Jingle Bell Wolf, page 17
After they ate their breakfast, Landon picked up Rosco, the momma cat, and the kittens and loaded them into the car, then drove them and Gabrielle to the Silver Town Animal Clinic out in the countryside. He was hoping the clinic and Doc Mitchell’s home would impress Gabrielle enough that she would want to move here and give Silver Town a chance. And him.
When they arrived at the clinic, little Christmas lights hung from the eaves and lit all the windows. The ranch house was glittering and a couple of trees were twinkling with lights too. Doc Mitchell hadn’t decorated for Christmas last year when Landon brought Rosco for an annual checkup. Landon wondered if Doc had asked someone to hang up the lights before Gabrielle saw his place. It was much more festive that way and Landon was glad for it. If Gabrielle came back here to be their vet, the family would help decorate everything for her for the holidays.
Landon carried the full cat carrier inside, while Gabrielle brought Rosco in on a leash. A tree filled with dog, cat, and bird decorations, lights, and bows caught his eye. Gabrielle smiled at it, then Landon made introductions. “This is Doc Mitchell’s receptionist, Tammy MacGregor. She’s been here for a few months.”
“Hi,” Gabrielle said, shaking her hand.
“Please tell me you’re taking over for Doc Mitchell,” Tammy said, a pretty auburn-haired woman. Her green eyes were taking Gabrielle in as if she was assessing whether she would be her boss soon or not. “Doc Mitchell is so wanting to retire. And we would love to work for you.”
Gabrielle smiled.
“Doc’s currently giving a Jack Russell terrier a health exam and vaccinations. Hold on one moment, please.” The phone rang and Tammy answered it. “Silver Town Animal Clinic, Tammy speaking, how may I help you?”
One of Doc Mitchell’s technicians came out of the back and smiled broadly at Gabrielle. “I’m Callahan O’Rourke.” He had nearly black hair a little on the shaggy side and brilliant blue eyes. He shook her hand. “And I’m single.”
Gabrielle and Landon smiled, but Landon was standing close enough to her to tell anyone in the office she was with him.
“I’ll tell Doc you’re here.” Callahan hurried into the exam room. Doc Mitchell finished the terrier’s exam and came out to greet them, his client leaving with the dog. She smiled at Gabrielle and Landon and paid the receptionist at the counter for the vet services.
Doc Mitchell welcomed Gabrielle and Landon. “Come on in! I’ll take care of Rosco, and Kayla called and told me about the cat and the rest of the kittens, so I’ll check them over too. Then I have a clear schedule for an hour so I could show you around.”
Landon was glad that Gabrielle could see the whole place without interruption. It really was beautiful out here.
“Rosco looks great,” Doc Mitchell said, checking him over. “Teeth are good, good weight, he’s fine.” He gave the dog his shots.
Landon petted Rosco on the head. “Thanks, Doc.”
“The cat’s records say her name is Ambrosia. Let’s take a look at her and her kittens,” Doc said, looking over the shot and health records. “I can’t believe anyone would abandon them like that.” He checked Ambrosia over, then Princess Buttercup and each of the other kittens. “They all look good. I saw the text from Lelandi saying they need homes. I’ll take Ambrosia in. I lost my own calico a couple of years ago, so she’ll be a nice little companion.”
Gabrielle smiled. “Thank you.”
“No problem at all. She’s my Christmas present to me. Let me show you the rest of the clinic and the house. We can leave Rosco and his feline friends here.” Callahan took Rosco and the cat and kittens behind the counter so they could visit with the staff for a while. “We all love Rosco.”
“He’s a lovable dog,” Gabrielle said.
Landon was studying Gabrielle to see how she seemed to like the vet facilities. She was smiling and looked impressed. He was hoping that it would be enough. They walked out to the stables that could house ten horses. There were no horses there now, but sometimes Doc Mitchell provided vet care and boarding, mostly in the summer.
Then they went to the rehabilitation facility and Gabrielle’s mouth fell open when she saw the wild animals Doc Mitchell was taking care of. A moose calf and a fawn were housed in the same place, lying down together on a bed of fresh straw. “Since both are herd animals and had been found abandoned, I put them together. They’re best of friends.”
The moose and fawn both got to their feet and greeted them.
“Aww, I can see that.” Gabrielle petted each of the animals. “Landon never told me you take care of abandoned and injured wildlife too.”
