Kitabı oku: «A Military Match», sayfa 2
Distinguished was the first word that popped into Jennifer’s mind when she saw him. Money was the second word.
She tilted her head as she studied him. There was something familiar about him, but he entered the office building before she could place where she might have seen him before.
It didn’t matter. What mattered was getting her job done and getting to her contest on time. She got out of her vehicle and walked boldly into the stable all the while praying she wouldn’t run into Avery again.
Reaching Dakota’s stall without meeting anyone, she opened the door and stepped inside, speaking softly to the big bay who had his nose buried in his feed bucket. The X-ray film cassette was exactly where she had left it leaning against the wall. Snatching it up, she turned and started toward the door when she heard someone call Avery’s name.
“Coming,” he shouted back. He was just outside.
Without thinking, Jennifer dropped into a crouch behind the half door. He must have been in the tack room on the other side of the walkway. She heard the creak of the door and his boots on the stone floor, but they didn’t pass by. They stopped right outside Dakota’s stall.
Jennifer closed her eyes and let her chin drop onto her chest. Realizing just what a ridiculous position she had placed herself in, she tried to think of a way to exit with her dignity intact but couldn’t come up with anything.
“What are you doing here?” Avery demanded with cool disdain.
Chapter Three
J ennifer looked up expecting to see Avery glaring at her over the stall door, but the space above her was empty. He wasn’t talking to her.
“Can’t I pay my only grandson a visit?”
It was Avery’s grandfather. The man Jennifer had tried and failed to contact. His dragon of a secretary had refused to put Jennifer’s call through the day she’d attempted to call.
“I don’t have anything to say to you. Did she put you up to this?” Avery’s cold tone made Jennifer cringe.
Great! He’s going to blame me, anyway.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. No one put me up to this. Coming here was my own idea. Can’t we at least try to let bygones be bygones?”
“Why should I?”
“I thought perhaps you would have seen the error of your ways by now.”
“I knew you didn’t come to apologize.”
“I have nothing to apologize for. I was protecting you. You would see that if you opened your eyes.”
Jennifer pressed a hand to her mouth. Her foolish pride had placed her in the awkward position of eavesdropping on a family quarrel. There was no other way out of the stall. She braced herself to stand up and let them know she was there when Avery’s next words stopped her.
“I don’t have to stay and listen to this.”
Jennifer heard his footsteps moving away and she breathed a sigh of relief. She just might get out of this with her dignity intact.
“She didn’t love you. All she cared about was your money,” Avery’s grandfather called out loudly.
“No, all you ever cared about was money,” Avery shot back.
“It never bothered you to spend the money I earn,” the older man answered sharply. “You never had to work for anything…and that was my fault as much as anyone’s.”
“What you really mean is that I’ll never amount to anything. I’ve heard this speech before.”
“I have been guilty of saying that in the past, that’s true, but I simply wanted you to stop wasting your life.”
“It’s my life. Which is something you never understood.”
Dakota had finished his meal and walked over to Jennifer. He nickered softly and nuzzled at her pocket. She pushed his head away. He gave a loud snort and she tensed. He snorted again and whinnied.
“Shh,” she whispered with her fingertips pressed to her lips, hoping to quiet him and praying the men wouldn’t notice anything unusual.
“Thanks for the visit, Grandfather. I’m sure you can find your own way out.” Avery’s voice drifted to her from the front of the barn and she knew he had walked away.
“Wait!” the older man called out. “I didn’t mean for this to become one of our shouting matches. Please come back.”
There was no answer. Jennifer heard his heavy sigh, then his unsteady footsteps faded, too.
A wave of sympathy engulfed her. How terribly sad for both men. Avery had always avoided talking about his family except to tell her that his parents were dead. He had never mentioned his grandfather. Now she knew why.
Rising, she opened the stall door and stepped out. A few feet away, the elderly man from the limousine sat on a bale of straw. His eyes opened wide at the sight of her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to, but I couldn’t help…overhearing.”
He closed his eyes and waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve lost him. He’s all I have and he hates me.”
The resignation and pain in his voice touched her deeply.
“You mustn’t think that. There is always a chance for reconciliation.”
He shook his head. “You don’t know all that stands between us.”
