Free Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Vogts Page A

financier and overseer of the Gil McCray Foundation had been made possible through his football career. Thankfully, he’d built sizeable investments during that time, and he hoped to continue the foundation in the years to come.
    He took the folders to his office and reviewed the possible donations — all victims of drunk drivers. About halfway through the pile, the afternoon sun beamed through the spacious windows and bounced rays of light against his desk. Distracted, his gaze settled on the football propped there, and his heart sank at the realization.
    He wasn’t going to play anymore.
    His football career was over.
    Too restless to work, Gil walked to the front desk and laid an envelope in front of the secretary.
    “Here’s a case I’m interested in. Have Jonathan investigate the report and see if it meets our specifications.”
    “And if it does?”
    “You know what to do.” Gil pulled his jacket on and straightened his knit collar. “What do you think? Do I look okay for my last appointment with the press?”
    The young woman offered a smile and pulled a red necktie from her bottom drawer. She held it out for him, but he declined.
    “You know better than that. Ties are reserved for game day.”
    Gil sauntered out of the office to the elevator, and only then did he allow his smile to fade. No more ties for him. No more game days. What would he do with his life now?

TWELVE
    “HEY, HE’S ON.” MATTIE’S NEW ASSISTANT COVERED THE MOUTH OF her cell phone.
    “Who’s on what?” Mattie glanced up from her prep work, unable to hide the disapproval from her face.
    “Dusty’s owner, that football guy. He’s on FOX-TV. Mom says they’re interviewing him about his retirement.”
    Retirement?
    Mattie waved an electric razor in the air, ready to shave a retriever’s belly for surgery. She had no time for nonsense. “Katy, we have another hour before we close.” Her tolerance for football celebrities had worn thin, as had her patience for the high school help she’d hired. Why would she be interested in anything to do with Gil McCray? Although it did surprise her that he hadn’t mentioned his retirement.
    “You’re going to have to tape it for us, Mom. I’ve gotta go.” Katy tucked her cell phone into her jeans pocket. “Sorry about that. She’s a sports fanatic.”
    “You’re excused this time, but from now on, no personal calls at work.” Mattie checked the dog’s heartbeat on the electrocardiogram and adjusted the level of anesthesia. She took a long swipe at the dog’s stomach with the razor and peeled away a strip of reddish-brown fur.
    Gil had been gone for over a week, but it seemed like he hadn’t even left. Mattie thought of him every time she looked at Dusty, which was a cruel joke, considering the last time she’d seen Gil, he’d blasted her for inappropriate care of her patients. To think the man practically begged her to give his horse an extra dose of love.
    Three more swipes with the razor, and she was ready. “If blood bothers you, step away. The last thing I need is for you to faint, because I won’t be able to help you once I open her up.”
    Katy straightened. “I’ll be okay.”
    Mattie sterilized the shaved area and checked the patient’s heartbeat once more. With her scalpel, she made a quick incision in the dog’s midsection. She glanced at the teenager, whose face had turned a shade of green.
    “Better get some fresh air before you wind up on the floor.”
    Not everyone had a stomach for surgery, which appeared to be the case with her new employee. An hour later the teenager left for a high school basketball game, and Mattie locked the clinic door behind the girl. She wished she had the girl’s energy, then maybe she wouldn’t feel so old and unappreciated.
    While waiting for her patient to come out of anesthesia, Mattie finished cleaning the surgical room and checked the animals in the back. A Siamese cat stretched his long body and brushed his soft fur against