Raspberries and Vinegar (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 1) (31 page)

The bike crashed to the ground, wheels chirring, and a hand grabbed at Jo’s arm. She yanked away.

“Josephine Lynn Shaw. Don’t be so stupid.”

Stupid, was she? Jo stomped up two steps so she could look down on Sierra, then turned to glare at her. “What?”

Sierra’s eyes sparkled. “Whoa, what’s got your knickers in a knot? A wee bit of envy going on here?”

Jo shot her a look that ought to freeze over the Amazon then wrenched the trailer door open. In she went, down the hall, and into her bedroom. Sierra shoved at the other side of the door. Jo rammed her hip against it and turned the lock.

“Jo, you’re crazy! If this is about me hugging Zach, it isn’t what you think. Not at all.”

Right. And Jo had been born yesterday.

“Would you just listen to me?”

Jo leaned against the door, her arm throbbing. “Fine, then. Why were you hugging Zach?” How it cost to even say the words.

Sierra hesitated.

Jo’s temper flared. “Thanks. Thanks a
lot
.”

“Don’t be such a baby. I can’t tell you what it was all about, but it’s not what you think. You have to believe me.”

“I don’t have to believe anything.” Jo crossed to her iPod and cranked the volume to maximum. Rock music thundered into the air, surely loud enough to cover her sobs. She flung herself on the bed but tears wouldn’t come.

The nerve of both of them. Zach, leading Jo on while eyeing Sierra. Sierra, telling Jo not to be jealous while making moves on Zach herself. The double-crossers. Oh, what a fool she’d been. They’d probably be getting married soon, and with any luck Sierra would leave for the city. It was more her element, anyway, for all her talk. But weddings took months to plan, and there was no stinking way Jo was going to sit here, smiling and nodding, and help Sierra pick a wedding dress or flowers. Sierra’s maid of honor? So not happening.

She needed out.
Now
. In the worst way.

With what for options? She’d find a job at some other health care facility, though she’d miss Mrs. Humbert. Unless... unless she swallowed her pride — as if she had any left — and phoned her mother. Phoned Brad. Asked if that organics department job was still open. Even a lifetime of Brad had to be better than watching Zach and Sierra raise a cute family of tow-headed little boys just like Zach.

***

“Hey, Rubachuk.” Zach let the door to Nature’s Pantry shut behind him.

Gabe stood behind the counter, looking like remaining in one spot took every bit of self-control he could summon.

“I saw you’d opened back up. Thought I’d say hi.”

“You and half the town.”

Zach rested his hands on the counter between them. “It means people care about you, man.”

“Doesn’t make things better. It’s just a reminder.” Gabe raked a shaky hand through his hair. His eyes had sunk back into his head. Guy didn’t look like he was getting enough sleep. Then again, could Zach blame him?

“Can I take you to dinner? Someone once told me the food at The Sizzling Skillet was excellent.”

Gabe’s tortured eyes met his. “Thanks. No.”

“That same person wouldn’t take no for an answer when I didn’t want to go.”

“Sorry. No thanks.”

“What have you been eating, Rubachuk? Not much by the looks of you. I’ll wait right here while you close up. It’s almost five thirty. You’re not going anywhere without me.”

Gabe’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t want to talk about her.”

Zach had a vague clue how Gabe felt. He didn’t want to talk about
her
, either. Could Jo possibly have misunderstood? But Sierra had promised to explain. Was Zach counting too much on someone else to fix things? The box in his pocket dug against his skin.

“Nemesek? You’re making a big mistake. Life is short, man.” Gabe winced even as he spoke. “Don’t waste time playing silly games. Get in front of Jo and tell her how you feel. You may not have as many chances as you think.”

Zach fixed a light smile in place. “It’s probably too late already. Don’t worry about me. I’m here for you, for what
you
need.”

“No.” Gabe grabbed his arm. “Bethany’s gone. Sh-she’s dead. Nothing I can say or do will bring her back. Jo’s alive. Fight for her.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve all but worn my heart on my sleeve, and she’s rejected me. Time and again. I need to move on.” She hadn’t even been to see Grandma and found he’d left dark chocolate for her, organic, at that. Surely Grandma would have remembered, even with her fragile hold on reality.

“All but?” Gabe’s fingers tightened. “
All but?
Are you crazy? Lay it out. Leave no room for misunderstanding. Tell her how you feel.”

