Brought to Light: Moon Harbor Series, #6

By Kate McWilliams

He can't turn away from the girl next door . . .

 

Hannah Wilson's dream of owning a veterinary clinic is finally coming true. But after taking over the Moon Harbor Animal Hospital, the move has been plagued with challenges, the least of which is her lack of coordination. When she finds herself at the mercy of her nosy new landlord and their seriously hot neighbor, she learns to accept help—even if she hates it.

 

Sawyer Banks does not need to be roped into his new neighbor's problems. Even if she is the sweet and spicy girl-next-door of his dreams. He has a bar to run and a business of his own to get off the ground, meaning, no time for distractions…even doe-eyed beauties with Bambi-legs to match.

 

But when trouble comes to the Animal Hospital, Sawyer finds his protective—and possessive—instincts take over in full force. Unable to turn away from the new girl in town, he finds them both drawn into a much more sinister situation than either of them could imagine.

 

Now they must work together to save the business and each other . . . before it's too late.

***
Brought To Light is a neighbors-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance with elements of mystery and suspense. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate McWilliams
• Release date: Mar 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224831036

Book preview

one

HANNAH

Who was I to question fate?

A non-believer, that’s who. A fate-hater who was, at the moment, flat on her back in a spread-eagle formation, bruises forming on a flat behind and nothing to show for the trouble. 

I hadn’t always been so cynical. I ended up in this charming little town because I had, at one point, thought the fates collided and provided me with the most incredible opportunity of my career. I’d been looking for a position on the coast. Somewhere I could settle in and watch the sun rise over the water. Somewhere I could learn to trust myself again.

And the retirement of Moon Harbor’s only veterinarian, Dr. Gerald Bruske, just perfectly coincided with my fateful search. I stayed up all night working on a proposal and submitted it first thing in the morning. Dr. Bruske had called me the very next day to offer me the practice.

When I searched for homes to rent in Moon Harbor, I was delighted to see the most perfect little cottage available for move-in by the first of the month. It was just south of the main part of town and sat on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The dreamer in me was ecstatic and I called the real estate agent and immediately put in my application. It only took two days to hear back that I had gotten it.

For the first time in my life, everything had fallen into place in the most perfect fashion. But that should have been my first clue. Because three weeks later, I was laying on the dusty floor of my new practice, feeling more defeated than I have since…no. I will not think about that. Not now, at any rate.

I eyed the offending ladder I’d just fallen off of and gave it the death-glare. It continued leaning against the wall in a precariously tilted way, mocking me:

I’m still standing, bitch. Unlike you.

Sighing at my imagination, I gingerly moved each limb to assess the damage. The back of my head felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it. But nothing else felt broken or sprained. Just sore. 

I sat up, inch by slow inch, so as to not anger my already bruised muscles and ego. Each movement caused the ache in my head to compound. By the time I was fully upright, the setting sun was peeking through the window of the front of the building, shining an orange glow across the wooden floor, illuminating every dent and scratch. I made a mental note to add floor-buffing to my never-ending list of things to do before opening.

How long had I been laying there? I needed to get home. So much still needed to get done if I was going to open on time, but I wasn’t doing anything here in this condition, and tomorrow was another day.

Moving slower than a three toed sloth, I rose up on my feet and made my way to the check-in counter, where I’d placed my purse and keys. And my phone, which, if I’d needed to call for an ambulance, had done me no good in that location. I made a mental note to wear pants with pockets so I could keep it on me from now on. Or get an Apple Watch. Or Life Alert.

Closing and locking the door behind me, I stepped down off the tiny stoop and eased my way across the uneven cobblestone sidewalk. What was charming and quaint only a few hours ago, now seemed like a minefield. I turned right and spotted the small ribbon of shadowed blue water visible above the promenade wall. On any other day I would have admired the beauty, but at this moment, I was just grateful the sun was setting behind me so it wasn’t in my eyes. 

Everything hurt and my head was starting to spin. No way could I drive in this condition. Deciding to leave my little blue Mini Cooper in its parking spot on the street in front of the practice, I set off for my destination.

