Page 78 of Demo

Abby was bundled up in a cute little faux fur hat that looked extremely white against her red hair. Her black coat was also lined in white fur and she had a white hand muff. “Brr!” she exclaimed with a smile. “It is cold outside!”

Despite having no clients other than VDMC members and families, Abby had still insisted on coming in for her shifts like normal.

After shaking slush and snow off of her boots, Abby looked and her eyes widened at what Paige could only imagine her face looked like. Bulldog came in then too. He was never far behind Abby. Abby had to jump out of the way so her husband’s large body could fit inside and the door would close.

Bulldog picked up on Paige’s misery faster than Abby had. “What’s wrong? What happened?” His eyes danced around, looking for danger.

Not having the energy or the words to tell them, Paige held up the eviction letter. Bulldog hurried forward to take the paper from her.

Bulldog took a moment to read the notice and then snarled out, “That son of a bitch! I’ll kill him!”

From the rage on Bulldog’s face, Paige wasn’t entirely sure that was an expression.

Abby put a gentle hand on Bulldog’s large arm. It was like her touch instantly calmed him. His face gentled and he looked down at her with nothing but love in his eyes. He handed her the letter so she could read it too.

Abby gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, Paige. I am so sorry, honey. Is there any way to fight it?”

Paige shook her head. “He doesn’t say it there, but he thinks I’mrapingmy clients. Using their feet during my treatments to get myself off or something sick and twisted like that.” Abby’s face paled. Paige suddenly gasped, realizing what she’d said. “Oh, God! Abby, I’m so sorry.”

Abby waved off her concern. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” She struggled to swallow. “It’s just a word. It can’t hurt me.”

As soon as Abby reacted to Paige’s words, Bulldog pulled her against him, wrapping his large body around her like a shield against the world.

Paige moved around the reception desk. “I am so sorry, Abs. Please. Come sit.”

Bulldog helped Abby remove her coat and hat. He unnecessarily brushed his fingers through her hair like he was getting snow off of her. Paige figured the man was taking any excuse to touch her.

Abby shakily took her seat at the reception desk. After hanging up her coat, Bulldog came around. He knelt beside her.

“I’m fine,” Abby told him with much more conviction than she had a minute ago. “I promise, my José.” She looked up at Paige, who was now standing on the other side of the reception desk. “What are you going to do about the letter?”

“What can I do?” Paige repeated. “He owns the building. He has a right to evict me and sever my lease. He had the right to do so the moment I fell behind on my rent payments.”

“But you said you paid him?”

“I did!” Paige insisted. “But it only covered the back rent and the late fees. I still owe this month’s rent, which I thought I’d be able to dotodayafter having another week full of appointments. Which obviously didn’t happen.”

“This is ridiculous!” Bulldog snapped. “I’m not even sure this is legal.”

“Say I fight it?” Paige argued. “What then? Clearly the people of Mount Grove have made up their minds about me. How am I supposed to make rent or buy supplies or pay Abby without any clients? I’m back at Square One.”

Bulldog took the letter from Abby. He read it over again. “Does Demo know about this?”

Paige shook her head. “My landlord left about twenty minutes before you guys came in. I was still… I haven’t even processed it myself yet.”

“He’s down at the dealership today. We’re expecting a shipment in.” Bulldog pulled out his phone and started to text one handed. “I need to call Susan Black. There has to be a way to fight it.”

“And again I ask you what the point would be?” Paige nearly shouted. “Why fight it? People now think I abuse my patients. I can’t stay in business with that sort of reputation.”

“My Abby is happy here,” Bulldog snapped without looking at her. “I’ll pay the damn rent myself if I have to.”

Bulldog did not see Abby roll her eyes over his bent head, but there was no contempt in the action. If anything, the cartoon hearts in Abby’s eyes just grew three sizes.

Paige, though, was not blinded by love. “Bulldog, that is completely ridiculous and unnecessary. Not to mention unrealistic. I’ll figure something else out.”

Bulldog read something on his phone and then pocketed the device. “I am going to go meet Demo at Susan’s office. Are the two of you okay here for about an hour?”

Paige opened her arms to show off her empty clinic. “I think somehow we’ll be able to manage the crowd.”

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