Tripp smiled toward the pet owners. “Bring Mr. Vasquez and his dog to exam room one. Apologize to Mrs. Cox for the delay, and tell Ms. Jamison we’ll work her in as soon as we can.”
Two hectic but gratifying hours later, he scanned the empty waiting area. Yes—all caught up, and none too soon. It was lunchtime, and his stomach was growling louder than Sue Ellen Jamison’s angry cat.
“I heard that,” Yolanda said with a snicker. She made a notation in a patient file, then tucked it into a slot on the shelf behind her. “By the way, Sue Ellen said to tell you nobody’s ever gotten Cleopatra to take her medicine as easily as you did.”
Tripp rubbed the teeth marks on his left thumb. “Then I’d hate to see the last vet who tried.”
“That would be Doc Ingram, and he has the scars to prove it.” Yolanda shut down the computer, scooped up her shoulder bag and started turning off lights. “Truth is, I think Cleopatra had a whole lot to do with convincing the doc it was time to bring a small-animal vet on board.”
“Well, there was no mention of a psychopathic Siamese in the paperwork I signed.” Chuckling, Tripp followed the receptionist out the rear door. They said their goodbyes, and Tripp climbed into his SUV. Time to grab a sandwich and some groceries and head home.
With only a couple of days between his last day at his former practice and coming to Juniper Bluff, Tripp hadn’t had much time to settle in. Robert Ingram had made arrangements for Tripp to stay at a place outside of town called Serenity Hills Guest Ranch. One of their staff cabins was currently vacant, and for a bachelor like Tripp, the single bedroom, small living area and kitchenette would serve him just fine until either the owners kicked him out or he found a place closer to the clinic.
As he waited for his to-go order at the supermarket deli, another advantage of living so far out of town occurred to him: a much smaller likelihood of accidentally running into Diana. Despite what Robert had hinted about the possibility of their getting back together, Tripp figured he’d long ago blown his chances.
Anyway, hadn’t he pretty much convinced himself marriage and family weren’t for him? Something much more ominous than hunger pangs could be blamed for the rumblings in his abdomen. Sure, the Crohn’s might be well controlled most of the time, but flare-ups were inevitable. And how, in good conscience, could Tripp ever risk passing on this possibly genetic and sometimes excruciatingly painful disease to any children in his future?
* * *
Business at the doughnut shop generally slowed as lunchtime approached, which meant Diana could turn things over to Kimberly and get away for a while. Still shaken by the unexpected encounter with Tripp, she needed a break before her runaway emotions got the best of her—and before her nosy assistant had a chance to pepper her with more questions.
Figuring her parents would be too busy helping Aunt Jennie move in to think about lunch, she filled a small white bag with her great-aunt’s favorite doughnuts, then texted her mom with an offer to run by the supermarket deli and pick up sandwiches.
At the supermarket, a line of customers waited at the deli counter, so she picked up a sandwich menu and joined the queue.
While she studied the menu, someone paused beside her. “I hear the ham-and-Swiss is really good.”
The page nearly fell from her hand. “Tripp.”
“Yep, it’s still me.” His lopsided grin made her stomach dip. He held up a bulging deli bag. “Guess great minds think alike.”
Or not. Diana forced a smile. “Just moved in and you’re already discovering all the popular eateries in Juniper Bluff. When you’re ready to try Mexican, I recommend Casa Luis.”
An odd look crossed Tripp’s face. “Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Oh, I forgot. You’re on some kind of health kick these days.”
“You could say so.” Tripp glanced away. “Well, don’t let me keep you. Have a good afternoon, Diana.”
“Yeah, you, too.” The line moved, and Diana took a giant step forward. She was so ready to end this conversation.
“Diana?”
She winced, then turned and met Tripp’s steady gaze. “Yes?”
“I just wanted to say how good it is to see you again. Your own business and everything—that’s...really great. I’m happy for you.”
At the pensive look in his eyes, the corner of her heart that had been frozen all these years melted a tiny bit. “Thanks. I’m glad to know you’re doing well, too. I hope you’ll be very happy in Juniper Bluff.”
“I think I will be. The slower pace is already a welcome change.”
“Funny,” Diana mused with a twist to her lips, “I didn’t think anything could lure you from your big-city lifestyle.”
Tripp shrugged. “Maybe that was true...once.”
“Well, I guess a lot can change in twelve years.”
“Yeah, a lot can change.” The words came out on a sigh. After a moment’s pause, he offered a parting smile and strode away.
Lost in trying to figure out what this new Tripp Willoughby was all about, Diana jumped when the deli clerk called her name. “Oh, hi, Stan. Yes, I’d like two Reubens, an egg salad on whole wheat and a ham-and-Swiss on rye, light on the mustard.”
She added a gallon of fresh-brewed iced tea to her order, then selected a large bag of chips. Fifteen minutes later, she was on her way to the assisted-living center.
By the time she arrived, she’d regained a semblance of composure. At the reception desk she asked for directions to Aunt Jennie’s quarters, then followed the signs to apartment 18C. The door stood open, and her great-aunt beamed from the opposite end of a small dinette.
Aunt Jennie stretched out her arms. “Come around here and give me a big ol’ hug!”
Diana dropped the deli and doughnut bags onto the table, then scooped the petite ninety-two-year-old into a gentle but enthusiastic embrace. “I’m so glad you’re finally here!”
Aunt Jennie patted Diana’s cheek as she knelt on the carpet beside her chair. In a conspiratorial whisper, she asked, “Did you remember my favorite doughnuts?”
“Right here.” Diana slid the smallest bag closer. Rising, she swept her gaze around the room. “Oh, good, you brought some of your own things to make it feel more like home.”
“Yes, but it was very sad leaving my comfy little house and garden.” The elderly woman’s lips turned down with remorse. “Even harder to give up my sweet little Ginger-dog.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry.” Diana had known Aunt Jennie wouldn’t be allowed to bring her lovable corgi to the new apartment. Aunt Jennie’s next-door neighbor Mrs. Doudtman had taken Ginger, saying she’d be a great playmate for her two shelties.
“She’ll adjust, honey, just like I will.” Aunt Jennie patted Diana’s arm.
Her great-aunt might be putting up a brave front, but the wistful look in her eyes every time she mentioned Ginger’s name brought a lump to Diana’s throat. She’d have offered to keep Ginger herself, but she already shared her two-bedroom cottage with three cats, a lop-eared rabbit and a parakeet. Besides, her tiny backyard wasn’t fenced, so a dog was out of the question. Ginger was too prissy to last long as a farm dog, which meant Diana’s parents weren’t able to take her, either.
But Diana did have an idea she hoped to implement soon. She’d begun investigating programs where volunteers brought pets to visit shut-ins, and if things worked out, she planned to establish a group right here in Juniper Bluff.
Thinking about pets brought