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rubbed her forehead, wondering how she managed to end up in these situations. He was a veterinarian. She should've known. It was what he'd always wanted....
          In a town the size of Digby, running into people she knew was unavoidable. Still, this had passed uncomfortable and was moving at warp-speed toward a major violation of cruel and unusual punishment.
          She shot Sue an accusing glare, but the woman's trembling chin and silent tears curbed Taylor's harsh words. Why hadn't Sue told her?
          "Not even a little tuna?" the woman pleaded.
          "Not even that."
          "Poor Precious."
          "Will be much healthier on this diet. Try it for a month, then we'll see how she's doing and discuss it again. Okay?"
          "Oh, all right."
          Gordon walked Mrs. Johnson to the door, then turned toward the reception desk. "All right, Tom," he said, taking a few steps before he froze to stare. His gaze traveled from Taylor, to the mayor, to Sue, then back to Taylor again. "Taylor?"
          "Gordon."
          "You two know each other, too?" the mayor asked, sounding disgustingly pleased with this turn of events.
          "Yes," they said simultaneously.
          "Well, this oughta make things a lot easier on all of us then." Bradshaw walked over to slap the vet on the back. "See, Gordon, the new clinic won't be finished for a few weeks, so we were–"
          "We?" Taylor asked, wanting to make certain Gordon knew she'd played no part in this torturous plan.  
          The mayor shot her an apologetic look. "All right, I wondered if you'd mind sharing your clinic with Dr. Bowen until then, because Smith won't cover her anywhere else."
          "Share...my clinic?" Gordon's eyes grew round and his face darkened. "With..."
          "Dr. Bowen." The mayor chuckled and shook his head. "My secretary told me this is a homecoming for the doc. I should've realized she'd have friends here already. Now isn't this going to work out great?"
          Gordon's gaze shifted from the mayor to Taylor again. He looked trapped. Angry.
          Desperate.
           I don't believe this.
          But they were adults now–all his lies, his false promises and his betrayal had taken place over ten years ago. She was mature enough to handle this. Besides, what choice did she have? If they were going to work together, they had to at least be civil to each other.
          "She says she's only staying for the term of the contract, but I'm hoping we can change her mind." Bradshaw chuckled and winked, oblivious to the tension in the air.
          "I see." Gordon folded his arms in front of him and looked away, making Taylor squirm inwardly.
          Undaunted, the mayor continued, "Dr. Bowen here was a little worried about this being clean enough, but–"
           "Clean enough?" Gordon snapped his head around to stare at her.
          "Uh-oh." Sue ducked her auburn head, reached for a stack of files and started to sort them.
          "Well, I didn't exactly say that," Taylor began, realizing too late this was a sensitive issue.
          "When was the last time you visited a real doctor's office, Doctor ?" He took another step–so close she could smell the faint hint of soap on his skin. Soap...and something else. Something more intimate.
          Gordon himself.
          "How long, Taylor?" he repeated.
          "Years." She sighed and shook her head. All her medical experience had taken place in a hospital environment. Until now.
          "I doubt most of them have operating rooms. Sterile operating rooms."  
          Taylor blinked but resisted the impulse to take a backward step. She hated to admit it, but he was absolutely right. "I apologize, Dr. Lane," she said slowly, lifting the corners of her mouth in a smug smile, knowing what she had to do. "You're right and I stand