Page 20 of Redeeming Harmony

“You act like you’re dying,” she said. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He laughed and shook his head. “No, poppet, I’m perfectly healthy. But after losing your mom so young, it got me thinking about how I want to remember the back half of my life. And I know for certain that it’s not spending hours and hours at the clinic.”

“You’re sure,” she said. “You’re absolutely, positively, swear on the grave of Betty, sure, that you are not being forced into selling the clinic.”

“Yes,” he said.

“Well, shit.” She reached over and grabbed her father’s beer, guzzling half of its contents before setting it back on the table. “Looks like I’ll be eating crow by the fistfuls tomorrow with Dr. Henshaw.”

Her father laughed. “You sure will be.”

She made a face, and he laughed again before sobering. “Honey, I know you need a job, but I sign the papers tomorrow, which means I’m not in charge of who’s hired at the clinic anymore, Nathan is. And to be honest, even if I was, I hired Jade to replace you at the clinic, so we don’t need another tech.”

“I know,” she said. “I’m starting the job hunt tomorrow.”

He stood and finished off his beer before setting the bottle in the sink. “Nathan’s offered a fair price for the clinic, and I’m done negotiating with him, but I know you wanted to look over the paperwork. It’s on my desk in the living room. But before you look at it - ”

“That’s okay,” she said quickly. She didn’t want her dad to feel like she thought she needed to babysit every decision he made. He was an adult, for God’s sake. “It’s your clinic, and I know you wouldn’t let someone take advantage of you. I don’t need to look at the paperwork.”

“Okay. Poppet, listen, there’s…” He hesitated, tapping his fingers against the counter.

“What?” she said.

He shook his head. “Never mind. It’s late, and I’m tired. We’ll chat more tomorrow night, okay?”

“Sure, okay,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Harper.”

Chapter 6

“Morning, Hal. Is Dr. Henshaw in yet?” Harper came in from the side yard of the clinic, walking slowly and giving Winston plenty of leash as he followed her in.

“Haven’t seen him,” Hal said as he set his motorcycle helmet on the counter and took off his leather jacket. “But his first appointment isn’t until ten. I see you named your stray.” He petted Winston’s shaggy head before running his hand over his side. “I think you’ve put on a few pounds already, buddy. Not surprising, considering how much food you’ve been eating.”

“Did you check him for a microchip?” Harper asked as Hal followed her and Winston into the dog kennel. She got Winston situated in the run, removing the empty food bowl and filling the water bowl with fresh water as he laid down on the pile of freshly washed blankets.

“I did. No microchip.”

“Shocker,” she said.

“Harmony Falls has a lost and found pet group now on Facebook,” Hal said. “You might want to post a picture of him on there.”

“Sure, but I doubt anyone will claim him,” Harper said as she closed the run door. “I assume Rayna still runs Little Whiskers?”

“She does. She’ll be in later today if you want to talk to her about Winston.”

“I’m only here to talk to Dr. Henshaw, and then I’ve got some job hunting to do,” Harper said. “I don’t suppose you know if anyone’s hiring?”

“I think Hazel at Grind My Beans might be.”

“Seriously? Even with tourist season over?”

“Seems so,” Hal said as she followed him out of the dog kennel. “She has a help wanted sign in the…”

He trailed off, and Harper said, “What?”

When he didn’t reply, she peered around him, a grin lighting up her face. “Savina!”

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