Page 19 of Family Bonds: Carter & Avery

“No,” Avery said. “And you must be Kendall Dugan?”

“I am,” Kendall said. “I moved in with my friend over the weekend and I’m still trying to find my way around.”

“Oh,” she said. “I didn’t know you were new to the island also when we interviewed.”

“I’ve been here a lot as a kid,” Kendall said. “I’m from Plymouth. My friend lives and works on the island and she’s been looking for a roommate. I figured there’d never be an opportunity in my field to come here and then I saw the ad and did one heck of a booty shake in my parents’ kitchen. I met with Laine and she was great. She said you guys were friends and all and I’ve been to her wine and paint parties too. Talk about a good time.” Kendall waved her hand. “I’m rambling. I’m so sorry, but so excited I’m actually here.”

Avery laughed. Guess Laine was right with the staff being energetic. “I’m thrilled you are all here too.” She pulled her bag off her shoulder. “I’ve got three laptops all set up with software on them. I need you to fill out employment paperwork too and then I’ll get it over to the new accountants that I spoke with and get that set for payroll.”

Another stop she had to make tomorrow after talking with Kelsey Raymond yesterday. She should have done that earlier too but then didn’t think she’d be starting so soon. Thankfully Kelsey was good about it and said she’d have a staff meet with her tomorrow and they’d be fine to get to work.

“Dr. Mullins is running late,” Roseann said. “It happens with him coming on the ferry.”

“That’s fine. We’ve got twenty minutes before the clinic opens. What time is the first appointment?”

“Right at nine,” Roseann said. “They usually have to wait some, but most don’t care. I’m here early trying to get things done for him. The phone has been ringing asking if you are taking appointments next week.”

“For Wednesday next week?” she asked.

Even though she was starting next week as the plan, she was going to spend most of the week setting up the practice and only seeing patients on Wednesday with Dr. Mullins and maybe later in the week.

“Taking them for this week and going forward,” Roseann said. “Word has gotten out that you’re on the island already.”

“That didn’t take long,” she said. She’d have to get used to this.

“No,” Melody said. “I’ve lived here for about five years. News travels fast.”

“You’ve never worked in a vet’s office before, correct?” she asked Melody. Since Avery was the first full-time vet on the island, it was an easy guess.

“No,” Melody said, “but I worked in a doctor’s office doing billing back on the mainland years ago. It was too crazy for me and my husband was hired by Bond Realty doing construction. We thought we’d give it a few years and loved it here and he’s so busy that it allowed me to find what I enjoy doing rather than needing to get a job.”

She knew Melody worked for one of the other hotels on the island prior to this. Not one owned by a Bond, which she tried not to laugh about when Laine told her that. But Melody wanted something smaller and not so stuffy or corporate as it was a chain hotel.

“I’m glad to have you on board and appreciate that Roseann is willing to work with you for a few weeks.”

“If you decide you need someone to stay on part time,” Roseann said, “I’d love to help out. I don’t want to work full time but don’t know your needs right now getting going either.”

This was working out better than she thought. “Why don’t we assess it at the end of the month,” she said. “You’ll be able to help until then and be available for calls from Melody while staying under Dr. Mullin’s employment, correct?”

“Absolutely,” Roseann said.

“Perfect.” She turned and saw Josie standing there watching the four of them talk where they had moved into the office area. “I’m going to get Josie set up in my office if you don’t mind turning on the laptops.” She’d set her bag on the counter, pulled hers out and set it aside and then pushed the other two toward her staff.

Josie followed her to the back and her office. “Can I sit at your desk?” Josie asked.

“That’s the only place for you to sit,” she said. “Go right ahead.”

She unloaded the rest of her bag that had a few bottles of water in it and some snacks for Josie. They’d order some lunch as she figured she’d treat the staff for being willing to start earlier than planned for the day. She’d pay them full days for the rest of the week too while they set up and talked about things but wouldn’t see patients.

“Can I come get you if I need you?” Josie asked.

“Always,” she said, leaning down to kiss Josie on the head. “You know that.”

Josie wouldn’t bug her, she never did.

She moved back to the front once she knew Josie was set up and had her on the internet.

The three women were on their laptops. Roseann answered the phone, then turned her head. “I’ve got someone on the phone that wants to know if they can come in today. Their cat has been throwing up since last night and hates the ferry. They are terrified to upset the cat more. Dr. Mullins is booked solid.”

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