Lucy stopped mid-stride and stared at June in shock. “What?”
June repeated what Becky and Zoe had witnessed at the police station, watching Lucy’s expression shift from disbelief to concern.
“I don’t believe it,” Lucy said, though her tone suggested she was beginning to accept the possibility. “Surely Holt wouldn’t fall for Victoria’s act.”
June shrugged, trying to appear indifferent despite the turmoil in her chest. “Well, they’re both divorced now. I suppose they’re free to move on with their lives.”
She quickly changed the subject before Lucy could see too much in her expression. “Speaking of moving on, tell me about your date with Tom. I want to hear every detail.”
As June listened to Lucy’s account of their romantic evening, she found herself genuinely happy for her friend. She’d always suspected that Tom and Lucy might find their way back to each other eventually. Some relationships were simply meant to be, written in the stars, despite the obstacles that might temporarily keep two people apart.
Deep in her heart, June had once believed the same thing about her and Holt. But thirty-eight years had proven that some love stories didn’t get second chances, no matter how perfect they’d seemed at the beginning.
21
LUCY
“I have to go meet my contractors,” Lucy said as she signed off on some papers at the front desk, where June had neatly written up the docket for Snuggles. “Thank you so much for doing this.”
“It’s a pleasure,” June assured her. “I’ll close up…”
“Is Dr. Peltz in?” Simon Stock, a local, rushed in holding a brown Labrador.
“Horace ran through some broken glass,” his son Oliver’s voice was strained with worry, “and he’s bleeding really badly.”
“Quick,” June said instantly. “Take him through to exam room three.”
“I’ll take them,” June said, leading Simon and Oliver through. “This way.”
“I’ll be right in,” Lucy told them, pulling out her phone as she started to follow, as she glanced at her watch and frowned. Lacey should have been back from her emergency call over an hour ago, and she wasn’t answering her phone.
Lucy dialed the construction foreman she was supposed to be meeting. “Hi, John, this is Dr. Tanner. I’m running about an hour late. I have a patient emergency.”
“That is perfectly fine, Dr. Tanner,” John told her. “I can be here for another two to three hours.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said, and after hanging up, she immediately called Tom, who answered after the third ring. “Hi Tom. I need to push our meeting back an hour. I have an emergency patient.”
“Hello, Lucy. That’s not a problem at all,” Tom’s voice came through clearly. “I’m actually at Margo’s, having coffee and keeping an eye on things here. Take your time.”
Lucy felt a wave of gratitude. “Thank you for watching out for her. I know she appreciates it, even if she won’t admit it.”
“It’s the least I can do,” Tom replied. “Let me know when you are on your way to the house, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Actually…” Lucy said, remembering her car was at the repair shop for service. “Would you mind if I drove with you? My car is having a service, and Lacey’s not back with her truck.”
“Sure,” Tom said. “It’s more practical anyway. Call me, and I’ll pick you up when you’re ready.”
“That’s okay, I’ll walk to Teacups,” Lucy told him. “I have to go. Thank you, Tom.”
Lucy hung up and hurried into the room where she noticed that June had already cleared Simon and Oliver out and was attending to Horace. “I think you missed your calling.” She smiled as she pulled on latex gloves.
Some time later, Lucy carefully guided the suture needle through the torn skin of the two-year-old Labrador’s front leg, grateful for June’s steady hands helping to keep the patient calm. The curious dog had run straight through a sliding glass door, creating a clean but deep laceration that required professional attention.
“There we go, Horace,” Lucy murmured soothingly to the Labrador. “Just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new.”
June watched as Lucy worked. “I’ve always been amazed by what you and Lacey can do,” she said quietly. “Switching between veterinary and human medicine like it’s nothing.”
“Years of necessity,” Lucy replied with a smile, tying off another suture. “When you’re the only medical professionals in a small town, you learn to adapt. Though I have to admit, Lacey’s much better with the four-legged patients than I am.”
