Reva’s eyes lit up. “That might have been my favorite part. The multi-colored fish under the water—” She sighed. “It was just like I dreamed. Oh, and the turtles. You’re warned not to touch them, but they swim right up to you under the water.” She leaned back into the sofa cushion. “We truly had the best time.”
Capri took a sip from her mug. “We should all plan a trip and go sometime. A girl’s getaway,” she suggested.
A smile nipped at the corners of Charlie Grace’s lips. “Good luck finding a time when we can all slip away from our responsibilities.”
Capri gave her a look. “Party pooper.”
Reva turned to Charlie Grace. “By the way, Ava and Tom both said to tell you hello. They were effusive in their praise of the time they spent at Teton Trails. Ava told me she hopes to bring her family for Christmas in the future. Her grandchildren have never seen snow.”
“That would be wonderful,” Charlie Grace said. “I hope she does. From what I hear, the Briscoes are an amazing bunch.” She sighed. “Until then, I’ll simply attend to our newest guest, Roxie Steele. She’s a handful.”
“Who?” Reva asked.
The others quickly filled her in on the hot romance author and her antics. “She’s like a cougar on the prowl,” Charlie Grace told them. “Seriously.”
Capri laughed. “I guess she visited the bank the other day wearing a low-cut blouse that left Wooster Cavendish’s eyes wider than a barn owl’s at midnight. I wouldn’t want to be her if Nicola learns of it. Friend or foe—she’ll take her out.”
“Yeah.” Lila scrunched her face. “I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of that catfight.”
Reva shook her head. “I’m away for only a couple of weeks and the town blows up with trouble.” She directed her attention to Lila. “I hear you’ve done a wonderful job filling in for Doc Tillman while he’s been away.”
Charlie Grace eyed the platter and reached for another piece of pineapple. “Everyone in town is singing her praises. Even Nicola. She says you took excellent care of Sweetpea.”
“That’s high praise,” Capri offered.
“Not only that,” Charlie Grace added. “But Lila assisted when a bull suffered an injury at the Jackson Hole Rodeo last weekend. She was amazing.”
Capri agreed. “We’re proud of our girl.”
Lila blushed. “Well, thank you. Some days I wonder if all the work will ever pay off.”
“Sure it will,” Reva reached and patted her arm. “You’ll get your large animal certificate, and the world will be your oyster.”
“We live in the mountains,” Lila reminded. “Not many oysters here except the Rocky Mountain kind. Likewise, there aren’t a lot of opportunities for me to practice unless I were to move. That’s out of the question,” she said vehemently. “And I’m not sure Doc will be open to sharing his practice with another vet. He complains there isn’t enough revenue now, and that he’s barely able to keep the doors open.”
Reva picked up a napkin and wiped up some coffee that had dribbled onto the tray. “That’s because he’s a terrible financial manager.”
“Well, Doc Tillman would be a fool not to promote you and utilize your skills,” Charlie Grace offered. “Besides, he has to retire someday.”
Reva picked up the carafe and refilled her mug. “After that health scare, it might be sooner than later.”
Lila held her mug up for a refill, her thoughts wandering to a future where she might step into Doc Tillman’s well-worn shoes. The very idea of taking over his role in Thunder Mountain filled her with an electric mix of excitement and nerves. Though she wished no ill will on the beloved vet, she couldn’t help but secretly hope for the day he would decide to retire, leaving a space for her to fulfill her dream. Every day, with each animal she treated, Lila felt herself preparing for that coveted role, dreaming of the day she could serve the community she loved in a way that truly resonated with her deepest aspirations.
They heard footsteps and Kellen appeared clutching Lucan. “Sorry to interrupt, ladies. But Little Man has sprouted a leak.” He pointed to the toddler’s wet pants.
Reva quickly lifted from her place on the sofa. “Here, I’ll take him.” She plucked Lucan from Kellen’s arms, apologizing to her guests as she followed her husband and headed for the hallway leading to the nursery, calling over her shoulder, “We’re still working on the potty-training thing. I’ll be right back.”
As the others returned to their conversation, Lila found herself thinking about what her friends had said earlier. They were right. Doc Tillman had to retire at some point.
The road ahead might be long, with its own set of challenges and uncertainties, but the thought of eventually stepping into Doc Tillman’s role sparked a hopeful light within her.
The incident at the rodeo had proven she had the skills necessary to take over the clinic.
For now, she would continue to learn, to care for her neighbors and their animals, and to wait patiently. Someday, the dream she was holding would come true.
When that time came, she was determined to be ready.
11
