I doomed to have my business fail a second time?
It took me months to find Lana. It’s been hopeless trying to secure someone dedicated enough to push through the challenges that come with being a dog bather, especially in a town as small as Meadow Hills. Besides me, there’s only one other dog groomer in town. And thanks to my last business failing, Agatha has made it clear she can’t trust working with me unless I somehow raise my rating. But now that Lana’s leaving, it’s probably only going to plummet even further.
With effort, I smile and turn my back to Lana so I can finish the rest of Koda’s groom.
We work in silence the rest of the day, but the voice in my head is anything but quiet as it screams at me,there goesall your hard work, Romilly. You’re about to be right back to square one.
Chapter Five
BASH
I spendway too much of Monday morning sitting out back by the lake after getting ready for my coffee date with Romilly. The water shimmers and stretches out like a glittering blanket, rippling under every gentle breath of the wind.
It’s inherently peaceful out here, and for that reason, it’s my favorite place to read my Bible. Or rather, to read verses on my phone in my Bible app. I’ve already showered, and the wind blows into my nose the smell of the hair products I save for special occasions, now that I can’t afford to buy more once they run out. I even ironed my clothes for the day.
I feel like I’m a teenager again.
What is it about this woman that makes me want to impress her so badly? I have no idea. I don’t even know her. But maybe after having coffee with her today, I’ll finally be able to move on and think about something else. Like finding sponsors, getting into a gym so I can properly prepare for my next fight, or figuring out how I’m going to fund my ridiculously expensive car repairs. Anything that doesn’t involve asking my parents for help.
When I glance back at my phone to continue reading, a verse I’ve seen many times before stands out at me.
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
