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Crystal shrugged. That was the second time someone had reacted with shock. “I never used to. You can find some decent clothes if you take the time to dig through the racks.”
“I’d never know what to look for.” Angie frowned.
“You can send me pictures, and I’ll help you decide.”
“You’d do that for me? Why?”
Good question. A piece of Crystal’s heart ached for the little girl she’d been when thrown into the limelight. She knew the loneliness of being different and not fitting in. Angie wanted to be accepted. She sounded like she was ready for a change. Of course, new clothes alone wouldn’t be enough. She’d need to step out of her shell, but it would be a good start. “Believe it or not, I can relate to what you’re going through. If I can help with a simple thing like this, I’m happy to.”
“You’re not at all how I thought you’d be.” Angie shifted in her chair to face her. “I’m sorry I’ve treated you like crap the whole time you’ve been here.”
Crystal cocked her head and wrinkled her nose. “I probably was that person when I got here. I’ve learned a lot more than how to camp since then.”
Angelic laughed. “Good, because, no offense, but you kinda suck at the camping stuff.”
“Says the pot to the kettle.” Crystal grinned and nudged her. She turned at the sound of a vehicle pulling into the parking lot. Her belly somersaulted at the sight of Zach’s truck.
Chapter Thirty
Paul, Mary, and Johnny climbed out of Zach’s truck in front of the vet hospital. He hurried to open the front door, and followed them inside, eager to see for himself that Crystal was okay. This had to have scared the crap out of her.
Angie sprang out of her chair and launched herself into Mary’s arms. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for him to get hurt.”
Mary froze. Her eyes widened, and she hugged her sobbing daughter.
“Things like this happen in the woods. It’s not your fault.” She stroked Angie’s back. Mary’s eyes filled with tears, and Johnny’s lips trembled as he grabbed his dad’s hand. “Why’s everybody crying? Is Murphy going to die?”
Angie let go of her mother and knelt, placing a hand on Johnny’s shoulder. “No. He’s fine. I promise. Crystal got him here super-fast, and they said he’s doing great.”
Paul’s jaw dropped, and his eyes turned glassy.
Zach’s throat closed a bit as he took in the sight. He’d never seen Angie act so nice to her brother.
Even Crystal was blinking hard now.
“They have a bowl of candy on the desk. You wanna pick out a piece?” Angie smiled at her brother.
He bobbed his head and followed her to the counter.
Bringing a hand to her mouth, Mary leaned against Paul. “What the—”
“You must be Murphy’s owners?” a woman called out as she approached from the front.
“Yes,” Paul said.
“I’m happy to say he’s doing well. We need to keep him a bit longer to make sure, but he’s out of the woods.”
“That’s such great news. We were so worried until my daughter texted us he was going to be okay. I’m sure there’s paperwork and a bill to pay. I’ll—”
She shook her head. “All taken care of by Ms. Lovechild. There won’t be additional charges for us monitoring him since he didn’t need any more medication.”
Zach’s gaze flew to Crystal. She’d told him she was almost bankrupt, and emergency vets were expensive.
Paul stepped closer to Crystal. “We need to pay for this. You already did enough by bringing him here.”
“Your dog saved my life. Taking care of the bill is the least I can do.”
Paul held his hands out. “Any way I can talk you out of it?”
