“Luna, catch!” Denver held up his snausage and tossed it in the air. Luna caught it and snapped it up, tail swishing to and fro.

  “Hey, Will. Over here.” Juniper waved from the porch, a wooden spoon in one hand and an apron round her waist. Will smiled at the sight of her—his best friend since they were kids. She shook her head, laughing, when Will came in for a hug. “Uh-uh. I’m nasty. I’ve been stuffing a turkey.”

  “Don’t care. Get in here.” Will hugged her anyway and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “How’s that brother of mine?”

  “Couldn’t be better. He’s out with your dad right now, but they’ll be back any time.” She peered over his shoulder at his truck parked in the drive. “What’s with all the lumber? Building a house?”

  Will frowned. It was a lot of lumber, not enough for a house, but plenty to remind him of the Herculean task ahead of him. The lumber was only the beginning, but Juniper didn’t need to know that. She and Alex had enough on their plates. “Just some renovations on the clinic. Thought I’d add a new exam room, maybe repaint the walls.”

  “That’s a whole lot of lumber for a few renovations.” Travis sauntered out behind her, also sporting a frilly apron, much to Will’s amusement. Alex was hopeless in the kitchen, so Travis had become Juniper’s sous-chef. For a cocky ex-rodeo star, he took direction surprisingly well, though when it came to the details, he got sloppy sometimes. “By the way, something’s pinging. Thought I’d better come get you before the kitchen burns down.”

  “That’d be my cobbler,” said Juniper. She passed Will her spoon. “Come be my soup-stirrer. We’ll get all caught up.”

  Will followed her to the kitchen and set to work on the soup. Travis leaned up beside him, elbows on the counter.

  “So, how’s it going with the clinic? Everything good?”

  “Not bad,” said Will. Disastrous, more like, with Kenmore’s to-do list hanging over his head. Thirty days to practically gut the place, fix the pipes, evict the termites. Travis would help if asked—Alex as well—but they had the ranch, and their own lives to deal with. “I mean, there’s some growing pains, but nothing I can’t handle.”

  “You sure about that?” Juniper glanced up from her string beans. “I heard there’s some new guy in Redfield, been siphoning off your business.”

  “That’d be Doctor Melman.” Will pulled a face. “Turns out Ed checked out before he retired. He’s been letting things slide a while, since Maureen passed away. It’s been bad for business.”

  Travis nodded, thoughtful. “So you thought you’d spruce the place up, show ‘em you’re the real deal?”

  “Something like that.” Will stirred the soup, not too fast, not too slow. “Also, I hired a new receptionist. Remember Serena Mayer? Well, Serena Douglas, now?”

  Juniper let out a choked sound, and Travis perked up. “Serena, huh?” He elbowed Will in the ribs. “She was in your year, right? Did you have a crush?”

  Juniper shot Will an apologetic look, but he just shook his head. His crush on Serena hadn’t been much of a secret. If Travis hadn’t been so full of himself back in high school, he’d have spotted it for himself. Will had never been the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but to anyone watching, his feelings had been plain. Especially since they’d lingered from tenth grade to—well, he still kind of liked her, but what could come of it, really? “That’s over and done with,” he said. “Besides, last I heard, she married Jack Douglas. And there’s kids in the picture, so—”

  “Serena Douglas?” Alex appeared in the doorway, shrugging out of his jacket. “She’s single, didn’t you hear? That rat-bastard man of hers ran off with his mistress.”

  Will’s brows shot up. “Is that true?”

  Juniper frowned. “We shouldn’t gossip. But, yeah.” She tasted the soup and sprinkled in a dash of pepper. “It’s pretty sad, actually. She brings her twins to the crafting nights at my shop. The kids seem okay, but she always looks wiped. I think she’s had problems holding down a job.” She bumped up against Will, jostling his shoulder. “You be good to her, hear? She could use a break."

  “Don’t worry. I will.” Will thought of Serena, how she’d gripped his hand so tight, like she’d thought he might change his mind. “I think she’ll be good for business,” he said. “She’s outgoing, y’know? I need someone like that, someone to smooth out the feathers Ed ruffled on his way out.”

