Fragile Hearts (Poplar Falls #4) - Amber Kelly Page 0,35
the old cabinets and counters,” I begin to babble.
She claps and does a little hop on her heels. “Oh, does that mean I get to help?” she asks hopefully.
I look down the length of her. “You aren’t exactly dressed for demolition,” I observe.
“I’ll call Momma and ask her to drop some jeans by for me. Please?” she begs.
“Sure. Four hands are better than two” I give in.
“Yes!”
The bell over the door chimes, signaling the beginning of our day.
“Thank you for the doughnuts, Doc,” she says as she scoots past me and sashays out to greet our first client.
“You are very welcome, Miss Wilson,” I mumble to myself.
Bellamy
We work steadily all morning, seeing patients, and I assist Brandt in several procedures. He is thorough and teaches me proper techniques as we vaccinate, stitch, swab, X-ray, and cast the pups, kitties, and even an ornery rooster that came through the door. He is so good with not only the animals, but also with their owners. Kind, informative, comforting, and patient with all their concerns and questions.
During a short break between clients, I step out to take a walk and decide to finally accept Derrick’s call when his name pops up on my phone screen.
“Bellamy,” he breathes in relief.
“Hey, Derrick.”
It’s all I say, and the silence lingers between us as he works up the courage to say his piece.
“I’m sorry,” he starts.
“You should be,” I interrupt.
“I hope that you’ve had a few days to think things over and you’re able to see that this is a good thing for us.”
Did he just say that?
“Really, Derrick? You know, I thought that maybe you had a few days to think things over and were calling to be contrite and offer me a real apology or maybe retract your acceptance of the job.”
“Why would I do that? It’s the perfect opportunity for me to land in the same city you are so hell-bent on living in. I thought this was something we would celebrate. Once I’m in, I can find you a spot with ease. We both win,” he says, and I catch the irritation in his voice.
“You cannot honestly tell me you thought I’d be celebrating you stealing the position I wanted. That I’d worked so hard to get. No one is that oblivious,” I accuse.
“Give me six months. I’ll apply for the director position when Singh retires, and I’ll give you the damn job,” he bites out.
The arrogance. Has he always been this cocky, or was I the oblivious one?
“You know what? You do whatever you want. I don’t care, but I’ll get my own job, thank you, and my own apartment, and I’ll live my own life. Enjoy yours!”
I hit the End Call button. Then, I immediately go to my Contacts list and scroll down to block his number.
When I make it back to the office, I stomp in past Brandt and sit behind the desk. I start typing the notes from the last patient into the computer.
He watches me closely and then speaks, “Our one o’clock called and canceled. You want to get closed up and get out of here?”
I hit Save and look up. I meet his eyes before clicking the computer screen off in the affirmative. “Let’s go.”
I pull the safety goggles over my eyes. I attempt to raise the sledgehammer over my head to rain my pent-up fury down on the cabinets hanging above the sink when a firm hand grabs the handle and tugs it from my grip.
“Hey, I was about to bust some shit up,” I exclaim as relief crawls up the back of my arms when the weight of the massive tool falls from my grasp.
“Yeah, you were about to bust open your own head with this thing,” he says, trying to stifle a laugh.
I cock a hip, place my hand on it, and glare at him. “I’ll have you know that I’m stronger than I look. I was raised on a ranch, and I can sling hay bales with the best of them,” I inform him with more than a hint of attitude.
“I have no doubt,” he responds, “but how about you use this one and let me handle the beast?”
I stare at the small hammer he has extended toward me and scowl.
“It’ll still do some damage, trust me. Please, for the sake of my ego,” he urges as he shakes the pitiful gadget at me.
I give in on a sigh. “Oh, all right. I wouldn’t want your manhood to take a hit.”