Page 102 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"I know."
He chuckled."And you're not going to answer the real question?"
She shrugged."I don't know how.But before you go off at half cock, he didn't do anything wrong.I don't want you to think that."
He smiled as he rested his hand on her shoulder."I don't need to have the slightest clue about what's going on to know that.And I'm almost as sure that you didn't do anything wrong either."
She folded her arms across her chest and made a face at him."Sometimes things go wrong without it being anyone's fault, you know."
"Believe me, I know.I'll see ya later, honey."He turned and headed for the door.
"I thought you wanted a drink."
"I do.I'll get Emmett to fix me one."
After he'd gone, she stared at the door he'd closed behind him.She'd love to think that Cash could do some of his famous meddling to make things right, but the situation wasn't that simple.It was so much harder to make things right precisely because no one had done anything wrong.
Chapter Twenty-Two
By the time they got back to the clinic, Emmett was ready to call it a day.He wanted to go home.The thought of Harper not staying there anymore was weighing heavy on his mind.He couldn't go yet, though, and even if he did, she wouldn't be there.She'd be up in town by now, collecting Tanya from school, hanging out at the grocery store with her while Alana was in rehearsal, then bringing them both home.
It was a good thing he'd only had a couple of appointments today—his heart hadn't been in it.His clients would never have guessed that, of course, but it was enough that he knew.When they arrived at the back door, Hallie was just coming out and grinned when she saw them.
"Hey, it's good to see you.How are you feeling?"
"Better than I have been, but not as good as I hope I will be soon.How are things going for you?"
"Yeah, they're going great.I'm really enjoying working here."Her smile faded a little."I mean, I know I'm not really working here.I know I'm only filling in until you're back on your feet…" She looked him up and down."Well, that's a dumb thing to say.I can see that you’re on your feet, but you know what I mean."
He smiled, and Blane chuckled beside him."Yeah, I'm on my feet, but I'm not back up to full strength yet."
"I don't know what to say to that.For your sake, I want to say I hope you heal fast, but I hope you don't for mine."
"I like her," said Blane.
Emmett gave Hallie a reassuring smile."What he means is that he appreciates a straight shooter."
"Right," Blane agreed.
She glanced at Blane."Well, that's good to know, because I am one."She held the door open a little wider."But I shouldn't hold you up here, talking.You probably want to get inside and sit down, don't you?"
"Now I'm the one who doesn't know what to say.I want to appreciate you thinking about it, but at the same time, I want to deny that I need to."
Blane went in ahead of him and motioned for Emmett to follow.
"I'll tell you what, Hallie.Are you on your way out to an appointment?Do you have a minute?"Emmett asked.
"No more appointments for me today," she said."But I can cover any if that's what you want."
"Let's go inside."
When they reached his office, Emmett sat down heavily in his chair, and Blane took up his sentry position in the corner, folding his arms across his chest.
Hallie eyed him warily before turning to smile at Emmett."Should I be worried?"
Emmett chuckled."No, you're good.I'm the one he's keeping an eye on.You're safe."
Blane shrugged."Pretend I'm not here."