  “Maybe your feathers, too?” Travis tipped him a wink, but Will waved him off. Even if, by some miracle, beautiful Serena Douglas chanced to look his way, it wouldn’t be right to make a move. She was a single mother, fresh off a tough divorce. And he had the clinic to think of, the mess Ed had left behind. He’d be a good boss to Serena, and a friend if she’d have him, but trying for anything more would be a mistake.

  “Pass me that celery,” said Juniper. Alex handed it over, along with a kiss. Will smiled to see it, his best friend and his brother deeply in love. He had all the happiness he needed right here in this house—Alex and Juniper, Travis and Scarlett, and Dad and the kids. Romance could wait till he’d got the clinic on its feet.

  “So, is he cute?”

  Serena flopped back on the couch, rolling her eyes. “I told you, he’s my boss.” She shifted the phone to her other ear and craned over her shoulder to check on the twins. They waved to her from their treehouse, and Serena waved back.

  “I’d jump my boss in a heartbeat if he was cute.” Lydia huffed down the line. “But he’s fifty and balding, with a wife and three kids.”

  “Will’s my age, with tons of hair. We went to high school together.” Serena bit back a smile. “Okay, yeah, he’s cute. But I can’t mess this up. I’ve lost three jobs already, just since this summer. If I can’t make this work—”

  “You can and you will.” Lydia’s tone had gone stern. “Look, when I moved here, you took me under your wing. You introduced me to everyone, made me feel at home. You’re the best friend I’ve got here, so believe me when I tell you it’s not you. It’s them.”

  “Who, my bosses?”

  “Absolutely. That last one especially, the way he’d scream and yell... Hell, you ask me, you’re better off fired.”

  “Maybe I am.” Serena closed her eyes, fighting exhaustion. “But come on, let’s be honest. It wasn’t just them. My first day with Doc Burton, I crashed his whole system.”

  “He still shouldn’t have yelled at you,” said Lydia. “If this new guy starts screaming, you gotta draw the line—okay, I screwed up, but c’mon. Inside voices.”

  “Will isn’t like that,” said Serena. “I can’t picture him yelling, or even getting mad. He’s one of those guys who just makes you feel safe—strong but not macho, nothing to prove.”

  “Sounds like you do have a crush.” Lydia chuckled. “Wouldn’t hurt you to flirt a bit, let him know you’re available.”

  “I’m not, though.” Serena stood up and went to the kitchen. “I don’t think I want a man, at least not for a while.” She grabbed bread from the pantry along with almond butter and jelly. “All my life I’ve been treated like an ornament. Like I’m here to look pretty, make my husband look good so he’ll take care of me. Well, screw that. I’m done with depending on men.” She pried the lid off the jelly and started on the kids’ sandwiches, AB&J, a sprinkle of cinnamon on Nathan’s. “Ma’s been on me to talk to Jack, let bygones be bygones and be a family again—as if that’s even an option, with him shacked up with his college girl.” She jammed her knife in the almond butter, frustration rising. “I trusted him to be there for us, and he let me down. He let us all down, and I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t go for any man till I’m back on my feet.”

  “I get that,” said Lydia. “Hey, speaking of men, that neckbeard next door’s blowing his leaves on my lawn. I better go stop him before he makes a mess.”

  Serena snorted laugher. “Okay, go on. I’ve got to finish the kids’ lunches so they’ll be ready for the morning.” She set the phone down and sliced the sandwiches in half, diagonally for Nathan, lengthwise for Julie. She wrapped them in wax paper and bagged them up along with apples and pudding cups and sticks of string cheese.

  “You got the white cheese,” said Nathan, slouching in from the yard with Julie on his heels. “I don’t like the white kind. It tastes like chewed gum.”

  “Then trade it for a Slim Jim. I know you do, anyway.” She leaned down and kissed him on top of his head. “You want a snack before bed?”

  “I want Dad to come home.” Nathan plopped down at the table, chair scraping on the floor. “I know you get the white cheese because it’s cheaper than the yellow. It’s not fair you’re stuck working, and we can’t even have cheese. Why can’t things go back to how they were before?”

  “Because Dad’s a cheater.” Julie’s little lip curled. “He cheated and left us, and we’re better off without him.”

