After tossing and turning, she’d finally given up on sleep and driven to her favorite lookout spot. The place where she felt closest to her late husband, where she could pour out her heart and find a semblance of peace. She had talked to him again, her words carried away by the cool night breeze, her tears blending with the mist that hung over the mountains.
She’d told Aaron everything and admitted what a fool she’d been. Confessing her regret had been cathartic, eliminating some of her self-pity.
She didn’t need a man—especially one with a secret girlfriend.
Now, in the harsh light of morning, she felt nothing but determination. She needed to focus on her daughter, on her schooling. Soon, she’d be a certified large animal vet, and that would open up more opportunities.
She’d always thought she’d remain in Thunder Mountain forever, but maybe it was time to consider employment in nearby Jackson. She certainly couldn’t remain working for Whit Calloway, not when he’d proven himself untrustworthy.
For years, she had worked for Doc Tillman, enduring his constant belittling. She had thought that taking over the clinic would be her chance to finally prove herself. But now, with Whit in charge, that dream seemed more distant than ever. It was time she put herself first. Enough was enough.
Dragging herself out of bed, Lila dressed quickly, her movements mechanical. She avoided the mirror, not wanting to see the evidence of her sleepless night reflected back at her. By the time she arrived at the clinic, it was already 9:00 AM, an hour later than usual.
The clinic was bustling with activity, the waiting room filled with concerned pet owners and their furry companions. Lila took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, pushing her emotions aside. She had a job to do.
“Morning, Lila,” Carla, the new receptionist, greeted her with a bright smile. “Rough night?”
“You could say that,” Lila replied, forcing a smile. “What’s on the schedule for today?”
“Well, we’ve got some regular pet checkups this morning and a couple of surgeries later this afternoon. Dr. Calloway wanted to go over some new protocols with you. He’s in his office.”
Lila nodded, her stomach tightening at the thought of facing Whit. She thanked Carla and headed down the hall, her steps heavy. She didn’t have to like working with Lover Boy, she simply had to endure it.
She knocked lightly on Whit’s office door.
“Come in,” his voice called out.
Lila pushed the door open and stepped inside. Whit looked up from his desk, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing his face. “Lila, you’re late. Everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” she replied curtly. “Just had a rough night. What did you want to discuss?”
Whit leaned back in his chair, studying her. “I wanted to go over some changes in our procedures, but that can wait. Are you sure you’re okay? You look exhausted.”
“I said I’m fine,” Lila snapped, immediately regretting her tone. She took a deep breath and softened her voice. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be short. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”
Whit nodded, his expression unreadable. “I understand. If you need some time, we can handle things here. You don’t have to push yourself.”
“I’m here to work,” Lila replied firmly. “Let’s get on with it.”
Whit hesitated for a moment before nodding. He handed her a stack of papers, letting his fingers linger as their hands met. “These are the new protocols I’ve been working on. Take a look and let me know what you think. I really want your input before moving forward with these ideas.”
Lila took the papers, her hands trembling slightly. She nodded and left his office, retreating to the small break room at the back of the clinic. She sank into a chair and stared at the documents, the words blurring together.
Lila took a deep breath. All she needed was to get through this day, and then she’d figure out her next steps—with the focus on her daughter, her schooling, and her future. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions get in the way.
There was a light rap at the door. “Lila?”
She groaned. Why couldn’t Whit just leave her alone?
The door pushed open slightly and he peeked his head inside. “Can we talk?”
Lila looked up, her eyes narrowed. “What is it, Whit?”
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I can see something’s bothering you. I’d like to help if I can.” His caramel eyes held her captive as he moved closer, lifting her chin with his finger. “You can tell me.”
Lila clenched her fists, the papers crumpling slightly in her grip. “Help? Really? Because it seems like all you’ve done since you got here is make things more complicated.”
Whit frowned and stepped back. “Complicated? How?”