Landon had been afraid Gabrielle wouldn’t want to take care of wildlife when she would also be responsible for delivering lupus garou offspring if the other doctors didn’t, but Doc Mitchell winked at him, indicating he thought she was just fine with it. Landon was glad to see it.
Then Gabrielle finally turned her attention to two barn owls in an enclosure, and she talked to them. “What beautiful barn owls you are. Are they family?”
“Yeah, one of our people found them by themselves in the woods, not yet old enough to fly. The mother might have died. We don’t know for sure. So one of our wolves brought them to me, and they’ve been growing to a healthy size ever since.”
“They are adorable. And the bald eagle?” she asked.
“A hunter illegally shot her and broke her wing. She’s well on the mend. As soon as we can release her back to the wild, we will.”
“Oh, that’s so good.”
Landon smiled, so glad she was fine with the wild animals. Gabrielle would be perfect as their vet. She talked to the eagle after that, offering her words of encouragement, and then Doc escorted Landon and Gabrielle to the house.
Everything from the clinic to the stables and the rehab facility was beautifully maintained. Doc employed several wolves to make it happen. And when they went to the house, Gabrielle smiled.
“This is gorgeous,” she said. “Charming. I love the woods surrounding the home and vet clinic, especially the woodsy, fresh out-of-doors fragrance. The big decks all around the ranch-style house would be great for parties. The view of the mountains is extraordinary. In Daytona Beach, I’m surrounded by houses and only have a view of the other homes in the development.”
“For a wolf, this has to be better. A small lake is situated a short distance from the house on the property and is great for fishing and swimming in the summer.” Doc let them into the house.
She marveled at the size of the kitchen, with granite countertops, warm oak cabinets, and marbled floor tile. The open living room had a large stone fireplace, Christmas stockings hanging from the mantel, and big windows showcasing the views of the mountains.
“This is just awe-inspiring,” she said.
“You should see it in the fall when the leaves change colors. It’s just beautiful,” Landon said. “The quaking aspen are bright yellow against the backdrop of the Colorado blue spruce, the Douglas fir, and the bristlecone pines. Bigtooth maples are bold orange to red. You will enjoy the autumn fireworks display.”
“In the spring, when the trees are covered in fresh green leaves,” Doc said, “and in the summer, when the wildflowers like blue columbine, larkspur, phlox, and bluebells are in bloom, you would love it here.”
“I would have to take up photography.”
“It’s worth it. And Jake Silver, who is our resident photographer, would give you lessons and tips on how to take beautiful pictures. We get a lot of deer, birds, an occasional cougar or bear—though with the wolves around, they usually stay clear.” Doc took her through the house. “I’ve recently updated all the bathrooms and the kitchen in the hope of convincing a wolf vet to take over.” He showed her the four bedrooms and three baths, the three-car garage, and the large patio with a firepit for parties.
When they came back inside, Doc Mitchell made them hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and started the gas fire in the fireplace. “I converted it from a wood-burning fireplace to gas because it’s faster and cleaner.”
“This is so nice,” Gabrielle said.
They all sat down in the living room on the brown leather couches, and Gabrielle looked out the windows at the majestic view.
“So what do you think?” Doc asked.
“It’s really beautiful. How much does the clinic, house, stables, and land cost?” She sounded like she was really considering the move.
Could they be that lucky?
Doc smiled. Landon practically held his breath, hoping Doc said the right thing that would convince her to stay. Hell, Landon was ready to help pay the cost of buying the place so she would say yes!
“For you, bargain basement. Free. Sarandon Silver, one of Darien’s cousins, has moved to another city in Colorado to be with his mate and her family. He said if I find a wolf vet to take over the clinic, his home in Silver Town is mine. So if you want to take over the property and be our new vet, the place is yours, free of charge. I have no family to leave anything to at some future date, and if it means you’ll join us here, I’m willing to give the whole kit and kaboodle to you.”
Doc had made the offer and Landon wanted to pump his fist in victory, but what if giving her the place for free wasn’t enough to convince Gabrielle to want to stay?
“Oh.” Gabrielle looked astonished, her brow furrowed. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Won’t you need the money from the sale of the house and clinic if you’re not earning an income any longer?”
Landon thought the world of Gabrielle for being concerned for Doc Mitchell.
Doc shook his head. “I have plenty in savings and investments to tide me over. I won’t want for anything, and if I did, Lelandi would make sure I got it. The land was given to me years ago by Darien’s family. They helped pay for the cost of the home, clinic, and stables while I got started. You’ve got a great staff to work with, and I’m always available to help you out if you need an old vet to come to your aid.” Doc looked hopeful that she couldn’t give up a deal like that.
