That thought stopped her because she realized he talked less and less about it lately. And, now that she thought about it, he was being rather vague on when he was heading back to Norfolk. Any time she mentioned it, he would tell her that he didn’t want to think about it and how they needed to just enjoy the time they had right now. For the most part, it seemed incredibly sweet–like he couldn’t bear the thought of having to leave her–but now she was wondering if something was going on.
Actually, a lot was going on that wasn’t about them.
Well…not directly.
After his dinner with Austin and their parents, Garrett had been a little tight-lipped on what exactly happened. Oh, he’d told her they had a good visit and how it was weird to see Grace and Cash together and how they were flirting a little with each other, but it didn’t seem like it had been any kind of life-altering meeting. Then he’d had lunch with Cash and didn’t talk much about it, either. She had asked when he planned to see his father again and he said he wasn’t sure, and when she pushed him on it, he’d gotten frustrated and said he didn’t want to talk about it.
That had put her in a bit of a bad mood, but he’d more than made it up to her since. It bothered her that he kept things from her–especially since they’d always told each other everything. Why he chose now when they were intimate to hold part of himself back was a mystery to her. But because everything else was going so great with them, she didn’t want to ruin it by harping on the things that were obviously weighing on him.
So tonight, she wanted to prepare a nice dinner for them where they could sit and talk and hopefully figure out what happens next for them. If he were to get the position in Delaware–and really, why wouldn’t he?–then they’d have to figure out what that would look like for them. She wasn’t much of a traveler and wasn’t completely comfortable flying, but if they were going to continue in this relationship and only have the weekends to see each other, it was something she was going to have to get used to. Why waste seven hours of driving one way when she could take a 90-minute flight?
Because, yeah…she’d already researched it a bit.
Either way, there were things they were going to have to discuss whether Garrett wanted to or not. It was one thing to live in this bubble for a few days, but eventually they were going to have to deal with the real world.
And Emma said a small prayer that the real world would be a continuation of the bubble.
She pulled up to the Publix shopping center and parked before pulling out her phone to make a list of what she wanted.
“Steaks,” she said as she typed it into her notes app. She had a small gas grill on her back patio, and it had been a while since she’d grilled anything. “Stuff for a salad and maybe some sort of potato.” It wasn’t the most creative meal she’d ever thought of, but she knew it would be delicious. “And dessert. Definitely grab something for dessert.”
Feeling good about her list, she grabbed her purse and headed into the store.
“Emma!”
Turning, she saw Mia waving at her and tried not to act like a giggly schoolgirl because a famous author was now her friend and walking her way.
Don’t be a spaz…
“Hey, Mia,” she said and mentally congratulated herself on sounding casual. “How are you?”
“Good! I’m so happy I ran into you. I was going to call you later.”
Oh, my God…Mia Kingsley was going to call me…
Just breathe…
“Oh, really? What’s up?”
“Well, I’m guessing that Garrett is finally heading back to Norfolk Sunday night, and Austin and I would love to have you guys over for dinner tomorrow. You know, if you don’t already have plans.” Before Mia could answer, she added, “We really meant to do it last week, but I’m on a deadline with this next book and was pretty much chained to my laptop all week!”
“That is so sweet of you! Thank you! We’d love that!” she gushed and then wanted to kick herself for not playing it cool.
They started browsing through the produce section together. “So tell me,” Mia said after a moment. “What do you think about all this business with Cash giving the guys his inheritance?”
“Um…”
“He met with the realtor last week, and we saw the ad online, but we haven’t heard if he’s had any offers yet.” She paused and picked up a bag of grapes. “Does Garrett believe it’s going to really happen? Because Austin’s on the fence, but leaning more toward believing it.”
“Um…” Rather than let on that she had literally no idea what she was talking about, Emma shrugged. “I think Garrett’s erring on the side of caution. You know, not wanting to get his hopes up over anything to do with his father.”
That sounded logical, right?
“Still,” Mia went on as she examined some bell peppers. “It’s a lot of money. Potentially life-changing.” She moved on to the cucumbers before looking over her shoulder at Emma. “It would be amazing if it happened. Austin’s already talking about using it to pay off the house we’re building, and he said Garrett would be able to buy his own practice! I think that would be amazing for you guys! Especially if he bought one here! The local vet is retiring, isn’t he?”
Emma felt like someone had kicked her in the gut and she had no idea how she kept a smile on her face or kept from being sick. Fortunately, Mia was focused on her shopping as she talked, but it wouldn’t be long before she noticed that Emma wasn’t saying anything.
They were over near the bakery section when Mia’s phone rang.
Saved by the bell…
Emma waved and murmured, “Text me what time for tomorrow,” before walking away. Looking down at her empty cart, she realized she never grabbed anything for a salad or the potatoes. The thought of heading back to the produce section and walking past Mia wasn’t appealing, so she just figured she’d loop back around in a few minutes. Meanwhile, she had to wrap her brain around why Garrett hadn’t told her about this inheritance business.
