Feels Like Home by Lisa Ireland Page B

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    Suddenly everything Jo thought she knew about their break-up was turned on its head. Maybe she’d been wrong all this time and Ryan’s betrayal wasn’t as inexplicable as she’d thought. She’d found herself driving into Ryan’s driveway before she’d had a chance to think about whether seeing him was a good idea or not. Sensible or otherwise, she had to know what had happened after she’d left Linden Gully.
    Ryan stood at the clinic’s entrance, his arms folded across his chest. Evidently he wasn’t thrilled to see her, but that was bad luck, because she wasn’t going anywhere until she had some answers.
    â€˜Hi Johanna. What can I do for you?’ The words were pleasant enough but they contained no warmth.
    No point in beating around the bush then. She sucked in a breath and got straight to the point of the visit. ‘We need to talk.’
    His gaze dropped. ‘Look, if it’s about yesterday, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have —’
    â€˜It’s not about yesterday. We probably should talk about that too at some point, but I have something else on my mind.’
    He looked up her, his brow wrinkled in concern. ‘Is everything okay?’
    She shrugged. ‘I guess so. I’ve been to see my mother at the home. She told me some things. Some disturbing things actually, about things she said to you after I’d left for New York.’
    â€˜Oh, Jo. It was such a long time ago. Can’t we just let it be?’
    She shook her head. ‘I need to know what happened, Ryan. Surely you don’t begrudge me that?’
    He sighed. ‘You’d better come in, then. I’ve got work to do. We can talk while I sort some things out in here.’
    She nodded and followed him through the glass sliding door into the small but immaculate clinic. Open timber shelves stocked with pet food and a few accessories lined one wall, a row of white moulded chairs sat against the other. A stack of timber pallets had been converted into a functional yet stylish reception desk. ‘Wow,’ she said. ‘This is pretty swish. Did you do it all yourself?’
    â€˜Bec sorted out the waiting area. I didn’t think I needed one, but she was insistent. Doesn’t get used that much to be honest.’
    Why was she relieved to hear that it was his sister-in-law and not his latest girlfriend playing interior decorator?
    Get a grip, Johanna.
    â€˜The patient’s out the back,’ Ryan said, indicating she should follow him. He opened a door that led to a small treatment room, a fully equipped surgical theatre and finally to the animal accommodation. Excited barks greeted them as they entered the kennel room. ‘Hey, girl, you’re looking better, aren’t you? Come and say hello to Johanna.’ He unlatched the enclosure gate and a gangly black labrador bounded towards her.
    â€˜Hello there gorgeous. You don’t look sick at all.’
    â€˜Not now she doesn’t, but a couple of days back she was on death’s door.’
    Jo bent down and scratched behind the lab’s velvety ear. ‘Really? What’s wrong with her?’
    â€˜She’s had parvo, poor thing. Hasn’t been immunised.’
    Jo shook her head, thinking that some people shouldn’t be allowed to have pets. ‘Who does she belong to?’
    Ryan shrugged. ‘She’s a stray. I doubt that she’s from anywhere around here. In fact I’ve named her Holly.’
    â€˜Holly?’
    â€˜Yeah, Holly the Christmas pup. Happens all the time. People get these cute pups as a Christmas gift but a few months down the track when the pup turns out to be bigger and more work than they bargained on…’
    Jo placed her hand on her heart. ‘You mean she was dumped?’ She knelt down and put her arms around the excited pup. ‘Oh who could do that to you, beautiful girl?’ She looked up to see Ryan grinning at