Page 16 of My Inherited House Might be Haunted

Lucy gave me a look that said she did not agree.

Dr. Gardener managed to look at her teeth, scan her for a chip—also a negative—and do a general check. She didn’t look happy when Lucy was put on the scale, and I wasn’t really, either. Lucy was seven pounds. That was a little light for an adult cat.

“She, too, needs to eat. Same deal as Myst, okay? I’ll send you home with food.” Dr. Gardener gave her a pet and offered a treat. “You’re a very beautiful kitty.”

Accepting the praise as her due, Lucy took the treat and stopped eyeing the vet like she was contemplating criminal action.

“Overall, she’s in better shape than dog. You said she went to the door to let Myst in? I bet she adopted him. She recognized he’s a puppy. Cats adopt everything.”

“Oh, yeah, I know. I’ve had cats before.”

“Good that you’re experienced owner. I trim nails for you?”

“Please.” I sucked at that. I always trimmed them too short. “Uh, how old would you put her?”

“I say about three years old. Maybe two. But she’s fully adult.”

“Good to know.”

By the time we wrestled Lucy into submission and got her nails trimmed—and trust me, it was a wrestling match, and we scrawny humans barely won—Myst returned. He looked betterand worse, with the IV leaving fluid humps in his back. I knew from experience with a past dog that those humps would go down as his body absorbed the fluid.

“He’s an angel,” Amanda assured me. “The calmest dog I’ve ever worked on. He was so good for me, even with all the shots. I did find two ticks on him that I removed, and we shaved some mats under his armpits for free. We’ve got a professional grooming salon attached to the office if you’d like to book an appointment.”

“That sounds great. I bathed him as best I could, but he really needs a pro.”

“Sure thing. You can do that at checkout.”

“Can you microchip them both today?” I didn’t want to put Myst and Lucy through yet another thing, but I also didn’t want to make multiple trips to the vet’s office. Or risk them being lost.

“Sure, sure.”

The microchip was a fat needle, a quick in and out, then I was handed paperwork. Lucy was taken back for shots and tests, returning in a very unhappy mood. I had a feeling she’d be getting her revenge on me over this treatment later. We went over feeding schedules, when they should both be back for round two of the shots, and all of that. I felt much better now that I knew both of them would be fine with a little TLC.

Myst was a puppy still. Wow. I was still trying to wrap my head around that.

I checked out, picked up some locally crafted toys for both dog and cat, accepted the foods given to me, then loaded everyone into the car with one of the vet tech’s help. Thanking her, I loaded in myself and felt like I took the first real breath all day. Not that it had been a bad day, far from it, just hectic.

Although it looked like I scored a dinner date with Calix because of it, so no complaints. I felt cautiously optimistic wemight work out and actually date. I hadn’t had a boyfriend in ages, and damn, that man was fine. Anyone would want him.

My phone chimed and I pulled it out. Speak of the devil, it was Calix.

How did vet visit go?

Awww, he was so sweet to check in on us. I typed back,Mostly healthy, everyone’s okay, just underweight. Myst is a puppy.

Calix: Get out.

Me: I’m not even kidding. Vet said he’s less than a year old and still growing into his feet.

Calix: OMG. How big is he supposed to get?

Me: Basically twice the size?

Calix: Shiiiiit.

Me: Yeah, tell me about it. It’s not a bad thing, he’s just going to be a big boy.

Calix: Home security system.

---