“Fork.”
He passes one down. I carefully skim a prong between the metacarpal pad and her left digital pad to work the object free. I work cautiously so I don’t tear the tissue. Finally, a jagged splinter of bone pops free. No blood follows, but Butters whines, then immediately licks my wrist.
Gary’s mouth drops open. “From the bone I gave her this morning?”
“They splinter. Better her paw than her swallowing it. Try hide sticks or rubber chews instead.” I rub Butters’s head, and she thumps her tail against the floor. “She may limp for a day, but she’s fine. Clean it with some warm water when you get home, and keep an eye on it. If she starts favoring it too much or if it looks inflamed, give me a call.”
“Give you a call,” Gary repeats doubtfully. “You mean at Jamie’s?”
“Yeah. I’m there most days anyway.”
When I stand and turn around, the entire café erupts in applause, like I just hauled a kitten out of a burning Christmas tree.
Gary lets out a husky laugh. “You looking for a job? Because we could sure use a vet in this town.”
I wave both hands. “No, no. I already have a job in the city. I’ll be gone in seventeen days.”
“You’re counting,” a voice says behind me.
Jamie.
His face has fallen, and it makes me feel like he’s pried open a window in my chest, and now a frigid draft is wafting in.
Winnie, either oblivious to the tension or choosing to ignore it, pipes up. “Well, if you change your mind, I’ve got a free apartment above the café. Rent’s cheap, coffee’s free.” She gestures at her brother with glee. “Or, you know, my brother’s cabin. He’s got plenty of room.”
“I—uh.” My eyes ping-pong around. “No, I’m needed back home.”
But Miriam doesn’t really need me. The clinic is drowning in résumés from eager vets who’d kill for my job.
Still, I’m in line to take over when Miriam retires. I’ve always dreamed of running my own practice.
I can’t give that up. Jamie and I have only known each other for fourteen days.
Fourteen.
Yet the thought of giving up whatever is budding between us seems like dropping a box of used needles on my foot.
So, for one single breath, I let myself wonder:What if I stayed in Cranberry Hollow?
Chapter 15
Oh No, There’s Only One Sled
Seventeen Days Left With Jamie
I holdJamie’s gaze as I take a tiny bite of the supposed you-haven’t-lived-until-you’ve-tried-itpotato donut.
I expect mashed, buttered starch, but instead, sweet maple-vanilla goodness rolls across my tongue.
“I hate it.” I scrunch my nose at him.
Jamie grins. “No, you don’t.”
He grabs a napkin and plucks a chocolate donut from the pink box on the center console of his truck. We’re parked in front of the elementary school, waiting for the school bell to ring.
“It’s like a donut, but also cake at the same time?” I tear off a bigger piece and pop it in my mouth. “Wow. Wow. Wow.”
“Three wows sound like success.”
