Haylee's Homecoming (Quinn Valley Ranch Book 12) Read online

  Haylee's Homecoming

  Quinn Valley Ranch Book 12

  Kay P. Dawson

  Contents

  Thank You

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Also by Kay P. Dawson

  About the Author

  Thank You

  Thank you for purchasing Haylee’s Homecoming - I hope you enjoy the story!

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  Dedicated to all of my readers who’ve offered so much support. I couldn’t do this without you.

  Introduction

  This story was a lot of fun for me to write and featured a great deal taken from my own life. When you watch the family playing games, and the interaction between them, you are getting a glimpse into my own family get-togethers.

  In the beginning of the book, the Quinn family is playing a game called Crokinole. This game is one I grew up playing a great deal with my siblings and family - and the scene where a family member gets hit in the eye is one that has been taken from real life. Playing with my brothers could sometimes be dangerous if they were losing…

  If you’d like to know more about the game of Crokinole, you can go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crokinole

  I’ve also included a great deal about animal rescues - which is something else I find so important. I hope you will be able to feel the emotion of the characters as they deal with the animals they’ve saved.

  And of course, I’ve included Stanley, who is loosely based on dogs we’ve all known and loved :)

  I hope you enjoy Haylee’s Homecoming!

  Chapter One

  “Grams, I can’t believe you thought this was an emergency. How could you even tell if this cat was suffering from some kind of ailment? He barely acts like he’s alive even when he’s feeling good.”

  Joel stood back up from where he’d been leaning over to examine his grandma’s orange tomcat, Jasper. He shook his head as the cat stretched and opened his mouth in a wide yawn. “In fact, I’d say he’s quite bored with this entire situation. But he is still badly overweight, Grams. You need to cut back on how much you’re feeding him since it’s obvious he has no intentions of ever being active.”

  As he watched, Jasper reached his front paws out, while sticking his hind end in the air for one more stretch, then plopped back onto the steel exam table with a loud sigh. Within seconds, his eyes closed, and he was fast asleep.

  Looking across at his grandma, Joel crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow to emphasize his point.

  “Well, all I know is that he seems a bit depressed. He might be a bit lazy…” Grandma Gertie’s eyes widened when Joel interrupted with a laugh.

  “A bit lazy? There have been times I’ve wondered if he was actually in a coma while he slept through some of our family get-togethers at your house.”

  “Joel Quinn, be nice! Poor Jasper is just getting a bit old and tired now.” She reached out and stroked the sleeping cat.

  “Grams, he’s only five years old. That’s hardly old. The only time I see him show any kind of activity is when Stanley shows up and wants to play.” He chuckled as he thought about the times his large golden retriever would go bounding up to the sleeping cat, ready to play, only to be faced with Jasper reaching out and swatting him.

  No matter how much poor Stanley tried to coax the cat into playing a game of chase, Jasper would simply get up and jump up to a spot too high for Stanley to reach him. Of course, Joel was almost certain the cat always made sure he was just out of reach enough to torment the poor dog while he proceeded to sit and lick himself clean.

  Grandma Gertie swatted her hand in the air toward him and clucked her tongue. “You never mind, young man. I guess while we’re here, you may as well give him his yearly shots and save me the trip next week when he’s booked in.”

  Joel had built the Quinn Valley Paws-pital up shortly after graduating from veterinary school. He’d purchased a piece of land just on the outskirts of Quinn Valley and proceeded to work at making his dream a reality. All his life, he’d known he was going to be a vet. And since there hadn’t been a clinic in town before, meaning everyone had to make the drive to Riston for their animal’s care, he’d been able to quickly build up his own business when he moved back to town.

  Now, he had a couple of vet tech positions in the clinic and he was looking to hire another vet to keep up with the demand. One of the vet techs had recently left to continue her schooling to become a licensed veterinarian, so he was interviewing a few people for the position later today.

  “Well, I’m sure this emergency could have waited until next week when you were scheduled. So why do I get the feeling there’s some other reason you’re here today?”

  “I don’t know why you’re always so suspicious of my motives. Can’t a grandmother just want to see her grandchildren once in a while?”

  He laughed as he drew up the vaccine into the needle. “I was at your place for supper two nights ago. I’d hardly think you’ve had time to miss me yet.” Suddenly he realized exactly why she was here. Turning to face her, he held the needle away from himself as he leaned back against the counter. “You’re here because of the exciting news from Brooke yesterday and now you think it’s time to get to work on me.”

  His twin sister had called him late last night to let him know she’d just gotten engaged to her boyfriend, Jared. It was Valentine’s Day and instead of being out on a date himself, he was busy being auctioned off at a charity event. Of course, with the luck he had, no eligible single lady had won him. No, he’d been chosen by one of his favorite clients who frequented his office with her many pets. A sweet little woman, who he was sure had to be in her seventies.

