Page 45 of Unexpected Gifts

“What had you planned to do before hearing the news of your cousin’s death?” Doc Ford asked. “I’m assuming it wasn’t to come here.”

Right. So, he knew all the details, having spoken to Grace. The two of them probably went way back. There were no secrets in this town. “I’d accepted a job in Colorado.” She explained about the offer from her medical school friend and that she’d actually been on the way there when she’d gotten the call about Ramona.

“How dreadful. You poor thing.”

“Unexpected, yes.” She breathed in a shaky breath, the threat of tears stinging her eyes.

Fortunately, Doc Ford was a talker. If he noticed her emotional response, he was gracious enough to pretend he didn’t. He told her about the practice and what he was looking for, including someone who would eventually want to buy him out. “My wife’s been on me for years to slow down, but I haven’t felt it was the right time. But lately, the idea of having more hours to golf or fish is becoming more and more appealing. One never knows how much time we have left, do we?”

The rhetorical question hung in the air for a second or two. Once again, Abby had to fight to keep her emotions in check.

Doc Ford continued, describing his style and how important it was for whomever worked for him to become part of thecommunity. “This isn’t just a place people bring their sick animals. My staff here are like family, and we treat our clients and their pets the same way.”

“I would enjoy that environment very much, even though my experiences so far have not necessarily been that way. The clinic where I worked most recently was well run, but it was more about efficiency than heart.” She’d thought she’d have enjoyed that kind of culture, but she’d found it sterile and impersonal, not to mention how the management had pushed for speed, leaving little time for a connection with animal or owner.

They talked in further detail about the kinds of cases they could expect in a rural environment. “We travel out to farms on a regular basis. Many small farms have cows, sheep, and goats. Roosters and chickens, too, of course.” Doc Ford lit up as words tumbled from his mouth, his lisp more prominent, perhaps because of his excitement. “You know, we’ve got mastitis, lameness, hoof infections. Then there’s assisting with calving and lambing in cases of dystocia or retained placenta. We’ve got your common parasite issues, too. Worms and ticks, the little miscreants, are a constant problem.

“Of course, horses around here keep us busy, too. The usual stuff like colic, lameness, hoof abscesses, and laminitis. We also provide preventive care—vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. The occasional dental problem. Never my favorite, I must admit.”

She nodded throughout, growing more and more excited at the prospect of a real job in a community in which animals were an important part of the culture. Growing up in the city had been quite different.

“Then we’ve got our dogs and cats,” Doc Ford said. “All pretty routine. I hate to think how many dogs and cats I’ve had to send over the rainbow bridge. Hurts me every time. Mariah’s particularly helpful on those days. She has such a kind soul,always willing to comfort grieving pet owners and talk them through what’s about to happen.” He shook his head. “It’s a necessary part of the job, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

The idea of having to say goodbye to Rufus was too awful to think of. “My yellow Lab, Rufus, is only a year old. I got him as a puppy, and he’s the best dog.”When he isn’t knocking down adorable little girls.“I’d wanted one my whole life but had never had the time to devote to a pet until I was finished with school and residency. That silly dog gives me more joy than I can express.” She hadn’t meant to say all of that and was horrified when her eyes filled with tears. Her emotions were too close to the surface these last few days. How could they not be? Ramona’s death and the children’s grief had made her raw and vulnerable.

“There’s nothing like the love of a dog,” Doc Ford said, placing his hand over his heart.

He asked her more questions about her background, why she’d chosen to become a veterinarian, and her dreams for the future. The answer as to why came easily. “I’ve always felt a connection to animals, finding them easier to understand, and sometimes love, than people. I got a job after school in a vet’s office, just doing whatever tasks they needed, and fell in love with the whole experience. I excelled in science in high school, and my adviser said she thought I could make it all the way through. My mother died right after I graduated, and I vowed then and there that I’d spend my life trying to make her proud. And to do all of the things she wished she could have done, had circumstances had been different.”

Again, she hadn’t meant to go into so much emotional detail, but there was something about the doctor’s kind blue eyes that made her feel safe.

“And what about your dreams for the future?” Doc Ford asked softly. “Do you know what you want out of life now that you’ve gotten through school and residency?”

Her throat ached, but she answered as best she could. “Everything I thought was going to happen next has not, and now I find myself in a new community, responsible for these amazing children. I can’t really say what I want next, other than to have a good job that supports them. Whatever my dreams were, they’re on hold now. I’m terrified of messing Sophie and Jack up with my incompetence. Taking a job here? That feels natural and right. Raising children? I’m not sure I can do it. Not at all.”

“I’ve found that dreams can change as we do,” Doc Ford said. “We grow from hard circumstances, as I’m sure you already know. I have four daughters, and I can honestly say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I changed drastically after our first was born—for the better. Nothing makes one become an adult faster than a child. Your willingness to become their parent tells me volumes about you. You’re going to be fine.”

“Thank you, Dr. Ford. I’m not usually this…honest. Especially in an interview. I hope you don’t think me unprofessional.”

“It’s been my experience that ambitious, driven young people underestimate the power of their emotions. You must learn to trust yourself, Dr. Parker. Not everything can be accomplished through study and discipline. Some things come from our genuine openness to love. Let the love in. Give in to the chaos of life, accepting that most things are not within our control, and let go of expectations of others and yourself. You might be surprised at the amazing things that come from the simple act of choosing love over fear.”

This was no ordinary interview. Nor was this an ordinary man sitting across from her. If Abby were given the job, she hada strong feeling Doc Ford would become an important person in her life. A mentor. Perhaps even a fatherly figure? She’d not had a family since her mother died. The closest she’d come was her friendships with Breck and Arabella. They’d been the people she’d relied on and who had always supported her. But now they were creating families of their own, and she must do the same.

A sudden feeling of well-being washed over her. The Hayes family and their kindness kept appearing, even though she hadn’t expected it or asked for the outpouring of love. They had come into her life at the very time she needed them most. For the first time, she understood what it was like to be part of a close-knit community.

Dr. Ford leaned forward, folding his hands together on the surface of his desk. “Dr. Parker, when can you start?”

Her heart leaped with joy. “You tell me.”

“How’s Monday?” Doc Ford grinned.

“Monday. After I get the kids on the bus?”

“Absolutely. I can’t wait for you to meet my wife. She’s going to love you.”

They exchanged a smile. One that Abby felt in the depths of her bones.

12

---