The hour flies by, and I feel good about having made a huge dent in my work as I gather up my files and put them away.
Besides Dr. Matthews, I’m the only other vet here in this office. I’ve worked here since I was sixteen, and he’s become like a grandfather to me.
When I left for college, I was promised a position here as soon as I was done. Dr. Matthews is getting older and wants to take on fewer clients, so I’ve slowly been taking over some of his duties. He’s a brilliant doctor, and I’m soaking up every bit of knowledge he teaches me while I can.
He’s told me several times how he would love nothing more than for me to run the clinic one day when he retires. Just thinking about having my own veterinary business sends my excitement into overdrive. I have so many ideas running through my head on how to grow the business while also helping animals in need of homes.
Getting my purse from the bottom desk drawer, I turn off the lights and shut the door behind me, passing the exam rooms flanking both sides of the hallway. I was told this was originally a house when it was first built.
When Dr. Matthews bought the place, he wanted to keep it as homey as he could. The living room became the reception area with cozy chairs and bright, woven-colored rugs on the floor. Heeven kept the stone fireplace, converting it to gas, so he could use it for the two months it can get chilly here. The small kitchen in the back became the staff’s lounge, complete with a fridge, comfortable sofas, and a state-of-the-art coffee maker. Thank God, Dr. Matthews values the finer coffee in life.
For the hospital portion of it, the two-car garage was added onto and made into an emergency area and a place for routine surgeries. The adjoining room is set up to house any animals that need overnight stays.
“Going out for lunch today, Dr. Montgomery?”
I smile at Miss Dorothy as I approach the reception desk. She’s been here since the doors opened and has been Dr. Matthews’s right-hand person from the beginning. It makes it even sweeter that they have been happily married for over fifty years and have built this business together.
They had hoped to pass it down to their children, but even though their son ended up in the medical field, he chose the human route and now works as an emergency room doctor at our local hospital. Their daughter is happily married to a banker in town with four grown children of her own and has no interest in running the clinic.
Even at sixteen, they could feel my love for this place and my willingness to learn. They poured all their excitement into teaching me everything about the business. I’ve become like their third child and the one who understands what they created here and wants to keep it that way.
“Still refusing to call me, Savannah?” I ask, smiling at her affectionate gaze. The wrinkles around her green eyes deepen as she smiles wider at me.
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told my Henry. You’ve worked hard for the title. I’m going to use it any chance I can get while at work.”
“I do love the sound of it,” I grin.
“Damn right you do,” she beams. “You should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished in such a short time. I’ve been in this field for so long and have been at the side of many vets through the years. I know something special when I see it. You remind me of my Henry when he works, and it’s not something you can learn up here,” she says, pointing to her head. “The best doctors work from here.” She places her hand on her heart and smiles.
I blink back the unexpected tears that have suddenly appeared. “Ruin my makeup right before I leave, why don’t you?” Laughing softly, I catch a tear with the side of my finger before it falls.
“You and me both, dear,” she chuckles, brushing one away before swatting my arm. “You go and enjoy your lunch. I’m making Henry take me to my favorite sushi place when he’s done with his patient, so I don’t need my makeup ruined either,” she laughs.
“Pisces?” Just thinking of their rolls makes my mouth start to water. They have the best sushi around.
“As if there is any better,” she grins.
“No, there isn’t,” I laugh. The office phone rings just then, and we wave goodbye as she goes to answer it.
Putting my sunglasses on, I walk out the front door and am greeted with the warmth of the sun shining down on me. When you’ve grown up here, the humid heat doesn’t even faze you. It’s normal to be covered in sweat within ten minutes of stepping outside. I prefer the hot weather over the cold any day.
I click the unlock button on my white Supra and slide into the dark leather seats. Ryder’s not the only one in this family who likes fast cars. When he found this one for me, I couldn’t pass it up. It’s not my ultimate dream car, but it’s a lot of fun to whip around in. There’s just something about driving such a powerfulmachine that gets me excited and makes me feel sexy all at the same time. I get why Ryder is addicted to the feeling.
Taking the road along the coast, I arrive at Captain Jack’s just a short time later. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in town and sits right on the beach. I practically grew up here and have so many memories.
I can picture every moment as I walk toward the restaurant…
My brothers and I, at a young age, running down the steps toward the beach for our traditional after-family-dinner walk to see who could find the most crabs along the shoreline…
Fun lunches with my friends during our summer breaks, and even some of Tristan and I having fun on Friday nights as we listen to the live band play.
What keeps people coming back is the fresh seafood they get daily right off the boats and the family atmosphere they’ve created with the locals. It’s one of the best hangouts around on the beach. And they make the best margaritas, which is a major plus.
I see Olivia right away, sitting at one of the high tops on the back deck overlooking the water and beach below.
Her honey-colored hair is lightly blowing in the wind, and her cute green sundress matches her beautiful light hazel eyes perfectly. She lights up when she sees me and jumps up for a warm hug.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!”
