Page 44 of We Can Stay
“Dr. Blum here.” Nothing but silence, then a strange noise like wheezing greets me. “Hello?” I try again.
“Hello? Hello?” a gravelly female voice finally replies. “I’m looking for Sebastian Boom.”
Boom? I shake my head and glance at the number on the screen to see if I recognize it. I don’t. “This is Sebastian Blum.”
“Yeah. Right. You called about my land.” A curt voice replies.
Land! “Yes. Ms. Peters? I’ve been trying to reach you to set up?—”
“I’ve got time this afternoon at three.”
“That’s in one hour. I can’t possibly?—”
“Only time I’ve got right now. You have the address? I’ll see you there.” She hangs up without waiting for my response.
“Shit,” I mutter.
I’ve been trying to get this woman on the phone for days. My proposal for the sanctuary is—hopefully—about to be cleared by the county, and now all I need is a plot of land.
Thisplot of land. It’s the only one I’ve found in the area that’s both big enough for the plans I have in mind and affordable. I don’t know much about the quality of the land though, and that’s why I’ve been trying to get ahold of the owner to take a look.
But, in an hour? As unprofessional as it will be to just up and leave, it’s something I have no choice but to do. Timelines I’ve set are getting closer and decisions need to be finalized soon. I’ll have to reschedule my appointments for the rest of the day, which is not ideal, but at least they are just basic check-ups and vaccines, nothing urgent right now.
Darting out of the office, I quickly fill my staff in on the situation then head for my car. Even knowing this is the only chance I’ll have to do this, I can’t stop the guilt winding its way through my chest. This is my clinic. I should be here taking care of my patients, not inconveniencing them by running out on a long errand.
For a brief moment, anxiety creeps in and I pause. Should I be doing this right now? The animal sanctuary is a great idea but will I be in over my head?
I have so much on my plate right now. My practice, the emergency clinic, Flick. Can I add this and still have time for everything?
No. This is a good plan. It’s what I’m supposed to be doing. Helping animals is my life’s purpose, and the best way?—
“Yikes! Hey.” A soft voice yelps in surprise as I walk out of the clinic and right into them.
“I’m sorry. I was distracted.”
But it’s not just any someone. It’s Flick.
“Hi,” I breathe, instant warmth spreading through me at the sight of her.
“Are you going somewhere?” Her brow furrows in confusion.
“To look at that land I’ve been talking about.” Because I can’t keep my hands to myself a moment longer, I wrap my arms around her and give her a kiss. I don’t give a damn that we’re in front of my workplace. “What are you doing?”
“I’m on my way home from Knit Happens. Thought I would pop by and say hi for a minute if you weren’t busy.” She smiles sweetly, a light blush staining her cheeks.
“I’m glad you did.” My laughter booms across the parking lot. “Would you like to come with me? To see this land?” She’ll say no, of course. I probably shouldn’t have asked but I can’t help but want to spend as much time as possible with her.
After two and a half weeks of knowing each other, I know by now that Flick is up to her ears in work ninety-five percent of the time. She keeps her calendar booked from the moment she wakes until the moment she goes to sleep. Which makes her spending time with me even more special when she does.
“I’d love to go,” she says, and for a second, I wonder if I heard wrong. “I finished one of my orders early yesterday. I was going to get a head start on the next one, but I’d much rather hang out with you.”
“Same.” I lace my fingers through hers, feeling that now familiar zing at the contact.
Hand in hand, I lead her to the car, opening the passenger’s side door before jumping behind the wheel.
My car bumps its way up the neglected driveway, taking us through a tunnel of thick, closely knit trees. We emerge on the other side to a white farmhouse with peeling paint. Various ramshackle outbuildings are spaced in fields around it, and a truck waits for us at the end of the drive.
My heart flutters with the excitement I’ve been containing the whole drive here. I’ve been doing my best not to get my hopes up for the past forty minutes, but at seeing the swathes of greenery and the expansive fields, I feel something awaken in me.
