“But—” Doc continued, pausing to choose his words carefully. “After a lot of thought, and considering my health, Winnie and I have decided it would be best if I retire sooner rather than later.” He hesitated, glancing in the direction of Whit who stood at a distance, leaning against his truck with a self-assured smile. “I’ve asked Whit Calloway to take over the clinic.”
The world seemed to freeze around Lila. The chirping of the birds, the rustle of the leaves in the breeze, everything fell away into a stifling silence. She stared at Doc, her heart pounding furiously, her mind refusing to accept the words she just heard.
“But...I thought—I mean, I’ve been here...” Her words trailed off into nothingness, her throat constricted with a mix of disbelief and betrayal.
Lila felt a surge of anger, her face flushing with heat. “You can’t be serious, Doc,” she said, her voice cracking. “He’s not even qualified.” She told him what happened at the rodeo.
“It’s not that uncommon for veterinarians to have difference approaches when treating animals,” Doc told her. “Whit Calloway comes highly recommended. Believe me, I checked this guy out carefully, and he’ll be a great fit for this community. Regardless of who is in charge, I think you’ll come to respect one another and work as a team.”
What could she say to that? Yes, vets could disagree, but this guy held an arrogance—a reluctance to consider other opinions. He was trouble. She could sense it.
“Lila, I know this is hard to hear. I wouldn’t make this decision if I didn't believe it was the best for the clinic. Whit has the skills and the know-how. He’s had a lot of experience, and he can bring a lot to the table. That, and he’s fully licensed and ready to take over.”
“But you know I’ll have my certificate soon, Doc. This clinic is everything I’ve worked for.” Lila’s voice was thick with emotion, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
She couldn’t believe that her mentor, the man she’d worked under for so many years, would choose a stranger over her. Yes, Doc could be critical—but she always suspected her boss’s gruff ways might simply be him grooming her to take over someday. She never suspected he might do otherwise.
Her dream of taking over the clinic, of serving the community she loved, seemed to shatter right in front of her.
Doc placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch no longer comforting but heavy, laden with finality. “I’m sorry, Lila. I truly am. But given my health scare, Winnie and I don’t want to wait. Whit assures me you’ll have plenty of opportunity for advancement here. I made sure of that.”
Despite Doc’s guarantee, they both knew there was little opportunity for advancement in such a small clinic. Yet what choice did she have? It’s not like she could quit. Not unless she was willing to walk away from veterinarian medicine and do something else.
Lila’s mind swirled with a tumult of thoughts and feelings. Betrayed, sidelined, and utterly heartbroken, she turned and walked away, leaving Doc behind, along with Whit who still leaned against his truck with that smug smile.
As she stepped off the porch, the fresh scent of the grass seemed to mock her, a bitter reminder of the future she thought she was building. Now, all that lay ahead was uncertainty and the daunting task of confronting the man she had immediately loathed yet was now forced to acknowledge as her new boss.
13
Capri hated going to the bank. In fact, there was a myriad of mundane business chores associated with running Grand Teton Whitewater Adventures that she detested. Keeping books, tax preparation, marketing…those activities were as dull as dishwater.
Her passion was the local rivers and battling their powerful currents. Even more, she loved sharing the adventure with her customers and seeing them discover their own strength and tenacity. Every rapid they mastered not only boosted their confidence but also deepened their appreciation for the untamed beauty and formidable power of the Class II and III rapids on the Snake River and the renowned Hoback—waterways celebrated by whitewater enthusiasts far and wide.
Unfortunately, that exhilaration was tempered with this other stuff. When you were a business owner, some tasks simply landed on your plate and had to be done.
Capri pushed open the heavy, glass door of Thunder Mountain Savings and Loan, a quaint bank nestled in the heart of their small mountain town. Inside, the interior smelled faintly of pine and old paper, a testament to its rustic charm. Wooden beams supported the ceiling, and the walls were adorned with historic black and white photos of the town. Across the lobby, a few elderly locals were seated in creaky chairs, filling out deposit slips with slow, careful strokes.
She spotted Wooster Cavendish, the bank manager, a portly man with a perpetually loosened tie at his collar, standing behind a polished pine wood counter, shuffling papers. “Morning, Wooster!” Capri called out as she passed.
Wooster looked up, his expression softening into a smile. “Ah, Capri! Good to see you. Trust the river’s been kind this season?”
“Never better!” she replied, heading towards the teller windows.
Thelma DeRosier peered at her from behind thick, coke-bottle glasses that magnified her eyes to almost comical proportions. “Hello, Capri, how are you?” Thelma’s voice was warm, but she squinted, struggling to focus on Capri’s face.
“Hey, Thelma.” Capri slid her deposit bag across the counter. “You’re gonna need to count this twice, Thelma. I wouldn’t want your glasses playing tricks on you again.”
“Now, don’t you worry, I’ve got my eyes on these bills.” Thelma chuckled, a good-natured sound, and started counting the money with exaggerated care.
Capri waited patiently, listening to the soft rustling of paper and the tick of an old clock on the wall, as Thelma painstakingly verified Capri’s deposit, ensuring not a single dollar was amiss.
With receipt in hand, Capri thanked Thelma and turned for the door. Before she could reach for the handle, Nicola Cavendish appeared on the other side of the glass. She pushed open the door and immediately clamped onto Capri’s elbow. “You were just the person I’d hoped to see this morning.”
“Me? Why?”
“Have you heard?” A smug look blanketed the woman’s features.
Capri dreaded asking. “Apparently not. What’s up?”
