“I’m really sorry I was plotting against you,” he said with a sheepish expression. He shifted from one foot to the other. “I wasn’t very good at it because I like you, Doc Harlow. It didn’t feel right to treat you badly.”
“And I like you too, Miles. I want to be friends, okay? If there’s ever a time when you feel uncomfortable about me and your dad, make sure to speak up. Talk to your dad. He’s a good listener.”
“I will, but can we just keep this between us for now?” He looked at her with pleading eyes.
“For now,” she said, “but you need to tell him sooner rather than later.” She looked at her watch. “You really need to scoot or you’re going to be late for school. And I have a patient arriving soon.”
“Thanks for hearing me out. I feel a lot better now,” Miles said with a grin.
Harlow walked Miles back toward the waiting room, where they said their goodbyes before Miles raced out the door. She walked back to reception to pick up her schedule for the day. Surprisingly, Jon didn’t greet her in his usual effusive manner. Instead he made a motion for her to step closer toward his desk. She immediately wondered what was going on when she saw him furtively glancing around as if worried he might be overheard.
“Harlow. Heads up,” Jon said in a low, conspiratorial voice. “One of our clients is making trouble for you.”
A chill ran down her spine as she absorbed his words.Trouble?Jon could be a bit dramatic, but he wasn’t the type to make something up out of thin air.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, dreading his response.
“Thanks to Gillian, the town rumor mill is swirling, saying you mistreated her dog.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Surely no one would believe such lies. Harlow’s heart began to thump wildly in her chest. Sadly, the past had taught her that sometimes falsehoods were believed. Her entire career could implode if false stories were circulated.
“I know it’s ludicrous, but some of your clients have requested another vet.” Jon discreetly pointed in the direction of Andy and Darlene Rubin, a couple who owned three spirited pugs. They were sitting a few feet away from the front desk, studiously avoiding eye contact with her.
“Talk to Whitney,” Jon urged. He slid a piece of paper toward her. “These are your appointments for today.” Was that a look of sympathy on his face?
“Thanks,” Harlow answered, glancing down at the slip. Four clients! Normally she had four times that amount. She was being canceled left and right. What did this mean for her reputation as a veterinarian?
Needing answers, she headed straight to Whitney’s office, pausing briefly to knock upon the partially open door. She poked her head in just as Whitney called out for her to come in. Whitney was sitting on the edge of her desk, looking deep in thought. As soon as she spotted Harlow she ushered her in, then made a point to firmly shut the door behind her.
“Harlow. I’ve been waiting to speak to you.” Whitney’s expression was shuttered, which was unusual for the bubbly veterinarian. Whitney was the lifeblood in the practice, mainly due to her ebullient personality and her mentoring the staff. Even if Jon hadn’t alerted her to the fact that something was going on, Whitney’s demeanor would have tipped her off.
“Hey, Whit. I just talked to Jon. What’s going on?” Harlow asked, willing herself to stop shaking. Nerves had taken over, and she’d never been any good at calming herself down.
Whitney huffed out a breath. “A whole lot of foolishness,” she said, sounding annoyed. “I never imagined it would come to this, but Gillian and a few others in town are circulating rumors about Elvis not receiving proper care here at the clinic. I’m really surprised that we actually have clients calling to cancel or switch up appointments. They’re messing with our livelihoods.”
Harlow placed a hand over her chest. Whitney’s concern about the situation ratcheted up her own. “This is about me isn’t it? I was the one who checked out Elvis, so it falls on me.”
“You did nothing wrong,” Whitney said, reaching over to pat her hand. “Elvis’s owner put him in danger, not you. This is about pettiness and unfounded gossip, not your professionalism.”
“Thank you for saying that,” Harlow said. Whitney’s words made her feel slightly better about the situation. It didn’t sound like her job was in jeopardy at the moment.
“We’re just going to take a pause on the dog rescue until all of this dies down. It’s not the right time to launch this program.” Whitney bit the end of her pencil. “I know it must be disappointing, Harlow, and I’m sorry for that.”
“But what if the gossip doesn’t die down?” Her heart was hammering wildly in her chest. For a moment she was completely breathless. The dog rescue meant so much to her, and now it was being sidelined. For what? Gillian didn’t even know Harlow. Was she trying to even the score because Harlow had tried to educate her about toxic substances for dogs? None of it made sense. But as Harlow well knew, not everything always added up. People could be cruel.
Whitney held up her hand. “Harlow, you know I don’t give any credence to this ridiculous rumor, but the timing is off. This rescue was your idea, so ideally you’d be the one to get it up and running. I think it’s important for us to hold off for a little bit, but I’m in no way suggesting any wrongdoing.” An understanding look washed over Whitney’s face.
Harlow’s entire body felt cold. Never in her professional life had her abilities been questioned. Not a single client had ever accused her of mistreatment of an animal. And now her appointments were being canceled. This could also have repercussions on the dog rescue and their funding opportunities.
“Just breathe, Harlow. I promise you this will all get sorted out.”
She nodded her head and got up to leave Whitney’s office. Although she knew her boss meant well, she didn’t believe her. Things didn’t always get straightened out. Sometimes people were forced to walk around with a scarlet letter emblazoned on their chests for all to see.
Hot tears stung her eyes as she entered her own office and closed the door behind her. Harlow refused to cry. She wouldn’t give these people the satisfaction of crumbling. She had worked so hard over the years to develop a professional relationship and hone her skills as a vet. Coming to Mistletoe was supposed to have been an answer to her prayers for financial relief from her student loans. Relocating from the West Coast had been a big decision. Being here had been an act of faith, which she’d never been very good at. She had seized this opportunity in the hopes of creating a better life for herself.
Just when she’d started to fall in love with this quaint little community, the rug had been pulled out from underneath her. And now, her career and reputation was going to crash and burn, all thanks to the petty gossips in Mistletoe, Maine.
Chapter Nineteen
