Page 40 of Home Between Homes

“Well, I can only imagine that you two had a good time during the blizzard,” Dany said with a hearty laugh.

“That’s one way to put it,” Jack replied.

I pressed my head into the headrest to get out of the way of their conversation. After meeting Mrs. Candice, I shouldn’t havebeen so surprised that Jack was open with them, but this was still unexpected.

“You’re new in town?” Dany asked.

It took me a second to realize that he was talking to me. “It was my first time here, yes. But I was just taking care of Maggie for the week. Going to Glenn’s Creek tomorrow.”

The roaring engine took over for a second. Dany tilted his head in both directions as he pulled to the right. “That’s too bad. Seastone could use a few more fresh, young faces. I’d ask you if you like it here, but it doesn’t seem like you’ve gotten to see much besides the McCormac’s house.”

“Well, what little I got to see made a lasting impression.” It was probably obvious that I was only talking about Jack. He was all I needed to see to know that I liked this place. I intertwined my fingers with his. “I didn’t expect to see Jack here again. But thanks to him, I had an unforgettable time. I hope to visit again soon.”

He searched for my face and returned my smile, though I couldn’t help but notice that there was a hint of sadness in it.

“You knew each other from before?” Dany asked.

“College, yes,” I replied.

Dany wrinkled his forehead. “College?” A red traffic light next to an old mill made him slow down. Once we came to a complete stop, he turned to me. “Sorry to be so blunt, but are you a vet?”

“You don’t have to ask him, Dany,” Jack interrupted before my brain had fully processed Dany’s question. “He just said he’s leaving for Glenn’s Creek tomorrow.”

My eyes darted between them. Dany shook his head while Jack leaned his against the door. I searched for Jack’s gaze. “Ask mewhat?”

Jack twitched as if my question was a slap to the back of his head.

Dany huffed and muttered something into his cheeks before he spoke. “My dad is the local vet. He was supposed to retire two years ago, but we can’t find anyone to take over. Not many young people find a place like Seastone appealing. Can’t blame them. There’s not much here but the mountains and a few old folks.”

Jack looked down and clenched his jaw. He furrowed his brows so tightly that the skin on his forehead wrinkled.

A shiver ran down my spine.Jack knew about the position when we talked yesterday. That much was certain. Why didn’t he tell me? Was that why he asked me where I would go after my time here and why I didn’t want to pursue the career? Did he want to ask me to stay but decided against it after I told him my reasons?

“We are frankly quite desperate,” Dany said. “We even offered to pay for Jack to finish his undergraduate degree. He could have gone to vet school while doing the necessary internships with my dadon full payand then take over when he graduated.”

“I told you,” Jack barked at Dany. “I can’t take your money like this.” He pulled his hand back.

“You could have paid me back when the office was yours.” Dany waved it off. “But that’s water under the bridge now.”

There was no way he knew Jack’s real reasons for not wanting to be a veterinarian. Dany could have offered him a million dollars, and it wouldn’t have changed Jack’s mind.

The light turned green, and Dany rolled across the intersection. “I’m certainly not going to force anyone to take my money.” Dany laughed it off as if he hadn’t just spoken, as if he still hoped Jack would change his mind. “So, Noah, if you know someone who would be a good fit and doesn’t mind the small town, please give them our contact. We’re pretty flexible on the terms. Money, hours, relocation assistance, everything is negotiable.” He pulled down the sun visor, behind which wereseveral business cards, and handed one to me. “You’re also welcome to give us a call when you get tired of Glenn’s Creek. But I understand. It’s a nice place to live.”

I stared at his card. My breathing got heavier. The horizon twisted. The pale blue sky turned into a big hole that I could have fallen into if I hadn’t been strapped in behind the seat belt of this tow truck.

Here I was, already resigned to the fact that I was leaving tomorrow, only to find out that the perfect job was right in front of me if I only wanted it.

Without warning, Dany slammed on the brakes so hard that all three of us slid quite close to the dashboard. My hands jumped up, searching for the black leather in front of me, while Jack’s hands reached for my chest to hold me in my seat. As the car came to a stop, we all held still for a moment as if another impact was imminent. My chest rose and fell as if my heart was trying to escape my body, and only Jack’s hand was holding it in place.

The red flash of another traffic light glared at us.

“Sorry about that. Road’s still icy,” Dany laughed as if it was funny. The light turned green, and Dany steered us to the right.

Jack pulled his hand back, and I wished he’d left it on my chest. The unplanned adrenaline rush couldn’t distract me from what had just happened.

I’d been offered a job—one that, a year ago, I would have said yes to in a heartbeat. So why did it now feel like Dany had stuck a knife in my chest?

We came to a lot at the end of the road. An auto repair shop that could fit four cars to our left and at least ten cars parked on the right, including my Corolla. The tow truck shook as it pulled over the curb. “Here we are.” Dany stopped in the middle of the lot, unbuckled his seatbelt, and opened the door with a sigh.

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