* * *
Gabrielle couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t ever thought she would consider leaving Daytona Beach, but to be with a hot wolf she was coming to realize she couldn’t live without?
She’d kept thinking someday the right wolf would come along in Florida and settle down with her there and they would live happily ever after. That didn’t seem to be in the cards. But to move to Colorado and a totally different way of life? To have a clinic all her own that didn’t cost her a cent? To be with a wolf pack? To continue to see Landon? Right now, she was feeling that she needed to enjoy all the days she had left with him before her time ran out—and she was feeling panicked about leaving him.
She wanted to continue to take pleasure in seeing his family and to meet more of the members of the wolf pack. She knew when she returned to Florida she would just be working her regular routine—swimming in the pool, taking walks along the beach by herself—and missing everything and everyone here and all the interesting things she could do with other wolves.
She had been trying to figure out if she could afford all this, once she sold her own home. She couldn’t believe Doc Mitchell would give it all to her for free.
“Can we see the lake?” she asked Doc. She had to bite back the concern that the last time she saw a frozen lake she was in it, fighting for her and her parents’ lives. Maybe seeing it in a different way, in a less menacing way, would help her to overcome her earlier trauma.
She did like the idea she would have someplace to swim when the weather cooperated. But also she could swim as a wolf in the lake with no worry about leaving fur behind to clog up the swimming pool filters.
“She loves to swim,” Landon said.
“Yeah, you’ll love this. Even as old as I am, I love to swim in it from time to time. I have a dock, a swimming platform, and a boathouse with a couple of canoes for when friends want to paddle with me. It’s great in the spring, summer, and fall. And if you’re into ice-skating, you can skate on it too.”
She clenched her teeth. Going on ice wasn’t something she was really excited about doing.
“I can teach you. My whole family knows how to ice-skate, so we could have a skating party,” Landon said, “if you ever want to give it a try. It’s safe this time of year. I wouldn’t let you go on it if it wasn’t safe.”
“Don’t ask me,” Doc said. “I gave my ice skates up years ago. Oh, and the property includes 125 acres of forested land, and a river runs through it. Great fishing if you’re into that.”
“Oh, wow, 125 acres? That’s…that’s wonderful.” She would have to be crazy not to jump at the chance to accept his offer. Ice-skating? She took a deep breath. Another challenge to help her get over her fear of a frozen lake. “I’ve never really gone fishing, but if I find someone who can teach me the ropes, I’d be willing to learn.”
“You’ve got a fishing partner,” Landon said, jumping in to be whatever she needed him to be.
She figured Landon would offer, even if he wasn’t into it. She could imagine having Landon and his whole extended family out here to fish and have a barbecue. And others in the pack, too, once she got to know more of the wolves. She could even have her staff at the vet clinic over.
Ice-skating? She would have to give it a try. Oh, and sledding. Just so many winter sports she’d never tried. Now that she had some warmer clothes, and she could always invest in more, she would be warm enough to do them. But mostly because she’d have friends to do it with.
They all pulled on their parkas and hats and scarves, and Doc Mitchell walked them the short distance through the woods to the lake. It was a lot larger than Gabrielle thought it would be and she loved it. Like the house, the lake had striking, snow-covered mountain views. Majestic Colorado blue spruces reflected on the frozen water.
“We pull in the swimming platform and dock before the lake freezes.”
“That’s great.” Gabrielle stood there looking at the lake, envisioning swimming in it—both as a wolf and as a human. Though she couldn’t help but recall the accident, her parents’ car headed for the lake and breaking through.
She quashed the memory and thought how this could be—so much fun. Boating, racing Landon and his family, having even more boats out here. This could definitely take the place of the beach that she had to share with lots of tourists. Here, she could enjoy the natural surroundings with lots of wolves instead. And this was much more attuned to their wolf nature.
This was the wildest, craziest, most life-altering decision she’d ever made, and she’d never thought she would make such a decision without really considering all the ramifications for some days at least, though she’d been thinking about it ever since Lelandi had proposed it.
