His brother, Grayson, had to all but have his teeth pulled to come work in the garage. He didn’t like getting dirty and that was all you ever did when you worked with cars.

  Natalie, his youngest sibling, didn’t want any part of it and he never figured she did. It was more like him being the oldest, everyone knew he’d end up running it.

  “Yeah. Lots going on,” he said. “Alex talked to some people that called and put it in the computer to schedule. I was going to see what is going on for next week and parts that are needed.”

  It’s not like everything they needed could be sold on the island. Though there was a chain auto repair store, they didn’t always carry the parts or if they did, it was at a higher price.

  He didn’t like to charge more than he had to so many were willing to wait if they could until he could get the parts delivered to the island or one of his men could go off island to get them.

  “That is what I’m here for bright and early,” his mother said. She worked her own hours. He’d never tell her otherwise. If she wasn’t around to answer the phone, he or one of his employees did. Plenty of times his mother had to come get him anyway to talk to someone.

  “Thanks,” he said, covering a yawn and booting up the computer at the register by the phone. Then he moved through the doorway into the garage.

  “The coffee is made,” his mother said. “Looks like you need it.”

  “Yeah,” he said. He moved over to grab his coveralls off the hook by his office. He long since gave up having work pants and a shirt that he changed every day and came to and from work in.

  It messed up his truck and the lingering scent of grease and tar and oil and everything else would be on him. He didn’t want to track it anywhere.

  He’d arrive in shorts or jeans, depending on the time of year, with a T-shirt. He had sneakers on his feet, that he was taking off now to swap for his steel toed boots once he pulled on his coveralls.

  “Why are you yawning?” his mother asked. “That’s not like you.”

  “I was at the vet clinic late last night. I wanted to get it all done.”

  “Why?” his mother asked. She bent down to give some love to Doc. The puppy and his mother had a routine. His mother would take Doc into her office most times, but he’d never ask.

  “The new vet arrived early. She showed up at the clinic to check it out and I felt horrible I had all the sinks ripped out. I know Dr. Mullins wouldn’t have cared as long as the one room he used was set, but I did them all. Dr. Keegan is going to be there today with her new employees and figuring things out.”

  “Sounds like they are itching to get to work,” his mother said. “That makes me so happy.”

  “You and your three cats,” he said.

  His mother had always been a cat person. Not him. Ever.

  He liked the big sloppy dog. The slow-moving kind.

  They said dogs took after their masters and he wondered if that was the other way around. If someone had to pick a dog to compare to him he was pretty sure it’d be his St. Bernard.

  Not the weight part or even the hairy part.

  He wasn’t fat, but he was six foot and solid. He’d always been that way.

  “Chester, Carl and Chuck happen to love it at our house, but they hate the ferry ride. So I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to not have to do that or wait months to get an appointment with Dr. Mullins. What’s Dr. Keegan like?”

  “She’s young,” he said.

  “It’s a woman?” his mother asked.

  “Yes. She’s friends with Laine. That is how she found out about the job.”

  “Laine Connors?” his mother asked. “That makes more sense how it happened as fast as it did. If they are friends, Laine is early thirties I believe. Even better. It’s someone that might be more up on the times.”

  “Sure,” he said. “But it’s not like the equipment there is top notch. She has all that coming in too, she’d said.”

  “You’ve got to start somewhere, Carter. You know that. Didn’t you add the body shop to the garage? Your father never wanted to touch that.”

  His father had been busy fixing the cars on the island. Then the tow truck service he ended up adding on. Carter was the one that decided to buy rental cars too. Why not? People had insurance for it or were willing to pay for it while their cars were getting fixed.

  Any way he could expand he did and now had three cars he rented out. He’d add on more at some point, but it had to be a good deal.

  But the body shop, that was a hard one to get going.

  He could do some small repairs but wasn’t trained to do a lot of the paint jobs. Plus special equipment was needed for it too.

  It was worth the investment when he set it up five years ago in the old building next to the garage.

  He wasn’t some dumb mechanic. He had a business mind too and was going to prove to everyone he had what it took.

  “I was glad I was able to get someone here full time finally.”

  It hadn’t been easy to lure anyone to the island with how hard it was to find housing and the costs. But the small apartment above the garage that he’d lived in for years, he’d decided to throw in as part of the salary of the body shop guy.

  It was a win win for everyone. Though he could be collecting rent, not many might want to live above a garage.

  Stew Middleton thought this was a dream job come true for him and his wife. Candy worked at the grocery store as the customer service manager and the two of them believed they were living an early retirement dream on an island in their forties.

  He liked that they were simple in their lifestyle like him and the fifteen-hundred-square-foot two-bedroom apartment suited their needs.

  “You lucked out with Stew and Candy and you know it,” his mother said.

  “You like Candy,” he said. “Admit it.”

  “I do,” his mother said. “She’s a sweet lady, but boy does she like to talk.”

  He grunted. He knew that well.

  “Just like you this morning,” he said.

