It’d been over two months at this point. Or close to it. He’d never been one to count days and for some reason he’d been doing that.

  A few hours a week to see each other didn’t seem like a lot, but they did talk or text daily.

  He didn’t need someone demanding all his free time since he didn’t have much and she didn’t either.

  It was working for them and he had to keep reminding himself of that.

  “Egan and Ethan just walked in,” Grayson said, waving his hand.

  His two cousins from one of the wealthy sides of the family came over.

  It was funny in his eyes.

  Grayson and Ethan were both dressed casually but their clothes showed them as more of a white-collared worker that sat behind a desk. He and Egan had on common brand jeans, button-down shirts and sneakers. He was surprised Egan had sneakers on when he normally had shoes or sandals he could slip off easily.

  Egan had always been more of a free spirit, doing his own thing.

  While Egan’s other brother, Eli, owned Bond Casino and was fancy looking like Ethan, Egan refused to sit behind a desk more than he needed to, rather spending his time up in the air in his chopper and running Bond Charter.

  Two sets of brothers, almost mirroring each other, yet one set was middle class, the other worth more zeroes than he’d ever see in his lifetime.

  And they could all sit down and have a beer and wings and it’d never come up or feel awkward.

  “Boys,” Egan said. “Long time no see.”

  “What are you doing on this end of the island?” Grayson said. “I figured if you were going out for a drink it’d be at the casino.”

  “I wanted a quiet beer tonight,” Ethan said. “It’s been a long week.”

  He lifted his eyebrow. Ethan was the quieter of the three of those brothers but nothing like Carter.

  “It’s the place to be,” Carter said. “Pull out a chair and take a seat. Got some wings and nachos coming.”

  “Sweet,” Egan said. The server came over; his cousins ordered their beers and then added cheese sticks and loaded potato wedges. “What’s this I hear you’re adding rental cars to your business, Carter?”

  He shouldn’t have been surprised that it was getting around and didn’t bother to ask how. “With me,” Grayson said. “Only got two cars so far because we know Carter is slow like that.”

  He’d told his brother he’d do it. It was worth it in the end. He could service and care for the cars and they’d get their money’s worth out of it easily. The bigger problem was finding the cars at a good price and the time to keep going to the auction.

  Since it was a slower part of the tourist season he didn’t see the rush at this point, even if the two cars they’d gotten were already rented out for multiple weeks coming up.

  “I can’t buy any old car,” Carter said. “I’ve got to wait for the auction, then see what is a deal. They had more sports cars than sedans and very few SUVs the last time.”

  He bought one SUV that was more than he wanted to spend but saw the benefit of having it and one sedan. Families would be more likely to rent sedans or SUVs. There was no reason to have anything sporty that would sit around.

  “How many are you looking to have?” Ethan asked. “It’s a great idea. We’ve got some on the docks and they rent out fast, but I don’t see the need to add to it, as too many people don’t like loading and unloading cars on the ferry. I’m trying to talk Egan into adding to his business with drivers for the day to take people around.”

  “It could work,” Grayson said. “But would be costly.”

  “For a day, people are willing to do it,” Ethan said. “The same people who are flying over on the chopper don’t normally have cars here. They are getting taxis or Ubers and it’s not easy. Why not a few vehicles at the airstrip and the docks for clients on the chopper?”

  “Because a lot of the people coming over on the chopper are going to the casino,” Egan said. “Eli sends over vehicles for that. The same with The Retreat. If someone is coming over that way, the hotels offer the service to pick them up. However, it would be nice if you’ve got rental cars available too.”

  “Natalie is talking to someone at The Retreat about it. The service getting the cars for them and meeting them at the docks for a few,” Grayson said.

  He liked how his family worked together to make all the businesses cohesive the best they could. Not for them but those coming or living on the island.

  “I still think it’s a good idea,” Ethan said to Egan.

  “Easy for you to say,” Egan said. “That’s another employee I need to have and one that might be sitting around most of the time. You stick to your ideas with your MBA. That’s what all you desk jockeys do anyway.”

  Carter laughed at that comment. He’d often thought that of his brother.

  “If it isn’t the Bond brothers,” he heard and turned his head to the two women that came up behind him. “And the other Bond brothers.”

  “Nadeen,” Ethan said. “What brings you out slumming to this part of the island?”

  He had to laugh at the tone Ethan used. Nadeen Watson had gone to school with them. Lived on the island and always said she’d leave yet here she was.

  She tried to move her way up by getting close to the wealthy Bonds. That branch included Bode, Drew and Coy, who were first cousins with Egan, Ethan and Eli. Though Egan and Ethan didn’t go to school on the island, they were here a lot and often partying with Bode, Drew and Coy who did live and go to school here.

  “Just wanted a night out with my friend,” Nadeen said. “This is Bretta. She works in Boston. I’m surprised you two haven’t crossed paths, Ethan.”

  “Highly unlikely,” Egan said, looking the two over and smirking. “Not quite Ethan’s type. Maybe mine, but I’m busy with my cousins tonight.”

