The Village Vet (41 page)

For a moment I think he’s going to disappear, but he hesitates and turns his head, gazing towards me and Jack with those achingly beautiful brown eyes, as if to say goodbye.

‘Good luck,’ I whisper, trying to be strong, but as I catch sight of the last dapple of his coat merging with the shadows of the wood, I start to cry.

‘Hey, Tess.’ Jack releases my hand and slides his arm around my shoulders, gently pulling me round to face him, and hugging me to his chest. ‘He’ll be all right. It’s for the best.’

‘I know,’ I say.

I focus on the mole on Jack’s neck through a blur of tears and listen to the deep rumble in his throat as he goes on, ‘This is what I love about my job, letting them go.’

Letting them go, I echo silently. If I leave now, I’ll be letting Jack go too, along with my dreams of a future at his side.

‘It’s the best feeling,’ Jack says.

‘Almost the best.’ There, I’ve said it. I’ve broached the subject at last. ‘There are other things in life, apart from rescue, I mean.’ I bite my lip, tasting blood.

‘Such as?’ Jack holds me closer. ‘Go on. Tell me.’

‘Jack, we need to talk,’ I begin, but I can hardly speak, overwhelmed with love and desire, and fear that now he might have changed his mind and not want me any more. ‘I’m very fond of you.’

‘As I am of you,’ he says quietly.

‘It’s more than that,’ I stumble on. ‘I can’t stop thinking about you, from the moment I get up in the morning to when I fall asleep, and when I do get to sleep you’re always in my dreams.’

‘Not bad dreams, I hope.’ When I look up, his eyes are glinting with amusement. ‘Is that it?’

‘Is that it?’ I try to push him away, but he stands rock solid. ‘I’ve just spilled my guts and all you can say is, “Is that it?”’

His expression grows serious. ‘If only you knew how long I’ve waited for you to admit that … What’s made you change your mind?’

‘I had to tell you,’ I say. ‘I’m about to hand in my notice at the Sanctuary.’

‘You can’t do that,’ he says hoarsely.

‘Well, I can,’ I say, ‘but I don’t have to.’

‘What are you talking about? You aren’t making sense.’

‘What I’m trying to say is that my decision depends on you, Jack.’

‘You’ll have to explain.’ He releases me from his embrace, takes my hand and leads me to the Land Rover where we sit side by side, perched on the flap at the back. ‘Go on, then.’

‘For the first time in ages, I have options,’ I begin. ‘I’m on the shortlist for an interview at a practice in West London.’

‘London? That’s miles away. You’d hate it.’ Jack touches my face and tucks a loose lock of hair back behind my ear. It’s a tiny, heart-melting gesture that makes me want to cry all over again. ‘I thought you were settled at the Sanctuary. I’ve heard you calling it home. And what about your parents, Tia and Buster, me and Libby, your aunt?’

‘I can take them with me – the dogs, I mean. Mum and Dad can visit – they’ll enjoy the nightlife.’ I don’t mean to be flippant, but it’s my way of coping with an awkward situation in which I feel I’m exposing myself in a most intimate way.

‘What about the animals? The rescues?’

‘They’ll have you and Libby, Diane and Wendy—’

‘You said you had options,’ Jack interrupts harshly. ‘What are the alternatives?’

‘My great-aunt has left me a substantial inheritance, enough to pay off my debts, which means I’m not under pressure to find a job that pays me a living wage just yet, so …’

‘You don’t have to leave?’ Jack finishes for me.

Shaking my head, I lean into him as his arm creeps around my waist.

‘Please, don’t leave,’ he whispers. ‘You’re very special to me, Tess. I’d do anything for you, absolutely anything, walk over hot coals …’

‘Wouldn’t you put them out first?’ I say, my heart beating faster. ‘You are a firefighter, after all.’ And a lifesaver, I think, remembering how he led me through the choking smoke in the kennels on the night that the Maddockses kidnapped Apache.

‘Since I found out how Nathan and Katie were treating you, and saw how sad you were when you first came to the Sanctuary, all I’ve wanted to do is rescue you, Tess,’ Jack goes on, pausing when I make a show of gazing into the distance, as though I’m searching for something. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Looking for the shining steed, the chainmail and the lance,’ I say with a small smile. ‘Jack, I don’t need rescuing.’

‘I know that. You can stand up to anyone,’ he says ruefully. ‘Let me put it in a different way. I don’t want you to leave. Talyton Animal Rescue needs you, the animals need you.’ He takes a deep breath. ‘I need you. Tess, my darling, I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ll never let you down again. I promise.’

‘Jack—’

‘Sh,’ he says. ‘Let me finish.’ He leans in and touches his nose to mine, gazing softly into my eyes. ‘I want to make you happy. Will you let me …?’

‘Yes, Jack.’ Unable to restrain my joy, I slide my hands around his neck and press my lips to his. ‘You know, I can make a special exception for you. You can rescue me any time …’

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Published by Arrow Books 2012

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Copyright © Cathy Woodman 2012

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