She took a step closer. “You’re right. I don’t, but I do know that faith is a powerful tool. Faith and hard work can overcome the most insurmountable problems.”
“Wise advice from someone so young, but my grandson isn’t the forgiving kind.”
The old man tried to rise to his feet, but sat down abruptly with his hand pressed to his chest. Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead and his face grew bright red. She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, he fumbled at the breast pocket of his jacket. He pulled out a small, dark glass bottle but couldn’t hold on to it. It tumbled from his trembling hand. Jennifer caught it before it hit the stone floor.
A quick glance at the prescription label confirmed her suspicions. It was heart medication.
She opened the cap and shook one tiny white tablet onto her palm. Pinching it between her thumb and forefinger, she held it out to him. “Put this under your tongue.”
He nodded, took the pill from her and put it in his mouth. She closed her hand around his wrist to check his pulse. It was fast, but not irregular. “I’m going to call 9-1-1.”
He managed a tight smile. “No. The medicine will help. I don’t need an ambulance.”
“Shall I get Avery?”
Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t want him to see me like this.”
“Sir, you aren’t well. You grandson should know that.”
“I’m fine now.”
Although she was relieved to see his color returning to normal and his voice growing stronger, his statement didn’t fool her. “Not to be disrespectful, sir, but you are not fine. Those pills are for angina. If you are having heart pain, you need to see a doctor, ASAP.”
“I thought perhaps I was talking to one.”
“Me? I’m a veterinary student. Give me a lame horse and I can help, but I don’t treat people.”
“That is a pity.” He patted her hand. “You have an excellent bedside manner and you’re much prettier than the crusty old fellow who treats me.”
She relaxed a fraction and smiled at his teasing. “Flattery—while always deeply appreciated—will get you nowhere.”
“I really am feeling better. As you must have heard, I’m Avery’s grandfather. My name is Edmond Barnes. I don’t believe I caught your name, young lady.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Barnes. I’m Jennifer Grant and I should still call an ambulance.”
He rose to his feet. “I’ll simply refuse treatment.”
Rising, she planted her hands on her hips. “When I first saw you I thought I noticed something familiar. Now I see the resemblance. You and Avery share the same strong chin, the same eyes and the same hole in your head where your common sense belongs.”
He chuckled. “You must have more than a passing acquaintance with my grandson.”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “We’ve met,” she admitted.
Edmond studied her intently. “What do you think of him?”
His question caught her off guard. Should she tell the truth, or amend it to make a sick old man feel better? She didn’t want to do either. “Perhaps you should ask his commanding officer that question.”
“I’m asking you.”
“Avery and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on things,” she admitted slowly. “Sometimes, I think he is his own worst enemy.”
“That’s very astute.” Edmond began walking toward the stable door. Jennifer took his elbow to steady him. When they reached his car, his driver got out and opened the door for him.
Edmond paused, but glanced back at her and said, “When I was a young man, I started a small real estate firm. Over my lifetime I turned it into a multi-million dollar corporation. I learned to read people well and quickly because I had to, but I’ve never been able to tell what Avery is thinking.”
Jennifer hesitated, then found herself saying, “You shouldn’t give up on him.”
Where had that come from? She was the last person who should be sticking up for Avery.
“I’ll admit things didn’t go well today, but thanks to my crusty doctor and a triple bypass surgery, I’ve been given the chance to make things right. I’m not giving up on my grandson. I’ll find a way to reach him.”
She smiled. “Good.”
“Thank you again for your kindness, Miss Grant.”
After he drove away, Jennifer glanced at her watch. If she left right now she might just make the first round of jumping at the Deerfield Open. Even though she knew she should leave, she found herself staring toward the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard office.
Edmond Barnes was a sick man who wanted to reconcile with his grandson. Could she help? Had God placed her here today for that reason? If it were only Avery’s feelings to consider she might drive off without a backward glance. She bit her lip in indecision.
As if summoned by her thoughts of him, the office door opened and Avery stepped out into the sunshine. “I saw your truck was here again. Where were you? Hiding in the hay loft?”
“I forgot an X-ray film in Dakota’s stall. Avery, I honestly had nothing to do with his coming here.”
“A likely story. Just admit you can’t stay away from me, Jenny.”
