Consenting Hearts by Garda Parker

Author:Garda Parker [Parker, Garda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1994-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Almost two weeks later, Maggie stood inside the refurbished carriage barn going over the chart of a canine patient. She looked around the place and smiled. The townspeople had moved in and cleaned and painted and laid flooring and installed lighting. Everyone with a trade offered it and those without special trades gave food to the crews and child care when needed.

The former greenhouse and its connecting artist’s studio had been transformed into a veterinary clinic, filled with salvaged examining tables from the old clinic, cartons of medical supplies and instruments, and files and a computer and a typewriter. Jolene had hung plants in the many paned windows, and pictures lined the newly painted white walls. Everyone appeared relaxed and happy in the rustic clinic. Jolene hummed as she typed up bills and records.

Elmer buzzed in and out with news of this person or that, or who had purchased a new car recently, or who had a new grandchild. He’d stopped in at Dottie Dearborn’s house and checked on her cat who’d had a confrontation with a squirrel, and dictated to Jolene how that particular patient was going to need close supervision. He’d have to check on her at least once a week. And he’d see that Hans made it home all right. Making house calls gave him a whole new social life and he was clearly enjoying it.

The steady flow of patients didn’t let up. Just because Critter Care was no longer right in the village didn’t seem to matter to pet owners wishing to board their animals or just ask for general checkups. Some visits were warranted and others, Maggie knew, were there just to be supportive of them.

Even Tad took an interest in the clinic now. He hung out for hours asking Maggie or Elmer questions. He soothed frightened cats, and replenished water bowls for boarding dogs. Wherever Tad was, Caesar was not far behind.

At the moment they were all firmly ensconced in Ty’s house. At first, Elmer had seemed a little disoriented. He’d come to know his own little apartment in the other building so well that he had some difficulty settling down. Maggie hoped she would find a good place for them for his sake as well. He’d been talking vaguely about how he probably should move in with his daughter. She knew he didn’t really want to do that, and she also knew how he felt about being a burden to anyone. No one, least of all Maggie, ever thought of him as such, but he was cognizant of the possibility.

Maggie wanted more than anything to get Elmer settled, get Tad settled, get herself settled. She continued to be on the lookout for a new building for the clinic.

“Nothing yet?” Jolene asked with a distinct lack of enthusiasm when Maggie came out to the desk. She knew how Maggie had been searching. Tad and Elmer stood at the end of the desk.

“Nothing yet, and nothing suitable for apartments either. I think I’ve exhausted every place in town.

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