Page 33 of Tom's Chance
Five minutes later, Tom drew a deep breath and began to speak. He had no idea what he was going to say, but he spoke from the heart. “Mrs. Bickers, hi, it’s Tom Stolls. Dr. Tom. First, I want to tell you that your husband was caught and arrested. He’s in jail and he was denied bail. My sources tell me that he will never see the light of day again. Second, I want to commend you for saving Rose and Baby. They are safe, they are alive, and their babies are as well. All thanks to you. You did good, and because of you and your bravery, Rose is the mother of six thriving puppies that right now, they look like those Wooly Worms that cross the road. They are a combination of orange, brown, and black, just like Rose.” Hepaused to take a breath to clear his throat and when Lorissa pressed several tissues in his hand, he wiped his tears he hadn’t realized were coursing down his face.
“Baby is fine also. She had four kittens, and all four of them looked exactly like her. Long-haired, puffy-white, snowballs with smushed faces. They are adorable, just like their mama. Again, Baby, Rose, and their litters are safe, sound, healthy, and happy. They are getting the best care in the business.” He didn’t know what else to say, so he quickly told her to get better to come back and see her babies for herself, then he hung up. He stood there for several minutes trying to gather himself. He felt that the phone call was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life.
When he was under control, he turned back and sighed heavily when Lorissa wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. “You did good,” she whispered as she stepped back when she felt Tom had himself under control. He took the tissues, blew his nose, then wiped the rest of the tears from his face before he opened the door.
Dr. Henry walked toward them, and Tom couldn’t read his expression. Tom spoke first, “I doubt it did any good, but I had to tell her.”
“I totally understand, and we were able to hear what you said. It was perfect. What you did just solidified my belief that the unconscious can hear.”
“Why do you say that?” Lorissa asked quietly.
“When Dr. Stolls talked about her husband, her heart rate increased. However, the second he talked about her animals, she let out a sigh, her heart rate decreased, as well as her blood pressure. I’m not saying she’s healed, but I will go out on a limb and say that you put her mind at ease so she can start to heal. Again, I’m not saying if she will get better, she has a long, long, long road ahead of her. I’m talking two or three years before she even gets out of the hospital. If she survives the daily bandages, she’ll have to go through several skin grafts and then the risk of infection right now is through the roof. We had to sterilize the phone before we could even bring it into the room. I just wanted you to know that what you told her eased her mind.”
“Thank you for telling me that.”
“I only have one question.” Dr. Henry looked at them and grinned. “What type of dog and cat?”
“Rose, the dog, is a brown and tan Yorkie. Baby is the cat, and she’s a mix of Himalayan and Persian,” Tom spoke proudly, and nodded when Lorissa pulled out her phone and showed them to the doctor.
“Wow, those are beautiful. What will you be doing with them?”
“They are in Lorissa’s care now, she’s going to keep them, and it might be some time before we decide what to do with the babies. I do know that her mother and grandmother want one of them. I don’t know which one yet.”
“Nana wants a puppy, and I think Mom wants a kitten.”
“Can I put my name down for a female puppy? My wife and I have a six-month-old male, and we thought to get a female in the future so we can breed them.”
“Sure, as long as you can promise me you won’t turn them into a puppy mill.”
Dr. Henry held up his hand and swore. “I swear, that’s where we got Bandit from, and it was disgusting to say the least. We only want one batch of babies, then we plan on getting them both fixed.”
“Good for you, but please,” Lorissa said with feeling. “Please don’t get the female pregnant until she’s at least a year old. She needs to go through one or two cycles first before she becomes pregnant.”
“You mean her period and go into heat?”
“Yes, if a female, especially a small dog like a Yorkie goes through at least two cycles, their bodies are better equipped to handle the pregnancy, and the chances of having healthy babies are better.”
“Thank you for that information. Do you two practice together? Where is your office?”
“We’re down in Fool’s Gold, and though I own the clinic, I have several vets and technicians that do the day-to-day work. I’m the vet that goes to the local ranches, I specialize in large animals.”
“Ah, the horses and the cows.”
“Correct.”
“I’m basically a freelancer,” Lorissa said. “I work for Erin Riceman at Erin’s Way, but I’m not exclusive to her. I am a vet, but I am also certified with the AFA.”
“What is that?”
“American Farrier Association.” She grinned as she watched Dr. Henry closely. “I do pedicures for the horses.” They all shared a laugh at her wording, and it broke the last little bit of tension in Tom. “Really, I work on their feet, make sure their shoes are on properly, and trim their hooves. As much as I enjoy being a vet, I love being a farrier more.”
“At least you’re doing a job you love. I love what I do, but in the case of Mrs. Bickers, when it was deliberate, I get so angry, I want to go postal. Thank you for telling me that her husband didn’t get bail.”
“You’re welcome. My sources tell me that he’s not getting out. The charges against him right now are attempted murder, arson, and cruelty to animals. Mrs. Bickers was in the house trying to get Rose, Baby, and their litters to safety when he threatened to attack them with the baseball bat.”
“I will never understand why someone would lose it like that. I wonder what made him snap?”
“Stupidity,” Lorissa said, and shook her head as she turned to Tom. “You said he was having an affair?”
