Page 9 of Hold Me Instead
Charlie shook her head, feeling lighter. “I love it. Should’ve known you’d do something creative.”
Amber flicked her straight locks over her shoulder, then tipped the hat’s brim and bowed, her bangs smooshed against her olive-toned skin. “Thank you,” she said. “Thought it’d be a good way to promote Cleo’s art classes. Even though I keep forgetting the name of this painting. Don’t even ask me who the artist is.”
Charlie chuckled. “Did she dress in theme too?”
Amber frowned. “No. Well, to be fair, I didn’t really mention my idea.”
“Ah. Don’t you have to get over there to help set up?”
Amber juggled three jobs: one working for her childhood best friend Cleo at her shop on Main Street, another as a waitress at the Italian restaurant Arturo’s—also on Main Street—and most recently, her own woodworking business.
Amber sighed. “Cleo kicked me out. Said I was ‘unhelping’ and to come back later.”
Charlie snickered, savoring the cookies as she took in the final minutes of quiet.
The veterinary hospital was a stand-alone red-and-brown brick building and shared a parking lot with an antique shop and an eye clinic.The antique shop had an apothecary table in their front window with cauldrons and vessels fuming from dry ice, while the optometrist’s blinds were closed, two sets of blinking robotic eyes peeking through. Together, the three businesses formed the tip of the triangle that was Elmwood Falls Village—EFV—the quaint downtown of Elmwood Falls. All shops in their half-mile radius prepped for locals and nearby residents, amping up Halloween window decorations each year. It was the vet hospital's tradition, since Daniel had opened its doors, to have a haunted house, and Charlie and the team had been determined to see it through.
She released a rough breath, her recent visit to see Daniel ingrained in her mind. He’d been asleep, breath steady, brow furrowed. Jeanie had never hugged her so tight, her eyes tired and red, new frown lines taking up firm residence. The reality of it all was even more…real.
Charlie closed her eyes and inhaled, the smell of ozone and damp crushed leaves as comforting as a flannel blanket.
“Alright, I’ve let it go long enough.”
Charlie looked at Amber. “What?”
“You doing okay? And don’t give me any ‘I’m fine’ bullshit. Seriously, how are you?”
Shoulders hitched, Charlie stared at Village Park beyond their lot. Normally bustling with joggers and cozy picnics, or hosting movie nights and concerts in the summer, the pristine green lawn was quiet, cleared of activity before the annual EFV trick or treat got into full swing. The peaceful setting did nothing to ease her mind. There was so much to do, to arrange while Daniel was out, and no matter how many extra hours she’d put in this past week, they were swamped. In fact, standing outside thinking about it wouldn’t help any. She took her extra day off, and look what happened—Daniel had endured a heart attack, overworked, not leaningon Charlie enough. If she dwelled on that though, it led her towhyshe’d taken the extra day, and that her cousin still had no clue.
“I’m exhausted,” she finally said. “Worried about him. Thankful he’s alright. Stressed because there aren’t a lot of independent veterinarians available to fill in.” Charlie shook her head. “I’m a lot of things right now.”
Amber put her hand on Charlie’s arm. “You don’tneedto be here right now, Charlie.”
“I do, though. Otherwise, I’ll spiral. Besides, we have to figure out schedule changes. We’re booked through the holidays, and we really don’t want to cancel on our clients.”
Amber hesitated. “Yeah, but it’s okay to rest, especially after last week. Take time to process what happened.”
Charlie stepped away from her cousin. “He’s okay, Amber. I can’t let the practice fall apart while he’s recovering. I couldn’t face him if that happened. Can you imagine?”
Amber angled firmly toward Charlie, that damn apple twitching in front of her face. “I wantyouto be okay too.”
“I’m good,” Charlie rasped. She cleared her throat and forced a smile. “Really. I want to be here, it feels right.” She looked to Amber, eager to show her determination—except the apple dangled between them. “It’s hard to take you seriously right now.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Amber said cheekily.
“Very funny,” Charlie said, smiling as Amber wrapped her in an extra tight hug. Charlie’s shoulders loosened, and as they stepped apart, she nudged her cousin. “Hey, if you hang around a little longer, you’ll probably see Logan.”
Amber’s playful shove in return moved Charlie a foot. “You mean,Dr.Fletcher?”
A laugh broke from Charlie as she steadied. “That’s the one.”
“I’m very tempted.”
“Oh, I know. He’s only with us a few more days, and then he’s on vacation. So you better make your move soon.”
Amber grinned. “Who says I haven’t?”
Charlie gaped. “Did you?”
