Rooney gasped and lifted her hand to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. "No. God Pete, I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, me too. I thought now I’d retired and you were taking care of the practice for me, Julie and I could do things. Travel the world and spend time with the grandkids. All the things we’d planned to do and now…" his voice caught, "now I have to think about how to care for her."
"Pete, if there is anything I can do, just ask. You and Julie have been there for me always. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you guys." She reached over and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, feeling the tremors running through his body. "Did you want me to come over after surgery tonight? I can sit with her if you have anything you need to do. You only have to ask."
"I know you would, dear but there is something else. You know I was making noises about selling the practice? Well, I think it's time."
"But I don't have enough money saved yet, Pete. I have a good down payment but it will take me a while longer to get what you would expect for a vet practice this size. I doubt the bank will look at me for another year or so at least."
She gazed into his eyes and suddenly she knew. Her stomach lurched and the breath stalled in her throat. "You've already sold it, haven't you?"
"I have an offer but I haven't said yes to it yet. I'm sorry, Rooney, truly I am. But when this guy approached me I decided it was a deal too good to turn down and the way Julie is…well, the kids are trying to talk me into it. I know you wanted it but the money the prospective buyer is willing to pay is going to come in handy if we have to put her into care. I don't know if you would be able to match it."
Gathering all the strength she could muster, Rooney smiled and squeezed his hand while forcing down disappointment and the need to scream in frustration. "It's alright, Pete. You needed to do what's best for you and Julie. Between the two of you, I’ve had the best foster family I could wish for."
She ran her fingers over his brown speckled hand, taking note of the tremors running through his body. His pain was greater than hers would ever be and she understood his reasons for letting someone else buy what she needed. "You helped me through all my problems and pushed me into university to get my degree when I needed it. I don't begrudge you selling the practice to someone else. You have enough on your plate without having to worry about me."
"I hoped you would understand, Rooney. I've sung your praises to the new owner and I'm confident he will keep you on when he takes over next week."
"Let me worry about that. You look after yourself and Julie, that’s what’s important right now. I'll pop over and see her on the weekend then, okay?"
"She would love to see you, you know that." He stood and opened his arms wide. Rooney stepped into them, doing her best to keep her emotions under control.
"If you need me, I'm here, okay?"
"Thanks, Rooney you're a good girl."
Pete gave her a sad smile and opened the door. With a small wave of his hand, he walked away back to the reception room.
Rooney gripped the armrest of her chair and fell down into it. She dropped her head into her hands. Julie was the sweetest person she knew and to be knocked down with Alzheimers was a terrible blow. Her heart was breaking for them both. Pete and Julie had taken her in when she found herself with nowhere to live and helped her through so much. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them.
Not showing how gutted she was about not being able to buy the business would be one thing she could do. All during her uni days Pete had told her the business was hers when she could afford it. She had scrimped and saved her heart out to put money aside for that very reason. To own her own business was the dream that kept her going on the days when things got too much and the study, along with the wailing of her toddler, threatened to derail her.
Now it was gone. Everything she had worked so hard for was being ripped away, leaving her with a pounding heart and an empty ache. What was she going to tell Tam? Having a secure future for her baby was the one thing that kept her focused.
"Rooney, are you okay?" Tara leaned on the door, a frown on her forehead as she looked in. "Pete told me the news."
"Um, yeah, I'll be fine."
"But I know how much you had your heart set on this place. You've wanted it ever since I can remember."
"I know, but what’s happening to Julie is so much more important right now. Let's focus on what we can do to help them and I can worry about my career after we meet the new owner next week." Rooney thought of the spring bulbs she’d planted at the front door last week and wondered if she would be here to see them burst into bloom.
"Sure, but if you need me, I'm here. You know that."
"Thanks. Now, what time is our next appointment? I might try and grab a quick break if I have time."
"You do. Free time for around forty minutes, then the afternoon rush starts."
"Great. I'm going for a walk to clear