He closed his eyes, opened them again. Looked at Gabe. “I’ll try one more time. For you. Now, you coming to dinner or aren’t you?”

Chapter 32

Jo fingered her cell phone late the next afternoon. Her mother had been on her mind since she’d spoken with Doreen. She really didn’t want to talk to Mom. But if something happened to her while Jo held this grudge, she’d never forgive herself. Had Jo been showing Christian love, or had she been too busy trying to push her opinions down her mother’s throat? Maybe that’s what all this had been about. A chance to spend time with her family and try to make things right.

So it might be God’s leading. If so, He had a nasty sense of humor, dragging Jo’s heart through all this emotional turmoil to reunite her with her mom and stepdad. Still, in the eternal scheme of things, maybe He considered it all worthwhile.

Jo’s contact list was open, but her finger hovered over her mom’s name.
Please, God. Give me words.
Jo tapped the screen. Listened to the ringing way off in California. With each buzz her stomach fluttered. What if her mom didn’t have her cell on her? Maybe sh—

“Hello?”

Jo cleared her throat. “Hi, Mom. It’s me. Jo.”

A brief hesitation. “Josephine?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know you knew my number.”

Ouch
. She probably deserved that. Maybe she should try for a light tone. “Yep, got it here in my phone, right next to your name.”

“So, is something wrong? I can’t remember the last time you phoned
me.” Her voice brightened. “Are you coming back to California?”

“About that.” Jo swallowed hard. “You said something a few weeks ago about a position in the organics department. Is that still open?”

Silence for a few seconds. “Don’t toy with me, Josephine.”

Jo paced to the window and stared out. “I’m not.”

“You’d come home? Really?” Mom’s voice rose in excitement.

How had Jo never seen that beneath Mom’s harsh exterior, she really did care about her daughter? Maybe this would be for the best. Maybe things would work out.

But without Zach? Without Claire and backstabbing Sierra? Jo stared at the orchard, the garden, and the straw bale house, finally to lock-up. Was she crazier to leave or to stay? “If you’ll have me.”

“How soon can you get here?”

Domino rounded the corner of the trailer, head down. A shudder ran through his body, and he staggered then toppled over. Rosemary had mentioned he wasn’t feeling well, but this? Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Jo launched herself toward the door. “Mom, I gotta go. I’ll call you back.” She thumbed the phone off. Car. Keys. Thank heaven the girls had biked. Jo turned and grabbed the keys off their hook by the door. No time to lose. She sprinted for the car and opened the hatchback.

Domino drooped against the ground, trying to wag his tail for her as she scooped him up and laid him in the car. “I’ll get help for you, buddy. Hang in there.”

She jumped into the driver’s seat and revved the engine. In seconds she was careening down the road toward the veterinary clinic. With any luck Zach had already left for his new job in the city. She couldn’t bear to face him with his dog gravely ill. But there was no choice. No time to stop and see if Rosemary was home, no time to talk to anyone. She stomped on the accelerator as Domino coughed weakly from the back. The dashboard clock gave the time as 4:55 PM. If only she’d get there before the clinic closed.

Jo swerved into the parking lot and laid on the horn as she screeched to a halt right in front of the clinic doors.
Please, God, let Domino be okay.

***

Zach made his final patient rounds of the day, talking to the dog he’d neutered and then the tabby that had endured an attack from a vicious tom. At the front of the clinic he heard blaring, then high, excited female voices. Nadine had been shutting down the computers last he’d seen. There must be an emergency.

He sighed. No wonder Doc Taubin wanted another vet here. The practice really was busy enough for two of them. He’d hoped to finish up the repairs to the tree house tonight, but by the sounds of hurried footsteps coming down the corridor, that wasn’t likely.

“Zach?” Nadine’s head poked into the recovery room, her eyes wide. “Come quick.”

He followed her, frowning. She’d seen nearly everything in her years with Taubin. It’d take something dramatic to rattle her. She flung open the door to Exam Room 2 and urgently beckoned him in.

A black-and-white dog lay on the table.
Domino
. Zach surged forward. The pup hadn’t been well this morning, but now seemed to be barely hanging onto life. Zach mentally combed through the tests he’d run and compared them to the dog in front of him. “Oxygen. Stat.”

Nadine reached for the equipment to give the pup desperately needed air.

For the first time Zach noticed the person crying in the corner, back to him. Short. Petite. Brown hair escaping one long, thick braid.

