Page 15 of The Leaving Road

You had to have special licensing and schooling to be able to work on wildlife. It was an additional year of schooling, butI haddone it.

Almost as if I had always known I might end up back here…

“Yeah, it seemed foolish not to at the time with how much I already knew about it since I worked here before school.”

“Good, good.” He nodded. “Look, I hired a full-time vet two years ago. Ben and his partner moved here for the job, so I can’t offer you that.”

“No, no, that’s…that’s not what I want, anyway. I was hoping you were just looking for a part-time employee. I have a lot to do at my dad’s house, and a lot of other things to take care of. But I can’t not practice, so I was hoping that was something I could talk you into.”

His smile was bright. “That’s absolutely something you can talk me into.”

For the next hour, we caught up and went over a possible schedule. Ben was off today but would be back tomorrow, but Dr. Lewis would talk to him and give me a call. We exchanged all contact information, and I left the clinic with the biggest smile on my face.

For the first time in a long time, I was feeling hopeful. During my catch up with Dr. Lewis, I explained that next on my agenda was finding a contractor who could help me with fixing up the house. He gave me the information about one in town: Rocky Road construction. I was currently making my way there, hoping it wouldn’t be that big of a deal that I was stopping in without an appointment. Finding it on the main drag downtown, I pulled my car into the tiny parking lot.

The receptionist was a pretty girl with blonde hair and red fuck-me lipstick. “Can I help you?”

“Oh yes. Hi, my name is Magnolia, and this company was recommended to me. I was hoping I could talk to someone about getting a consultation about an old family home?”

“Did you make an appointment?” She snapped her gum at me.

Rude

“Uh no… I didn’t, but I can make one now if it’s a problem.”

“You have to call to make an appointment.”

“Seriously? I’m standing right here?”

What was her problem?

“I don’t make the rules.”

“Susan, that is absolutely not how we treat potential clients.” An extremely attractive male appeared to my left.

“Sorry, Mr. Road. I thought I was just following company policy.” She shrugged.

He snarled, “I’ll forgive your insolence this one time since you’re new, but make no mistake, I see you treating anyone that way again, and you’re gone.”

He turned to face me. “Once again, I’m very sorry. Please excuse my receptionist; she’s new. I’m Lance Road, owner of this company.”

“Hi, I’m Magnolia. I was referred to you by Dr. Lewis. He said you might be able to help me.”

“Well, come on up to my office. I’d love to hear what I can do for a beautiful woman like you.”

I blushed from my head to my toes.

Chapter 10

Magnolia

“Lex!” I yelled out, walking through the front door. I wasstarving. “Let’s go before I wither away, and my bones add to the dust around here.”

“Dramatic much?” she said with her signature eye roll.

“You’ll understand my urgency once you taste Papa Tuck’s food.”

“Okay, okay, I’m ready. Let’s go,” she said over her shoulder on her way out, as if I were the one holding her up. She was dressed casually, with leggings, an oversized T-shirt, and black sunglasses.

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