But seeing the beauty of this place, Gabrielle sighed. It was just amazing. She couldn’t imagine returning to Daytona Beach—where she might run into a single male wolf only once in a blue moon—when she would have a whole pack of wolves to play with here. And she’d never thought the clinic and the house would be this beautiful. She loved the beach back home, but this was amazing, too, and the idea she could run as a wolf much more safely anytime she wanted really appealed. Being with her kind would make all the difference in the world. She hoped she wouldn’t regret it, but how could she turn down such a remarkable offer?
“When would you like me to start?”
“As soon as you can take it over, I would be grateful. I can stay here for as long as you like and work with you until you feel comfortable running the clinic on your own. And I would still be available anytime you need me,” Doc Mitchell said.
“I will need to give two weeks’ notice to my current co-op. And I need to get a Colorado state license to practice as a vet here.” She didn’t want to put her co-op in a bind, though she figured they wouldn’t miss her since there were so many working there already. Being here was a different story. Doc Mitchell didn’t have anyone else to help him out.
Doc shook her hand. “Two weeks it is, and I’ll continue to work with you as long as you need me. As far as the state license goes, we’ll see if there’s any way to expedite it. I’m on the board.”
“Oh, wonderful. I can’t wait.” She smiled brightly, realizing that she had been feeling much more reluctant about returning home than she had been about staying here. It would be a big move, but she really felt that this was what she was meant to do. Not to just take care of pets in Daytona Beach, but to attend to a wolf pack, their pets, and the wild animals that also needed her help.
“Do you need any of the furniture I have?” Doc asked.
“No, thanks. I’ll start from scratch and make this my new home.”
“I’ll start moving stuff to the other house then, and get this one cleaned up for when you are ready to move here. If you have the time, I’ll take you around to meet all the staff I have here today.” Doc Mitchell motioned to the clinic.
“Yeah, sure.” She hoped they wouldn’t feel bad that their boss was leaving, and she hoped they would all be a good fit.
But everyone there today had been practically holding their breath, she thought, and now that Doc told them Gabrielle would be coming to stay there for good in a couple of weeks, they were thrilled.
“Did Doc tell you that we have potluck Fridays?” Tammy asked at the receptionist desk.
“No, but that works for me.”
Doc smiled. “Remember, she might want to do things differently from me.”
“Whatever you’re doing, if everyone loves it, we’re going to keep doing it.” There was nothing worse than someone changing a good thing. She thought Doc appeared much less tired in the few minutes since she had said she would take over the clinic. No one needed her that much back home.
Doc glanced at the clinic clock and sighed. “I’ve got another appointment in a couple of minutes.”
When they arrived at the clinic, little Christmas lights hung from the eaves and lit all the windows. The ranch house was glittering and a couple of trees were twinkling with lights too. Doc Mitchell hadn’t decorated for Christmas last year when Landon brought Rosco for an annual checkup. Landon wondered if Doc had asked someone to hang up the lights before Gabrielle saw his place. It was much more festive that way and Landon was glad for it. If Gabrielle came back here to be their vet, the family would help decorate everything for her for the holidays.
Landon carried the full cat carrier inside, while Gabrielle brought Rosco in on a leash. A tree filled with dog, cat, and bird decorations, lights, and bows caught his eye. Gabrielle smiled at it, then Landon made introductions. “This is Doc Mitchell’s receptionist, Tammy MacGregor. She’s been here for a few months.”
“Hi,” Gabrielle said, shaking her hand.
“Please tell me you’re taking over for Doc Mitchell,” Tammy said, a pretty auburn-haired woman. Her green eyes were taking Gabrielle in as if she was assessing whether she would be her boss soon or not. “Doc Mitchell is so wanting to retire. And we would love to work for you.”
Gabrielle smiled.
“Doc’s currently giving a Jack Russell terrier a health exam and vaccinations. Hold on one moment, please.” The phone rang and Tammy answered it. “Silver Town Animal Clinic, Tammy speaking, how may I help you?”
One of Doc Mitchell’s technicians came out of the back and smiled broadly at Gabrielle. “I’m Callahan O’Rourke.” He had nearly black hair a little on the shaggy side and brilliant blue eyes. He shook her hand. “And I’m single.”
Gabrielle and Landon smiled, but Landon was standing close enough to her to tell anyone in the office she was with him.
“I’ll tell Doc you’re here.” Callahan hurried into the exam room. Doc Mitchell finished the terrier’s exam and came out to greet them, his client leaving with the dog. She smiled at Gabrielle and Landon and paid the receptionist at the counter for the vet services.
