There was a nasty smile on the woman’s face. “A lot of fitting in is about good sense. You should take your time. Concentrate on your business. I’m sure a clinic like this operates on the goodwill of the people. You need to ingratiate yourself with influential members of the community. I heard you had a little trouble yesterday.”

“Yes, apparently the doctor I bought the clinic from didn’t bother to inform the general population that it was happening,” she explained.

“She’ll settle in,” Mabel replied.

Miranda glanced around the clinic as though sizing it up for sale. “I could, of course, help you out. I could let people know that I think you’re a good fit here if I thought you were hardworking and willing to be an asset to the community.”

“I would appreciate that.” She would take all the help she could get.

“I talk to a lot of people and I’ll make sure they know it’s safe to come here. Doc was a pillar of the community,” Miranda continued.

“If a pillar can be held up with Scotch and laziness, then yes he was,” Mabel shot back. She quickly looked to Lila. “Not that I didn’t love that old man. I’m a very tolerant person.”

They had two different definitions of that word, but she was quickly coming to realize that happened a lot here. And Miranda wasn’t offering to help her out of the kindness of her heart. “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to want something in return?”

Miranda seemed to consider how to proceed. Or she knew how to draw out a moment for maximum drama. “I’m offering to help you so everything goes smoothly during your transition. I think you should understand that there are certain relationships already in place.”

“I would assume so.” She was definitely missing something.

“Then there are relationships that are only in one part of the couple’s head.” Mabel had a hand on her hip, staring down Miranda.

Were those two in some kind of fight?

“Oh, it’s real and it’s happening, Mabel. You should stay out of this,” Miranda replied before turning back to Lila. “Look, it’s obvious I’m going to have to be up-front with you. I would like to handle this like ladies. I’m in a relationship with the sheriff and I didn’t take kindly to you inviting him to stay at your place last night.”

Whoa. Mabel and Miranda weren’t in the fight. She was. How had she managed to get into a fight with some woman she’d never met before? “I didn’t invite him. I called 911 and he showed up.”