Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Has Mom been in touch?”
“Yes,” Isabella said. “She wanted to form an intervention to remove the criminal from your life. I told her no. I told her I’d never seen you so happy before. You are happy, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I told her no. I won’t come between you and Grant.”
Aria was a little taken aback by this. “And now you want to go shopping with me?”
“Yes. You and I have never gotten to hang out, like sisters. I’d like that. I don’t know what it was that Grant did, but he opened my eyes. I want to have a relationship with my sister. Not one where I stare at her over the table, hoping I have the guts one day to stand up for her. Mom has been wrong for so long. I hate the wedding photos and I refuse to put them up. Mom has tried to force me to decorate my house. Enough is enough.”
“Mom hasn’t even visited me in my house,” Aria said.
“That’s because she’s pissed off that you got the house. She was hoping I’d get it, but I’m so pleased our grandparents did what they did.”
“As fun as this is, I’ve got to head out to work.” Lidia wrapped up her packages and threw them in the trash bin. “You need to talk to Grant.”
Aria got to her feet and hugged her best friend tightly to her. “Love you.”
“Love you too, babe.”
Lidia left the practice, and now she was alone with her sister.
“So what do you say?” Lidia asked. “You and me, shopping?”
“I guess that would be fun.” She didn’t want to tell her sister no. “How is the pregnancy?”
“Fine. I mean, the morning sickness has been the worst part of it, but other than that, everything is a breeze.” Isabella put her hand to her stomach. “So, er, do you have your dogs with you?”
“Yeah, I do.” She reached down, stroking Ernie and Bruno’s head. She pushed out her chair and waved her hand for Isabella to come around the counter to see her dogs.
The moment Isabella did, she sighed. “They’re so cute.”
“Yep, they are.”
Just then a horn honked and Isabella chuckled. “I better go. Michael is waiting.”
Aria was surprised when her sister suddenly pulled her in for a hug. “I love you, Aria.”
“I love you too.”
Isabella kissed her cheek and then headed out to her husband. Aria gave a wave and she saw Michael respond with one of his own.
“You two are good dogs, aren’t you?”
Andy and Phil came out of their individual rooms. Each held a clipboard. It had been a slow couple of days since Thanksgiving.
“Any new appointments?” Andy asked.
“Tomorrow, we’re close to fifteen,” Aria said.
“That’s good.” Andy held out the clipboard. “Could you please place an order for these?”
“Everything will pick up,” Phil said. “Word of mouth will help.” He opened his mouth about to say something else, when the door opened.
Aria turned to see a tall man in a designer suit, and even though they were nearing winter, he wore a pair of sunglasses. She saw the ink decorating his neck. There were three other men with him as they stepped through the doorway.
“Can I help you?” Phil asked, moving in front of the desk. He’d positioned himself between the men and his wife.
Aria stood up as well. There was something about the men that made her a little uneasy.
“It has been brought to my attention that two dogs were brought here,” he said. His voice was deep and there was an edge of authority to it.
Aria didn’t dare look to the floor.
Phil and Andy didn’t say a word, waiting for him to speak.
Whoever he was, he smiled. “They are my dogs.”
“You’ll have to go and check the local animal shelter. The dogs that came into our care several days ago were rescues from them. They were returned there,” Phil said.
“I see,” the man said.
“You have the wrong veterinary practice,” Phil said.
“Right, of course.”
Aria had to wonder if he did. If not, then what did this mean? Was this man responsible for the dogfighting ring?
The man in question turned toward her and his gaze lingered a little too long. “Do you know of another veterinary practice?”
“No,” Phil said. “The last one closed down after it was discovered the vet was involved in an illegal dogfighting ring.”
Aria felt fear root her to the spot. The men had moved their hands down to their waistbands and she just knew they were carrying guns.
“Well, if you hear any news, please get in touch.” The man left and she watched as he disappeared into a black van.
“He was talking about Ernie and Bruno,” Aria said.
“No, you don’t know that,” Phil said.
“They’re the only two dogs that have been found.”
“They didn’t respond to him,” Andy said. “That could mean anything.”
Aria’s heart raced.
“Andy, I need you to get on the phone and call Bull for me,” Phil said.