Page 11 of RiffRaff's Reward

My Jilly.

CHAPTER SIX

Jillian

“You’ve gota glow about you these days,” Dr. Webber says as we prepare a client for surgery. “Care to share?”

I snicker as I continue gathering the instruments we’re going to need from the autoclave. Ever since that magical weekend, we’ve spent as much time as possible with one another, as well as Kimber. I still haven’t been introduced to his club brothers and family, but I know it’ll happen eventually and am patient.

“Actually, we’ve been seeing each other for months now but we finally took it to the next level,” I admit.

“He’s met Kimber?” she asks.

“Yes, and she’s infatuated with the fact that he’s a biker with the Imperial Knights MC. He bought us both our own helmets, and now all she wants to do is ride. I suspect I may have a biker in the making or something.”

She laughs and says, “I’m happy for you Jillian. I know the past few years have been hard, so seeing the pain and darkness in your eyes disappearing has me ecstatic.”

Over the past few years, she and I have become close and one girl’s night out, over copious amounts of alcohol, I shared with her how Duncan’s cheating completely blindsided me. If I didn’t have Kimber, I probably would’ve grieved the loss of my marriage only then moved on. Instead, because Kimber was far too young to share about her father’s indiscretions, I had to walk alongside her with her own grief since she was a daddy’s girl, through and through.

“I really like him,” I murmur as I walk over to the kennels we keep the animals in when they’re waiting for surgery. Opening up the cage, I look at the Pekinese inside and say, “Come on, Charlie Bear, it’s your turn.” He licks my hand as I scoop him into my arms, his IV for the anesthesia already in place. “We’re gonna get you all fixed up,” I whisper as I settle him on the table.

“I wish people would abide by the leash laws,” Dr. Webber states as I begin to administer the meds necessary to sedate the tiny dog. “This should’ve never happened.”

Charlie Bear’s owner called Dr. Webber on her way to the clinic because the little guy was attacked and used as a chew toy by a bigger dog while they were out for a morning walk. He’s got quite a few nasty lacerations that need to be thoroughly disinfected then stitched closed, plus there’s one area that Dr. Webber thinks may require a bit more. X-rays have confirmed there’s also a broken bone, so once he’s stitched up, she’ll operate on it and likely have to put in a rod.

It’s funny to me in a non-humorous way, of course, that the medical implements used on humans can be universally usedon pets as well. They’re smaller, of course, but the fact that technology has improved so much since veterinarian medicine first began means that an animal who would’ve been euthanized can now be saved and live out their little lives.

“Did she file charges?” I ask as I hand Dr. Webber the instrument she needs to begin debriding the wounds.

“She’s doing that now while she waits to hear how CB is doing,” she replies. “Need some sterile gauze soaked in saline, there’s some dirt embedded in this one.”

Slowly but methodically, she treats each wound while I go behind her and stitch up the poor little guy. So much of his body had to be shaved that he resembles one of those half-starved, mange covered animals that some of the bigger pet advocacy groups show on their commercials to get donors.

“What about her? Was she hurt?” I question. I know if it were me, I would’ve jumped in and fought tooth and nail to save my pet. I know that some people believe they’re just animals and to an extent, they’re not wrong. But when you bring them into your home, feed and care for them and love them, they become more than that; they become a member of your family.

“She was and said once she knows Charlie Bear is gonna be okay, she’ll go to her doctor. The girls up front helped clean her up and stop the bleeding until she can get there,” Dr. Webber says.

Harrumphing, I snidely state, “I hope the cops file charges and if they don’t, I hope she takes them to small claims court to recoup the financial burden.”

Because this won’t be cheap by the time it’s all said and done. We’ll be medically boarding Charlie Bear until his wounds are healed enough that the possibility of infection is over, then he’llhave to be restricted to his crate while his leg continues to heal. It’s definitely a clusterfuck.

This day has been never-ending and all I want is a long, hot soak in a tub full of bubbles plus a glass or two of wine. I wouldn’t be opposed to having a few chunks of chocolate melting on my tongue while relaxing in the tub either. We had several other emergencies show up, which meant that I was handling wellness care, giving annual vaccinations, and clipping nails on our recalcitrant patients. Thankfully, the other vet tech in the clinic was able to come in on her day off to help, otherwise, I suspect we’d still be there running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Tomorrow, though, because Dr. Webber also handles livestock care, I’m off while she heads to the farms, and I briefly wonder what I’ll do with myself since it was unexpected. If I had been given more notice, I could’ve made arrangements with Katie’s mom to keep Kimber, but the call came in too late. I don’t want to abuse my friendship with Carly since Katie has several younger siblings and she’s got her hands full enough without adding Kimber to the mix.

Sighing, I grab my purse then head to the school to pick up my girl. I decide that it’s gonna be a pizza night so while I wait, I go online and place an order for pickup, noting that I’ll pay when I get there. Thank goodness it’s a small town, because I know that bigger cities prefer payment ahead of time, but Roanoke Pizzeria is locally owned and operated and they’re very familiar with me since we atea lotof pizza while I was in school. I’m actually impressed that I can even stomach it at this point.

My phone chimes and I look down then grin when I see it’s a text from RiffRaff.

RiffRaff: How was your day?

Me: Long and tiring. How was yours?

RiffRaff: About the same. It was pretty out and with winter fast approaching, I went for a ride with some of the brothers. Would’ve been better if you were with me, your arms wrapped around my waist.

“God, this man,” I murmur to myself, grinning. I absolutely love being on his bike, getting what he calls wind therapy. At first, I was nervous since I’d never been on a motorcycle, but he’s been riding for decades and that feeling soon dissipated. Now, I’m like Kimber in that I find it a perfect mode of transportation.

Me: Probably for me as well.

RiffRaff: What made your day so long?

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