Page 7 of Wicked Healing

Luca started the response email immediately, but had to put it aside for therapy, then again later for a counseling session. By the time he got back to the note, the sun was going down and the nursing shift was changing. Once they did their initial check, he grabbed up his tablet and swiped through to the gmail.

Erin Knox was a doll to put up with his ass, and his dog’s ass.

Erin,

We were blown up in an IED in Afghanistan by Taliban trying to rescue captives. Boss had just alerted us and we were pulling out, but there was a tripwired IED. It went off, injuring several of my teammates. It was just one bad scene on top of another. We rescued some of the hostages though.

I got pretty beat up. Honestly, it’ll be a while before I can take Boss.

I would really appreciate it if you would keep sending me updates though. I’ll make sure the info to adopt him is filled out on my end.

Whether you meant to or not, you’ve really given me something to strive for. Thank you.

Luca

There was so much morehe wanted to say, but he didn’t want to burden her with what he was going through. That was a little TMI for a new acquaintance. He really hoped she would respond soon, though.

* * *

Erin feltbad for the nameless sailor. He was in a difficult position. If he was closer she would think about taking Wicked to see him. It might be even harder to separate them, but it would give the man something to work toward.

You and your soft heart, Erin Renee.

The thought wouldn’t leave her though. It felt like something her social worker dad would do if he was still around.

Dad had been so determined to do good in the world, in spite of what he saw every day. Or maybe because of what he saw. That determination hadn’t extended to keeping his marriage together though. He and Mom had been very different and when they’d split it hadn’t been much of a surprise. Dad had gone to Tucson and Mom had stayed in her hometown of Phoenix, teaching art at the local high school. Neither one of them had remarried, and even though they couldn’t live together they’d co-parented enough to raise Erin.

The situation hadn’t been ideal, but she liked to think she’d gotten the best of each of them, her mother’s creativity and her dad’s heart. Too bad he hadn’t seen her succeed in her chosen path.

She sent Luca regular updates and seven weeks after Wicked was injured, they went in to fit for the prosthetic. Worrying that Wicked would be a pistol, she decided to take Sophie with them as a companion. Sophie was thrilled, of course, little travel bug that she was. She jogged into the exam room beside Wicked and sat next to him while they waited for the doctor.

Erin had decided not to fit the muzzle over Wicked. He’d quit growling and seemed to be just living now, but he hadn’t shown any more overt aggression. Well, the tennis ball was a hot spot. He’d snapped at Switch the other day, sending the dog into hiding. Otherwise he just wandered from room to room, watching her as she worked. He still didn’t seek her out for affection, per se, but he did accept some ear strokes occasionally. When he was in a really mellow mood.

She’d never seen a dog as reserved as he was. He listened to commands and completed them perfectly, but didn’t look on her as a friend like the rest of the dogs.

A tall man with graying hair entered the room, wearing a white jacket. He smiled at her warmly. “Hello, Ms. Knox. I’m Dr. Lang. And this is Wicked. Interesting name,” he murmured. “Can we lift him to the table?”

“Wicked, up.”

The dog jumped up onto the table without hesitation or any kind of bobble, watching the doctor warily. Erin watched the dog. If he showed any aggression the muzzle would be on in a heartbeat.

The doctor manipulated the leg, looking at the healed surgery scars. “The previous doctor did a good job and it looks well healed. I think we can cast him for the prosthetic.”

Happiness surged through Erin. Maybe if he felt like a more complete dog his disposition would improve as well. He had improved since he’d been hanging with the other dogs but he still seemed a little… depressed. “That’s excellent. You can do that today?”

Dr. Lang nodded. “We’ll take a molding of his opposite leg for reference, and get some scans of the bone structure that’s left. Let me get some supplies together and another set of hands. We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

After the doctor left, Erin stroked Wicked’s head. “Oh, Boss. You aren’t going to like this process, but I promise you you’ll enjoy the end result.”

For the first time, he lowered his head into her stroking, and she smiled. Finally, she was a safe spot to him. Veterinary offices made him tense, for good reason. Maybe this would give him better memories.

Wicked put up with all of their manipulations, but he balked when it came time to go get x-rays with the vet tech. He braced himself at the end of his leash and began to growl. “Mind if we go with him?” Erin asked as the tech continued to struggle.

The doctor didn’t like the idea, but it was obvious that Wicked wasn’t going to leave without her. Reluctantly he waved her to follow the tech.

The rest of the visit was uneventful.

“We’ll call you in about a week to come in for a fitting.”

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