Doc Mitchell welcomed Gabrielle and Landon. “Come on in! I’ll take care of Rosco, and Kayla called and told me about the cat and the rest of the kittens, so I’ll check them over too. Then I have a clear schedule for an hour so I could show you around.”
Landon was glad that Gabrielle could see the whole place without interruption. It really was beautiful out here.
“Rosco looks great,” Doc Mitchell said, checking him over. “Teeth are good, good weight, he’s fine.” He gave the dog his shots.
Landon petted Rosco on the head. “Thanks, Doc.”
“The cat’s records say her name is Ambrosia. Let’s take a look at her and her kittens,” Doc said, looking over the shot and health records. “I can’t believe anyone would abandon them like that.” He checked Ambrosia over, then Princess Buttercup and each of the other kittens. “They all look good. I saw the text from Lelandi saying they need homes. I’ll take Ambrosia in. I lost my own calico a couple of years ago, so she’ll be a nice little companion.”
Gabrielle smiled. “Thank you.”
“No problem at all. She’s my Christmas present to me. Let me show you the rest of the clinic and the house. We can leave Rosco and his feline friends here.” Callahan took Rosco and the cat and kittens behind the counter so they could visit with the staff for a while. “We all love Rosco.”
“He’s a lovable dog,” Gabrielle said.
Landon was studying Gabrielle to see how she seemed to like the vet facilities. She was smiling and looked impressed. He was hoping that it would be enough. They walked out to the stables that could house ten horses. There were no horses there now, but sometimes Doc Mitchell provided vet care and boarding, mostly in the summer.
Then they went to the rehabilitation facility and Gabrielle’s mouth fell open when she saw the wild animals Doc Mitchell was taking care of. A moose calf and a fawn were housed in the same place, lying down together on a bed of fresh straw. “Since both are herd animals and had been found abandoned, I put them together. They’re best of friends.”
The moose and fawn both got to their feet and greeted them.
“Aww, I can see that.” Gabrielle petted each of the animals. “Landon never told me you take care of abandoned and injured wildlife too.”
Landon had been afraid Gabrielle wouldn’t want to take care of wildlife when she would also be responsible for delivering lupus garou offspring if the other doctors didn’t, but Doc Mitchell winked at him, indicating he thought she was just fine with it. Landon was glad to see it.
Then Gabrielle finally turned her attention to two barn owls in an enclosure, and she talked to them. “What beautiful barn owls you are. Are they family?”
“Yeah, one of our people found them by themselves in the woods, not yet old enough to fly. The mother might have died. We don’t know for sure. So one of our wolves brought them to me, and they’ve been growing to a healthy size ever since.”
“They are adorable. And the bald eagle?” she asked.
“A hunter illegally shot her and broke her wing. She’s well on the mend. As soon as we can release her back to the wild, we will.”
“Oh, that’s so good.”
Landon smiled, so glad she was fine with the wild animals. Gabrielle would be perfect as their vet. She talked to the eagle after that, offering her words of encouragement, and then Doc escorted Landon and Gabrielle to the house.
Everything from the clinic to the stables and the rehab facility was beautifully maintained. Doc employed several wolves to make it happen. And when they went to the house, Gabrielle smiled.
“This is gorgeous,” she said. “Charming. I love the woods surrounding the home and vet clinic, especially the woodsy, fresh out-of-doors fragrance. The big decks all around the ranch-style house would be great for parties. The view of the mountains is extraordinary. In Daytona Beach, I’m surrounded by houses and only have a view of the other homes in the development.”
“For a wolf, this has to be better. A small lake is situated a short distance from the house on the property and is great for fishing and swimming in the summer.” Doc let them into the house.
She marveled at the size of the kitchen, with granite countertops, warm oak cabinets, and marbled floor tile. The open living room had a large stone fireplace, Christmas stockings hanging from the mantel, and big windows showcasing the views of the mountains.
“This is just awe-inspiring,” she said.
“You should see it in the fall when the leaves change colors. It’s just beautiful,” Landon said. “The quaking aspen are bright yellow against the backdrop of the Colorado blue spruce, the Douglas fir, and the bristlecone pines. Bigtooth maples are bold orange to red. You will enjoy the autumn fireworks display.”
“In the spring, when the trees are covered in fresh green leaves,” Doc said, “and in the summer, when the wildflowers like blue columbine, larkspur, phlox, and bluebells are in bloom, you would love it here.”
“I would have to take up photography.”