  Carter snickered to himself at Egan’s bold comment that zeroed in on the truth of what the women were up to. He could tell both of these girls were out clubbing and moving around the island looking for some action. It was the way they were dressed and the silly tone of their voices and actions. More like they should be at the casino rather than here trying to find some sucker.

  The Bond men—wealthy or not—could spot an opportunist.

  Nadeen snorted. “Bretta, Ethan and Egan are from the Boston Bonds. You know the ones I’m talking about.”

  “I do,” Bretta said, her eyes going to Ethan. “You’re cute.”

  Ethan didn’t say a word and picked up his drink.

  “Grayson and Carter, they are from the Island Bonds. The one’s from William’s side that I’ve told you about in the past.”

  “Oh,” Bretta asked. “You’re both cute too though.”

  Seemed like the airhead didn’t care about wealth and was looking more for a body for the night. Not that he was looking or cared and he was sure the other men at the table didn’t either.

  “We thought we’d stop in for a quick drink before we went to the casino,” Nadeen said. “Since this is so close to my place.”

  “We are going to the casino?” Bretta asked and clapped her hands a little. Her boobs were all but falling out of the tight black dress she had on. “I can’t wait.”

  Sounded like Nadeen had a change of plans once she realized there wasn’t anyone here to hit up.

  The two women left after the four men stopped talking to them. No one had anything to say that he could see. He sure the hell didn’t to one of the women—girls—who’d given him a hard time when they were young for who his parents were and what branch he was from.

  She was nothing more than middle class herself, her parents working for one of the Bond businesses back then, yet she always thought of herself as better than everyone else.

  It seemed the story of his life. You could only run so far from narrow-minded people.

  “She’s a bitch,” Grayson said.

  “Don’t let her get to you,” Ethan said. “People like her always get what is coming to them in the end.”

  It seemed as if Ethan knew from experience. He was curious but wouldn’t ask why.

  Egan didn’t have the restraint though. “Is she the one that set her eyes on Coy back in the day? Played him up well and then he found out what she wanted?”

  “One of the many,” Ethan said. Ethan and Coy were the youngest of the three sets of brothers. Coy let it roll off his back. He’d seen enough of that with his brothers. “Me too, but it still pisses me off when I see women like her now.”

  He shrugged. “As you said, they never change and normally get what is coming to them.”

  “Speaking of women,” Egan said. “What’s this I hear you’re dating the vet on the island?”

  Grayson laughed and slapped him on the back. “No hiding, bro, you know that.”

  Carter shook his head, would say a few words, and then change the topic to something else.

  It was hard to talk about his girlfriend much when, though it wasn’t a secret to anyone, they still didn’t do much together.

  23

  Coolest Boss Ever

  “I loved dressing up today,” Melody said. “All the owners thought it was great that we put costumes on and gave out treats to the pets in little baggies.”

  “Halloween isn’t just for kids,” Kendall said. “Thank you, Avery, for letting me do this. I’ve always wanted to at my last job.”

  Avery thought it was a cute and sweet idea. It didn’t cost much, and Melody was right, the owners and pets did love it. Some dogs and cats even came in dressed up today too and she took a bunch of pictures knowing Josie would be upset she missed it. She’d post them on the clinic’s social media pages too.

  “I’m glad it worked out. We can figure something out for each holiday if you want.”

  “Really?” Kendall asked. “I love doing those things. You’re the coolest boss ever.”

  She laughed. “Not sure about that, but thanks. How many more appointments do we have?”

  It was close to four and they’d be closing at five. She’d seen Carter’s name as the next appointment to come and wasn’t sure why Dopey needed to be seen today.

  She’d planned on calling him to say she had a few hours to herself tonight and see if they could get together.

  “Just two more. Dopey who was last minute and then Mittens for her annual checkup.”

  “Sounds good,” she said, turning to walk away.

  “Are you excited to see your boyfriend?” Melody asked her. She turned and smiled.

  They’d said some small comments here and there but not much because Josie could be around. But with Josie gone, they probably felt free to bring it up.

  “I am,” Avery said.

  “It’s the first you’ve admitted it,” Kendall said. “How come it’s a secret?”

  “It’s not one,” she said. “Josie doesn’t know. She likes Carter, but I don’t want her getting attached to someone when I’m not sure what is going on or where things might lead.”

  “I understand that,” Melody said. “And I told you that was it, Kendall.”

  Avery wasn’t so sure she liked they were talking about her but knew that was common.

  Neither of her employees was mean about anything. They were great women that she enjoyed working with.

  Even Laine told her she should speak up at some point and talk to Josie.

  She hadn’t even told her mother yet and that was hard for her when they talked all the time.

  She heard the door open and could see a bit of Carter that came through the door. Just his shoulder and part of his face from her location. The conversation would stop now at least.

  “There is Dopey,” Melody said. “Not feeling well, buddy?”

  Carter checked in and Kendall went out to get Dopey and weigh him, then bring him to the exam room. Two more people came with dogs that must be getting shots or some kind of grooming that Kendall would take care of.

  Avery walked into the exam room when Kendall came out. “Hey,” she said. “What’s going on?”