And that had her thinking again about all the other things he wasn’t telling her.
Which reminded her of how his refusal to tell her how he felt all those years ago led to her getting involved with–and marrying–the wrong man.
Suddenly, she didn’t want to make dinner. She wanted answers.
Normally, Emma prided herself on her patience and her ability not to make waves or rock the boat, but right now, she definitely wanted to make all kinds of waves.
And throw something–or someone–off the boat.
Damn the man, she thought.
Damn him for making her feel so freaking good and happy and making her believe she deserved all of it.
And she cursed herself while she was at it because she’d been so dazzled by the attention he was giving her that she was willing to overlook all that he was keeping from her.
“When am I going to learn?” she whispered as she walked back down the next aisle and then right out the doors of the store, shoving her shopping cart aside as she did.
There were two options she could take. She could go to Happy Tails and demand that he talk to her right then and there. It would be the fastest option, and she’d get her answers sooner rather than later. But that meant there would potentially be an audience, and she wasn’t sure that was what she wanted. Or…she could go home and bide her time until he got there. It would give her time to calm down and think things through so she didn’t come off like some sort of crazy person. She could make a list of all the things she wanted to ask him, and then they could have a calm and rational conversation.
It was beyond tempting to go the crazy person route, but once she was in her car and pulling out of the parking lot, she knew she’d go home and think.
“Heaven forbid I make a scene,” she muttered. As she drove down Main Street, she kept reminding herself that she was making the right decision–the logical decision. However, about halfway home, she said, “Screw this,” and turned the car around and headed to Happy
Tails.
Maybe they’d have an audience, but it was her family and she could tell them to give them some privacy or simply tell them to get lost.
She let out a snort at that thought. She’d never told anyone–especially her family–anything as hateful as “get lost.”
Still, it felt good just to think that she might do it.
Five minutes later, she was driving down the long dirt drive–a trail of dust blowing wildly behind her. She pulled up in front of the house and was out of the car almost instantly.
“Hey, Sweetheart!” her mother called as she walked out the front door, full of smiles. “You were driving like the hounds of hell were after you. Everything okay?”
“Is Garrett around?” she asked curtly.
Christine’s smile faltered slightly. “He’s back in the new barn with Ed and Doc MacEntyre. Why?”
“I need to talk with him. Now.” Before she could walk away, her mother stopped her.
“It’s been so busy this week and I’ve been going with Ed to doctor appointments that I haven’t had a chance to talk to Garrett about doing a video for us. Have you?”
“Mom, it’s really not a good idea.”
“I don’t see why not. He’s done it for other clinics. If you’re not comfortable asking him since you’re seeing each other…”
And for some reason, that was her breaking point. Facing her mother, Emma straightened. “You will not ask Garrett to do one of those videos, okay? He hates doing them and they’ve been nothing but a nightmare for him! You’ll just have to think of something else to help out with the crappy situation around here, but it’s not going to be at Garrett’s expense!”
“Emmaline!” Christine gasped. “What in the world?”
“I don’t have time for this right now, Mom. And I’m serious. Do not ask him to do a video.”
Her mother gave her a curt nod in response.
“Thanks.” And with barely a wave, she took off across the property with a determined stride.
Emma Ryan was many things, but she was done being a pushover.
“And then next month, we’ll host our annual adoption carnival. We’ve got you signed up for the kissing booth, and hopefully you’ll consider doing a shift in the dunking booth,” Dr. Mills was saying. “We’re all team players here, Garrett, and I believe you’re going to be a perfect fit!”
Garrett’s heart sank. His top choice clinic was no different from all the others.
They’d simply waited until he was ready to sign the contract to throw all this at him.
Besides the carnival, there were promos with the local news station–where it was suggested he do the segment without his shirt–and a photoshoot so they could make a life-sized cardboard cutout of him to go in the lobby of the clinic.
Shirtless, of course.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he listened as the man droned on about how excited he was to have Garrett starting at the clinic.
“Dr. Mills, I’m going to have to stop you right there,” he finally said.
“Sorry,” the man said jovially. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but I’ll send you the itinerary in an email along with the employment contract. I’m guessing you’ll need at least a week to pack up and move, but we can help you with a place to stay. There’s one of those executive suite hotels right across the street. I’d be more than willing to cover your stay for the first month while you look for a place of your own.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Oh? Have you found a place already?”
“No, but I won’t be needing one. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to decline your offer,” he said firmly.
“But…but…I thought we were on the same page!” Dr. Mills reasoned. “You said you loved our facility and that we were in a desirable location. I don’t understand what the problem is.”
“The problem is that I’m a veterinarian, not some sort of cover model,” Garrett explained with annoyance. “I want to work at a clinic that is interested in how I treat the animals rather than how I attract female clients. So if it’s all the same to you, I’m going to thank you for your time and wish you luck finding another vet.”