I only needed to walk one block to the bench I knew existed on the corner. I could call an Uber and sit there to wait. My new office took up the entire lower level of an old townhouse a block from Harbor Street, the main drag of town. Dr. Bruske owned the building and didn’t seem to have any intentions to sell it. The upper two floors held an apartment that he rented out to a couple of the fishermen here in town. The stairs to their entrance was around the back of the building and I had yet to see the men, despite hearing their stomping boots from time to time.

I didn’t mind paying rent for the space in order to keep the practice in the same location. I told Dr. Bruske as much when we worked out the details of my proposal to buy his practice. But it was my fault for not insisting on seeing the facilities before I signed the year-long lease. I’d wrongly assumed that since it was a working vet’s office, it would be in fairly good shape, if not ideal shape, seeing as how the vet owned the building and all. 

But I was oh-so wrong. 

Which was how I’d found myself doing DIY fix-it projects despite having approximately zero knowledge on how to fix anything. Not a house, not my life. I couldn’t even fix my relationship. But there was no use worrying about that now.

My head pounded a steady rhythm as I got closer to the corner. The mental image of me, the new girl in town, hunched over like Quasimodo and walking at a snail’s pace, did not escape my attention. But I was too sore to care.

Almost there.

The longer I stood upright, the dizzier I became and now that I think about it, my stomach wasn’t feeling so well…

As if the day couldn’t get any worse, a rush of nausea came crashing over me. It was at that point that I decided making it to the bench was not as necessary as preventing myself from throwing up all over the stoop of my new neighbor’s home. I dropped down to my knees, the action sending new aches and pains throughout my legs. I put my head down, almost touching the cobblestones. The slight ease of the nausea was accompanied by an intense increase in head pain. Shit.

I was stuck, collapsed in a haphazard version of child’s pose—a favorite part of my yoga class—on the middle of the sidewalk in the town I had just moved to, without knowing a single other person.

The pain and nausea was enough that it hardly mattered. I heard moaning and realized, belatedly, it was coming from me. And when I realized I could hear footsteps approaching, also belatedly, I didn’t even have it in me to be embarrassed. That would come later.

Are you alright? a concerned feminine voice asked.

I tried to answer, really, I did. But all that came out was a jumble of nonsense and a moan crossed with what could only be described as some sort of honking sound.

Should I call an ambulance? I didn’t bother responding that time, but it was no matter because apparently the question wasn’t for me. Another woman answered.

Yeah, and text Theo just in case.

I didn’t know who Theo was, or why he needed to be texted, but I didn’t have the energy to wonder. I felt a hand come to gently touch my back. 

Hi there. My name is Alex. What’s yours?

Ha…Hannah. Speaking was harder than normal. That wasn’t good.

Hi, Hannah. We’re getting help for you. Are you able to sit up?

Not sure, I mumbled. 

What happened? Did someone hurt you?

No. Fell. Hit head. Now nauseated.

Oh no. You probably have a concussion. I’m not a doctor or anything, but I know the signs. I think half of our friends have had bad ones at this point. It’s actually kind of a joke in our group. After a pause, she removed her hand, but I heard her adjust to sit next to me on the cobblestones. Sorry, I guess it’s not so funny. Just stay there, the paramedics will be here in a minute.

I knew she was right. As a veterinarian, I didn’t diagnose as many concussions in my patients as a medical doctor does, but I knew the symptoms in all mammals. And this was looking like a rough one. 

I didn’t hear sirens, but a loud vehicle approached and Alex spoke in a soft tone.

They’re here, Hannah. They’ll take care of you.

Two hours, and two vomiting sessions later, I’d been given a room in the Emergency Department of Moon Harbor County Hospital. After a CT scan and an IV hookup to rehydrate me, I settled in to wait for the doctor to come back with the results.

You doing okay? 

I looked over at Alex, who had kindly waited with me this whole time. I meant to give her a look of gratitude but it must have looked pained because she cringed.

I’m sorry, what a stupid question.

No, not at all. I’m feeling a little better. She cocked her head and lifted her lips up in a smirk. I laughed, which sent a shot of pain through my skull. Okay, I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck, but I’ll be fine. I feel badly that you’ve wasted your evening here.

Oh don’t feel bad at all. Alex patted my hand and gave me a genuinely warm smile. I couldn’t leave you to be all alone in a hospital with a head injury. Plus, I know what it’s like to be new in town. Sara took me under her wing immediately, and now I’ve done the same with you. Consider yourself adopted. She grinned wider and I felt myself doing the same.

