“What in the Sam Hill is going on in here?” Dolores asked as she came to stand in the doorway.
I flexed and clenched my fist, my flesh stinging.
“You didn’t break your danged hand, did you?”
I scowled in Dolores’s direction. “No, I didn’t.”
“Don’t you glare at me, young man. I won’t take that kind of sass.”
I couldn’t help it; my lips twitched. But the flicker of humor fled as Cora’s face flashed in my mind. I sank into the empty chair and pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Talk to me, Beckett.”
“Cora’s husband is abusing her. I saw actual evidence of it today. Tried to talk to her but…” I let my words trail off.
“She couldn’t hear you.”
“I didn’t take the right approach.”
“Hogwash.” Dolores lowered herself into the seat beside me. “You’re giving your all to try to help her and her boy. We’ll just have to hope she takes the help at some point.”
“I hope you’re right.” But I didn’t see a whole lot of reason for that hope as things were now. I stood, glancing at my watch. “I have forty-five minutes before the next patient, right?”
“You do, but you need to eat your lunch.”
“I’ll eat when I’m back.” I patted her shoulder. “How’d I get so lucky to get such an amazing receptionist?”
She rolled her eyes. “You must’ve been an angel in another life because I know you’re raising hell in this one.”
I barked out a laugh and started for the door. I shucked my lab coat, leaving it and my stethoscope on an empty chair in my office. Picking up my pace, I pushed open the front door and stepped out into the sunshine. Even though the sun was out, the air had a bite, and I knew my days of riding my bike to work were coming to an end.
I made my way down a side street towards Aspen and moved in the direction of The Gallery. It was a risk, and I knew I’d be bringing up things Addie wanted to leave in the past, but I had to go for it. I pulled open the door to The Gallery, and a tiny bell tinkled.
A yip sounded, and a small ball of fluff ran towards me. I blinked down at the dog. “Does he have wheels?”
Laiken laughed, a low and husky sound. “That he does. Meet Gizmo.”
I bent to give the dog a scratch. “Nice to meet you, Gizmo.” I looked up at the woman I hadn’t seen in years. “It’s good to see you, Laiken.”
“Wasn’t sure you’d even remember who I was. It’s been a long time.”
My mouth pressed into a hard line. So long that Laiken was no longer an awkward teen but a beautiful woman. “I was sorry to hear about Jase.”
Grief so strong it nearly stole my breath passed across her face. “Thank you.”
I wan
ted to say more but sensed it wouldn’t be welcomed. “Is Addie around?”
Laiken blinked a few times, her eyes flaring in surprise. “She’s in back building a few crates. How do you know her?”
I grinned. “We’re roommates.”
Her jaw slackened a fraction. “Roommates.”
It wasn’t a question, yet it begged for an explanation. “Her cousin is marrying my brother. We’re sharing Hayes’ house right now while mine is being built.”
“Gotcha. Let me go grab her for you.”