Hallie laughed out loud."Yeah, like that's going to be possible.Have you seen the size of you?"She turned back to Emmett."So, what did you want to talk to me about?I feel like I'm doing okay.Some of the ranchers aren't too happy to see me when I first show up, but I'll be surprised if someone's complained."
"No, it's nothing like that.No one's complained.In fact, one of my biggest clients called to say that if any of the others aren't happy about you coming out, I should tell them that he recommends you."
Hallie threw her head back and laughed."Let me guess—Wendell."
Emmett exchanged a glance with Blane, who chuckled and said, "Wendell, huh?You've known him for what, a couple of hours—or however long it takes to do a herd check—and you're on a first-name basis with him?"
"Yeah, it took me a while.He wasn't happy to see me at first, didn't want to let me near his cattle."She rolled her eyes."You wouldn't believe how many of the old guys are like that.Oops."
Blane raised his eyebrows, but Emmett had a feeling he knew what that "oops" was about.He was right.
"I didn't mean you guys," Hallie added hurriedly."I mean, you're not that old.Oh, shit.Why don't I just open my mouth again so that I can change feet?You're not old.I mean, you're older than me, but—" She laughed again."Okay.What was I saying before I got myself into that mess?"
"It's okay," Emmett said with a smile, while Blane actually grinned."You weren't telling me anything I don't know.Most of my clients don't want to see any vet who isn’t me, period.Janey’s lived here her whole life, and they love her as a person, but they don’t want her as their vet.I hate to admit it, but the two things that both you and Janey have going against you are that you're young and…"
"Yeah.And female.I know.I get it."She frowned.Wait.Is that a problem for you, too?"
"Not in the least.If you can win over Wendell, I’m sure you can handle the rest of them," said Emmett."That's why I asked you to come in for a chat.What do you think—do you want to stick around?We'd have to talk about it, of course.I don't know that I could give you full-time hours just yet, but…" He hadn’t even known that he was going to make the offer until he saw her coming out of the clinic.But he knew it was the right move.
Blane nodded encouragingly from the corner.
Hallie pulled out the chair across the desk from Emmett and sat down in it."Wow!Seriously?That's awesome.I didn't think you'd want me."
She paused."I mean, I know you'veneededme for these last few weeks, but that's different than wanting, isn't it?"
Emmett nodded slowly as it hit him that she was voicing the words that Harper hadn't.
They all turned at the sound of a knock on the open door.Cash stood there grinning at them."Am I interrupting?"
Emmett hesitated.He hadn't planned to ask Hallie to stay on, and now that he had, they were going to have to hash out the details of how it would work.He'd need to give it some thought first, though.
Hallie got to her feet with a smile."Hey, Cash, I'd love to say that yes, you're interrupting, so that I can make Emmett sign on the dotted line before I leave."She grinned at Emmett."But I'm not that pushy.I can wait until you decide how you want this to work.But I will say that I'm okay coming on part-time, at least in the beginning.I'd love to think that I might have a future here, working with you guys, but I imagine you'd want to give me more of a test run before you know for sure if that's what you want."
"Okay, I'll give it some thought.How about we set up a meeting for Friday—does lunchtime work for you?Say, One o’clock?"
She took her phone out and checked it."The only appointment on my schedule so far on Friday is at nine.So yeah, I should be back here before one, no problem."
"Let’s do that.I'll see you then, if not before."
She nodded at Blane, who gave her a chin lift, on her way out.
Cash grinned."I'm glad you're gonna stick around, honey.You'll be good for this place."
"That's my plan."
Hallie turned back when she reached the doorway and lifted her hand."Thanks again, Emmett.You've made my day."
"I think it'll be good," he told her."It's time I made some changes around here."
After she'd gone, Cash came in and took the seat she'd just vacated."What's up with Harper?"
Emmett scowled at him."What makes you think there's anything wrong with her?"
"I saw her just now when I was passing Jim's place.She was back at the cottage."
That heavy feeling lodged deeper in Emmett's chest.
"Yeah, that look on your face right now, that's what I was afraid of.She's not just back at the cottage, is she?She'sbackat the cottage.She had her bags with her and everything.What's going on?"
