Hayden

“They scored!” I shouted, scaring my mother half to death.

She jumped in the air and grabbed her chest, almost spilling my water in the process. She handed me the glass. “You probably shouldn’t be jumping around like that,” she scolded, pointing down at my arm.

I waved her off. “Mom, I’m fine. The wound is closing nicely.” Evan had just scored a touchdown and handed the ball to a kid wearing a Cougars T-shirt with his face painted. I still had the ball Derek gave me and even had him sign it for good measure. I told him that if we ever broke up, I’d sell it for thousands of dollars.

The camera followed Evan to the sidelines, where he and Derek jumped in the air, slamming together in their signature congratulatory move. I wished I were there with him. When he said he was going to stay with me, I wasn’t having it. He’d missed practice all week, and I wasn’t going to let him miss the game. They needed him.

My mother pointed at the TV and smiled. “You have a good one there. When you told me you were dating an NFL player, it scared me. The last thing I wanted was to see you get hurt again.”

I laid my head on her shoulder. “Tell me about it. I miss Derek so much right now.”

“He’s only been gone for a day.” She laughed. “Just wait until you’re older. He’ll get on your nerves.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe, but I know I’ll always love him no matter what.” The commentators were focusing on Derek now, saying how shocked they were that he was at the game after everything that had happened.

“Is that going to bother you?” my mother asked.

I looked into her sea-green eyes that were identical to mine. “What do you mean?”

She nodded at the TV. “People talking about you and constantly bringing up what happened. The media is having a field day with it.”

I watched Derek rush out onto the field. “It’ll die down eventually. I lived through it, and so did Derek. That’s all that matters.”

“Have you thought about what you’re going to do now? Derek told me he’d be happy if you took some time off.” She nudged me in the side. “I think he liked you going with him to his practices.”

“Don’t tell me he got to you, too!”

“What?” she said, holding her hands up in defeat. “There’s nothing wrong with taking it easy for a few months or a year. He promised me he’d look after you.”

I sighed. “I know he will, but I love what I do. I can’t imagine not taking care of animals.” Bear and Patch had come with us to my house so I could finish packing. Derek had done most of it during the week, but there were still a few small things I had to move out. The dogs were lying on the floor, cuddled together. “I wouldn’t have been able to save these two if I hadn’t been working, Mom. They’re a constant reminder of why I do what I do.”

She tapped a finger underneath my chin, her eyes full of tears. “And that’s why I’m so proud of you. You do what you have to, sweetheart. Derek will support you no matter what. Just make sure you get healed up before you start looking for another job.”

Getting to her feet, she looked around the house and stretched. “I think it’s time to get back to work. Looks like everything’s ready to go but your TV. Derek said he’ll get that when he comes back.” I started to get up, but she held up a hand. “Stay there, I’ll get everything loaded up. I know you want to watch the game.”

I wasn’t about to let her do it all herself, so after a few minutes, I picked up a box and carried it outside. She was behind the car, loading my other stuff, but when she saw me, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. “How did I know you’d be a stubborn ass today?” She took my box and slid it into the car.

“Because I’m just like you,” I told her.

“Nope, you get that from your father. Now go inside and rest, young lady. You don’t want me to call that boyfriend of yours, do you?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m pretty sure you’d enjoy that too much. I can never get you to be quiet when you’re around him.”

Her grin spread wider. “What can I say? He has that effect on me.” I knew how she felt. He had a quality that drew people to him. We started to go inside, but then a car pulled into my driveway and I froze.

“Who is that?” my mother asked.

Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly. “It’s Wilford, the doctor I used to work for.” I hadn’t spoken to him since the day he’d told me to leave the office. I’d been so busy with the police and with the move that I hadn’t returned any of his calls.

My mother came up behind me and squeezed my shoulders. “I’ll go inside to give you two some privacy.”

Wilford got out of the car, but he wasn’t alone: Mrs. Jenkins got out as well. She stood back. They each held a bouquet of flowers in vibrant colors. I walked up to Wilford and he held his out, his expression full of torment. “How are you, Hayden?”

I took the flowers and gave him a smile. “I’m good. Just finishing up the last bit of packing.”

“Where are you moving to?”

“Down the street to Derek’s. We decided to take the next step.” I still felt resentful about what he’d said—that my involvement with Derek had taken me away from my work. If anything, Derek made me better.