She struggled with her rising indignation. Why did he have to turn everything into a joke? “Trust you to kill any kindness I might be feeling.”
“Kindness? Don’t tell me that manipulative old man made you feel sorry for me? Does he want you to help us patch things up?”
“Would that be such a bad thing?”
A shadow flickered in his eyes and she understood what Edmond had meant about not being able to read him.
“Careful, Jenny. Your nose is cute but it doesn’t belong in my business.” The edge in his voice should have been enough to send her on her way, but for some reason it wasn’t.
“Our families are an important part of who we are. You shouldn’t dismiss him out of hand. Forgiveness heals the forgiver as well as the forgiven.”
“Shame on you for eavesdropping.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She folded her arms across her chest. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I accidentally overheard part of your conversation,” she conceded.
Raising one eyebrow, he asked, “How is that not eavesdropping?”
She glanced down at the toe of her work boot. “Okay, I’m sorry I didn’t let you know I was in Dakota’s stall.”
“Skip it, Jennifer. It doesn’t matter.” There was a touch of defeat in his tone.
She looked up and met his gaze. “I honestly didn’t mean to listen in on a private family matter. I am sorry.”
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “I can’t believe I lived to see the day Miss Jenny Grant acknowledged a fault. I’m going to have to mark this on my calendar.”
Raising her chin a notch higher, she countered, “Unlike some people I know, I can admit when I’m wrong.”
“Unlike some people I know, I mind my own business.”
She touched a finger to her lips as she pressed them together, then pointed at him. “You know what? You’re right. It’s none of my business if you shun your own family, but in the end, you are the one who is going to suffer.”
The sound of horses approaching at a rapid trot heralded the return of the troop. Avery took a step closer to her. “Do you charge for your advice, Dr. Jenny? I hope not, because it isn’t worth anything.”
Jennifer drew a deep breath to keep from making another comment. No matter what she said, he would always find a way to have the last word at her expense.
She spun on her heels and marched to her truck. Trying to help Avery had been a total waste of time.
Avery started to go after Jennifer and apologize, but stopped himself. It was better to let her believe he was a complete jerk. That way she wouldn’t be tempted to interfere again. She was better off staying out of his family feud. His grandfather might pass himself off as a caring old man, but Avery knew better.
Edmond wasn’t above using anyone or anything to gain the upper hand. He had certainly proved that to Avery beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Yet the old man still possessed the ability to make Avery feel worthless and insignificant.
No one could live up to the expectations his grandfather had set. Avery had given up trying years ago. It wasn’t until he saw his grandfather again today that Avery realized he still cared what Edmond thought of him.
As the column of riders approached the stable yard, a jeep stopped on the roadway in front of them and a young corporal got out. Captain Watson reined his horse to a halt beside him as the rest of the unit continued on. The corporal saluted, handed the captain a thick envelope, then jumped in the jeep and drove off.
The previously quiet stable became a hive of activity around Avery as the group dismounted and led their animals into their stalls. The men’s jovial chatter, the eager nickering of hungry mounts and the clatter of iron shod hooves on the old cobblestone floors brought the stable to life as it had for more than a century.
Although Avery would never admit it out loud, he was proud of his part in keeping the cavalry’s heritage alive. He loved the unit and all it stood for. The army had been good to him.
Captain Watson rode up, dismounted and handed the reins to Avery. “Tell the men to gather in the ready room. We have new orders.”
“Yes, sir.” Avery saluted and led the captain’s horse into the barn where he passed the word, then rubbed down and stabled the captain’s mount.
Twenty minutes later, the sixteen soldiers of the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard were seated in gray folding chairs in a small meeting room at one end of the barn. They rose to their feet when Captain Watson walked in.
“Take your seats, men. As most of you know, the American Cavalry Competition is being held at Fort Riley this year and we’ve just received permission to participate.”
A cheer went up from the group. Grinning, the captain motioned for silence. “We also have three major performances scheduled during the next few weeks. That means a lot of travel for some of you, but I’m confident that this year we’re going to bring the Sheridan’s Cup back where it belongs. To the home of America’s cavalry!”
Avery observed the buzz of excitement in the group with mild amusement. The chance for the CGMCG to showcase their skills and outshine the unit that had won last year’s contest had them trash-talking like a pumped up high school football squad.
