Lila hung up and put the Rice-A-Roni in a plastic container, stored it in the fridge, and headed upstairs for a quick shower.
The sun was dropping behind the mountain peaks, its rays casting a soft, golden light through the pine trees as Capri pulled her car to a stop in Reva’s driveway. “I hate to admit how much I’m looking forward to tonight.”
Lila nodded. “Yeah, I’m glad you talked me out of changing my plans and staying home.” She followed Capri inside.
“There you are.” Reva motioned them to the kitchen island where Charlie Grace cradled a glass of wine in hand. Soft music played in the background. “You’re late,” she chided, her voice a mix of amusement and warmth.
Reva’s affinity for punctuality was so legendary that people teased saying even the town clock outside city hall, in a silent act of respect, seemed to check itself whenever she passed by.
Charlie Grace pointed to the plate in front of her. “Aunt Mo made us some of her famous chocolate chip cookies.”
Capri lit up. “Ooh…nothing goes with red wine better than chocolate.”
Reva lifted her frosted mug and grinned. “Or, in my case, root beer.”
Capri lifted a cookie from the plate and turned to Charlie Grace. “How’s the new calf?”
“It was touch and go in those early hours. But the little heifer is now thriving. All thanks to Lila.”
Lila uncorked a second bottle of wine, a Chablis that was one of her favorites. “Doc Tillman wasn’t exactly happy I didn’t call him to help.”
Charlie Grace broke a cookie in half and frowned. “Why?”
Lila shrugged. “Technically, I don’t have the certification yet. But the real reason? I think Doc Tillman feels a little threatened.”
Reva gazed in disbelief. “Threatened. Why?”
Lila poured the wine with a steady hand. “Lately, I feel like every time I introduce a new technique or a fresh idea, there’s this…vibe. Don’t get me wrong, Doc Tillman has been amazing to learn from. He took a chance on me, and I’m grateful. We’ve worked together for years, but it’s like he’s not ready to acknowledge that times are changing. I really want to bring in some of the new stuff I’ve learned in the online program I’m taking at the University of Colorado—you know, to make a difference in the practice and streamline the office. But there’s this unspoken tension lately. It’s like walking on eggshells!” She recorked the bottle. “I respect him so much, but I can’t help but push for progress. It’s a weird mix of admiration and this undercurrent of, I don’t know, competition? Anyway, it’s complicated.” She sighed and took a sip of her wine.
Reva picked up the plate of cookies and motioned for the girls to follow her into the living room. “Goodness, Lila. That sounds so tricky. But you know, it’s amazing how you’re handling the situation. You’re bringing in new ideas, and that’s important. Maybe Doc Tillman just needs time to adjust to the changes. Keep doing your thing, girl.”
Capri, always the spirited one, chimed in with a grin. “Oh, come on, Lila—shake things up! You’re there to make a difference, right? Don’t let old traditions hold you back. I say, go for it!”
Charlie Grace, thoughtful as always, added, “I agree with both Reva and Capri, Lila. It’s a delicate balance, but I think you’re the right person to bridge the gap. You have a way of being respectful yet assertive. You’ve got this!” She eased onto the sofa, the plush cushions enveloping her.
Lila took a place beside her, taking care not to spill any wine as she plopped down. “Yeah, well…Doc Tillman likes to do everything by the book.”
“Nonsense,” Charlie Grace argued. “I can cite plenty of times he’s found—uh, creative—ways to administer animal husbandry.”
Capri grinned and turned to Reva. “Speaking of Doc Tillman. He has no reason to be cranky. He hasyourtrophy.”
Reva’s hand went to her chest in mock astonishment. “Why, what are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m referring to.” She turned to the others. “Reva threw the annual skeet contest and let Doc win.”
“Yeah, we know,” Charlie Grace announced.
Reva whipped her head around. “You know? How?”
Charlie Grace shrugged. “The Knit Wits told Fleet Southcott who told Brewster Findley who told Nicola Cavendish.” She paused. “And once it got to her—well, it was all over but the newspaper article.”
Reva groaned. “Does Doc know?”
Lila twirled the wine in her goblet. “My bet is no. He was on the phone to Albie this morning making sure there would be an article in the next issue of theThunder Mountain Gazetteannouncing his win.” She turned to place her glass on the table. Her brows drew together as she reached for a watch and held it up to the light. “What’s this?”
Capri glanced at the watch, then at Reva, her eyebrows raised in playful suspicion. “Is that a man’s watch?” The corners of her lips lifted in a tiny smile. “Girl! You got a man in your house?”
Charlie Grace laughed. “Hey, are you holding out on us?”