  Not this again. Serena winced and tried to hide it. In some ways, it was sweet how Julie leapt to her defense. But Nathan, with the cheese—a nine-year-old shouldn’t know which brand cost what. That had come from her, that worry, that fear. She’d tried to put up a brave front, but Nathan had seen through her.

  “Okay,” she said, and she took a deep breath. “Julie, don’t talk about Dad that way. Nathan, I got white cheese because they were all out of yellow. I don’t want to hear you arguing, so—”

  “I’m not arguing. I’m asking.” Nathan pooched out his lower lip. “Why can’t Dad come home? When someone says sorry, you’re supposed to forgive them.”

  “When did he say sorry?” Julie planted her hands on her hips. “Did you hear him say sorry? Because I didn’t.”

  “He said it to me.”

  “He didn’t cheat on you.”

  “Kids!” Serena threw up her hands. “Why don’t you go watch some Disney Plus? If you can do it without fighting, I’ll bring you hot chocolate.”

  “With marshmallows?” Nathan perked up, bouncing out of his seat.

  “All the marshmallows you want.” Serena ruffled his hair, then did the same to Julie. “One episode of Baby Yoda, and then off to bed.”

  The kids groaned, but they went, and Serena slumped against the counter. She’d hoped to keep the twins’ wounds to a minimum, but Nathan missed their old life fiercely, and Julie was so angry. Serena was pissed, too, furious to her core, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Julie had picked up on her rage.

  For the kids, Ma had said. Take him back for their sake. Beg him if you have to. You can’t be too proud to do right by your kids.

  It’s not pride. Or not just that. She exhaled a long sigh. Even if Jack did want her back, how could she ever trust him again? And what would she teach the twins, crawling back to their father with her tail between her legs? She had to be tough for them, teach them not to give up.

  “When life gets hard, you fight,” she whispered—and tomorrow, she would. She’d march into that clinic and knock Will’s socks off. She’d do it because she had to, for the kids, for herself. She’d ignore his broad shoulders and the strength in his handshake. He was her boss, not her knight in shining armor...no matter how hot he’d look on a white horse.

  3

  Serena raced through her morning routine, making beds and fixing breakfasts, checking the twins had their homework. She bundled them off to school in record time and arrived at the clinic with twenty minutes to spare. Will was already inside, going over the waiting room with a mop and bucket.

  “Oh, great, there you are.” He hurried to greet her, wiping his hands on his pants. “I can give you the tour before we open up.”

  Serena bit back panic. “Was I supposed to come early? I thought you said nine.”

  Will laughed. “I did, but you are early. Might as well take advantage.” He started back across the waiting room, beckoning Serena to follow. “I come down at seven to check on the overnight patients and set up for the day. You don’t have to worry about any of that. Your domain’s mostly this corner.” He patted the reception desk. “You familiar with Daytimer?”

  “With...I’m sorry, what?”

  “Daytimer Pro. It’s how we book our appointments.” He woke up the computer and tapped on the app. “Clients can book online, but folks here are old-fashioned. They’ll call for a booking and you’ll set it up. I can walk you through how it’s done, or—”

  “I’ll be okay.” Serena flushed, embarrassed. “It looks a lot like the last place I worked. Different brand, same idea.”

  “I knew you’d catch on quick.” Will flashed her a bright smile. “Now, down the hall, there’s your break room, your storage, your supply closet. We get a lot of scared critters here, which means the odd accident. When you go to clean up—you’re okay with that, right?”

  “What, with mopping up pee?” Serena couldn’t help but snicker. “I’ve got two kids. I’ve cleaned up much worse.”

  “I’ll do it when I’m not busy, but when I’m with a patient, mop duty’s on you. You’ll want to glove up for that, and then when you’re done—”

  Serena kept up as best she could as Will guided her through her duties. It was a lot to remember—doors that had to stay locked to prevent patient breakouts, rules for what was garbage versus medical waste. What to do if a catfight broke out in reception. By the time Will wrapped up, Serena’s head was spinning. She felt like she’d stumbled into that dream where she was back in high school, taking an exam for a class she’d never been to.

