“Charlie, it’s fine!” I exclaim. “Go take care of that cute little boy."
“Thank you.” She pulls on her coat and immediately begins to head toward the door. “I really appreciate it. My mom is going to watch him tomorrow. Jackson and I will be at your place by nine.”
This is a small veterinary clinic, and since it’s a half-day, there are only a handful of appointments. Check them in. Give them a health checkup and a little love, then send them on their way.
How bad of a day can it be?
“So far so good,” I mumble to myself as I drop the chart on Charlie’s desk. With the exception of the least friendly labradoodle I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, they’ve all been stellar patients.
A beautiful, golden retriever trots through the door and straight to Charlie’s desk. Jumping up, she plops her front paws on the counter. She eyes the jar of treats, before turning her face toward me. Normally, I would politely reprimand the owner for having their dog off-leash, but it's empty in here, and she seems to be remarkably well-behaved.
“You must be Daisy.” I scratch behind her ear as I open the jar to grab a treat. She eagerly takes it from my hand, and eyes the jar again. “You’re cute, but not quite that cute.”
“We have an appointment with Dr. Porter,” a deep, husky voice fills the room.
“I am Dr. Porter,” I respond without diverting my attention from the pretty blonde thoroughly enjoying the petting she’s receiving.
“Um, no,” he emphatically responds. “I’ve known Dr. Porter nearly my whole life. He’s an older guy. Gray hair. A bit of a pot belly.”
He pauses for a moment and his tone becomes a bit flirtatious, “Actually, I can kind of see the resemblan—”
Looking up from Daisy, I’m met with a familiar, annoyingly charming, and cheeky smile.
“You…” I huff upon finding the arrogant ass from the car accident the other day.
“Yes ma’am.” His smile grows even wider.
He’s as arrogant and annoying as he was the first time I had the displeasure of meeting him.
As well as the second, third, fourth…
“Greeting your patients like that, the similarities between you and the real Dr. Porter are uncanny,” he smirks.
“You are not my patient,” I snarkily reply before turning my attention back to Daisy, “Come on, pretty girl.
She pads behind me to the exam room and promptly jumps onto the exam table. I complete my exam of her, saying as little as possible to her owner as possible.
“Such a good girl.” I scratch at the sides of her neck as she licks my chin. “Let’s go get you another treat.”
Daisy hops from the table and makes her way back to Charlie’s desk. Following behind her, she sits, patiently waiting for me to get her what I promised.
Giving her the treat, I place my final chart on her desk.
“Charlie will send you a bill next week, Mr.….uh…” I turn my attention back to the chart to find the name of her owner.
“Jack.” He flashes that perfect smile again. “Jack Greene since you never asked when we met the other day.
“Well, Jack, Daisy is welcome back here any time.”
I’m hoping my insinuation that he isn’t, is not missed.
Chapter Three
JACKSON
“Tell me again how I got roped into spending my day off hauling boxes?” I question Charlie as she continues to provide me directions from the passenger seat of my truck.
“Because you’re an amazing big brother who would do anything to help out his baby sister,” she shamelessly responds. “Besides, she needs the help.”