“Okay, men,” the captain continued. “This isn’t just about beating the socks off the Fort Humphrey boys. We’ll be facing police mounted units, National Guard mounted units and quite a few re-enactor units in the Platoon Drill event.
“All of you are free to enter the individual riding classes. They include Mounted Saber, Mounted Pistol, Military Horsemanship and Military Field Jumping. A plaque will also be awarded for the outstanding horse at the competition.”
“It should go to Dakota,” Lee suggested.
Captain Watson smiled. “Dakota has certainly earned a special place in this unit, but I’m not sure he is up to performing at such a high level. Dr. Cutter will give us his opinion on that soon.”
Avery had been riding Dakota in the various parades and performances where jumping and rapid stops weren’t required, but he suspected the horse was strong enough to compete.
Shuffling through the papers in his hand, the captain found the one he was seeking. “Winners of the individual events will be invited to compete in a combination test of skills for the Sheridan Cup. Besides the silver trophy and a one thousand dollar cash prize, the winner will have his name added to the bronze plaque displayed in the U.S. Cavalry Memorial Research Library. I don’t need to tell you that Command is hoping it will be a Fort Riley soldier this year.”
Captain passed out the entry forms to the men crowding around him and then dismissed the group. Avery rose and left the building. He had just reached his car when he heard Captain Watson call his name. Turning, he saw his commander approaching holding out a sheet of paper. “Aren’t you going to enter?”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
The captain pressed his lips together and frowned. “The Sheridan Cup carries a lot of prestige for the brass here. You are better than anyone I’ve ever seen with a saber and just as good as most with a pistol. I think you could win.”
Taken aback by the praise, Avery found himself at a loss for words. In the back of his mind he heard his grandfather’s voice telling him he’d never amount to anything. Yet here was his captain, a man he admired, telling him he believed he could win the most coveted prize in the modern cavalry.
“I can’t order you to enter the individual classes,” the captain continued, “but I’m asking you to do it for the honor of this company.”
What if he entered and failed to win?
His grandfather would expect him to fail.
According to him, I fail at everything except spending money. So why do I still care what he thinks? I’m not a failure.
He did care what his captain and the men in the unit thought of him. Could he face disappointing them? “I’ll think about it, sir.”
“Let me know by tomorrow. Dakota is assigned to you, but you can pick another horse for the competition if Dr. Cutter doesn’t think Dakota should participate.”
Lee, who had been waiting nearby, came over after the captain walked away. “Are you going to enter?”
“I said I’d think about it.”
“You can enter, but don’t plan on winning.”
Avery cocked his head to the side. “And why is that?”
“I’ve seen a couple of the riders from the National Guard Volunteers in action. You’ll be outclassed.”
“You just heard the captain say that I’m the best he’s ever seen with a saber.”
“Oh, I agree, but that’s only a quarter of the overall score. You might be as good with a pistol as those boys, but they’ll ride you into the dirt in Military Horsemanship. That’s like dressage and no offence, but you stink at that.”
“Okay, my fancy riding could use some work. You seem to know so much about it, why don’t you give me a few lessons?”
“Me? I’m worse than you are. You need someone who really knows how to work with you and your horse.”
Avery glanced at the men leaving the building. “So which of the guys in the unit is better?”
Lee shoved his hands in his pockets. “I hate to say it, but most of us are pretty average.”
Exasperated, Avery said, “All right, you go to horse shows all the time. Who’s the best in this area? Who can I get a few pointers from?”
Lee burst out laughing.
Avery scowled at him. “What’s so funny?”
Controlling his mirth with difficulty, Lee managed to say, “Jennifer Grant is the best dressage rider in the area, but from what I’ve seen, she isn’t going to give you the time of day.”
Chapter Four
I t was almost dark by the time Jennifer turned into the gravel drive that led to her family’s double-wide mobile home on their twenty acres outside Dutton. To her relief she saw her mother’s green-and-white pickup and horse trailer sitting in front of their small barn. She had been half afraid that her mother wouldn’t be home yet.
The front stoop light came on and Lizzie, followed by twelve-year-old Toby and eight-year-old Ryan, piled out of the door to race toward her. She stopped beside the chain link fence that surrounded their tiny overgrown yard and rolled down her window.