And before Dr. Mills could comment, Garrett hung up and turned his phone off.
All while willing himself not to get sick.
Okay, it’s not the end of the world. There’s still the inheritance from Cash…
Yeah, he hadn’t wanted to let himself even consider getting that money because his father had never come through for him before. But maybe things were finally turning around. Maybe this was why none of the other job offers were working out. Maybe the universe was finally going to give him a break and he’d be able to show the world that he was good enough.
Maybe.
Letting out a weary breath, he raked a hand through his hair and walked back into the barn where Doc MacEntyre and Ed were treating a new litter of Labrador puppies with their second round of vaccinations. Once that was done, they were all getting general exams before moving on to an older group of pups who were ready for their third round of shots. It was a little chaotic, but the room Ed had built in the barn was geared for this sort of thing. He walked back in and gave them both a smile. “How’s it going?”
Ed took one look at him and seemed to know that something was wrong. “I take it the call didn’t go well?”
Garrett looked around and realized it was only the three of them–and the dogs–and maybe it would help to talk about it.
“I’ve had no less than two dozen job offers,” he began. “All of them with well-known and successful clinics here on the East Coast. There were more from around the country, but I didn’t even entertain them because this is basically where I want to stay to be close to my family.”
Both Doc and Ed nodded as they worked with the puppies.
“Anyway, I knew the offers were coming in because of the videos I did at those shelters.” He shook his head. “It seemed like a harmless thing to do and it truly helped find so many dogs their forever homes.”
“It was rather impressive, Garrett,” Doc commented. “I can’t remember ever hearing about so many dogs finding homes in such a short amount of time.”
He sighed. “I know. And I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
“But…?” Ed prompted.
“But…every job offer I got came with a marketing plan that included me doing the shirtless doctor thing for all their clinic promos. No one wanted to hire me because I’m smart or talented or because I was at the top of my veterinary school class. As a matter of fact, no one even talked to me about my qualifications other than the fact that I took my shirt off on social media and looked good holding dogs! It’s great for business, they all said. And while that might be true, that’s not who I am!” He growled and began to pace, picking up a puppy as he did. “My whole life, I’ve felt like I’m not good enough. I struggled all through school. My family was the talk of the town thanks to my deadbeat father. Hell, I didn’t feel worthy of anything! I couldn’t even ask out the girl I wanted to because I didn’t think I was good enough for her! And then…” He looked up and saw both Doc and Ed staring at him with wide eyes and realized he should probably reel it in a bit.
“Garrett,” Ed began, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We all deal with insecurity. Even the people who seem the most confident are insecure about something.”
“Yeah, but…”
“I can understand how you felt as a kid. Your father leaving messed with you in a lot of ways that most of us can’t understand. But you overcame so much. For all those struggles in school? You ended up graduating from veterinary school at the top of your class! That’s an amazing accomplishment.”
“Not if no one wants to hire me unless I’m the shirtless Hot Doc,” he murmured.
“Then those weren’t the right places for you,” Ed went on. “There are thousands of other practices you can work for.”
“I don’t have that kind of time, Ed. I though
t I had everything planned out! I’m organized. I keep a schedule. I think everything through until every aspect of my life is planned out.”
The older man stood back and considered him before saying, “And nothing’s going as planned.”
“Exactly. I need a job, Ed. A paying job that’s going to help me not only pay my bills but help me start planning my life. I’ve been in school and doing internships for so damn long that I’m ready for my life to begin! And now…now I’m a damn joke in the veterinary community.”
“Doc,” Ed said as he turned to look at him. “What about your practice? What about not selling it and letting Garrett take it over?”
It was on the tip of Garrett’s tongue to rebuke him because this wasn’t how he wanted to get a job, but…beggars couldn’t be choosers, right?
As soon as Doc MacEntyre’s shoulders dropped, Garrett knew it wasn’t going to happen.
“I really wish I could help you, son,” he said sadly. “But I need to sell the practice so I can retire. The missus and I want to move to New Mexico to be near our son and grandkids. We’ve got a house picked out and we’re just waiting on me selling the practice to make it all happen. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Garrett said quietly. “It was a longshot. I appreciate your honesty.”
They were all quiet for several minutes except for the puppies. Ed spoke up first.
“There’s got to be something,” he said. “I find it hard to believe that every clinic is only interested in you for your social media status.”
“Well, believe it. Everyone’s looking for free publicity and I’m it, apparently.” He paused and considered sharing his other news.
Or potential news.
Then opted against it.
If Cash pulled a typical–and expected–move and took the money from the property and ran, he didn’t want to deal with everyone’s pity.
Please don’t let me down…
“Can I ask you something?”
Garrett turned toward Ed. “Sure.”
“Why are you here?”
He looked at him oddly. “I thought you needed the help.”
Since You've Been Gone Page 16