“It’s worth it. And Jake Silver, who is our resident photographer, would give you lessons and tips on how to take beautiful pictures. We get a lot of deer, birds, an occasional cougar or bear—though with the wolves around, they usually stay clear.” Doc took her through the house. “I’ve recently updated all the bathrooms and the kitchen in the hope of convincing a wolf vet to take over.” He showed her the four bedrooms and three baths, the three-car garage, and the large patio with a firepit for parties.
When they came back inside, Doc Mitchell made them hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and started the gas fire in the fireplace. “I converted it from a wood-burning fireplace to gas because it’s faster and cleaner.”
“This is so nice,” Gabrielle said.
They all sat down in the living room on the brown leather couches, and Gabrielle looked out the windows at the majestic view.
“So what do you think?” Doc asked.
“It’s really beautiful. How much does the clinic, house, stables, and land cost?” She sounded like she was really considering the move.
Could they be that lucky?
Doc smiled. Landon practically held his breath, hoping Doc said the right thing that would convince her to stay. Hell, Landon was ready to help pay the cost of buying the place so she would say yes!
“For you, bargain basement. Free. Sarandon Silver, one of Darien’s cousins, has moved to another city in Colorado to be with his mate and her family. He said if I find a wolf vet to take over the clinic, his home in Silver Town is mine. So if you want to take over the property and be our new vet, the place is yours, free of charge. I have no family to leave anything to at some future date, and if it means you’ll join us here, I’m willing to give the whole kit and kaboodle to you.”
Doc had made the offer and Landon wanted to pump his fist in victory, but what if giving her the place for free wasn’t enough to convince Gabrielle to want to stay?
“Oh.” Gabrielle looked astonished, her brow furrowed. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Won’t you need the money from the sale of the house and clinic if you’re not earning an income any longer?”
Landon thought the world of Gabrielle for being concerned for Doc Mitchell.
Doc shook his head. “I have plenty in savings and investments to tide me over. I won’t want for anything, and if I did, Lelandi would make sure I got it. The land was given to me years ago by Darien’s family. They helped pay for the cost of the home, clinic, and stables while I got started. You’ve got a great staff to work with, and I’m always available to help you out if you need an old vet to come to your aid.” Doc looked hopeful that she couldn’t give up a deal like that.
* * *
Gabrielle couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t ever thought she would consider leaving Daytona Beach, but to be with a hot wolf she was coming to realize she couldn’t live without?
She’d kept thinking someday the right wolf would come along in Florida and settle down with her there and they would live happily ever after. That didn’t seem to be in the cards. But to move to Colorado and a totally different way of life? To have a clinic all her own that didn’t cost her a cent? To be with a wolf pack? To continue to see Landon? Right now, she was feeling that she needed to enjoy all the days she had left with him before her time ran out—and she was feeling panicked about leaving him.
She wanted to continue to take pleasure in seeing his family and to meet more of the members of the wolf pack. She knew when she returned to Florida she would just be working her regular routine—swimming in the pool, taking walks along the beach by herself—and missing everything and everyone here and all the interesting things she could do with other wolves.
She had been trying to figure out if she could afford all this, once she sold her own home. She couldn’t believe Doc Mitchell would give it all to her for free.
“Can we see the lake?” she asked Doc. She had to bite back the concern that the last time she saw a frozen lake she was in it, fighting for her and her parents’ lives. Maybe seeing it in a different way, in a less menacing way, would help her to overcome her earlier trauma.
She did like the idea she would have someplace to swim when the weather cooperated. But also she could swim as a wolf in the lake with no worry about leaving fur behind to clog up the swimming pool filters.
“She loves to swim,” Landon said.
“Yeah, you’ll love this. Even as old as I am, I love to swim in it from time to time. I have a dock, a swimming platform, and a boathouse with a couple of canoes for when friends want to paddle with me. It’s great in the spring, summer, and fall. And if you’re into ice-skating, you can skate on it too.”
She clenched her teeth. Going on ice wasn’t something she was really excited about doing.
“I can teach you. My whole family knows how to ice-skate, so we could have a skating party,” Landon said, “if you ever want to give it a try. It’s safe this time of year. I wouldn’t let you go on it if it wasn’t safe.”
“Don’t ask me,” Doc said. “I gave my ice skates up years ago. Oh, and the property includes 125 acres of forested land, and a river runs through it. Great fishing if you’re into that.”