“I smell pizza,” Toby shouted as he pulled open the gate.
Picking up the warm cardboard box from the seat beside her, Jennifer passed it out the window to her eager siblings.
Lizzie took the box, holding it over her head to keep Toby from grabbing it. “I told you she would win.”
Toby snatched the box from his sister’s hand. “I hope it’s pepperoni.”
Lizzie snatched it back. “I hope it’s cheese.”
“Be careful or it will be a dirt pizza,” Jennifer warned, but the two of them were already on their way into the house.
Ryan, the youngest and quietest of the Grant kids, looked up at Jennifer. “Did you win?”
She gave him a tired smile. “I won the dressage class.”
“But not the jumping class?”
“No.”
“Why? Did McCloud miss some jumps?”
“I wish I could blame him, but the truth is, I didn’t get there in time to enter.”
“Oh.” He shoved his hands in the pocket of his jeans and kicked at a bit of gravel with the toe of his shoe. “I guess that means you didn’t win enough to get me a new bike.”
“No. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I only won enough to cover the money I spent to enter, the pizza and feed for the horses.” Jennifer stepped out and began walking to the back of the trailer.
Ryan followed her. “That’s okay. I don’t really need it. It’s almost winter anyway.”
She wanted to hug him, but she knew he wouldn’t appreciate the gesture. He hadn’t been able to go dirt bike riding with his friends since their mother had accidentally run over his bicycle. Jennifer knew he missed hanging out with his buddies, but there were so many other things the family needed first.
“You should go inside before your brother eats your slices of pizza.”
“I’m not hungry. Can I help you put your stuff away?”
“Sure. You get the saddle and pad and I’ll take McCloud. I almost forgot to mention that Dr. Cutter has asked me to keep Isabella for a few day.”
His eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great. She’s a cool rabbit, but won’t Mom be upset? She got kind of mad when Isabella was here last time.”
He stood aside as Jennifer backed her horse out of the trailer. “Mom was just upset because Isabella liked to run in and out of her long skirts and chew on the lace. We’ll keep Isabella in her cage when Mom is in one of her costumes.”
“Maybe we should keep her in the barn.”
Jennifer stopped and looked down at him. “Mom or the rabbit?”
Ryan’s mouth fell open, then he started to laugh and Jennifer grinned, too.
Ten minutes later, they finished putting McCloud out into the pasture with Lollypop, their mother’s black mare. The two horses greeted each other with soft whinnies. Soon they moved off and began grazing together as the last golden rays of sunlight faded from the western sky.
When Jennifer and Ryan entered the house, she sent him to wash up. Lizzie and Toby were sitting on the worn blue sofa in front of the TV. The pizza box, with two small slices remaining, sat open on the kitchen table.
Jennifer washed up at the kitchen sink, then put both slices in the microwave. When Ryan returned, she handed him the plate and a glass of milk. He took it and joined his brother and sister on the couch.
Jennifer settled for a glass of milk and the last apple in the vegetable drawer. After tossing the empty pizza box in the trash, she retrieved her textbooks from her room and returned to the table to study.
A few minutes later, Jennifer looked up as Mary Grant came out of her bedroom and entered the kitchen. Her mother was wearing one of her 1850s-style dresses, a deep blue and white plaid cotton dress with a full skirt over layers of white petticoats.
“Oh, good, you’re home,” Mary said, turning around. “Can you hook me?”
“Are you going out like that?”
“The historical society is meeting at the Dutton mansion in Old Towne tonight.”
“So?” Old Towne was a collection of log cabins, restored businesses and homes from the early 1850s. The Dutton mansion was a simple two-story house with pretentious white columns supporting a small balcony across the front of the building. It was the town historical society’s fondest hope that they could turn the area into a profitable tourist attraction.
“Really, Jennifer. You know as an employee of Old Towne I can’t go onto the property unless I’m in period dress. I am, after all, Henrietta Dutton. I’m not about to greet visitors to my home in anything but my freshest gown.”
Jennifer tugged on the tight bodice and began fastening the long row of hooks down the back of the garment. “It seems kind of silly to dress up when there won’t be any tourists to see you.”
