Page 30 of Falling for Ezra Thomas
I will be praying for you and I hope that you find some clarity with your career too. Please pray that I continue to do well. It gets harder every day, but imagining your beautiful face sure makes it easier.
Love always,
Ezra
The front door of Sweet and Salty dings, and I am reminded I’m at work. Sort of. I know I can pretty much do what I want, but I am here to help. Ella walks in and smiles. She comes in every morning, I’m told, and orders the same thing.
“Good morning,” she says with her sweet, upbeat way.
“Morning. How are you?” I scoot her order across the counter and wipe up the crumbs I left behind.
“A little tired, but good. You have time to chat?” She motions toward the corner booth that she and Silas often occupy. There are no other customers at the moment, so I shrug and drop my cleaning rag. I can’t help snatching a cinnamon roll on the way to meet her.
She slides into the booth and sighs with her first sip of coffee. “Don’t tell, but you make it better.”
I giggle, knowing well that I’m the worst with the machine. She’s trying to keep me in good spirits, which I appreciate more than she can know.
“I think I’m finally getting the hang of all the equipment around here, but it’s still intimidating.”
“You’re literally a doctor, and the espresso machine intimidates you?” She grins and sips again.
“Don’t underestimate that thing’s ability to malfunction. Anyway, I think Mrs. Thomas will have me doing deliveries next week. She’s catering some big to-do in the city, which should be fun. I can definitely set up tables and completely avoid the coffee machines.”
Ella rolls her eyes. “So, I wanted to talk to you about something if it’s okay?”
“Sure, shoot.”
“I know everyone has opinions about what you should do. Vivien is really pushing opening your own clinic, and Mrs. Thomas is offering you a permanent job, but I just wanted to tell you…” She bites her lip, falling back into her shyness.
“It’s okay. Nothing you say will offend me or upset me. I’m honestly open to all opinions right now.”
“See, that’s the thing. I think you should tune us all out and take more time to pray and think. Silas went about his trip to Romania the wrong way, but ultimately, it did help him realize a lot about himself. Trying to force himself to become an accountant with his father made him miserable, and it wasn’t until Baker offered him the ranch job that he finally felt…right,I guess you’d say.”
I lean back in the booth and try to take what she says to heart. “I’m honestly not sure being a veterinarian is my true calling, at least, not the way I’ve gone about it. Actually, I just finished reading a letter from Ezra, and he made a few points I hadn’t thought about.”
“Like what?”
“Like thinking outside the box. Looking at work that involves animals, even medicine, but is less traditional. I’m not sure what that might be, but I’m willing to look into it.”
“You don’t have to make major decisions right now, though. Keep that in mind. You have a job here, a family that supports you, friends who love you, and it’s okay to not have all the answers right now.”
I love talking with Ella this way. For some reason, it feels like talking to my sister. I suppose one day it’s possible wewillbe sisters, but right now, I’m glad to have her as a friend.
I sigh and move to change the subject. “How is your father doing?”
Her smile grows, and she nibbles her breakfast. “He’s actually doing great. It turns out, he’s more enriched at the center and has made a lot of friends. I’ve seen so much improvement, and Abby is doing great. With her newfound freedom, she’s really blossoming.”
“I’m glad to hear that, and that she’s doing well.”
“Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you come with me to the ranch when you get off? I usually help Silas with some of the fun stuff at the end of the day, and maybe it’ll take your mind off some things?”
I consider her offer and chew my lip. “What kinds of things?”
“Oh, just feeding the cutest cows ever. They got mini cows, and I’m totally obsessed. Seriously, you need to come with me and see them.” She’s so excited, I can’t say no.
“Oh, all right. I’m off at three. Will that work?”
“Absolutely. I’ll pick you up. Meanwhile, I better get back to studying.” She gathers her things and hugs me over the table. “I’ll see you soon. You’ll love it, I promise.”
