“They all do,” Sadie answered, her optimism from earlier this morning returning. “It’s Monday, after all.”
“You’re a life saver!”
Before Sadie could introduce herself, Marc stormed into the room and headed right for his ancient coffeemaker. It made noises that didn’t seem to comply with the fire code. “I have a black coffee for you,” she tried once more.
“Why aren’t you up front? Phones turn on in five minutes.”
Sadie instantly thought of half a dozen retorts, but managed to swallow them all.You’re better than this, remember?She knew better than to expect to win her brother over in a single morning. With a forced smile, she left the coffees behind, mourning the loss. Without the nectar of the gods to pull her through this already long morning, the day promised to try every last nerve.
She caught a glimpse of Conner at the opposite end, looking dashing as ever—if not a bit worn out—as he slipped into his white lab coat. He seemed the most easygoing guy she’d ever met. What could possibly be troubling him? She was so consumed with her thoughts that the door to the lobby nearly smacked her. An inch closer and she’d have a bruise in the center of her forehead.
“Are you coming or not?” Marylou demanded.
The morning flewby in a blur of patients, an endlessly ringing phone, and all-around chaos. Haylee sent an apology text at eleven rather than bringing a change of clothes, but Sadie decided it was for the best. She’d chased not one, not two, butthreeescape artists in her still damp-soled high heels. The third capture resulted in a broken heel and a fully slobbered blouse. Probably because it tasted of peppermint mocha.
She was covered head-to-toe in dog hair of all varieties and breeds. Probably cat hair too, though the three feline patients had arrived in carriers and yowled their disdain every second they were in the clinic.
“I’m going on lunch,” Marylou announced, pushing up from her chair. “Think you can keep the place from burning down?” Though her tone wasn’t nearly as harsh as it’d been first thing this morning, Marylou was far from warming to Sadie. At least she trusted her enough to leave the building.
“I’ve got it covered.”
“Phones are switched off through the lunch hour, but doors stay open. There won’t be any patients until one.” Marylou shouldered her purse. “If anyone shows up early—”
“I’ll have them fill out the forms if they’re not already entered in the computer.”
Marylou nodded, which was nearly as good as a smile. “You can grab a break when I get back.” With that, she marched toward the front door as if being chased. Seemed Marylou couldn’t get away from Sadie fast enough. Not that she could blame her. Sadie was a quick learner, but she asked a million questions along the way. Questions that individually drove Marylou to groaning and terse smiles. The cacophony of them had her muttering about taking up smoking again after twenty years.
When the door closed, Sadie let out a heavy sigh of relief for the first time since she arrived at the clinic this morning. There was still plenty of time for things to go wrong, and for Marc to witness them all. But she’d survived half the day. That was an accomplishment all its own.
Kicking off her soggy heels, she fished a protein bar and a bottle of water from her tote bag. As she twisted off the cap, Conner appeared in the lobby with Delilah Matthews and her caramel Yorkie tucked under her arm. “Thank you so much, Dr. Michaelson,” the woman old enough to be Sadie’s grandma cooed. “I’m so glad you’re here. Waffles is lucky to have you. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.”
Conner patted her shoulder gently. “Just go easy on the cucumbers,” he said while flashing his megawatt smile. He ran a finger under the Yorkie’s chin, earning him some eager tail wags. “Too many at once is too much for his little tummy to handle.”
Sadie’s heart melted instantly. It wasn’t enough that Conner was too attractive to be legal or one of the most kindhearted people she’d ever met. He had to be sogoodwith animals too. No wonder half a dozen women brought in their pets this morning forroutinecheckups. Never mind that they weren’t due for months.
As Delilah left, Sadie pretended to busy herself with coffee-splattered files.
“Tell me you’re eating more than a protein bar for lunch?” Conner said, his honey smooth voice causing her pulse to double for the second time in three minutes. With the rush, Sadie hadn’t seen him in a couple of hours. She wasn’t thrilled about how much she missed him, or the torture she felt being teased that he was so close but out of reach. What a mess.
“I’ll grab something when Marylou gets back,” she lied. She desperately craved a break from the chaos, not that she’d ever admit it. But lunch wasn’t even on her radar. She yearned for a drive to her favorite scenic pull-off a couple miles from town. It’d likely be crawling with tourists, but Sadie could ignore them easily enough. She just needed a few minutes to catch her breath, away from all distractions. To practice those meditation exercises she was so horrible at. Without a breather, she might not survive the day. And she wasn’t about to let her brother have the satisfaction of her quitting on him.
“I have some leftover spaghetti,” Conner said. “You’re welcome to it.”
Sadie immediately conjured an image of her white blouse covered in marinara. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’ve tempted fate enough for one day.” She held up the folder splattered most heavily in caramel macchiato as evidence.
“Someone should’ve warned you about Marylou’s no-open-containers policy,” he said, apology in his tone.
“And take all the fun out of it?”
“It wasn’t fair,” Conner said, his tone gentle yet serious. It made Sadie feel . . . seen. Which would’ve been welcome aside from their complicated situation. Even worse was that Conner’s simple statement made her feel vulnerable. She’d worked really hard never to feel that way again after her toxic disaster of a relationship.
“I know for tomorrow.” She offered him adon’t worry about mesmile. “You doing okay?”
“Me?” He seemed taken aback by her question.
“You look a little . . . tired.”
Conner pushed off the counter he’d been leaning against and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “Still adjusting to all this late-night daylight.”