“That’s amazing news. I’m so happy to see everything working out for you. I tried calling you several times this past week, but you never answered. I didn’t know if you were still upset with me.”

I shook my head. “I was angry with the accusations, but you did what you felt you had to do. Jeremiah did a good job at framing me.”

He closed his eyes. “Yes, he did. I can’t believe he had us all fooled. When I told him I was giving you the practice, he genuinely seemed happy for you. I never once thought there was any animosity.”

“Neither did I.” I glanced over Wilford’s shoulder at Mrs. Jenkins, but she had her head down. Surely she knew by now that I had nothing to do with Lady’s death. “Did the detective tell you what happened?”

He nodded. “Kellie did, too. She told me you both had it planned to look at the videos. When you were able to tell the police what happened, they came in and watched the feed. I can’t begin to tell you how disturbing it was.”

“Imagine living through it.”

Jaw clenching, he lowered his gaze. “I know. That’s why I’m here…to apologize.” He lifted his head and faced me. “And to offer you the clinic again. I was wrong and I’m so, so sorry, Hayden. If I could take it back, I would.”

“Same here,” Mrs. Jenkins cut in. She stepped out from behind Wilford and handed me her flowers with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, too. I know you weren’t the one who hurt Lady. I feel bad for what I did, especially telling my friends and family to keep their animals away from you. But now the truth is out and everyone knows what an amazing doctor you are. I just hope you can forgive me for what I did.”

My throat closed up and I tried to hold back the tears, failing miserably. “Lady was such a sweet dog, Mrs. Jenkins. It tears me apart, what happened to her.”

She nodded quickly, her lips trembling. “Yes, she was. And if you decide to come back to Stonebrooke, everyone’s ready for you with open arms.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Jenkins. I appreciate that.” She squeezed my hand and then stepped out of the way.

Wilford smiled at her before focusing on me. “Can I convince you to come back?” he asked pleadingly. “Everything will be yours if you just say yes. All we have to do is sign the paperwork. It’ll be yours the second you write your name on that line.”

To have my own clinic would be a dream come true. I knew Wilford was older and ready to retire, and now he had no one to take the clinic since Jeremiah had turned out to be a psychopath. Still, a lot of responsibilities came with running your own practice. I was ready for them, but it wasn’t just me I had to think about.

“I appreciate the offer, Wilford, but what happens if I don’t stay here for the rest of my life? Right now I’m attached to this place, but in another few years, I don’t know where I’m going to be.”

He held up his hand, halting me. “And I’m fine with that. I trust you, Hayden. When and if you ever decide to leave, I know you’ll make sure Stonebrooke is taken care of. You always have. I am fully comfortable leaving it all in your hands.”

Excitement bubbled in my chest. “You’re sure?”

The bark of laughter that escaped his lips was the loudest I’d ever heard from him. “Of course, I’m sure. I’m an old man, dear. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to retire. A house in the Bahamas is calling my name.”

“Do you think you can hold off on the Bahamas for a couple more weeks? I need to let the media frenzy die down just a bit.”

He pulled me into his arms and kissed my cheek. “Anything for you. Just let me know when you’re ready to come back. I’ll have your office ready and waiting for you.”

I squeezed him hard. “Thank you, Wilford. This means a lot to me.”

He and Mrs. Jenkins got into the car and left, and I hurried inside to tell my mother the news. She waved me over, but her gaze stayed locked on the TV. “Time’s almost up and we’re in the lead, but not by much.” I sat beside her and bit my lip as I looked at the clock. There was only a minute left to go, and New Orleans had the ball. If they got a touchdown, the game would be over. In position, Derek bounced his leg impatiently; he was pumped.

The quarterback snapped the ball and it went sailing into the air. If Derek could make the tackle, it’d all be over. Instead, he intercepted the ball and I screamed so loudly my mother had to put her hands over her ears. I would’ve loved to see him make another touchdown, but he fell down before the others could tackle him to the ground. With only six seconds left in the game, he’d guaranteed the Cougars victory.

“Another win!” I shouted happily.

“So what did your old boss want?” my mother asked.

I sat down beside her, grinning so hard that my cheeks ached. “He offered me the clinic. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be the owner of Stonebrooke.”

Gasping, she slapped a hand to her mouth. “Oh, honey, this is amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

The Cougars all ran out on the field in celebration. Derek was being praised by everyone, and I knew he was on air, just like I was. “Me, too, Momma. It’s been a really good day.”