As they walked away from the party with Camille following close behind, Lila couldn’t help but glance back at Whit, who stood watching her with a mix of concern and something deeper.
“He must think I’m an idiot,” she muttered under her breath. “Running off the dance floor like that.”
Capri squeezed her hand. “You’re an idiot if you close yourself off to someone who’s so clearly interested. Did you see the way he looked at you?”
Camille laughed. “Yeah, Mom. Capri’s right. I think he’s really into you.”
Lila nodded, then took a deep breath, knowing she had a lot to sort out. But for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of possibility.
19
Lila stood at her kitchen counter, arranging an assortment of snacks and drinks on a large wooden tray. The familiar sound of laughter and chatter filled her small mountain home as Charlie Grace, Reva, and Capri settled into the living room. It was their tradition to gather on Friday nights, a ritual that provided a comforting anchor amid their busy lives. But this week, their get-together had been moved to Sunday night to accommodate the barbecue out at Teton Trails.
“Do you need some help?” called out Reva.
“Nope. I got it.” Lila scooped up the tray and headed to join them.
“I can’t believe how big Lucan is getting,” remarked Charlie Grace as she reached for a stuffed mushroom.
Reva nodded. “I know, right? The other day he decided he wanted to pour his own milk. Before I could stop him, he had the milk carton poised over his cup and was filling it up. Unfortunately, he didn’t stop, and milk went everywhere. It was like watching a slow-motion disaster.” She laughed, shaking her head. “By the time I managed to grab the carton from him, there was a puddle spreading across the table and dripping onto the floor. The look on his face was priceless though—and so proud of himself.”
Charlie Grace chuckled, leaning back on the couch. “Kids have a knack for making the simplest tasks into epic adventures, don’t they?”
Capri smiled, taking a sip of her wine. “Speaking of adventures, how’s everything with the new vet?”
Lila couldn’t help but feel her shoulders tense at the mention of his name.
Capri slipped a slice of cheddar from the tray. “Oh, I see that look on your face. You need to get over your reservations. Whit Calloway is a catch.”
Charlie Grace sighed. “Agreed. If I wasn’t already taken, I’d have to give you a run for your money. I mean, they grow them good in Texas.”
Lila raised her eyebrows and turned to Capri. “You told them?”
“Of course, I told them. “
Reva unscrewed the top off her bottle of sparkling water. “We have no secrets. You know that.”
Charlie Grace placed her hand on Lila’s knee. “I suppose it’s normal for you to feel you are betraying Aaron, but honey—he’d want you happy. You know that, right?”
Capri leaned back into the sofa cushions. “Camille was a baby. She’s nearing high school graduation. That’s a long time, Lila.”
“Okay, I get that. But it’s complicated.”
Reva filled her glass. “Speaking of Camille, what does she think of your new boss?”
Lila sighed, brushing a stray hair from her face. “She’s curious about him, I guess. I mean, she’s always asking questions. Wants to know if he’s as strict as Doc Tillman or if he’s nice. The other day, she even urged me to have him over for dinner.”
Reva lifted her glass. “What did you say?”
Lila ran a hand over the side of her hair. “I told her I didn’t think that was a good idea. At least not right now.”
Charlie Grace laughed softly. “She’s got the right idea. It appears she senses something you’re not ready to admit.”
Lila groaned, leaning her head back against the couch. “Can we not make this into a big thing? It’s already stressful enough trying to keep things professional at the clinic.”
Capri tilted her head, her eyes softening. “We’re not trying to pressure you, Lila. We just want you to be open to possibilities. Whit or no Whit, it’s about you giving yourself a chance to be happy again. Besides, I read somewhere that lady parts can atrophy over time, if not used.”
“Capri!” Reva scolded.
