Page 16 of A Cozy Holiday
I stare at the floor for a moment. I don’t owe him anything, but I don’t want to spend the entire month lying. If these reindeer have the chance to get real care from an experienced large-animal vet, they should.
Guilt creeps across my throat until my tongue swells.
“I have to tell you something.” I put on the voice I use to tell patients how their pet’s surgery went. “I’m a small animal vet. You know, cats, dogs, the occasional hamster. I’ve only worked with farm animals for a month in my entire career.”
He shrugs. “Well, you seemed like you knew what you were doing now.”
“She only had gas. You should have a professional out here when she does give birth.”
He takes a step closer, and suddenly the space between us feels charged. “But you were ready to help, even if shewasin labor.”
“It’s my oath,” I say quietly.To do no harm. To advocate for those who can’t speak. To never, ever give up.“But you are more of a professional than me.” I expected more of a fight, but it almost sounds as if he doesn’t care. “Why are you not mad?”
“’Cause I figured. Your resume screams city vet. Honestly, it was either you or nobody. I’d rather have someone who cares enough to fake it.”
I like that he trusts me implicitly.
“Did you frame my résumé ?” I narrow my eyes at him.
He grins. “I printed it on actual paper. That’s basically the same thing.” A small laugh escapes my chest. “The listing wasposted for a month before you responded. I got desperate, bought books. I would much rather have someone here who knows a little more than me.”
I look at Arrietty. At Jamie petting her head so tenderly.
I could do a month in Cranberry Hollow. Go back to the city with a collection of reindeer facts and hopefully a juicy story about riding a reindeer cowboy. I could take my time to find the perfect apartment in the city to start the new year in.
“I’ll need to go to town,” I say. “Download a few textbooks. Reach out to old professors and study up. You said you bought books. I’d like to see those too.”
“Does that mean yes?”
“Don’t get too excited.”
A toothy smile spreads across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Too late.”
Chapter 5
How to Make Friends as an Adult
The driveto Cranberry Hollow is a one-way street flanked by miles of fresh snow from the blizzard last night. The ice glints in the early morning sun like crushed diamonds, and I’m trying very hard not to notice how good Jamie looks in natural lighting.
He has one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the clutch. His cowboy hat is dipped low, and his pajamas from this morning were replaced with an outfit identical to the one he wore yesterday. While organizing my mess, I found some practical jeans, a pullover, and a pair of Blundstones.
“You sure she’s going to be okay?” I ask, eyes glued to the baby camera that Jamie rigged in a free barn stall. Jubilee hasn’t moved since I left. She’s just staring at the wall like she’s possessed. At least the barn is heated.
“She’s fine,” Jamie says. “What do you do with her when you go to work?”
“She comes with me. On long days, she sleeps under my desk. At home, she sleeps in my shoe closet.”
Jamie’s mouth curves into a smile, and whatever part of me was braced for sarcasm or judgment softens like butter left on the counter.
“Your bunny sleeps in your closet?”
“She has anxiety. I let her do whatever she wants.” I tap the screen. “Just go to the sweater, baby. It smells like me.”
“I remember the first day I dropped my girls off at school. Sat in the parking lot the whole morning trying not to cry. But don’t worry, your bunny’s in good hands. Arrietty’s watching over her.”
Oh, great. He’s a crier. Somehow, that makes him hotter.
What is wrong with me?