“Oh, wow, 125 acres? That’s…that’s wonderful.” She would have to be crazy not to jump at the chance to accept his offer. Ice-skating? She took a deep breath. Another challenge to help her get over her fear of a frozen lake. “I’ve never really gone fishing, but if I find someone who can teach me the ropes, I’d be willing to learn.”
“You’ve got a fishing partner,” Landon said, jumping in to be whatever she needed him to be.
She figured Landon would offer, even if he wasn’t into it. She could imagine having Landon and his whole extended family out here to fish and have a barbecue. And others in the pack, too, once she got to know more of the wolves. She could even have her staff at the vet clinic over.
Ice-skating? She would have to give it a try. Oh, and sledding. Just so many winter sports she’d never tried. Now that she had some warmer clothes, and she could always invest in more, she would be warm enough to do them. But mostly because she’d have friends to do it with.
They all pulled on their parkas and hats and scarves, and Doc Mitchell walked them the short distance through the woods to the lake. It was a lot larger than Gabrielle thought it would be and she loved it. Like the house, the lake had striking, snow-covered mountain views. Majestic Colorado blue spruces reflected on the frozen water.
“We pull in the swimming platform and dock before the lake freezes.”
“That’s great.” Gabrielle stood there looking at the lake, envisioning swimming in it—both as a wolf and as a human. Though she couldn’t help but recall the accident, her parents’ car headed for the lake and breaking through.
She quashed the memory and thought how this could be—so much fun. Boating, racing Landon and his family, having even more boats out here. This could definitely take the place of the beach that she had to share with lots of tourists. Here, she could enjoy the natural surroundings with lots of wolves instead. And this was much more attuned to their wolf nature.
This was the wildest, craziest, most life-altering decision she’d ever made, and she’d never thought she would make such a decision without really considering all the ramifications for some days at least, though she’d been thinking about it ever since Lelandi had proposed it.
But seeing the beauty of this place, Gabrielle sighed. It was just amazing. She couldn’t imagine returning to Daytona Beach—where she might run into a single male wolf only once in a blue moon—when she would have a whole pack of wolves to play with here. And she’d never thought the clinic and the house would be this beautiful. She loved the beach back home, but this was amazing, too, and the idea she could run as a wolf much more safely anytime she wanted really appealed. Being with her kind would make all the difference in the world. She hoped she wouldn’t regret it, but how could she turn down such a remarkable offer?
“When would you like me to start?”
“As soon as you can take it over, I would be grateful. I can stay here for as long as you like and work with you until you feel comfortable running the clinic on your own. And I would still be available anytime you need me,” Doc Mitchell said.
“I will need to give two weeks’ notice to my current co-op. And I need to get a Colorado state license to practice as a vet here.” She didn’t want to put her co-op in a bind, though she figured they wouldn’t miss her since there were so many working there already. Being here was a different story. Doc Mitchell didn’t have anyone else to help him out.
Doc shook her hand. “Two weeks it is, and I’ll continue to work with you as long as you need me. As far as the state license goes, we’ll see if there’s any way to expedite it. I’m on the board.”
“Oh, wonderful. I can’t wait.” She smiled brightly, realizing that she had been feeling much more reluctant about returning home than she had been about staying here. It would be a big move, but she really felt that this was what she was meant to do. Not to just take care of pets in Daytona Beach, but to attend to a wolf pack, their pets, and the wild animals that also needed her help.
“Do you need any of the furniture I have?” Doc asked.
“No, thanks. I’ll start from scratch and make this my new home.”
“I’ll start moving stuff to the other house then, and get this one cleaned up for when you are ready to move here. If you have the time, I’ll take you around to meet all the staff I have here today.” Doc Mitchell motioned to the clinic.
“Yeah, sure.” She hoped they wouldn’t feel bad that their boss was leaving, and she hoped they would all be a good fit.
But everyone there today had been practically holding their breath, she thought, and now that Doc told them Gabrielle would be coming to stay there for good in a couple of weeks, they were thrilled.
“Did Doc tell you that we have potluck Fridays?” Tammy asked at the receptionist desk.
“No, but that works for me.”
Doc smiled. “Remember, she might want to do things differently from me.”
“Whatever you’re doing, if everyone loves it, we’re going to keep doing it.” There was nothing worse than someone changing a good thing. She thought Doc appeared much less tired in the few minutes since she had said she would take over the clinic. No one needed her that much back home.
Doc glanced at the clinic clock and sighed. “I’ve got another appointment in a couple of minutes.”
