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CHAPTER1
Summer
A tickleon my wrist pulled me from a sound sleep. Instead of fully waking to find its source, I shook my hand then tucked it under the pillow. Thanks to my room–darkening shades, I have no idea what time it is and really don’t care. The sun wasn’t out when I got dropped off but the birds were chirping, so dawn wasn’t too far off. I’m not sure if I’ve been asleep for five minutes or five hours, but for the first time in forever, I don’t have anywhere to be on a Saturday morning and can sleep as late as I want. At that thought, I willed myself back to sleep before my inevitable hangover fully registered.
I hadn’t even hit a REM cycle when it happened again. Convinced some kind of killer insect was trying to feast on my blood, I opened my eyes to the dark room. Well, dark except for the light thrown from my Apple watch as it buzzed with a phone call. I blinked until the letters on the screen came into focus.
“Shit!”
I have no idea where I left my phone last night so I answered on my watch. Or at least I tried to. The call connected, but my voice didn’t fully cooperate so myhellocame out as more of a hoarse garble. But Dr. Madden’s voice came through loud and clear.
“I wouldn’t bother you on your day off, but I’m on my way to the Doyle ranch. They have two horses foaling and the poor girls are having a hard time.”
I held in the groan that wanted to escape as his words sunk in, but before I could speak, he continued.
“We’re fully booked through two o’clock. I was hoping you’re not totally out of commission and could head into the clinic so we don’t have to reschedule.”
It’s been a long time since I had a full day off and even longer since I cut loose like I did last night. But I took an oath as a veterinarian, and too many Margaritas is no reason to renege on that.
“Okay.” My head spun as I shifted to sit, then settled into a dull throb as I rested against the headboard. “I’ll take a quick shower and go in.”
“You’re the best.”
When the call disconnected, I closed my eyes and finally let out that groan. I heard a similar sound next to me.
“Sorry baby. I have to go to work.”
I slid out of bed and held onto the mattress to steady myself before heading to the bathroom, my head pounding with every step. Reaching into the shower, I turned the handle and winced at the sudden sound of the water streaming from the showerhead.
“It’s gonna be a long day,” I muttered as I stripped off the tank top and shorts I’d put on inside-out last night. Or rather, earlier this morning.
The bathroom was all steamy by the time I talked myself into getting off the toilet. It’s amazing how comfortable the porcelain throne is after a night of drinking.
On shaky legs, I stepped into the shower and moaned as the hot water pounded against my back. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back, letting the stream wash over my face and hair. I have no idea how long I stood there before I started to feel semi-human.
I reached for the soap and rubbed it between my palms until my hands were covered in lather. The smell of lemongrass mingled with the steam and I inhaled deeply as I washed last night off my body. I’ve never given less than one hundred percent at work and I don’t plan to today. After giving my hair a quick wash and rinse, I turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and stepped out of the shower.
“Okay lazy bones. Time to get up,” I said as I dried off.
With her eyes closed, my dog Thea stretched then settled back into her original position on the bed. She opened one lazy eye as I patted her behind on my way to the closet.
“Come on. We have to go to the clinic. Dr. Madden had an emergency.”
I got dressed and twisted my towel-dried hair into a bun.
Thea yawned and slowly rolled onto her stomach, looking less than happy about being awake.
“I know we were supposed to have the day off, but things happen, so let’s go.”
She slowly got out of bed and followed me downstairs. Figuring she could eat at the clinic, I grabbed a protein bar and a bottle of water for myself and we headed out. She bounded off the porch and started sniffing around the yard.
I leaned against the passenger-side door and ate my makeshift breakfast while she found the perfect spot to do her business, which took forever. And it was only number one. I can’t imagine how long she would have taken to go number two.
We finally got on the road and arrived at the clinic fifteen minutes after the first scheduled appointment. After getting her ears rubbed by Ginny, my vet tech, Thea curled up on the couch in my office while I got to work.
Like a well-oiled machine, Ginny and I examined, cleaned ears, removed sutures, and vaccinated an assortment of dogs and cats. It’s a rare occasion that appointments run perfectly on time, and today is no exception. The fact that I was late put us behind from the start. But we made it to the end and once our last patient left, I locked the door then rested against it.
Ginny appeared behind the counter.