  “You’re right,” his mother said. “I’ll start going through inventory and see what parts are needed based on what is scheduled for next week.”

  “I’ll be in shortly with whatever else I need and to double-check it over,” he said. “Thanks.”

  She reached her hand out. “Doc and I can go bond. We females need to stick together.”

  He handed the leash over, knowing it was better that Doc had the freedom to move around his mother’s office, even though his puppy would still sleep most of the day away.

  “You do that,” he said to his mother.

  He moved out of his office, got his coffee, then went back to his desk with his laptop to go over what he needed for the rest of this week and next.

  Being a business owner on the island wasn’t easy.

  He hoped Avery had what it took to stay. Not for the island, but maybe for him to see her again.

  6

  A Rewarding Way

  “It’s going to be so much fun today,” Josie said the next day when they walked to the clinic before Dr. Mullins arrived.

  “I hope you think that,” Avery said. “It might be boring for you, but I don’t have any other place for you to go just yet.”

  She was going to try to figure out daycare but then told herself there was no reason for it. Their house was close by, she owned this practice, Josie could hang out in her office.

  Josie was old enough to not be watched every single minute. She was a good kid and wouldn’t be playing with matches or anything like that.

  “And I can watch TV on my iPad?” Josie asked.

  “Yes. We’ll get you set up on the internet. You can draw too. Today is more about me meeting with the new staff, setting things up and ordering what more I need. I also want to meet some patients and get the practice ready to start soon.”

  She was going to make sure there was a spot in her office for Josie. A little desk for her to do her homework after school and draw when she wanted to. They had a few weeks yet before they had to worry about that. Tomorrow would be the day they were going to have to drive around and get school and busing situations set up too.

  “I can’t wait,” Josie said, skipping alongside of her, the little girl’s backpack full of things to keep her busy bopping around from side to side. Her own bag was a little heavy and she was thinking she should have driven, but it was so nice out.

  “I’m happy to hear this. It’s a new life for us and a new adventure. It’s not like being at daycare with other kids.”

  “That’s okay,” Josie said. “That wasn’t always that much fun.”

  She knew that, but Josie didn’t talk that often about why. And because Josie was so open with her about most things in life, she didn’t push it.

  They got to the clinic, walked around back and went through that way. There were two cars there and she assumed it was Roseann, who was Dr. Mullin’s part-time staff, and then Dr. Mullins would be here too.

  “Good morning,” she said, walking in and seeing two women there. Guess not Dr. Mullins. “I’m Avery Keegan and this is Josie.”

  “So nice to meet you,” an older woman said, coming forward. “I’m Roseann Mowery and I just met your new office manager.”

  “Oh,” she said. “You’re Melody Rose.”

  “I am,” Melody said. “I was so excited to get here this morning bright and early. I hope that was okay.”

  “That’s great,” she said. “Wonderful. I’m thrilled you’re excited.” Nothing better than having staff be that way.

  “I’m not late, am I?”

  She turned to see a young girl come in. Melody seemed to be in her mid-thirties or so, but this girl was early twenties.

  “No,” Avery said. “And you must be Kendall Dugan?”

  “I am,” Kendall said. “I moved in with my friend over the weekend and I’m still trying to find my way around.”

  “Oh,” she said. “I didn’t know you were new to the island also when we interviewed.”

  “I’ve been here a lot as a kid,” Kendall said. “I’m from Plymouth. My friend lives and works on the island and she’s been looking for a roommate. I figured there’d never be an opportunity in my field to come here and then I saw the ad and did one heck of a booty shake in my parents’ kitchen. I met with Laine and she was great. She said you guys were friends and all and I’ve been to her wine and paint parties too. Talk about a good time.” Kendall waved her hand. “I’m rambling. I’m so sorry, but so excited I’m actually here.”

  Avery laughed. Guess Laine was right with the staff being energetic. “I’m thrilled you are all here too.” She pulled her bag off her shoulder. “I’ve got three laptops all set up with software on them. I need you to fill out employment paperwork too and then I’ll get it over to the new accountants that I spoke with and get that set for payroll.”

  Another stop she had to make tomorrow after talking with Kelsey Raymond yesterday. She should have done that earlier too but then didn’t think she’d be starting so soon. Thankfully Kelsey was good about it and said she’d have a staff meet with her tomorrow and they’d be fine to get to work.

  “Dr. Mullins is running late,” Roseann said. “It happens with him coming on the ferry.”

  “That’s fine. We’ve got twenty minutes before the clinic opens. What time is the first appointment?”

  “Right at nine,” Roseann said. “They usually have to wait some, but most don’t care. I’m here early trying to get things done for him. The phone has been ringing asking if you are taking appointments next week.”

  “For Wednesday next week?” she asked.

  Even though she was starting next week as the plan, she was going to spend most of the week setting up the practice and only seeing patients on Wednesday with Dr. Mullins and maybe later in the week.

  “Taking them for this week and going forward,” Roseann said. “Word has gotten out that you’re on the island already.”

  “That didn’t take long,” she said. She’d have to get used to this.

