Page 37 of Wild Dreams

I held Marigold tight to my chest. I'd never held her like this, but I wished it were under better circumstances.

When he was finished, I let go of her and checked out the remnants. "It's chocolate chips all right."

I took a quick picture in case the vet wanted to see what it looked like, and how much.

"Can we take him to the doctor now?" Marigold asked, her voice tentative.

"Are you ready to go?" For the first time, I noticed she only wore fuzzy socks on her feet. No shoes or jacket.

"Let me grab boots." Marigold disappeared inside.

I grabbed a couple of towels from the laundry room and wrapped Oakley in one of them to protect my seats.

In the truck, I told her to tell the vet we were on our way. Otherwise, the cab was silent other than Oakley's panting.

After she got off the phone, I said, "We're going to find out if Oakley likes vets."

"I can't believe I hadn't gotten him set up with a doctor. I was so busy with writing."

"It's a holiday. I'm sure the rescue would understand."

"I almost forgot it's Thanksgiving tomorrow."

I took the turn into the parking lot of the vet office a bit too fast. I pulled into a spot and threw the truck into Park. Apparently, I was going to be an overstressed and panicked father if I ever got to be one. I couldn't even handle a dog being sick.

I carried him inside, and Marigold checked in. She had to fill out a lot of forms since she was a new client.

When the vet tech came to take Oakley, I said, "Thanks for taking us in, especially with it being the night before a holiday and Marigold not being an existing client."

The vet tech nodded. "You can't go to an emergency place tonight. They'll be so busy. Especially tomorrow with all the turkey bones dogs will eat."

"I hadn't even thought of that." I was pleased that Marigold called me. She could have been stuck if she'd waited too long and this office was closed. I knew Dr. Sturgill would take care of her and Oakley.

Marigold finished the paperwork, taking it to the counter, then sat next to me. "You can go. I should be okay now."

Except her face was still too pale, and her fingers were tightly clenched.

I stretched my legs out in front of me. "I don't have anywhere to be."

"Still. I'm sure your family would like you to spend time with them."

"Tomorrow? Sure. But no one is expecting me tonight."

"If you're sure."

"Trust me, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. I have to know that Oakley's okay." I was concerned, but I was more worried about Marigold. I wasn't going to leave her to deal with this alone.

Why had she called me first? Maybe it was an instinctual thing. She knew I'd know what to do and take care of her in the process. It might not have been something she thought about. She'd just reacted. I liked that I was the first one she turned to.

I wanted to be there for her, and none of my usual excuses were coming to mind. All I could think about was what Mari needed. I put my arm over the back of her chair. "I'm here for the duration."

"Thank you." She rested her head against my arm for a brief second. Then the door to the back opened, and Dr. Sturgill walked out. Her gray hair was pulled back into a bun, and under her white jacket she wore an orange sweater and slacks.

"Are you Oakley's parents?"

Marigold jumped up. "I am. Chance is helping me. He came along for moral support, ya know?" Marigold's voice wavered slightly.

Dr. Sturgill's amused expression swung from her to me. "Come on back."

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