I’ve never been great at making friends. Too busy studying and working, I guess.

You’re a veterinarian, right? I must have given her a confused look, because she followed it up immediately. You’ll get used to this town knowing everything about everyone.

I laughed again, this time delighted. I think I like the sound of that. Maybe. I don’t know, I’ve always lived in larger cities, and small town life seemed so charming in the books I read.

Oh it is charming, for sure. It comes with its drawbacks, like anything else. But I think you’ll really love it here.

 I hope so. I mean, aside from this, I waved my hands around, indicating the hospital visit, I’m happy so far. It’s only been a week, so I still have so much settling in to do. I don’t even have all my stuff yet. The moving company was delayed.

Oh god, that’s awful. When are they coming?

They promised me by the end of the week.

Perfect, you can let me know when they arrive and I’ll bring reinforcements over to help you unpack.

She said it with a smile of finality. She was going to help me, and that was that. I felt a tear prick my eye and willed myself to not become a blubbering mess in front of this stranger, who has now become my first friend in Moon Harbor. But like any good friend, Alex noticed immediately, grabbing a tissue from the box on the counter and handing it to me with another warm smile.

You’re adopted now, remember?

A knock on the open door prevented me from getting more emotional, and we both looked up to see Dr. Espinosa walk into the room, his bald head reflecting the overhead light.

Alright, Hannah. We’ve got some good news. He looked down at the chart in his hands. You don’t have a cranial fracture or any bleeding.

I felt a sigh escape my lungs.

That’s wonderful news! Alex said, practically bouncing in the seat next to me.

But, the doctor continued, you do have quite a significant grade two concussion. You’re in for a bit of recovery.

So what, resting?

He nodded, mouth dropping open. Yeah. For starters.

I mean, I can take a couple of days off, but I have to get the practice ready. It’s in shambles and I’m supposed to open next week.

Yeah well, you won’t be doing that.

What?

Hannah, I don’t need to tell you how important it is to take your recovery seriously. It could have long-term impact. Traumatic brain injuries are no joke.

How is this happening? I grumbled, feeling sick to my stomach again. I could afford to put the opening off financially—barely—but the furry residents of Moon Harbor have been without a vet for almost a month now. I really didn’t want to push it off any further.

Now, Hannah, I’m sure we can work something out, Alex said, her voice adopting a soothing quality that might have helped calm me down on any other day. She looked at Dr. Espinosa. What exactly is the protocol here?

Complete rest during the acute stage. Two days, at least. That means stay in bed. Don’t get up at all if you don’t have to. I’d like you to get three days of rest, but see how you feel after two. At that point, you can start slowly returning to gentle activity. Showers, light cooking, short walks. Nothing more strenuous than that. No screens or loud music for the first two days either, but they’ll likely make you sick if you even try.

Ugh. This was getting worse with each passing second. Fate was kicking me in the butt again. This is all a bit much. I have a lot on my to-do list this week.

She has movers coming in a few days, Alex said. 

Well, they can drop things off, but Hannah won’t be unpacking for a while.

How about we see how I feel by then?

The doctor rolled his eyes in a way I could only describe as fatherly annoyance. No strenuous activity. It’ll take a week or two before you can work up to anything more than what I’ve already stated.

This is the worst time for all this.

Is there ever a good time for a TBI?

Oh, so Dr. Espinosa was a smart ass? I supposed I admired that about him. Touché.

Now, onto immediate directions. I’m happy enough with your scan that I won’t admit you, he said as I audibly sighed in relief. As long as you have someone who can look after you.

Dammit.

She lives alone, Alex whispered as if it were a dirty secret. I would have laughed if I could without causing a hundred invisible hammers to attack my head.

Well, can you look in on her? I really don’t recommend anyone being left alone for the first forty-eight hours.

No, I answered for her. Alex has already given up her evening to sit here with me. And we literally just met.

He raised his eyebrows. Really? ‘Cause you guys seem like best friends.

See, I told you, Alex said with a satisfied smile.

Regardless, I can’t impose any more than I already have.

You can. I don’t mind at all.

"You really need to be resting the entire time. You might think you’re okay to get up and grab some water from