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“Hopefully, they can help him,” Darcy said.
“I thought you didn’t like dogs?” I asked her.
“I don’t. They stink, they’re noisy, and they poop everywhere,” she said, wrinkling up her nose.
“Sometimes you stink, you’realwaysnoisy, and you poop, too,” I compared her to him.
She rolled her eyes. “Very funny. The difference is I can clean up after myself.”
I turned to her and laughed. “Have you seen your room lately? It looks like it’s been in the middle of five consecutive tornados.”
She punched my arm, but the secretary came back before I could respond. “Dr. Huang will be with you shortly if you want to take him to Exam Room Two.”
Dr. Huang was delightful. She was friendly and very gentle with the dog. “I’m going to do a series of tests if you don’t mind waiting?”
I shook my head. “I’ll wait as long as it takes, thank you.”
We sat down in the waiting room. “If you need to go home, I can call you a cab. I’ll pay for it.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll stay here with you,” she said, eyeing me curiously.
“What?”
“I just never realized you could be so sweet,” she said.
“It comes out, sometimes. When it comes to hurting animals, especially dogs, something just goes off inside me. They’re helpless creatures and depend on us to keep them safe and healthy,” I explained.
I couldn’t get a read on Darcy’s expression. She was silent but kept staring at me.
“Why are you looking at me like that? You’re freaking me out,” I said.
“I just discovered a personality trait of yours that I actually like. I never thought it would happen,” Darcy said, smiling warmly.
“You seemed to like more than my personality on this trip,” I reminded her. “And while we’re on that topic, why the hot and cold treatment?”
“Don’t start having feelings for me, Thane. It doesn’t look good on you,” she warned.
Just then, Dr. Huang came out and waved us over. “It seems he has no internal injuries. He’s dehydrated, malnourished, and has some scrapes and bruises. We’ve got him on IV fluids, and we’re cleaning him up. Any idea what you’re going to do with him?”
“I’ll take him home whenever he’s ready. I’ve got lots of space and another dog at home to keep him company. He’ll be happy with me,” I told her.
She smiled wide and said, “I’m so glad to hear that. I’ve checked in the database, and it appears he is likely a stray. He’s likely been on the road for quite some time. He needs rest, nourishment, and lots of love and comfort. Think you can handle that?”
“Yes, of course. When can we take him home?” I asked, anxious to get home and relax after our long trip.
“In about half an hour. We just want to make sure he’s had enough fluids and then we can get him stitched up. I’d like to see him back here next week to make sure he’s gained some weight and to check on those cuts,” Dr. Huang recommended.
“Make me an appointment anytime, and I’ll be here,” I told her.
We were back home about an hour later. Shellene and Addison took care of the dog while Darcy and I unloaded the SUV.
I picked up the dog and was heading home when I noticed Darcy following me. She took my keys out of my hand and unlocked my front door so that I could bring the dog in. He was still sleeping from the mild sedative Dr. Huang had given him.
“Thanks. Will you stay with me for a while until I get him settled?” I asked her.
She shrugged. “Sure. I’ll stay for a bit.”
Darcy folded up one of my old blankets and placed it on the couch. I lay the dog on it, and Darcy sat beside him, one hand on his chest. I couldn’t help but stare at her. She was the hottest woman I had ever laid eyes on, but with her comforting this poor creature, she made my heart melt. And to think, admittedly, she wasn’t a dog person.