  “I’m not here to get to work on anyone. For heaven’s sake, you make me sound like a meddling old biddy.” She scowled at him as he grinned in her direction. “But I was so excited to hear about Brooke, weren’t you? I mean, to think she’s going to be the next one to get married. It seems like this is the year for the Quinn grandchildren to find love.”

  Joel was quite aware of the fact that Brooke had managed to fall in love over the past few months. But it also seemed that ever since his cousin Roxie had ended up getting hitched to her old high school sweetheart Ciran, the rest of them were dropping like flies too.

  “Grams, I’m sure if the opportunity ever presents itself to me, I’ll take the plunge myself. But in case you hadn’t noticed, I haven’t exactly had much time to focus on my personal life.”

  “I just don’t want you to end up being alone, that’s all. A grandmother tends to worry about these things. I know how close you and Brooke have always been, so now that she’s got someone else in her life you might find yourself feeling a bit lonely.”

  He finally walked over to the sleeping tomcat, shaking his head in annoyance. “Grams, Brooke is getting married. It’s not like she’s moving to Antarctica and I’ll never see her again.” He pulled the skin up to give the injection, with Jasper not even f
linching. He’d never seen a cat so completely unconscious and uncaring that he was in a vet’s office in his life. “Besides, I’ve always got Stanley to keep me company.”

  He grinned widely at his grandma as she sighed so loudly, Jasper finally opened an eye to see what was happening.

  “Joel, having a dog can’t be compared to having the love of a good woman. Honestly, I think you spend too much time with that dog anyway. It isn’t healthy.”

  Joel lifted the overweight cat and set him inside his carrier. Jasper quickly plopped his head back down and continued sleeping.

  “Why? Stanley never argues. He never demands I take him out anywhere. I don’t need to buy him expensive gifts. He’s simply happy to be with me and do whatever I’m doing. I can’t believe there would ever be any woman out there who could offer me the same.”

  He held his laughter in, knowing how much it frustrated his grandma when he talked like this. And he knew she really did just want the best for him, and for all her grandchildren. But teasing to get a little rise out of her now and then never hurt.

  As they walked down the hall toward the front desk so she could pay, he put his arm around her shoulders, holding onto Jasper’s carrier with his other hand. “Besides, Grams, I do actually have a date next week.”

  He almost fell when his grandma stopped suddenly and spun to face him. “You do? Oh, that’s wonderful, Joel. Is it anyone I know?”

  “I think you do. It’s the winner from the charity auction I was in last evening. You know Miss Ida Rose, don’t you?”

  His grandmother’s mouth dropped open and she rolled her eyes before reaching out and grabbing her cat carrier from his hand. “Joel Quinn. You know full well that’s not a proper date. That woman is old enough to be your grandmother. Why on earth she’d be throwing her money away to go out with a man as young as you is beyond me.”

  Joel followed behind his irritated grandmother, catching up to her at the desk. “I’m just so charming, I think she likely got swept up in the excitement. There was quite a bidding frenzy. You said I need to be going out on dates more, so I thought you’d be happy, Grams.”

  Grandma Gertie wasn’t even listening to him now as she set the cat on the floor and dug into her purse for her wallet.

  Karen, his receptionist, was trying not to laugh as she brought up the bill on her computer.

  “I don’t know how you spend your days here with this boy, Karen. Honestly, he doesn’t take anything seriously.”

  Just then, Stanley came bounding out from behind the desk where he’d been sleeping and raced over to stick his nose into Jasper’s kennel. He was a fixture at the clinic and had taken it upon himself to be the “greeter” when anyone came through the door. When an animal was hurt, Stanley was the one who would sit beside them, offering his paw or if needed, he would even lie down next to them to keep them from being scared.

  “Stanley, leave poor Jasper alone. He’s been through enough today.” Grandma Gertie tried to sound stern even while she crouched down to give the big dog a scratch behind his ears. There wasn’t a person in the world who could resist his charm.

  When the bell above the door jingled to announce someone coming inside, Stanley almost knocked Grandma Gertie to the ground as he pushed past her, not wanting to miss the chance for someone else to give him some attention.

  Joel’s eyes followed the dog to the new arrival. His breath caught as he watched the beautiful woman with blonde hair poking out beneath her hat bend down and affectionately rub Stanley around the neck. She was telling him how gorgeous he was, something Joel was almost certain the silly dog was able to understand as he tried to lick her face. Stanley was usually much more reserved in his greetings at the clinic, knowing he wasn’t allowed to jump up or get too affectionate with strangers. But it seemed he’d forgotten his manners when it came to this woman.

  “Stanley, stop. Let the poor woman inside. She doesn’t need your slobber all over her face.” He reached out to pull on Stanley’s collar to bring him over to sit beside him.

