Page 9 of A Love Like Pumpkin Spice
My shoulders sag in relief. No matter what happens, at least I’m almost at my new home.
“Good. That’s good. Then yes. I think I’m one of the lake mansion buyers.”
He nods, then extends his hand.
“Then let’s do this the proper way. I’m Erik Madden, the Sheriff of Wayward Hollow. If you have any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy to help.”
“Nicola Duncan,” I say nervously, shaking his hand. “Which, uh, you know already, and I’m happy to be here.” He’s got a nice grip. I can’t say how icky I find weak handshakes—I’ve encountered more than my fair share in show business. Mostly from egotistical men who sneered down their noses at you yet had the grip of a dead fish.
Erik’s eyes trail behind me and widen ever so slightly. I let go of his hand and whirl around to find the vet emerging fromthe hallway. My heart beats in my throat, and when he lifts his gaze, his expression makes my heart sink.
“I’m so sorry,” he speaks softly and subtly shakes his head. “There’s nothing I can do for her. From her injuries I’d say a car hit her at full speed. She’s bleeding internally, and I can barely find a bone that isn’t broken.”
“No.” The word comes out in a broken whisper. “Listen, I don’t care about the costs. I—”
“I’m sorry,” he interrupts softly but firmly at the same time. “The kind thing here is to let her go. Even if by some miracle she survived, it would be a life full of pain.”
“Fuck,” I whisper, letting my head fall back, desperate to hold it together.
It’s not working, though.
“Will you stay with her? I’m sure she’d appreciate you being with her as she … goes,” he asks, and I nod before I even fully register his question.
“Of course.” I angrily wipe away the tears streaming down my face. I already imagined out life together, cozy and cuddly evenings in front of the tv with the first friend I made in my new life. Just why? Fuck, I feel so helpless.
He leads me to one of his exam rooms where the cat is lying on a stainless steel table, ears perking up the tiniest bit when I enter.
“Did she have a microchip?”
“No,” he says softly and motions for me to walk closer. “And she’s extremely thin. I’m pretty sure she’s a stray.”
“She?” I step closer, fighting with more tears as I lean over her. “Does that mean you don’t have a name, sweetie?” She immediately nudges her head against my palm, her whole body trembling in pain. I force a smile on my face as I try to keep myself together. The thought of her dying without even a name tears my heart apart piece by piece.
“We can’t have that,” I say softly, taking a moment to think. “I think you’re Chaos, little lady,” I whisper, then nod to myself. “Yes. I like it. Chaos.”
As if she understands, she closes her eyes, her tongue darting out to lick my palm. And the tears I’ve been trying incredibly hard to keep in check overflow again.
“Are you ready?” The vet asks, and I nod silently. As much as I want her to live, as much as I need some fucking positivity in my life, she’s suffering. She doesn’t deserve that.
I can’t watch the vet give her the injection. All I can focus on are her ragged breaths and the way her whole body suddenly relaxes at once.
Then there’s silence. Deafening silence.
Her breathing stops and her head becomes a heavy weight on my hand, and I can’t help the sob escaping me.
She’s gone. And now I’m all alone again. Any hope I had in a positive outcome has shattered, like the universe embodied a cat and swiped a glass off its kitchen island.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Chapter 2
Nic
I lift my head slowly until I meet the vet’s gaze.
Okay? Am Iokay?
I can’t help it. Before I even realize what’s happening, I’m laughing hysterically.