  She was on her knees in front of Dopey giving him some love. She didn’t see the dogs often, as Carter always came to her house and left them home. Maybe they should change that some too.

  “I think he’s got an ear infection,” he said.

  She was petting Dopey’s head and he was leaning into one side. “When did it start?”

  “I noticed he was itching his ear yesterday. I didn’t think much of it and cleaned them out. I try to do it once a week and there didn’t seem to be too much in there.”

  She was looking into Dopey’s ear. “There isn’t, but it’s red and a little crusty here.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Last night he was running his ear on the floor and I noticed that too. I figured I’d better get it checked out.”

  “Why didn’t you call me last night?” she asked and looked up at him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “If you noticed this all last night, why didn’t you call me then? There was no reason for the poor boy to suffer.”

  “You aren’t working on Sunday nights, and second of all, it’s not an emergency. If I thought he was in pain or something I would have.”

  She stood up and got some long Q-tips out of the drawer. “I’m your girlfriend,” she said. “That gives you the right to call me at any point. We talked and you never said a word.”

  He looked embarrassed. “If I did, then you’d want to see him and Josie would want to know why I called you on a Sunday night, right?”

  He had a point...sort of. “No,” she said. “She knows I’m on call and have had to see pets after hours or at least talk to owners. She wouldn’t have thought much more than that.”

  “Oh,” he said.

  She swabbed out some samples from Dopey’s ear. “I’m going to look under the microscope. I think it’s a yeast infection but will know for sure there. I’ll be right back. You sit tight, buddy, we’ll have you feeling better soon.”

  She went out and into the OR where she kept her equipment to test things. Just like she suspected, it was a yeast infection in Dopey’s ear.

  She grabbed a syringe and filled it with the meds after she calculated the dosage and brought it back in.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “A yeast infection. The good news is, I’m going to get him the meds right now in one dosage. It takes a few weeks to clear up completely. You can bring him back in for me to test again if you don’t see an improvement then or I’ll check it out myself after hours.”

  She gathered up some skin and fur and gave Dopey his shot, then a big treat. He’d get a baggie to take home when he checked out.

  “That’s it?” he asked. “It’s done?”

  “Yep,” she said. “And...I was going to call you because I’ve got a few hours to myself tonight. If you’re available after work.”

  “I am,” he said. “Where’s Josie? I thought she’d want to go trick-or-treating.”

  “She is. She’s at Adele’s house. She went home with Adele today and is having dinner there and Seth is taking the girls out and around. He’ll bring her back at seven, he said.”

  It was a last minute decision last night. They said it was the least they could do since she’d had Adele over to her house so much and had brought the girls to the craft day two weeks in a row.

  She needed some time with Carter and was starting to realize that Josie had to be told.

  She didn’t feel as if this was a fly-by-night type of relationship.

  She wasn’t that way and she knew by now Carter wasn’t either.

  She also knew that Ava and Seth were most likely giving her some alone time with Carter and she appreciated that more than they could imagine.

  But the time was coming to let Josie know. There was no reason not to.

  “Then I’d like to spend some time with you,” he said. “I’ve got to lock up the shop. I’m done for the day there, but I said I’d be back.”

  “I’ve got another patient to see and then we’ll be closing at five. I need a shower.”

  “Me too,” he said. “I’ll stop and get a pizza on the way, we can eat at your place.”

  “We are thinking alike,” she said, moving closer to him. “Come kiss me. I’ve missed you.”

  “The same,” he said.

  “Maybe tonight we can talk a bit about the future,” she said.

  “What about it?” he asked, frowning.

  “Oh boy. I might have turned you off by saying that. I should have kept my mouth shut. At least until after I got you naked.”

  He grinned. That slow sweet one that always seemed to melt her heart and send tingles to the rest of her body.

  “Nothing you can say or do will turn me off,” he said.

  “The same,” she said. “I thought if you’re okay with it, maybe it’s time to tell Josie.”

  “I’m okay with it,” he said, pulling her closer to him and holding her. “Don’t feel like I’m pressuring you.”

  “You’re not. I’ve been thinking of it for weeks. I’m not sure what to say to her or how to handle it. I thought we could figure it out together tonight...after.”

  He kissed her one more time. “We can. I’ll see you in an hour or less,” he said.

  “You will,” she said to him.

  She opened the door and he left to check out. She heard Melody praising Dopey and then handing over a treat bag for Dopey and one for Doc.

  “He’s really nice,” Melody said to her, walking to the back of the office. Her next patient was in the waiting room, but Kendall must be dealing with another patient in a different room. She appreciated that Melody was talking quietly to her.

  “He is,” she said.

  “You two look really cute together,” Melody said.

  She frowned but was smiling at the same time. “You haven’t seen us together.”

  “Sort of,” Melody said. “Here. I understand not wanting Josie to know. It’s got to be hard.”

  “It is,” she said. “But I think I’m going to tell her soon. There is no reason to keep it from her. I didn’t know how this would work out, but it’s been two months.”

  Melody laughed. “I knew it.”