She straightened, resting a hand on the horse’s warm rump. Without looking at Stevie, she said, “I don’t push you about Angie. Don’t push me on this, Stevie.”

Stevie circled around to face her with her arms folded. “You like her, don’t you?”

“You know I do.”

“No, I mean you really like her.”

“Fuck off.”

Stevie recoiled, but Morgan didn’t care. She was tired of her friends’ repeated attempts to push her toward Emilia. She didn’t need pushing. She needed restraints, because falling for Emilia Russo had one possible outcome, and she’d only just recovered—barely—from the last time she’d had her heart broken.

Stevie didn’t speak to her as she finished up her exam. Morgan left her with the horse and strode up to the house to say hello to her father—and to put out the dumpster fire her idiotic best friend had started.

“Over here,” her father said when she entered the sunroom of her childhood home. He sat at the table surrounded by fly fishing lures, wires, and bits of feathers, string, and shiny beads. “Look at this.”

A life size dragonfly perched on wire legs on the table, spreading gossamer wings.

“That’s beautiful,” she told her beaming father.

“When’s your boss going to hire a relief vet so we can go fishing?”

“Not soon enough.” She collapsed into a chair.

“Want some tea?” her mother called from the kitchen.

“Sure, Ma.”

“Stevie there?”

“No.”

“Your mother says Ray’s daughter is in town. Is she selling that house?”

“Probably.” She explained Emilia’s situation as best she could.

“I’m glad you’ve found time to make a new friend,” her mother said as she set a mug of tea in front of Morgan and another by her husband. Morgan took note of the emphasis her mother put on the word friend.

“Stevie’s full of shit, Ma. She’s just a friend.”

“What did Stevie say?” asked her father.

“Nothing, Dad.”

“No one ever tells me anything,” he said to his dragonfly.

“Hush your whining. I tell you everything you need to know,” said Shannon.

“According to you.” He winked at Morgan.

“I told Morgan to invite Ray’s daughter here for dinner, and she got defensive.”

“Embarrassed of your folks?”

“No, Dad. I just don’t think overwhelming people is the best way to support them when they’re already dealing with a lot.”

“We’re not overwhelming; we’re hospitable,” said Shannon.

“Fine. I’ll ask her.”

“Bring the rest of your crew if you want.”

“And tell Lillian I need some new tomato starts,” her father said. “Damn groundhogs.”

“Sure.” She felt her mother’s worried eyes on her. “What, Ma?”

“You look tired, honey.”

“I’ve been on call.”

“Morgan.” Shannon put her hand on her shoulder. “Burning yourself out doesn’t prove anything to anyone.”

“I don’t have anything to prove.”