Page 60 of Finding Home

Carmen: Lizzie!!!!

Elle had never been the Lizzie Bennet of her story, always playing the tried-and-true best friend, the wise one with witty comments and sage advice that seemed to come from no actual experience. This was an undiscovered continent for Elle to explore…the leading lady of her own story.

Taking the rest of the day off, Elle drove to Noah’s bakery, the Farmer’s Wife, picking up a variety of treats and headed to Clayton’s vet practice. The clinic was located on the edge of the village.

Meghan, Clayton and Jerome’s partner, greeted her with a smile as she walked through the front door. “Elle!”

Elle placed two large boxes of cupcakes on the counter. Needless to say, she was a hit with the staff, who referred to her as “Mrs. Doc.” Upon hearing that, the tug-of-war between tensing muscles and spreading warmth left her head spinning.

Clayton was with a patient, so Meghan led her down a narrow hall, past bathrooms, and several storage closets to an alcove with three office doors. A picture of Fitz hung outside one of the doors. The small office walls featured exposed brick and little else. Pulling the pad of purple Post-Its Clayton bought her out of her purse, she scribbled a quick note tacking it on the inside lid of the cinnamon roll box, setting it on the desk beside the laptop.

As Elle walked to her car, her phone pinged with Clayton’s response to her flirty Post-It.

Fitz’s Human: Something sweet for me to devour other than you, eh?

Elle: To quench your appetite until tonight.

Fitz’s Human: Impossible.

In the mirror, Elle could see the full-faced smile plastered on her face. The entire experience with his staff had been warm and welcoming, like she was family.

On her way back to the Little Red Barn she stopped for a tea from Cow Tales, the town’s book and coffeeshop. She’d also picked up supplies for the cheeseboard and a few bottles of wine to take to Noah’s house. As she stowed a couple of gifts she’d bought, she lounged on the couch, bare feet swaying, getting lost in the romance of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth.

Her reading pleasure was interrupted by a knock.

“Ma’am.” Clayton drawled, tipping the brim of his black cowboy hat, standing shirtless in jeans that hung low on his cut physique. A black T-shirt dangled from one of his hands.

Elle licked her lips and dragged him inside. Shutting the door, she pressed him against it and lowered to her knees in front of him. Clayton’s breath caught, as she opened the top button of his jeans and unzipped them. Pulling down his jeans and underwear, she released him. She grasped him, peering up through hooded lashes, to see his throat bob.

“Elle,”Clayton moaned, as she licked up his length. His guttural “Fuck” and the thud of his head hitting the back of the door was all the encouragement she needed.

Sated and cleaned up, they stood in the kitchen preparing the cheese board to head to Noah’s. Confidence bloomed in Elle as she hip-checked Clayton, who stood next to her slicing cheese. The sleeveless creamy white dress, her loose waves allowing the purple of the newly purchased lilac earrings to stand out against auburn strands, making her feel like the heroine from a summer romance.

“You wear this a lot. Does it mean something?” he asked, rubbing the starfish pendant hanging a few inches below her collarbone.

“It does.” Her lips tugged up with the memory. “Viet’s mother, Anh, told me this story once. An old man is on a beach watching a young girl throwing starfish into the sea. He asks her what she’s doing. She explains that it’s low tide and if they don’t get thrown back into the water, they’ll die. As he looks down the miles and miles of beach filled with hundreds of starfish, he says you won’t save them all. You won’t make a difference.She picks up a starfish and tosses it into the ocean telling the old man that she made a difference for that one.”

Clayton traced the edges of her starfish pendant as if imprinting it to memory. “I like that. It’s how I feel about my practice. Saving the world one pet at a time.”

Noah lived in his childhood home buying the blue Victorian from his parents when they decided to downsize. Their small party gathered in Noah’s mancave. It was an actual mancave complete with a large bar, oversize leather couch, and framed Wheaties boxes with Doug Flutie and Jim Kelly, posters of Buffalo Sabres players, and team photos featuring he and Clayton in football, basketball, and track uniforms.

“Elle and Clayton!”Carmen squealed, her arms in the air, an amused Mathew standing nearby.

“Who needs a drink?” Todd smirked from behind the bar, lining up small beer tasting glasses. “Our mission, if you choose to accept it, and you will, is to help find Elle a beer she likes.”

The first beer he served was a blonde ale called Sunrise at Letchworth. It was smoother than Elle had imagined but wasn’t something she’d have more than one of. The next was called The Yellow Jacket named for the school’s mascot and featured a tinging bite courtesy of added jalapeño.No thank you!

Next up was the Farmer’s Wife’s Cookie, a stout with a nutmeg and vanilla that tasted like liquid dessert, but its richness wouldn’t allow her to drink more than a few sips. They sampled an IPA called the Mayor, an ode to Carmen. Elle confessed to liking the real Carmen better than the beer. Todd slid the next one in front of her. The sour brew was called The Detention Slip. Todd pointed out that he doubted Elle would like it but wanted her to try all standing menu items. Carmen and Elle laughed as they toasted to finally getting detention.Terrible!

“I saved this one for last. I know this is going to be the one you want over and over again.” Todd‘s mouth curved up with confidence, pouring a smooth amber liquid into fresh, tasting glasses.

“Best for last.” Noah winked.

Elle sniffed the creamy liquid before raising the small glass in a toast to their brew master. “Kiss my brass!”

Noah watched Elle’s face as she sipped. Flavor cascaded along her tastebuds.

“That’s the winner,” she declared and took another sip. “Todd, that is really good. I could have that every day.”

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