Nell currently sprawled across the bed with all four legs in the air. She snapped a photo and sent it to Morgan.

MD: Your dog expired. Did you buy the warranty?

ER: I was hoping you could fix her.

MD: Wait, she’s not spayed?

Emilia snorted at the lame joke and wriggled into a pair of jeans.

ER: That was a Stevie-level joke.

MD: Ouch. I’ll tell her you said that.

ER: You wouldn’t.

The next message contained a picture of Stevie’s devastated face behind the wheel of the truck. Kraken loomed in the background with his head out the truck window. Emilia kissed Nell on the snout and tapped one of the limp paws.

“Come on, slug-a-bed. We’re going to see your new friends.”

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Lillian ushered her into the greenhouse, still dressed in slacks and a blouse that wore its own coat of pet hair.

“I’ve got a few flats left over. You can see if the kale lasts in the heat, and it’s a bit late for peppers, but I’ve got chard, beets, and actually these tomatoes and peppers might do it. I forgot I potted them up. And cucumbers. Ooh, and this summer butterhead lettuce is pretty heat tolerant.”

“How do you have time for all this?” Emilia asked.

“Not sure I really do, but I make it work.” Lillian pressed her finger into the soil at the base of a small tree with fat, glossy leaves. “I bring some of it in for my patients. And, of course, Circe.” The tortoise poked her head up from behind a row of carefully stacked planters.

“Is she the only exotic you have?”

“At the moment. I almost took in an African Grey parrot last year, but a better option came along for him. I’m glad, honestly. Circe does okay when I travel, and the dogs come with me, but birds are tricky.”

“How often do you travel?” Emilia sneaked a glance out the greenhouse window to the driveway. Still no sign of Morgan.

“Hah.” Lillian put a few seedlings in an empty tray. “Usually whenever I can to see Brian, but since he’s in South America and couldn’t be bothered to come see me before he left. . . .” She took a steadying breath and smiled. “Sorry. You don’t need to hear that.”

“I don’t mind at all. Long distance is hard.”

“You can say that again.” Lillian brushed her hand over an herb planter with an expression of muted frustration. “Want any herbs?”

Emilia breathed in the fragrances that stirred in the wake of Lillian’s hand: thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender. “Just annuals for now, I think.”

“Right.” Lillian’s dark eyes focused on her face. “I keep forgetting you’re here for only a little while.”

“Me too.” Doubt crept into her voice. I can’t afford any more doubt, she thought as she met Lillian’s gaze.