Page 1 of The Dire Reaction

Chapter one

DANI

“I’msorry,Iknowthis isn’t the prognosis you were hoping for. But, with diet, exercise, and some supplemental vitamins, he will still have a long and healthy life.” I can’t stop fidgeting with my stethoscope. I hate having to tell dog owners that their animals are going to undergo a lifetime of pain.

“There isn’t a fix? Like a surgery or something?” The woman in front of me didn’t look like she was used to being told “no”. Her perfectly manicured hand pinches the rhinestone leash while her other smooths the silk blouse over her slacks.

Her white labrador lays at her feet, panting. Even with the air conditioning turned up, the small office is overpoweringly hot from the August sun pouring in the window.

I feel ya, buddy. I’m sweating like a racehorse in here, and the heated gaze from his cranky owner isn’t helping.

“Hip dysplasia isn’t really an easy fix. Think of it like arthritis.” I have to stand on my tiptoes to reach the pamphlet regarding care. “But, there are a wide range of options to help him stay comfortable.”

Her garishly red lips press in a thin line, but she flashes me a practiced smile when I hand her the flier.

“The clerk will have your prescriptions ready, and she can go over the vitamin supplements if you’d like as well.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

I can’t get out of the room fast enough. At least I know that dog will be spoiled rotten, and offered the finest options.

“Jenny, room two is going to need hip dysplasia discharge paperwork,” I call out over my shoulder, dropping the chart on her desk.

She’s barely out of high school, but knows exactly what to do. She dives into the filing cabinet as I grab the pile of mail and head to my office.

Closing the door behind me, my head makes an audible thunk when I lean back against it.

I never knew when I decided to be a vet that there would be so many owners who treated their pets like accessories. Status symbols.

Thank goodness there are still enough farms around that I can still see people with realistic expectations.

Flipping through the mail, I file most of it in the garbage can. But, there’s one in here that looks intriguing:

The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

It looks official even.

A quick glance, and I can’t keep it to myself. I go back to the main desk where Jenny is busy filing paperwork, but the room is otherwise empty. Miss Fancy lab owner has left.

“Jenny! Check this out!” I wave the letter to her. Her blond hair is pulled back out of her eyes which grow big at my excitement.

“What? What is it?” She reaches her slim hand out and I push the letter into it.

I can’t even wait for her to read. “We’ve been asked to participate in a clinical trial for a new dysplasia and arthritis medication study! How cool is that?” I shift impatiently watching her read, idly flipping through the unfiled charts on the desk, a track record of today’s patients.

“That would have been great for Mrs. Pinkerton,” Jenny replies, her eyes still scrolling down the letter.

Yea, I’m not overly excited about that one.

My thoughts drift to one rancher in particular. Tall, dark blond hair, and looks good in a tight pair of Wrangler jeans. Sam Downing.

Chapter two

SAM

“Liedown.Liedown!Back! Away! Lie down!” My border collie minds every command. Working her way around the back of the protesting cattle, she pushes them and waits.

There’s always one that doesn’t want to load out. This time it’s a two year old steer. He turns his broad head back at the dog. Dropping his snotting nose, foam dripping from his bellowing mouth, he tries to charge her.

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