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I nodded. “Paxton knows about it so I’m sure she’ll talk to Steed and they’ll handle it.”
Trevor slapped Tripp on the back. “In the meantime, looks like y’all got yourselves shared custody of one fine looking blue tick coonhound.”
Hemi barked and Trevor laughed. He pushed the dog into Tripp’s chest.
“Listen, I’d love to stand here all day and watch you two fight over this, but I got a branding to get down to. So do you, Harley.”
Tripp held up his hands. “I’m not taking this dog.”
“Tripp, look at how cute she is,” I pleaded.
“No! I work all day.”
“You can bring her to work.”
He looked at me like I was insane. “What the fuck? So can you! You have a damn vet clinic.”
I shook my head. “Until she has all her shots, it’s best if I don’t have her at the clinic.”
“What!”
Trevor started walking out the door they had come through. “Ah hell, this is the best thing ever.”
“Shut the fuck up, Trevor!”
After the door closed, Tripp cursed under his breath. “I’m so glad I set him up for tomorrow night.”
“Huh?”
He brushed off his comment. “Nothing. Listen, Harley, she’s cute and all.”
Handing Hemi back to me, he brushed off his shirt. “But I don’t want a dog.”
I held her up and pushed her into his face. “Twipp, Daddy… Pwease take care of me until momma can keep me? Pwease!”
His lip snarled. “Mallory is allergic to dogs.”
My smile faded, and I held Hemi close. Making my way down the hallway, I opened the door and stepped outside. Tripp followed me and was practically on top of me when I set her down.
“It’s only until I can get all her shots. I know who the breeder is, Hank Philips. I’ll see what shots he’s already given her and give him some money for her. After that, I’ll take her and you don’t have to be bothered with her. Heaven forbid we make Mallory suffer.”
He frowned, and I knew I had just acted like a bitch. “How long are we talking?”
“Well, it’s about every three to four weeks, and they get their last shots around sixteen weeks.”
He frowned. “How old is she?”
I shrugged. I wasn’t about to tell him I thought she was only eight weeks old. “I’ll have to ask Hank.”
“What kind of a vet are you? Shouldn’t you be able to guess how old she is?”
Anger pulsed through my veins. “Fuck you, Tripp. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of the dog your niece took, and I’ll figure out a way to deal with it. Wouldn’t want to put you or your girlfriend out.”
I picked Hemi up and left, walking backwards. “By the way, she’s about eight weeks old. Dick.”
“Harley, wait!”
I made my way around the house to get the portable crate I had in my trunk. It was only by luck I had the damn thing in there.
“Harley!”
“Just leave me alone, Tripp.”
“Let me talk to Steed and Paxton. They might be able to help.”
I stopped and faced him. “Paxton doesn’t want the dog. She already told me.”
He removed his cowboy hat and raked his fingers through his hair and said, “Shit.”
My stomach pulled. Which pissed me off even more. I was mad at him. Why was my body reacting like this?
“Like I said, don’t worry about. I’m a vet, I should be able to figure it out. Right?”
“Wait, Harley.”
Picking up my pace, I almost started running to my car. When I walked around the corner all the air was knocked out of me when I saw Mallory and her daughter. The little girl took off running and ran straight to Tripp.
I tried like hell not to let my emotions out as I forced a smile and walked by Mallory.
“Hi Mallory.”
She returned the gesture. “Hey there, Harley. You’re here for the branding?”
It wasn’t lost on me that she didn’t seem very happy.
“John likes to have a vet here during the process.”
She nodded. “Makes sense.”
Glancing at the puppy in my arms, she took a few steps back. She wasn’t just allergic to dogs; she was afraid of them.
“Whose puppy?”
I huffed. “I guess mine. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get her settled and down to the corral.”
“Oh yes, of course.”
Walking around her, I didn’t bother to look behind me. I already knew what was happening. Tripp was taking her in his arms and kissing her good morning, I was sure. I wanted to hurl. I wanted to scream. I wanted him to be kissing me good morning. Damnit, when would this pain lessen?
I set Hemi on the ground and opened my trunk. Pulling out the crate, I sighed in relief when I saw the samples of puppy food in a box. I was taking them to donate to the shelter and was so glad I hadn’t dropped them off yet. In the back seat was a blanket I could use to cover the crate in case I didn’t find shade.
