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Hunter looked at Jo and froze. She was staring at him, intently. In the depths of her silver gaze he saw something that made him ache. What was going on inside that head of hers?
“Josie?” Carl repeated, making Jo jump and reminding Hunter he had a job to do.
“No, I didn’t.” Her hand rested on her father’s shoulder. “You’ve told me a dozen times she’s on a special diet.”
Carl patted his daughter’s hand.
Hunter focused on the dog. “Could she have gotten into something?”
“S
he gets into everything,” Carl admitted.
“I’ve had to chase her out of my suitcase every morning.” Jo smiled.
“She eat something bad? Josie, you have perfume or something that could make her sick?”
“No, Dad. Besides, if she’d drunk my perfume, she’d smell better.” Jo’s voice was teasing.
“That’s not funny, Joselyn Marie.”
Like hell it isn’t. Hunter winked at Jo.
He saw the splash of color on her cheeks, the way she blinked and looked at her father. “Sorry, Dad.” She bent, pressing a kiss to Carl’s temple.
“I don’t think we need to get too worried just yet,” Hunter said as Sprinkles stood up. Her little stomach tensed and she vomited a glob of clear gelatinous fluid onto the metal exam table.
“Sprinkles,” Carl groaned.
“Jo?” Hunter used a long exam swab to poke the goop. “You use any sort of face cream?”
“Yes. Anti-wrinkle gel.”
Hunter stood back and grinned. “I’d check the container when you get home. Bet it’s gone.”
Carl glared up at Jo.
“Dad.” Josie shook her head. “It was on the vanity counter, out of her reach.”
“Sprinkles has always been a good jumper, if I remember,” Hunter said. Sprinkles had belonged to old Mrs. Henry for three years before she’d decided a cat was less work for her. Hunter had offered to help find the dog a home. Carl and Sprinkles had taken one look at each other and clicked.
Carl nodded. “Guess I need to put on some of those baby locks to keep her out of things.”
Sprinkles vomited again, shaking.
Hunter watched. “Might be best if we keep her here—”
“Nope.” Carl shook his head. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
Hunter glanced at Jo, who shrugged at him. “Dad—”
“No.” Carl wasn’t taking no for an answer. “She’ll be happier at home. We can keep her in her kennel.”
“You need to keep her hydrated,” Hunter said.
“Anything else?” Carl asked.
“Don’t feed her.” Hunter glanced between the two of them. He couldn’t help it if his attention lingered on Jo. “Not today, anyway. We’ll see how she is tomorrow.”
