Chapter 15 - The New Beginning
The morning sun rose over Norfolk, painting the harbor in brilliant shades of gold and amber, burning away the last lingering mist of the storm.
The front door of my veterinary clinic chimed softly as it swung open, but this time, there was no tension, no fear, no black-clad contractors waiting outside, and no ghosts lurking in the shadows.
Instead, the waiting room was filled with familiar faces. The Marine veteran and his trembling Labrador sat comfortably in the corner; the Army medic was chatting quietly with Paula behind the reception desk while waiting for his spaniel's routine check-up.
I stood behind the examination table in my clean gray scrubs, wearing my stethoscope around my neck—not as a disguise, but as a badge of the life I had chosen, and the life I had reclaimed.
The door to the back prep room opened, and Ethan walked out wearing a simple canvas work shirt and jeans, carrying a fresh tray of surgical instruments. Beside him trotted Ghost, his dark eyes bright, his posture relaxed, carrying no burdens heavier than a tennis ball clamped firmly between his jaws.
Ethan walked over to the table, setting the tray down gently before leaning against the stainless steel beside me. He reached over, his hand brushing against mine, our fingers interlocking naturally.
"First patient is waiting in room two," Ethan said with a soft, teasing smile. "An aging German Shepherd with a sore paw. Think you're up for it, Dr. Cole?"
May you like
I looked up into his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun streaming through the front window, illuminating the clinic in a golden, peaceful glow.
"Always," I said, squeezing his hand. "Let's get to work."