Jo.

“Where did you find him?” His voice broke as he swiveled to disinfect his hands.
Oh, God, no. Not Domino
.

“He came to our place, but he could barely walk.” Jo clutched her keys with white-knuckled fingers. “Will he be okay?”

Zach met Nadine’s eyes and poked his chin toward Jo. “Get her out of here and call Wally.”

Nadine put her arm around Jo’s shoulders. “Come, hon. Have a seat out front. Dr. Nemesek will do everything he can.”

She squared her shoulders. “I’ll stay.”

Oh, no she wouldn’t. Zach couldn’t focus with her in the room. And he had to. He could barely concentrate anyway. Nadine led Jo out, still protesting, while Zach prepped a blood transfusion. He only hoped he was guessing wrong.

***

Jo paced the waiting room, straining to hear anything from down the hall. Preferably a bark. She twisted her hands, peered down the hall, retraced her steps. Should she stay? Zach would come talk to her. Maybe he’d send Nadine. Then Jo wouldn’t have to look at him or hear his voice while her mind replayed the enthusiastic hug she’d seen between him and Sierra.

She couldn’t leave. Not if there was anything she could do for Domino. Which there probably wasn’t. But still.

Why didn’t Zach come out? Or his assistant? Surely one of them would tell Jo if Domino died.

Tears burned her eyes. She dropped to her knees in front of one of the reception chairs and buried her face in her hands.
Oh, God. Please help Zach. Please save Domino.

But God hadn’t saved Bethany, so why would he care about a dog? Was it even right to ask? Yes, the Bible talked about God caring for the sparrows. That He counted them and knew when they fell. Domino was bigger than a sparrow. Smarter.

“Josephine?” A man’s voice, but not Zach’s.
 

She raised her tear-stained face to the older vet. “Y-yes?” She stumbled to her feet. “Please tell me he’ll be okay.”

“I hope so.” The lines on his face spoke of worry. “Zach’s a good vet, and he has an excellent reason to try his hardest.”

“But?”

Doc Taubin shook his head. “It’s tight. You’re doing the right thing there, praying. God’s in the business of answering prayer.”

Jo couldn’t think of many He’d answered favorably recently. Not since they’d bought the land.

Her disbelief must have shown, because Doc Taubin smiled as he sat down beside her. “Not only is the young man a good veterinarian, but he’s an answer to my prayers. If it weren’t for him, I’d still be hobbling around needing hip surgery. But as it is, I’m feeling better than I have for years.” He patted Jo’s hand. “I’m going into Spokane on Monday to see my surgeon, and I expect a clear bill of health.”

Jo had once thought Zach might be an answer to her prayers, too, but anymore it didn’t seem like it. She tried to smile at the vet but it took more courage than she could muster.

Raised voices sounded from down the corridor.

Doc Taubin surged to his feet, Jo right beside him.

Zach rounded the corner, fatigue plastered across his face. He stopped dead when his gaze landed on Jo. “You still here?”

That hadn’t sounded very welcoming. Jo took a shaky breath. “How is he?” Domino couldn’t be dead, could he?

He looked from Jo to his boss and back. He practically spit out the words. “Mouse poison. We’ve looked at his chest x-rays. Pumped his stomach and run the blood work. There’s no doubt.”

Jo’s world spun. She stumbled back and fell into the chair. Closed her eyes.

When she opened them again an instant later, Zach glared at her from across the room. “Know anyone who uses mouse poison, Josephine Shaw?”

She’d only put it under the trailer, making sure the skirting was snugly back in place. But then... She gaped at Zach. But then she’d moved a piece to show Mr. Graysen the water line. Had she gotten it back tightly, with one arm in the cast? Domino’s condition was more her fault than she’d dreamed.

“Your face tells the whole story.” His eyes blazed. “We may not be as good as you in other ways, but we don’t use poison on vermin at
our
farm. Dad won’t have the stuff on the property, so I know good and well Domino didn’t get into it at our place. You’re the only people I know who have an out-of-control mouse problem. If he didn’t find the poison at Green Acres, where did he?”

Her eyes riveted to his, and she could barely breathe. The whole waiting room wavered.

“Bah! It’s as I thought. You may preach a good green sermon about fertilizer and water systems, but you don’t practice what you preach. Doesn’t every package of poison clearly state to keep it well away from pets? Doesn’t it?”