Page 59 of Unyielding
“Okay, I’m listening.”
I didn’t want to fight again. I was tired too, and my heart felt like a stone in my chest. Just looking at him hurt, because I still couldn’t figure out if I wanted to fall into his arms or cuss him out.
“Ruth’s decided that she isn’t going to sell the practice to me. Seems the big boys around town don’t trust me after… whathappened.” He cleared his throat again. “And I get it, I do. So, I’m leaving. There’s a couple specialty programs offered at Texas A&M that I’m thinking about taking. And they’ve got an exchange program with a couple universities in Australia. I’ve been considering one of the A& M programs for a while and now seems like a good time. It’ll give me the space to figure out what’s next for me.”
The news made me want to sit down. The fact that I was partially responsible for Ruth not selling Declan the practice left me a little nauseated. And he wasleaving—first to Texas, then maybe Australia?
“Oh, okay. I… I wasn’t expecting that at all,” I stammered. “Is there anything I can do? Or Josh? I bet if we band together we can?—”
“No, Shannon, it’s too late,” he interrupted. “Ruth’s mind is made up, and you know how that goes. That woman is more stubborn than a mule.”
“But… do you really have to go so far away?”
He shifted and leaned against the stall. “Ruth said that not all the ranchers are pissed at me, but the ones who count are feeling especially cautious. I can’t possibly run the practice successfully if my clients don’t trust me.”
Declan sounded resigned, like the decision had been made for him. I hated that I had played a part in it.
“I’m so sorry…”
He flicked his hand. “Stop, it’s not your fault. I opened my mouth and said shit I should’ve kept to myself. After everything you’d shared with me about Becca and how she acted aroundme, I should have known better. The way Becca brought it up at the meeting made it sound worse than it was, but the truth is bad enough. I told her something she had no business knowing. That’s on me. Anyway, there’s no need to talk about it anymore. What’s done is done.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ve got a busy day ahead of me, so let’s get to work. After I check out Vida, if it’s okay with you, I’ll give Iris a quick exam.”
I didn’t want to stop talking about it, but Declan had made it clear that the conversation was over. I watched him open the stall door and drop to his knees in front of Vida, feeling like I was as much to blame for what he was facing as he was.
I wanted to reach out to him and offer some comfort or solace, but what could I possibly say to make a dent in how he was feeling? He seemed resolved to leave—even if it meant going all the way to Australia.
THIRTY-EIGHT
DECLAN
“Why am I always the last to know everything?”
“Well, hello to you too,” I said, shocked that my sister had shown up on my doorstep without so much as a text or call first.
Dahlia reached down to pet Ford, then pushed past me, a waft of her essential oil perfume lingering in her wake. She was a funkier version of our mother, with the same bright blue eyes and dark hair but a more fashion-forward style. She favored platform Doc Martens and glasses with a thick red rim over flowy rainbow skirts.
“Dec, someone at thegrocerystoretold me that you’re leaving. What’s up with that? Were you just going to sneak out of town without telling your family?” She looked around my small rental cottage that was crowded with boxes. “I mean, look at this place! You’re almost all packed!”
It was true. I’d kicked my packing into overdrive in the depressing aftermath of my conversations with both Ruth and Shannon. It felt good to throw myself into physical work, so thatmy mind couldn’t wander back to linger on my failures and the loss of what-ifs. I was ready to get the hell out of Poplar Springs, the place that had welcomed me back with open arms, then turned on me just as quickly. I deserved it, but it still sucked.
“Yeah, sorry. I was going to tell you guys, I just got busy.”
She flopped onto the couch with a grumble and Ford jumped up and settled beside her. “So, what the hell happened? I thought you were back for good. Mom and Dad were so happy that we were all reunited.”
I stared at the stack of old textbooks in my hands. “I thought I was back for good too, but it turns out that’s not in the cards for me.”
Dahlia widened her eyes and gestured impatiently.
“I, uh, I wasn’t able to get unanimous support from the ranchers. I got a little sidetracked by… stuff and messed up.” I briefly considered telling her the whole story, but I wasn’t in the mood to rehash my mistakes. “Anyway, that was a big deciding factor, so Ruth decided not to sell me the business. So here I am.” I gestured to the boxes piled around my living room.
“But where are you going to go? Do you have something lined up already?”
“There’s a large animal program at a Texas University that’s doing some interesting research into bovine diseases. One of my classmates in vet school teaches there and he put in a good word for me.” I shrugged, frowning. “It’s a good program. I’d originally intended to take it online, but I think I’ll get more out of it if I’m there in person. I’m going to put most of this stuff in storage and drive down a few weeks before it starts. Visit a fewfriends from school along the way and see how they’re making out with their practices.”
Dahlia was staring at me with her arms crossed and her lips pursed. “Why didn’t you tell me that you needed help with the ranchers?”
I frowned. “Why would I?”
Dahlia sighed loudly, making Ford jump. “Dec, their kids are my students! If they have elementary school aged kids, then I see them a few times a year at parent-teacher conferences and art shows. And it’s not just the parents, I also know the aunts, uncles, and grands. I’ve taught in the district for years. The ranchers all know me and trust me.” She smirked. “Believe it or not, they actually like me, even if they think I’m a little kooky.”