“Perhaps, but this keeps me in the spirit of my role. I can practice greeting important people with the grace and charm of a southern belle.”
Jennifer fastened the last hook. “Don’t you think you’re carrying this a little far?”
Her mother spun around and flipped open a fan suspended from her wrist by a silken cord. “Of course not, darling,” she drawled as she fluttered the dark blue silk and ivory fan beside her face. “I’m simply enjoying my job. Wait until you see my performance on Founder’s Day. This year, for the first time ever, we are staging a stunning re-enactment of Henrietta Dutton’s charge up Dutton Heights. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.”
Snapping shut her accessory, Mary lifted her skirts with both hands and headed for the door. “I won’t be back until late, so don’t wait up. Thank goodness I don’t have to wear a hoop under this thing. I’d never be able to drive in it. But I do wish I had a carriage to ride in. It would so much more appropriate to arrive in a horse-drawn buggy than in my truck.”
As her mother departed in a flurry of petticoats, Jennifer glanced to where her brothers and sister sat on the sofa. They were all watching her with various degrees of concern on their faces.
Lizzie said, “It’s tough enough being the brainy girl in school. Having a mother who thinks she is Betsy Ross on top of that is the pits.”
“Mom does get a bit carried away,” Jennifer admitted.
Toby rose and brought his empty plate to the sink. “Carried away? Our mother is a nut case. She knows more about old Colonel Dutton and his weirdo wife than they did. Who cares what was happening in 1859, anyway?”
Their mother’s passion for re-enacting the past sometimes seemed to border on an obsession, but Jennifer felt the need to defend her.
“If it wasn’t for Mom’s respect for the history of our town and her determination to save our heritage, Henrietta Dutton’s deeds of valor would be forgotten.”
“And the town council wouldn’t have an excuse to hold a money-making festival every year and exploit mother’s zeal, not to mention her time and energy,” Lizzie added.
“When did you get to be such a cynic?” Jennifer asked.
“Between your job and school and riding, I’m the only one left to listen to her grand schemes to expand the widow Dutton’s ride into a national event.”
“I’m here,” Toby said, elbowing his sister when he sat down beside her.
Lizzie elbowed him back. “Oh, like you listen to her. All she talks about is making the exact same ride to show the world how brave Henrietta Dutton was. Mom doesn’t even ask about school or how my chess match went.”
“How did your match go?” Jennifer asked, feeling guilty for not asking sooner.
“I won—as usual. Most boys only think they’re smarter.”
Her comment started another round of elbowing with Toby. Ryan moved to the floor to get away from his jousting siblings.
“Cut it out,” Jennifer said sternly. “I’m sure things will get back to normal after the Founder’s Day Festival. Making the past come alive is Mother’s dream. We need to support her.”
Jennifer opened her textbook and prayed that she was right, but she couldn’t quite silence the nagging doubts at the back of her mind. The kids needed a mother who was involved in their lives, not one so involved with the past that she couldn’t see the present. How did one tell their own parent that they were falling down on their job?
The Founder’s Day Festival was only three weeks away. Jennifer would hold her peace until then, but after her mother made her big ride, they were going to have a mother-daughter heart-to-heart.
On Monday afternoon, when Jennifer was done with her classes for the day, she made her way through the veterinary hospital wards and down the short hall to the front desk at the Large Animal Clinic.
Her mother’s behavior was still on her mind, but she wasn’t as worried as she had been the day before. The entire family had spent Sunday together in a normal, modern-day fashion. They had attended church together and spent the afternoon visiting friends of the family. By the end of the day Jennifer decided that she had been making mountains out of mole hills.
Stephanie, another student who worked part-time in the clinic, sighed with relief when Jennifer opened the office door. “Am I glad to see you.”
“Busy day?” Jennifer tucked her purse into the gray metal cabinet beside the desk and took a chair behind the glass partition that separated them from the client waiting area.
“Three emergency surgeries on cows, two bad lacerations on a pair of draft horses and a sonogram to check if a llama is pregnant. Nothing too weird. I just need to get going. I’ve got an anatomy test this afternoon and I really have to study.”
“Is there anything I need to know?”
“Dr. Wilkes just brought in a ton of stuff to be filed.” Stephanie transferred a large stack of papers to Jennifer’s side of the desk.
