Fragile Hearts (Poplar Falls #4) - Amber Kelly Page 0,23

I’m not going to be here much longer anyway. Hopefully.”

“I’m not so sure Brandt prefers it as much as he is trapped in it,” she says cryptically. “And the quickest way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans, young lady.”

I sit in the seat beside her. “Don’t go throwing all that wise, old logic and voodoo you do all over me, Aunt Doreen,” I playfully command.

“No voodoo about it. And if you live long enough, you’ll understand one day when Beau and Faith are stumbling around, trying to find their way. A little nudge in the right direction from Auntie Bells might be just what they need.”

Hmm … I like the thought of that.

“Can I get you anything, dear?” Dottie asks as she takes the tray of fresh cupcakes and places it in the clear display case before tossing Lou-Lou a biscuit.

“Oh, yes, I forgot. Two large coffees with cream, one with two sugars, and toss in a couple of those banana nut muffins, please.”

I open my purse to grab my wallet just as my phone starts to vibrate.

I pull it out and read the display to see that the call is coming in from Denver.

I call to Dottie that I’ll be right back and excuse myself, stepping outside as I answer the call.

“This is Bellamy Wilson,” I greet the caller.

“Miss Wilson, this is Cathy with Dr. Singh’s office at the Denver Zoo,” she begins.

My stomach does a little flip. This is it.

“It’s nice to speak to you, Cathy. I hope you are having a good morning.”

“Yes, I am, and I wish I were calling under better circumstances. Dr. Singh wanted me to let you know that, unfortunately, he had to make the difficult decision to go with a different candidate for the animal nutritionist position. He was very impressed by your résumé, and all of your references spoke highly of you, including our own staff that you worked with here at the zoo, but after careful consideration, another applicant has been offered the job.”

“I see,” I whisper as I try to hold off the sob that is forming in the back of my throat.

“Bellamy, Dr. Singh wanted me to let you know that you were the other applicant in the running, and you were barely nudged out by someone more qualified. He plans to keep your résumé on file, and if any new positions come open within the department, you will be first in line,” she consoles.

“Please tell Dr. Singh thank you for me,” I manage to say.

“I will, and you be patient. I’m sure you’ll be a part of the Denver Zoo family in the near future.”

I end the call and stare at the phone in my hand for a long while.

Dottie sticks her head out of the door and calls to me, “Your coffees are going to get cold, dear.”

“Oh, of course. I’ll be right there.”

I compose myself and plant a smile on my face before I go in to claim and pay for my order.

Then, gather my purchase and Lou-Lou, bid good-bye to the ladies and stroll back to the clinic, lost in my thoughts.

What do I do now? I didn’t have a plan B.

Bellamy

I tried to put my disappointment in the back of my mind and give the day my full attention. The clinic was busy from the moment I flipped the Open sign until an hour past closing. Brandt saw steady patients at the office and made four big-animal house calls in between. Everyone was very patient as they waited for his return, but it was chaotic at best.

After the last family leaves with their newly neutered pup, I lock the door and begin to close out the computer for the night.

“Thank you for all the help today, Bellamy. You probably weren’t expecting to be a secretary, babysitter, dog sitter, clinical assistant, and housekeeper, all at once.”

I look from the screen to Brandt, who is leaning against the doorframe, watching me.

“It was fine. I like a quick-paced job. Besides, being busy makes the day go faster and keeps me out of my own head,” I tell him.

He considers me for a moment and nods. “I agree.”

He turns to head back to his office, and I stop him.

“Can I ask you a question?”

He looks back at me.

“Is it always like this? Because if it is, you obviously need some real help. It might be time for Poplar Falls to look into getting a domestic/family-animal vet in addition to a large-animal vet. I