Read Online Trick or Deadly Treat by Livia J. Washburn - Free Book Online Page A

what he meant by that. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I suppose, and I’d like to see Buck again in another week just to monitor him. There’s no charge for this today, since it was just a follow-up.”
    Phyllis and Sam left the exam room through the front door. Baxter went out the back, but he circled around and came up behind the counter in the waiting room.
    â€œGive Buck an appointment for next Monday or Tuesday, Holly,” he told the redhead.
    â€œOf course, Dr. Baxter,” she said as she swiveled her stool to look at her computer monitor and reached for the mouse.
    The glass front door of the clinic opened. The blond woman Phyllis had seen there before came in and said sharply, “One more thing, Hank.”
    Baxter looked angry, uncomfortable, and embarrassed, all at the same time. He said, “Good Lord, Susan, have you been sitting out there in your car all this time, stewing?”
    â€œNo. I started to go back to my office, but I decided I couldn’t let you get away with it so I turned around.”
    â€œGet away with what, for God’s sake?”
    â€œHer,” Susan Baxter said as she leveled a finger at Holly. “How dare you accuse me of anything when you have
her
right here in your office?”
    â€œWhat?” Baxter rested both hands on the counter and leaned forward. He seemed to have forgotten that Phyllis and Sam were there. “Are you insane? There’s nothing going on between Holly and me. She runs the office and helps out as an assistant. That’s all.”
    Holly looked like she wanted to crawl under the counter and hide, but she swallowed hard and said, “It really is, Mrs. Baxter. I mean, Dr. Baxter.”
    Susan gave her an unpleasant smirk and said, “Well, of course you’d say that. But I know the truth.”
    â€œNo, you really don’t—” Holly began.
    Baxter broke in with a bitter edge to his voice. “Don’t waste your breath. She only believes what she wants to believe.”
    Susan snorted and said, “That’s because I’m not a fool.”
    She turned, jerked the door open, and stalked out of the office, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind her.
    â€œWell,” Baxter said into that silence after a few heartbeats, “looks like I owe you another apology.”
    â€œNope,” Sam said. “None of our business. I’m sorry for your troubles, though.”
    Baxter shrugged and said, “These things happen, I guess. People can’t get along all the time, even when they’re married.”
    â€œEspecially when they’re married,” Phyllis said. “But I’m sure your wife didn’t really mean what she said.”
    â€œOh, she meant it. But she’s wrong. There’s nothing going on here that shouldn’t be.”
    â€œOf course not,” Holly said quickly. “In fact, I’m dating Tommy. We’re talking about getting married and going to veterinary school together.”
    â€œWhich I think is a great idea,” Baxter said, “although I’d hate to lose the two of you here at the clinic.” He forced a smile back onto his face and went on. “I’ll be out in the barn, Holly.”
    â€œAll right, Doctor.”
    Baxter went down the hall and out a rear door. Sam cleared his throat and said to Holly, “You were about to make us an appointment for next week.”
    â€œOh, of course, that’s right.” Holly checked her computer again and asked, “How about Monday at one o’clock?”
    â€œSounds good to me.” Sam looked at Phyllis as if asking her if that was all right with her.
    â€œYou know me,” she said. “My schedule is wide-open.”
    â€œAll right. I’ve got you down.” Holly picked up a pen and wrote the date and time on a card, which she slid across the counter to Phyllis. “I’m sorry you folks had to be subjected to that