Page 80 of Fake It Till You Make It

“I know you’ve got options now that you’ve passed your exam. Service may not have a clinic or a hospital now, but I believe we can make it happen. Just like we’re working to save the Calvary Vet Clinic. Folks are serious about other improvements. First the vet clinic. Then on to the next goal, together. That’s what family does for family; we take care of one another.”

“Wow, Gracie. Thank you for always welcoming me, like family.”

And that’s what Amarie was. Eli was her family now. She could count on him. He hadn’t let her down even though she’d walked into his life a stranger. They had gone from enemies to friends to lovers.

“Sure Eli’s looking for you by now, Amarie.”

“Oh, shoot. See you tomorrow.” Amarie was walking out the door when a beautiful woman collided with her.

“Oh, excuse you,” the woman snapped.

Amarie was in such a good mood she didn’t even get offended. She would’ve considered the woman attractive with her supermodel blonde hair pin straight, Cupid’s bow lips tight with disapproval. But her brown eyes were narrowed, shrewd, with a condemning quality. A large designer tote hung from her shoulder, and inside was a white toy poodle. Its paws clutched over the snap closure in what Amarie imagined was aHelp me, please. My owner is a mean girlexpression.

“Have a good day.” Amarie waved, food in hand. Heart above the clouds. New clients. Fresh lookout. The world beneath her feet. This is what it felt like to be on top.

“That’s doubtful.” She flipped her thick locks off her shoulder. “But perhaps you can be of assistance.”

The woman was a prima donna type Russell would’ve drooled all over. Okay, she could be a butt and walk away, or she could welcome this woman the way Leah had made her feel seen and heard.

“What do you need?”

“I’m lost.” She pouted as if that would work on Amarie.Save it, girl, she thought. Thank goodness Amarie had learned that she was made of tougher stock.

“How did that happen?” Amarie smirked.

“I’m looking for Calvary Vet Clinic. I got a little turned around when I came into town.”

Amarie would not be releasing Raspberry, Formerly, Graffiti, Artist, or Dove to this hapless creature. Seemed if she broke a nail, six weeks of intensive therapy sessions would have to happen for a full recovery.

“Okay, this might work out in your favor,” Amarie said. “I’m headed there now.”

“On foot?” The woman scowled.

“It’s back the way you drove into town past the main road and up the hill.”

“That’s right,” she chuckled, “the uptown Calvarys.” The drawl sounded rather refined but exasperated. “Oh yes, I remember the distinction. I’d forgotten all this uptown-downtown nonsense.”

“I’m headed there on foot. If you want to walk, we can take the bridge across the creek and, voila, you’ll arrive at your destination.”

“Is my car safe here?”

Amarie literally fell speechless. Who was this knock-off princess masquerading as if she had money?

Amarie pushed past her. “My food is getting cold. Bye now.”

“Wait up. I do have on high heels.”

“Not my problem.”

She heard muttering behind her back. No introduction. Nothank you, gentle stranger, for offering to assist me in my quest.

The woman stomped along behind Amarie, talking more to her toy poodle than to the actual person who had offered her help. Amarie bypassed the house and decided it best to give Eli the signal that Cruella would not do for her kittens. Amarie pushed into the door of the clinic.

“Eli.”

“Yep,” he called, his voice harsh and none too pleasant. His footfalls came fast and rolled like thunder. And there were clicks of cultured steps on smooth tile, followed by a stride she knew without seeing his face. Amarie’s mouth fell open when she saw who materialized from the staff lounge located behind Eli’s office.

“Russell. Mom. What are you two doing here?”