11. Abby

11

ABBY

U pon Abby’s arrival in the small lobby of the veterinarian’s office, the office manager, Mariah Meengs, greeted Abby with a huge smile and came around the counter to yank her into a hug. Abby was taken aback, having never been hugged in an interview before, but couldn’t help but like the woman immediately.

Mariah apologized for Doc Ford, saying he’d been called away at the last minute but would return shortly.

Mariah’s curly red hair had been pulled into a loose knot at the nape of her neck, held together by a clip in the shape of an armadillo. Bright green eyes took Abby in from behind thick-rimmed glass adorned with tiny pink rhinestones. Tiny cats wearing Santa hats dangled from her ears.

“It’s awfully nice to meet you. Such a thing you’re doing for those kids.” Mariah waved a hand in front of her eyes. “Saddest loss we’ve had here since I can remember. God bless you.”

No more than five minutes had passed before Abby knew what felt like most of Mariah’s life story. She’d been a world traveler before coming to Sugarville Grove, living for extended periods all over Europe. To her surprise, after visiting a friend in Sugarville Grove, she’d fallen in love with the community and had decided to stay. Her love for animals and skills in administration had landed her a job with Doc Ford. “Over five years ago now. Oh, that Doc Ford, he’s a rascal.”

Rascal?

What did that mean?

Abby took a glance around. “What a lovely lobby.”

“Thank you. I picked out the decor myself.” Mariah beamed.

Abby imagined that the hardwood floors and walls painted in earth tones were soothing to those with sick pets. Comfortable chairs upholstered in floral patterns filled the waiting area, while a woven rug added a cozy touch. Large windows flooded the space with natural light. In the corner, a bookshelf stocked with pet care magazines, children’s books about animals, and informational brochures on pet health and wellness offered entertainment while waiting.

“We recently redid the office, to update and all that. I got to pick the soft pastel paint color for the outside too. Doesn’t it look so delicious with the white trim?”

“Definitely.”

Abby had found the exterior to be lovely, with its hand-carved wooden sign that hung above the entrance, displaying the clinic's name alongside a friendly silhouette of a dog and a cat. A whimsical statue of a playful puppy wearing a Santa hat and a red scarf stood just outside the doors.

“Come along. I’ll show you around.” Mariah led Abby through the clinic, starting with the front desk. There must have been a hundred sticky notes plastered around the computer and desk, all with scribblings impossible to read. She told Abby about her unique filing system, which had something to do with the hair or fur color of the animal patient. “No one but me gets it, but that doesn’t matter because Doc will never have to get rid of me or worry about me leaving. This job’s the best I’ve ever had. My goodness, I absolutely adore the doctor. So do all his patients, furry and human. He’s the best human ever. And believe me, I’ve known some real stinkers.”

Mariah went on to describe how the good doctor allowed her a lot of freedom in her job, including encouraging her to use her amateur ventriloquist skills. She often brought in a handmade puppet named Dr. Whiskers to entertain kids in the waiting area. “They just love Dr. Whiskers.”

Abby could think of nothing to say, which hardly mattered. Mariah talked so much and so fast that there was no need for Abby to do anything but listen.

“Now, come on back. I’ll show you the rest.”

Abby followed her down a hallway with closed doors on both sides. A bulletin board on the wall showcased photos of patients—cats curled up in sunbeams, dogs playing fetch, and even the occasional exotic pet—clearly sent in by proud owners. Notices for community events, such as pet adoption days and local farm fairs, were also posted.

“We have two examination rooms. Doc Ford makes sure they’re as comforting as possible for anxious animals. I appreciate that, being a little on the anxious side myself.”

Mariah held the door to the examination room on the left, and Abby went inside, taking in the soft, nonslip mats that covered the stainless-steel exam tables. Calming pheromone diffusers had been put in to reduce stress for feline visitors. “You know what little pills cats can be, right?” Mariah asked. “God love ’em.”

In addition, colorful murals of pastoral scenes graced the walls. Medical equipment and shelves stocked with essential supplies, from bandages to treat jars, were neatly organized.

Next, Mariah led her into a small laboratory area where the veterinarian performed basic diagnostic tests on-site, ensuring quick results for common procedures. The clinic had a modest surgical suite equipped for routine operations such as spaying, neutering, and dental cleanings.

“Now, safety and cleanliness are top priorities, and the staff takes great care to maintain a sterile environment,” Mariah said. “Doc’s a real stickler on that.”

“Wonderful,” Abby murmured. One would hope for a sterile environment.

“Our Dr. Ford—how he loves the animals. Every single one of them. The owners feel his genuine affection for his patients. People can tell when someone loves what they do, don’t you agree? We have the full meal deal when it comes to services—wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, and nutritional counseling. I’m sorry to say that most people overfeed their cats.” Mariah tutted. “I’m one of them.”