  “So, that covers the basics.” Will leaned on the reception desk, thumbs hooked in his belt. His outfit should’ve clashed wildly—old, faded Wranglers under a crisp new white coat—but on Will it looked natural, even kind of hot. Doctor by day, cowboy by night. Yee-haw.

  “—think you can handle that?”

  Serena blinked. “What?” She’d got so caught up ogling Will she’d stopped listening. “Sorry. I was trying to remember, uh...do gloves go in the trash, or in the biohazard bin?”

  “Biohazard, definitely.” Will nodded firmly. “I’m glad you asked. I don’t expect perfect recall right off the bat, but there’s no room for guesswork when it comes to health codes.” He went to the front door and flipped the sign to OPEN. “As I was saying, though, I’m going to need you to be my ambassador, my friendly face in the world. Doctor Wright ruffled a lot of feathers on his way out the door. He’s a great guy, but after his wife passed away—” Will shook his head. “Well, the less said about that, right? I’m counting on you to help fix what he broke.”

  “You got it.” Serena broke out her most confident smile, but a whole nest of butterflies had set up camp in her stomach. Had she bitten off more than she could chew? “I was wondering—”

  Behind her, the door chimed. Serena nearly jumped. She spun on her heel and came face-to-face with a monster—a great drooling beast as tall as her chin. She skittered back, shrieking, and the brute bounded after her with a deep, booming rouf.

  “No!” Serena flapped her hands and the dog barked again.

  “Don’t encourage him,” said his owner—Mr. Hawthorne, from the bank. “You start a barking contest, he’ll win every time.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Serena. “He sort of snuck up on me. I guess I just—yeek!” She snatched her hand back as the dog slurped her palm. Mr. Hawthorne scowled, and Will cut in smoothly.

  “Why don’t you take Chekhov and get him up on the table? I’ll be back in a minute, and we’ll do his s-h-o-t.”

  Mr. Hawthorne shot Serena a black look, but he took Chekhov and went. Will watched him go, brows drawn together.

  “You scared of dogs?”

  Serena’s face went hot. “Not really. Not usually. That one’s just huge, and he caught me off guard.”

  “Try to stay calm next time.” Will’s smile was gentle, but his tone was serious. “Nothing rattles Chekhov, but shriek like that with a scared patient, you’ll scare ’em even worse.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Serena. She felt like a broken record, caught on mea culpa.

  I’ve got this. I do. Just breathe. Just—

  “I’d better go see to Chekhov. Will you be okay?”

  Serena nodded. “I’m good.” She took her place at reception and tapped on the screen. Daytimer popped up, and she felt her panic recede. That, at least, looked familiar, appointment tabs and billing tabs, a space for client info. Then the phone rang, and she scrambled to grab it.

  “Hello, Doctor Harvey’s—uh...you’ve reached the vet clinic?”

  A moment of silence followed, then an uncertain voice spoke up. “Is this Buckley Veterinary Clinic?”

  Serena took a deep breath and pulled herself together. “Yes, it is. How may I help you?”

  “I’m calling to cancel my appointment for the twentieth. My name’s Missy Harper, and my dog’s Scotty.”

  “Of course. Just one moment.” Serena sighed with relief. This, at least, she knew how to do. She searched for Harper, and the appointment popped up. “That’s two PM on the twentieth, appointment for Scotty?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Okay, that’s canceled. Anything else I can help you with today?”

  “No, that’ll be it. Have a great day.” Mrs. Harper hung up and Serena set down the phone. A door creaked in the back, and she braced herself for Chekhov, but Will popped out alone and reached over the desk.

  “Forgot my prescription pad.” He tipped her a wink. “Who was that on the phone?”

  “Just Mrs. Harper, canceling Scotty’s appointment.”

  “Canceling?” Will frowned. “Did you ask why? Or if she’d like to reschedule?”

  Serena felt all the blood drain from her face. This was day one stuff, stuff she knew from her last job and the one before that. She hung her head, feeling stupid. “I—I forgot.”

  “It’s okay. It’s your first day.” Will set his hand on her shoulder, a quick, comforting squeeze. “Why don’t you pull the rest of my files for today? The key for the cabinet is in your top drawer.”