Page 20 of Between Us

Biting my lip, I blink back the growing tears and shake my head. “I called her this morning, but she hadn’t heard anything yet. She never called me back… You gotChispa’sresults, didn’t you?”

Nodding sadly, he tells me, “We did. I went to tell Lela and Jorge in person on my lunch break.Chispahas four mast cell tumors—all of them malignant.”

“Wow, okay,” I murmur and stare at the wall behind him. “So, obviously that means they’re cancerous. But whatelsedoes it mean?”

“Take a breath, Blake. I have high hopes forChispa. We caught it early. Three of the lumps were small, and the fourth one is due to an almost overnight growth. It isn’t uncommon in these cases. More often than not, surgery is enough. But we’re ordering more tests to make sure it hasn’t spread to any internal organs.”

I let out a long breath and finally meet his eye. “You feel good about her chances though?”

His brows quirk up. “Sonowyou’re interested in my instincts, huh?”

With a small tug to my lips, I shrug. “When it comes to work,always.”

There’s amusement in his eyes as he nods firmly, “I can’t make any promises, honey, but I have areallygood feeling aboutChispa’sdiagnosis.”

Nodding emphatically, I push off the chair. He follows me toward the door this time. “I believe you, Dad. It’s just… that cat meanseverythingto Lela since her daughter moved. She’s lonely without her grandkids.”

His expression softens, and he squeezes my shoulder. “I know, Blake. Trust me,I know. And that’s why I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she’s healthier than ever.”

Looking up at him, I read a novel’s worth of unspoken words on his face.

Finding the balance between professional and personal relationships hasn’t been the easiest feat for my dad. He’s gotten to a great place within the last few years, but that’s after facing a minor scandal a few years ago.

When you live in a small town, it’s not as simple as quietly doing a favor for a friend under the table… because before you know it, everyone in Amada Beach knows, and a lot of people have pets and their own troubles—financially or otherwise.

My parents are beloved in this town, so the backlash didn’t last long. Soon after, people understood that it wasn’t feasible to offer free medical care to every single animal, no matter how badly he wished he could.

The mental impact of that time had a lingering effect on my dad. He’s a happy, albeit quiet man, so I’m sure most people couldn’t tell. But it was a dark time for him—and unfortunately, not the first that I remember in my life.

So, I fight my instincts to push aboutChispaand try my best to believe his words as reality, not just a promise.

“You okay?” he asks, his tone more serious now.

Nodding I take a breath, trying as best I can to ease my features. “I’m not surprised, just…”

“Disappointed,” he finishes for me. “I understand that well.”

“That’s exactly it.”

Gently, he grabs my hand and stops the tapping. This time, I hadn’t noticed I started again, but my mind feels disconnected from my body right now. “You know, honey, this could’ve had a different outcome if you hadn’t taken the time to really listen to Lela that day. Focus on that for now.”

I scrunch my nose when my eyes burn again. It’s a path my brain hadn’t explored yet, and I’m not sure it ever would have. But even my anxiety can’t tell me he’s wrong.

In the short time I’ve worked here, I have learned a few things. Like the fact most insurances won’t cover a person, or animal, who is already diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Lela and Jorge’s options would’ve been a lot more limited had she not signed up for the plan last week.

“Okay,” I agree, nodding more confidently now. “Yeah, that’s a good point.”

He offers me a proud smile and turns toward the hallway before stopping abruptly. Leaning around him, I spot Adrian standing just around the corner. It’s obvious he didn’t want to interrupt, and he looks more awkward than I’ve ever seen.

The sight has me biting back a grin.

“Sorry—I was waiting.”

“We’re finished. What do you need help with, Adrian?”

“Olivia checked in the hedgehog—Willow—and she’s ready to see you.” He grimaces. “It looks like mites—if I were to guess,” he quickly adds.

---