“Easy to do,” Abby said. She was getting a good feeling about Dr. Ford and his practice, despite the alarmingly exuberant Mariah.

“We teach classes right out of here, too,” Mariah said. “First aid for animals, training tips, and the importance of regular checkups. People sometimes take a little convincing about checkups because of the cost. However, we do our best to keep prices low so folks don’t have to rob the piggy bank to pay the bill.”

After the tour, Mariah had gone over pay and benefits, should she be offered the job. “Doc Ford hates to talk about money, so he makes me do that part.”

The pay wasn’t as high as what she could have expected in the city, but the cost of living was better in a small town. Health benefits were excellent, for her and her dependents. If the job were offered to her, she would take it without hesitation.

Finally, Dr. Ford appeared, apologetic for keeping her waiting. Abby didn’t know what she’d expected, but it was not the short, round man who beckoned her into his office.

“Dr. Parker. Good to meet you.”

Doc Ford shook her hand with a firm, vigorous grip. He smoothed a hand over his thinning gray hair. Twinkling blue eyes behind his wire-rimmed glasses were intelligent but also had a quality that put Abby at ease. “Thank you for coming in on short notice.”

Although he’d arrived wearing a lab coat with pockets bulging with dog treats, he quickly discarded it, revealing a bulky green sweater with a reindeer on the front, paired with brown corduroy pants. She hadn’t known they made corduroy trousers in this day and age. “Would you like tea? Mariah, bless her heart, will make you a cup of any flavor you wish. I’m partial to spearmint. Did you know it’s good for digestion?”

Abby politely declined, and said that yes, she had heard that about spearmint.

Doc Ford hung his lab coat on the back of his door and encouraged her to sit. When she was comfortably seated in one of two guest chairs, he settled behind his desk. Abby glanced around at his quirky decorating, displaying antique veterinary instruments, unusual rocks, and framed sketches of animals drawn by local children. Very cute.

A framed newspaper article from the mid-eighties showed a much younger Dr. Ford leading a gaggle of geese across a busy road with the headline: Quack-tastic! Local Vet Stops Traffic for VIP (Very Important Poultry).

“Isn’t that a hoot?” Doc Ford asked. “My friends teased me for years. I don’t know who thought to take the photo and send it into the paper, but there you have it. There’s not a lot of news around here. Which is the way we like it.”

“I’m from LA, so small-town life will take some getting used to, but I’m glad to hear it.”

“You’ll be a local in no time. Tell me all about yourself,” Doc Ford said. “Spare no details.”

“I’ve never been featured in a newspaper of any kind,” Abby said, smiling. “But I did drive my mother bananas by insisting on saving any creature that made its way indoors, including a wayward squirrel.”

Doc Ford burst into boisterous laughter. “Dear me, that must have been a sight.”

She went on to describe her education, including being in the top 10 percent of her class and her high praise during her residency.

“What had you planned to do before hearing the news of your cousin’s death?” Doc Ford asked. “I’m assuming it wasn’t to come here.”

Right. So, he knew all the details, having spoken to Grace. The two of them probably went way back. There were no secrets in this town. “I’d accepted a job in Colorado.” She explained about the offer from her medical school friend and that she’d actually been on the way there when she’d gotten the call about Ramona.

“How dreadful. You poor thing.”

“Unexpected, yes.” She breathed in a shaky breath, the threat of tears stinging her eyes.

Fortunately, Doc Ford was a talker. If he noticed her emotional response, he was gracious enough to pretend he didn’t. He told her about the practice and what he was looking for, including someone who would eventually want to buy him out. “My wife’s been on me for years to slow down, but I haven’t felt it was the right time. But lately, the idea of having more hours to golf or fish is becoming more and more appealing. One never knows how much time we have left, do we?”

The rhetorical question hung in the air for a second or two. Once again, Abby had to fight to keep her emotions in check.

Doc Ford continued, describing his style and how important it was for whomever worked for him to become part of the community. “This isn’t just a place people bring their sick animals. My staff here are like family, and we treat our clients and their pets the same way.”

“I would enjoy that environment very much, even though my experiences so far have not necessarily been that way. The clinic where I worked most recently was well run, but it was more about efficiency than heart.” She’d thought she’d have enjoyed that kind of culture, but she’d found it sterile and impersonal, not to mention how the management had pushed for speed, leaving little time for a connection with animal or owner.