  “No,” Melody said. “I’ve lived here for about five years. News travels fast.”

  “You’ve never worked in a vet’s office before, correct?” she asked Melody. Since Avery was the first full-time vet on the island, it was an easy guess.

  “No,” Melody said, “but I worked in a doctor’s office doing billing back on the mainland years ago. It was too crazy for me and my husband was hired by Bond Realty doing construction. We thought we’d give it a few years and loved it here and he’s so busy that it allowed me to find what I enjoy doing rather than needing to get a job.”

  She knew Melody worked for one of the other hotels on the island prior to this. Not one owned by a Bond, which she tried not to laugh about when Laine told her that. But Melody wanted something smaller and not so stuffy or corporate as it was a chain hotel.

  “I’m glad to have you on board and appreciate that Roseann is willing to work with you for a few weeks.”

  “If you decide you need someone to stay on part time,” Roseann said, “I’d love to help out. I don’t want to work full time but don’t know your needs right now getting going either.”

  This was working out better than she thought. “Why don’t we assess it at the end of the month,” she said. “You’ll be able to help until then and be available for calls from Melody while staying under Dr. Mullin’s employment, correct?”

  “Absolutely,” Roseann said.

  “Perfect.” She turned and saw Josie standing there watching the four of them talk where they had moved into the office area. “I’m going to get Josie set up in my office if you don’t mind turning on the laptops.” She’d set her bag on the counter, pulled hers out and set it aside and then pushed the other two toward her staff.

  Josie followed her to the back and her office. “Can I sit at your desk?” Josie asked.

  “That’s the only place for you to sit,” she said. “Go right ahead.”

  She unloaded the rest of her bag that had a few bottles of water in it and some snacks for Josie. They’d order some lunch as she figured she’d treat the staff for being willing to start earlier than planned for the day. She’d pay them full days for the rest of the week too while they set up and talked about things but wouldn’t see patients.

  “Can I come get you if I need you?” Josie asked.

  “Always,” she said, leaning down to kiss Josie on the head. “You know that.”

  Josie wouldn’t bug her, she never did.

  She moved back to the front once she knew Josie was set up and had her on the internet.

  The three women were on their laptops. Roseann answered the phone, then turned her head. “I’ve got someone on the phone that wants to know if they can come in today. Their cat has been throwing up since last night and hates the ferry. They are terrified to upset the cat more. Dr. Mullins is booked solid.”

  “Yes,” Avery said. “I’ll see them whenever they can come in.”

  Roseann smiled, nodded and then went back to the call.

  “Any problems logging on?” she asked Melody and Kendall.

  “No,” they both said.

  “When you’re done, I’ll let Roseann talk to you about the way things are done in the office, Melody. We’ll work out our own routine as we go. You do what you see fit but observe like I’m going to do. The flow will figure its way out. Kendall will be able to see patients on her own without me. Things like shots and grooming. Kendall will explain the time it takes to do those things and we’ll set days or times during the week when those appointments can be made. I’ll pick surgery days too where I won’t take appointments during that time.”

  Melody was taking notes, Kendall nodding her head.

  Nine o’clock rolled around and Dr. Mullins’s first patient arrived, but no doctor yet.

  “He normally is here by ten after nine,” Roseann said. “He lives in Boston, so coming on that ferry, unloading his car and driving here takes a bit of time.”

  They weren’t that far from the Romeo port, but she figured this time of year, there were tourists getting off the ferry too and it would take longer than normal.

  “Not a problem. What is the patient in for? Do you think Dr. Mullins would mind if I saw them so that he doesn’t get behind with the next appointment?”

  She was looking at the schedule of appointments and saw they were back to back and packed for the day. She wasn’t surprised. Some were simple things like vaccinations, but a few were sick visits.

  “I think he’d be thrilled. I’ve got to get some meds filled too for Dr. Mullins to sign off on and then have them picked up also.”

  There was a pad on the desk with a long list of names and numbers. “What’s that?”

  “Those are the messages left on the voicemail. I try to check them once a day when I’m not here to see what I’ve got to get ready for.”

  She was flipping through. Many were refills of simple things. “Why don’t I take care of some of this too? Do what you need to with the meds, put them with the charts and I’ll go through and sign off and approve things.” She turned to look at Melody and Kendall. “We’re going to use the software on the laptop and will need to get all the existing patients inputted. New patients we will start right away. Anyone that calls for an appointment, when they come in we will enter them so that I can use my laptop to see them and do what needs to be done all in live time. If you can send papers before the appointments or they can come in earlier, great. When an existing client comes in or is scheduled, we’ll try to get their files entered before their appointment.”

  “I can help with that,” Roseann said.

  “Thank you. If you and Melody can share the laptop and take calls together today and do what you can, I’d appreciate it. And if you want to come in tomorrow, Roseann, I’ll pay you for your time. We’ll figure it out.”

  “I’d love to,” Roseann said. “Here is the chart for Moses. He’s the first patient of the day.”