“Okay,” she agreed. “You are persuasive, Dr. K.”
“That’s what they say, Whippet Legs. That’s what they say.” He stood and reached for her hand. “But only because I want my kids to be happy, I assure you.”
“I hope they know how lucky they are, then.”
* * *
The tour of Waterford Farm felt endless, but that might be because Jessie was anxious to see Garrett Kilcannon again, not because the canine training facility wasn’t impressive.
But as the small group of six students and a trainer named Allison approached the last yellow clapboard building on the property, Jessie saw the sign for Kilcannon Veterinarian. Instantly, she forgot about one Kilcannon, excited to see another.
Would Molly recognize her? Would the connection still be there? They’d essentially been young girls, only sixteen, the last time they’d hugged, making teary promises to write weekly and call monthly. But they’d lost touch almost immediately after Jessie moved away. But email wasn’t the force then that it is now, and there was no texting or social media. After a few clumsy attempts at handwritten letters and a few missed calls, Jessie let their friendship fizzle. It hurt too much to think of what she was missing down here once she’d been moved to Minnesota.#p#分页标题#e#
Jessie had thought about contacting Molly over the years, but so much time had passed. But that seemed silly now. They’d gone through their formative years together, and Molly had been by her side as Jessie wept with misery when she’d had to move to Minnesota. Her world had been upended, and one of her biggest losses had been Molly.
Just then, the door of the vet practice opened, and a woman walked out into the sunshine to greet the crowd. Jessie inhaled softly as she realized she was looking at Molly Kilcannon.
She’d grown into a beautiful woman, and the spark, smile, and sass that made Molly one special person had not changed. And she had become a mirror image of Annie Kilcannon, with the same wide hazel eyes, the same thick chocolate curls with streaks of caramel and gold, the same intelligent brow and well-defined chin.
“Welcome, Waterford students,” she said to the small group, a wide smile in place as she stayed a foot higher on the doorstep. “I’m Doctor Molly, and I’m the…” Her voice stuttered as her gaze moved over Jessie, then back again. “I’m the veterinarian for—” She stopped and stared at Jessie, making a few people turn to look, but Jessie gave a reassuring smile. Molly tried again. “I’m the veterinarian for Waterford Farm.”
The last two words faded into a whisper as Molly blinked at Jessie, who lifted her hand and flicked two fingers, the way they’d always communicated across a classroom.
“Oh my God!” Molly put her hand to her mouth, her eyes filling.
“Hey, Molls.”
“Jessie!” The small group seemed to part to either side when Molly jumped out of the door and launched at Jessie with a huge hug. “Jessie Curtis! I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe you recognize me,” Jessie replied with a laugh and a tighter squeeze of pure joy.
Around them, the crowd chuckled and mumbled, everyone watching the reunion , but Jessie certainly didn’t care, and from the second, third, and fourth hug she got, it was clear Molly wasn’t worried about propriety.
Finally, they pulled away, still holding each other’s hands. “Sorry, folks,” Molly said on a laugh. “This is a long-lost best friend, and I am blown the heck away right now. What are you doing here?”
“Long story,” she said. “Too long for this many people to hear.”
Molly slipped her arm around Jessie’s waist and turned to the group. “Go on inside, everyone. Allison will get the vet facilities tour started, but I’m…” She tightened her squeeze. “Going to catch up with my friend.”
They followed the tour guide into the office, joking about the unexpected reunion .
Molly whirled Jessie a few steps away from the group. “You look fantastic!”
“So do you.” Jessie reached to fluff one of Molly’s waves that she’d fought so hard to straighten her whole life. “You’ve embraced the curl. And you’re a vet. And this place.” She gestured toward the rest of the sprawling facility. “It’s changed, but somehow still the same.”
“It’s awesome,” Molly assured her. “And why didn’t you tell me you were coming here? What are you doing now? Why do you keep your FriendGroup profile private?”
“You tried to get in touch with me?”