They talked in further detail about the kinds of cases they could expect in a rural environment. “We travel out to farms on a regular basis. Many small farms have cows, sheep, and goats. Roosters and chickens, too, of course.” Doc Ford lit up as words tumbled from his mouth, his lisp more prominent, perhaps because of his excitement. “You know, we’ve got mastitis, lameness, hoof infections. Then there’s assisting with calving and lambing in cases of dystocia or retained placenta. We’ve got your common parasite issues, too. Worms and ticks, the little miscreants, are a constant problem.

“Of course, horses around here keep us busy, too. The usual stuff like colic, lameness, hoof abscesses, and laminitis. We also provide preventive care—vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. The occasional dental problem. Never my favorite, I must admit.”

She nodded throughout, growing more and more excited at the prospect of a real job in a community in which animals were an important part of the culture. Growing up in the city had been quite different.

“Then we’ve got our dogs and cats,” Doc Ford said. “All pretty routine. I hate to think how many dogs and cats I’ve had to send over the rainbow bridge. Hurts me every time. Mariah’s particularly helpful on those days. She has such a kind soul, always willing to comfort grieving pet owners and talk them through what’s about to happen.” He shook his head. “It’s a necessary part of the job, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

The idea of having to say goodbye to Rufus was too awful to think of. “My yellow Lab, Rufus, is only a year old. I got him as a puppy, and he’s the best dog.” When he isn’t knocking down adorable little girls. “I’d wanted one my whole life but had never had the time to devote to a pet until I was finished with school and residency. That silly dog gives me more joy than I can express.” She hadn’t meant to say all of that and was horrified when her eyes filled with tears. Her emotions were too close to the surface these last few days. How could they not be? Ramona’s death and the children’s grief had made her raw and vulnerable.

“There’s nothing like the love of a dog,” Doc Ford said, placing his hand over his heart.

He asked her more questions about her background, why she’d chosen to become a veterinarian, and her dreams for the future. The answer as to why came easily. “I’ve always felt a connection to animals, finding them easier to understand, and sometimes love, than people. I got a job after school in a vet’s office, just doing whatever tasks they needed, and fell in love with the whole experience. I excelled in science in high school, and my adviser said she thought I could make it all the way through. My mother died right after I graduated, and I vowed then and there that I’d spend my life trying to make her proud. And to do all of the things she wished she could have done, had circumstances had been different.”

Again, she hadn’t meant to go into so much emotional detail, but there was something about the doctor’s kind blue eyes that made her feel safe.

“And what about your dreams for the future?” Doc Ford asked softly. “Do you know what you want out of life now that you’ve gotten through school and residency?”

Her throat ached, but she answered as best she could. “Everything I thought was going to happen next has not, and now I find myself in a new community, responsible for these amazing children. I can’t really say what I want next, other than to have a good job that supports them. Whatever my dreams were, they’re on hold now. I’m terrified of messing Sophie and Jack up with my incompetence. Taking a job here? That feels natural and right. Raising children? I’m not sure I can do it. Not at all.”

“I’ve found that dreams can change as we do,” Doc Ford said. “We grow from hard circumstances, as I’m sure you already know. I have four daughters, and I can honestly say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I changed drastically after our first was born—for the better. Nothing makes one become an adult faster than a child. Your willingness to become their parent tells me volumes about you. You’re going to be fine.”

“Thank you, Dr. Ford. I’m not usually this…honest. Especially in an interview. I hope you don’t think me unprofessional.”

“It’s been my experience that ambitious, driven young people underestimate the power of their emotions. You must learn to trust yourself, Dr. Parker. Not everything can be accomplished through study and discipline. Some things come from our genuine openness to love. Let the love in. Give in to the chaos of life, accepting that most things are not within our control, and let go of expectations of others and yourself. You might be surprised at the amazing things that come from the simple act of choosing love over fear.”

This was no ordinary interview. Nor was this an ordinary man sitting across from her. If Abby were given the job, she had a strong feeling Doc Ford would become an important person in her life. A mentor. Perhaps even a fatherly figure? She’d not had a family since her mother died. The closest she’d come was her friendships with Breck and Arabella. They’d been the people she’d relied on and who had always supported her. But now they were creating families of their own, and she must do the same.

A sudden feeling of well-being washed over her. The Hayes family and their kindness kept appearing, even though she hadn’t expected it or asked for the outpouring of love. They had come into her life at the very time she needed them most. For the first time, she understood what it was like to be part of a close-knit community.

Dr. Ford leaned forward, folding his hands together on the surface of his desk. “Dr. Parker, when can you start?”

Her heart leaped with joy. “You tell me.”

“How’s Monday?” Doc Ford grinned.

“Monday. After I get the kids on the bus?”

“Absolutely. I can’t wait for you to meet my wife. She’s going to love you.”

They exchanged a smile. One that Abby felt in the depths of her bones.