  The woman stood back up, her bright blue eyes slamming into his. Joel’s mouth opened but he couldn’t even get a squeak out. He did his best to ignore the smirk on his grandmother’s face he could just make out from the corner of his eye.

  “It’s okay. I love dogs and he’s wonderful. Very welcoming.” Her laugh was a bit nervous as she pulled her mitts off and reached out so Stanley could come back over for a pet. Joel let go of his collar and Stanley went and sat right up beside her, leaning into her leg so she could scratch behind his ears.

  Joel never took his eyes off her as she was focused on petting Stanley. He desperately tried to think of something witty to say, instead of standing there like a fool.

  Thankfully, his grandma must have realized his predicament, so she stepped over and put her hand out toward the woman. “My name is Gertrude Quinn. I don’t believe I’ve seen you around town before, have I? Although now that I think of it, there is something familiar about you.”

  The younger woman shook her hand, still moving her other one on top of Stanley’s head. “No, I’m from Lewiston. I’m Haylee Evans. I’m actually here for a job interview for a vet tech position.”

  His grandma spun to face him with a mischievous grin. “Oh! Well then, you’ll be wanting to talk to Joel here. He’s the vet who owns the Paws-pital.”

  Joel knew he was going to have to pull himself together now if he ever hoped to appear professional. All eyes were on him. He had to play it cool.

  Sticking his hand out to shake hers, he cringed as the first words came out of his mouth, “I like dogs too.”

  Chapter Two

  “I really am sorry. I’m usually much better at making first impressions.”

  Haylee smiled over at the man who was rolling his eyes in frustration with himself.

  “I was just caught a bit off guard.” His cheeks were red, and he moved his gaze down to the resume he was holding in his hands. After his announcement that he liked dogs too, he’d quickly added a proper introduction before leading her into the back for her interview.

  Now, they were sitting in a large office that looked like everyone who worked there shared. There were a couple of long tables with computers on them and several bookcases scattered around. This was obviously Joel’s desk because there was a big dog bed next to it where Stanley was now stretched out snoring loudly.

  “Sorry, I know I’m a bit ahead of schedule, but we came into town early to look around for apartments we could maybe rent if we end up staying. There aren’t many to choose from around here, though, so it didn’t take as long as I’d thought.”

  Joel lifted his head and looked back at her. “You and your husband?”

  She was confused for a second, until she realized she’d said “we.” “No, my sister and me. She’s thirteen and lives with me. She’s waiting out in the car.”

  She knew Joel probably wanted to ask more about it, but he seemed to sense it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about and simply nodded before looking back at her resume.

  Her sister Claire had just recently come to live with her, and it wasn’t a story she was willing to talk about to just everyone. But she knew if she did get the job, she’d have to explain things a bit more to Joel. There weren’t many twenty-eight-year-old women who had a thirteen-year-old sister living with them, so she knew people often had questions.

  “So, you just finished your training last month?” When he looked over at her, her heart did a little flutter at the dimple she noticed when he smiled. His eyes were a deep brown and seemed to look right into her. She had to give her head a little shake to remind herself she was here to get a job from this guy—not sit here drooling over how gorgeous he was.

  She was trying to act like a professional, but it was hard not to end up giggling like a high school girl who was finally being noticed by the popular jock.

  “Yes, I was a bit late getting started with my career. I had to pay for it myself and work a lot of jobs afte
r graduation to save the money to go back to school. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It just took me a bit longer than some people to get it finished.”

  She tried to keep the defensiveness from her voice. The last job interview she’d had, hadn’t gone well when the man asked why it had taken her so long to complete her training. She’d tried to explain that she’d had to work full-time so could only do her training part-time. But for some reason, he’d seemed to think that was just an excuse and not a legitimate reason to have taken an extra two years to finish her schooling. Of course, he’d been an older vet who probably couldn’t understand the fact that a woman had to work and pay for her own school. She hoped Joel would be more understanding.

  “Well, that’s admirable. It shows determination and strength to be able to keep going and finish it.”

  She quietly let the breath go she’d been holding as he smiled reassuringly at her. Then, he tipped his head slightly and pulled his eyebrows together. “You know, you really do look familiar now that I’ve had a chance to talk to you. Have you been to Quinn Valley before?”

  She’d known she would eventually have to admit it but had hoped she’d actually have the job first. Oh well, if he was going to hold her past against her, then this job wasn’t the one for her.

  “I spent my senior year of high school here. I actually was sort of friends with your sister Robyn while I lived here. You had already moved to the city to go to college, but I was over at your house a couple of times when you were home visiting.” She didn’t need to give more details than that. She’d always thought he was cute but since she’d only really seen him two times in the year she’d been here, she’d quickly forgotten about him. She just hoped Robyn hadn’t ever really talked much to him about why she’d moved to town or anything else about her.