Page 31 of Catnip, Claws, and Chaos

“Callaghan. You can’t kick me out!” Her face twists into an ugly rage.

“Actually, I can,” I answer, keeping my voice steady despite the memories crawling up my spine. “Or I can call animal control and let them handle it.”

I’ve reported abuse before. That’s part of the job. And I’ll do it again, even for wealthy clients with fancy lawyers.

Mrs. Callaghan’s mouth snaps shut. If looks could kill, I’d be a smoldering pile of ash. She looks ready to crack, her eyes darting between us. Finally, she storms out, cursing while the door cheerfully jingles behind her.

I turn to ask Emily what the hell just happened when she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Knew you weren’t a complete ass,” she murmurs against my skin, her breath hot on my neck.

The watching clients fade into the background. All I can focus on is Emily pressed against me, smelling like citrus and sunshine, her tiny frame fitting against mine as if she were made for it.

My body reacts instantly. Don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I’m not complaining. Hands settle at her waist, feeling her warmth through her shirt. I shouldn’t enjoy this so much. I know I’m playing with fire here.

I pull back gently, clearing my throat. “Let’s talk in private. Folks, give us a minute, yeah? We’ll be right back.”

As we walk to my office, I feel the clients watching us. Emily’s cheeks are flushed with embarrassment or leftover anger, which is hard to tell. One thing’s for sure: my life has become a hell of a lot more interesting since she showed up.

Inside, I close the door. “Spill it. What happened?”

Emily takes a deep breath, squaring up as though she’s heading into battle. “She wanted to declaw her cat. I told her we don’t do that here.”

Everything clicks. Declawing is a barbaric practice I’ve refused my whole career. Basically amputation that causes lifelong pain. Emily was dead right.

“You did good,” I say, surprised at how warm my voice sounds. “Won’t perform that procedure. It’s cruel as hell.”

The tension drains from her shoulders. She gives me a small, genuine smile. “Thanks for backing me up. Wasn’t sure you would.”

“Always. Animals come first here. Period.”

For a moment, we just look at each other. Something shifts between us, some new understanding. Emily might be young, unpredictable, a total headache sometimes, but we’re on the same page about what matters.

She loves these animals as much as I do, even when they scare the crap out of her. Weirdly endearing, that contradiction.

“Better get back out there,” I say finally. “Got patients waiting.”

Emily nods, but neither of us moves right away. So much unsaid hangs in the air. I should keep my distance and maintain those walls I built to protect everyone involved.

But watching Emily fix her shirt and smooth her hair, getting ready to face the world again, I wonder if some rules are meant to be broken.

My phone buzzes rightwhen I’m about to enter my apartment. Unknown number. After a hellish fourteen-hour shift at the clinic with yappy pets and their even yappier owners, my thumb’s itching to hit decline, but some stupid part of me answers anyway.

“Yeah?”

“Logan?” Emily’s voice comes through. “I need help!”

“Shit. What happened? You okay?”

“No, Demon is dying! She’s—” Something crashes in the background, followed by a sound straight outta hell. “She’s pooping from her mouth, Logan! From her freaking mouth!”

I yank the phone away from my ear. “She’s... What the hell?”

“Pooping. From. Her. Mouth!” Emily shrieks, each word higher than the last. “Brown, nasty things coming out of her mouth! Pretty sure cats aren’t supposed to work that way—which means she’s broken, and I’ve killed another damn pet! First the goldfish bloodbath, and now this!”

My vet brain kicks in despite running on fumes, and I have a pretty good idea of what’s going down. Gotta bite my cheek not to laugh. “How big are these... mouth poops?”

“I dunno! Three inches? Four? They’re disgusting and hairy and— Oh shit, she’s doing it again!”

Horrible retching sounds blast through the phone.

---