Page 69 of Jagger

“Yeah, I know him. Nice to meet you two ladies,” the doctor said.

John came out from a swinging door with a gorgeous ceramic dog’s bowl full of water. He had a huge grin on his round face as he squeezed through the opening from behind the counter. I hadn’t noticed he had a placemat in his hand, little pictures of dog bones all over it. He first petted Xena before placing the mat and the bowl down in front of her.

She’d been offered water and treats at every store we’d gone to, yet she lapped up the water as if she was parched.

Cally immediately picked up on the conversation, her anxious breaths concerning me right away. I dropped to the floor, lifting her chin with my hand. “Are you okay, honey? Can you breathe?”

Ever since she’d gotten out of the hospital the last time, I’d feared a relapse. Even the cardiologist, a man highly respected in the country, had told me the likelihood of my little girl falling prey to a heart attack was at a much higher percentage than a typical healthy person. I’d panicked with every cough and sneeze for the first year.

“Just sad, Mommy. Please don’t take Xena away.”

I was so relieved I let out a small moan. “We talked about this, honey. If Xena belongs to someone else, don’t you think they’re going to be missing her? Even crying about her?”

While my daughter got her stubborn streak from her mother, she was a caring, sweet girl who’d once asked me to bring a dead squirrel back to life. “I know. I just… I love her.”

I squeezed her arms and I could swear everyone in the diner was now listening intently. I tweaked her nose before standing, completely embarrassed as I glanced around the diner.

“Don’t you worry, honey. Aunt Poppy will get to the bottom of this. Doc Welby. You said you’ve seen this pretty pup before? I think I’ve seen her in town. I just don’t remember from where.”

Doctor Welby. The name suited him. With his shocking, neatly trimmed white hair and kind eyes, I had a feeling his patients trusted him instantly. He shuffled over, the lack of movement showing his age. “Poppy. So you think you know this little fellow as well.” He glanced down at Xena.

“She’s a girl, Doc,” Poppy admonished.

I stole a quick look at Jagger. Even he was slightly amused, the corners of his magnificent lips turned up.

“Xena,” she added.

“Princess Warrior!” Cally sang out.

“Oh, well then,” Doc Welby said. He bent down, stroking the pup’s head. “I do know her. It’s good to finally see her too.”

My heart sank and I was surprised that Jagger placed his hand on the small of my back. As soon as he did, a shockwave ofelectricity swept up from the base of my feet. I just couldn’t stand to see Cally’s heart broken.

Doc Welby continued to stroke Xena’s head, remaining quiet. I felt Cally was about ready to throw a tantrum, but not just one a typical almost four-year-old would have. Her panic attacks were few and far between now, but when they hit, they were terrible, painful to watch. She’d grown way too attached to the pup.

“Xena belonged to a friend of mine. Remember Steve Young?” he was asking Poppy.

Poppy snorted. “That old coot? He used to make a pass at me every time he came in. Whatever happened to him?”

“He died last month. From what I heard, the dog ran away when the EMTs arrived and no one was able to find her. She hasn’t made an appearance since. Now, she’s a heroine. Steve would love that.” He shifted his attention toward Cally. “I think, little lady, that you have yourself a new pet, but you must promise to love and care for her for the rest of her life.”

Cally’s eyes were huge, her little mouth opening wide as she gasped. “Mommy. Xena is ours!”

I was so relieved my heart started racing.

Doc Welby was grinning from ear to ear. “I’m glad she found a good home.” He lifted his head, paying more attention to me. “Jagger. I heard this lovely lady saved a whole bunch of tourists last night. I had my daughter in and wasn’t taking calls.”

“She did a great job, Doc,” Jagger managed. I was certain the man was ready to eat nails at this point.

“Great job? I got the play by play from a couple buddies of mine who heard all the details from a niece of one of them whoworks there. She said it was a streamline action. Then all that happened after that. Whew. You’re a very lucky young lady to have such a strong man like Jagger by your side.”

“Oh, we’re not together,” I insisted.

Why was it that his grin was almost similar to the way Poppy’s eyes were lighting up? I felt another heat from a blush warming up my skin.

“Well, whatever the case, it’s obvious he cares about you and the little one here. Anyway. Folks know around here I’m getting ready to retire. My daughter was harassing me something fierce last night.” He scratched his head, laughing as if he’d taken a full berating. “I’ll have to close shop if I can’t find anyone to take my place and that will mean folks needing to travel a good ways just to see a doctor for a cold, the flu.”

Oh, no. I could tell where this was going.

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