Avery Beck - Full Circle

eBooks are not transferable.

They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writers imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B

Cincinnati OH 45249

Full Circle

Copyright 2011 by Avery Beck

ISBN: 978-1-60928-585-2

Edited by Sue Ellen Gower

Cover by Scott Carpenter

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: September 2011

www.samhainpublishing.com

Dedication

To my wonderful editor, Sue-Ellen Gower, for your tireless efforts to meet deadlines and polish my vision of this story to a shine. It is a privilege to work with you.

To Ann, for moving the book of my heart off the computer and into the hands of readers.

For my husband, one of the good guys, who broke a bout of writers block when he told me to forget the publishing industry, stop worrying about the market and write what matters to me.

Pixie gals and so many writer friendsI hope you know who you are!thank you for the encouragement and advice to keep on keeping on through seemingly endless frustration, because there are many ways to realize the dream. You were right.

Chapter One

No matter how many times she had seen it, Elisa Haley still marveled that a woman would wear dancing clothes to bring an animal to an appointment. She eyed the spectacle entering the office and added a line to the employment ad she was writing up: Must entertain clients who hit on the boss.

She hid a smile and deleted the sentence. Maybe it was a bit much. She left her desk and pushed open the door that separated the waiting area from the rest of the clinic, containing her amusement until she was safely out of sight. Her brother would be crowned the hottest veterinarian in Texas if certain customers had their way.

She found Justin on his knees in an examining room, scrubbing what remained of a foul-smelling mess left by the last nervous patient. Youve got another one.

Another what? he grunted, not looking up.

Secret admirer. Or should I say, blatant admirer. The head-to-toe spandex is a little conspicuous. That and the fact that her dog comes down with a mysterious illness every other day.

He straightened with a groan. Mrs. Dale, huh?

You got it.

Brilliant. This is exactly the reason Im bringing on another doctor. I dont have time for this stuff.

Elisa picked up the instruments lying on the exam table, prepping the room while he washed his hands in the sink. Oh yeah, Dr. Whats-His-Name. I hope he knows a good receptionist, because Im getting out of here at the end of the summer. At the latest.

Justin rolled his eyes and she didnt need to ask why. He hated that she was leaving town and he blew off her plans at every opportunity. It hurt, but she wasnt about to back down. She was two months away from a degree she should have earned six years ago. An ice storm in hell wouldnt take her eyes off that diploma.

Her brother grabbed a paper towel from the wall dispenser. You have several weeks left before you finish your summer classes. Can you stop rubbing in the fact that youre leaving until we get a little closer to the date?

I just want you and Mom and Dad to know that youre not changing my mind. Ive worked too hard for this.

I understand that, but right now, you have responsibilities here. Did you finish the ad so I can start interviewing for your replacement?

Working on it right now.

Wonderful, he replied, but his tone said quite the opposite.

She decided not to argue with him. As her graduation date approached, he grew more and more frustrated with her decision to move, and by now she was used to his snappiness. It was all part of the maddening barricade her family had built around her and refused to take down. If they could surround her with bubble-wrap, they would.

She rubbed her temple and tried to erase the image of her younger self sobbing in her bed after shed made it home from surgery. She could still feel the crumpled sheets against her wet cheek, the nauseating emptiness in her stomach. She hadnt come out for days, had barely moved except to stare at the meals her mother brought to her room. Back then she had needed unconditional support, and her parents and brother had provided it.

For that, she was grateful. But the drama had ended a long time ago. Her family didnt understand that every time they tried to cloak her in their overprotective shell, her urge to leave grew stronger. She wasnt nineteen anymore, and shed long ago gotten tired of being the guest of honor at their pity partynot to mention the subject of citywide disapproval. The best thing she could do for herselfthe only thing she wanted to dowas reclaim the bright future her surprise pregnancy and despicable ex-boyfriend had forced her to give up.

In a couple of months she would be sitting in a corporate office in a position of importance, not answering phone calls from amorous pet owners in a sleepy town.

Until then, she was stuck. Justin, Im sorry. You know Ill be here whenever you need me until I graduate.

Thank you. Now please help me find a harmless way to treat that innocent dog.

Elisa stifled a laugh and accompanied him to the waiting room. She returned to her chair, nearly shielding her eyes from Mrs. Dales neon miniskirt and matching stilettos. Wow. That was a lot of pink, even for a woman whosewell, quirky fashion sense was known around town.

Justin pasted on a smile. Hello, Heidi. How can we help you this morning?

The stilettos clicked closer to the reception desk. Dr. Haley, Im sorry to bother you, but could you give Rainbow another look? She seems to have lost some of her spunk.

Elisa peered around her computer monitor. It was definitely one of those visits. The Chihuahua in Heidis arms seemed to be pursuing freedom with plenty of spunk.

The roundworm pills we prescribed last week arent working? Justin asked.

Heidi struggled to keep her grip on Rainbow. Oh yes, theyre working. Im just afraid there might be something else wrong with her. Something we missed at the last appointment.

A flush crept along her unnaturally blonde hairline. Heidi didnt mean any harm. She knew Justin was married, and so was sheto the high school football coach, a man who cared more for the game than his wife. Elisa didnt blame her for needing attention now and then, but being a witness to womens fantasies about her brother was something she could do without.

She shook her head and tried to look interested in the document in front of her. She wanted to do more online research about the company where shed recently had an interview, but she couldnt do it on the clock while Justin looked over her shoulder.

At last, he led Heidi to the back of the clinic to poke and prod poor Rainbow. But instead of finishing the ad or resuming her job search, Elisa worried about their earlier conversation. Would he have enough help when she was gone? The local teenagers were available for hire during summer vacation only, and since Justin and his wife were expecting another baby, he would be juggling three kids on top of his steadily increasing patient load.

Not for the first time, guilt crept into her chest. As usual, she pushed it away and gazed out the front window instead, hoping the clear, blue sky would reassure her or at least provide a distraction. Sustaining the clinic wasnt her problem. Thats why Justin had hired