Page 6 of A Much Younger Man
“What’s next?”
“Senior feline in exam one is listless. Owner says she won’t eat or drink. Pebbles the pittie’s in room two for her rabies vaccine. Oh my God, wait until you see the adorable schnauzer puppy in three. New client. He’s so cute!”
“The client?”
“Thepuppy.” She rolled her eyes.
“Can’t wait. Listen, can you tell Travis to put the young man with the Lab in exam room four and make him comfortable? Tell him it might be some time before I can get in there.” I took out my wallet and handed her a ten. “Have Travis get him a sandwich from next door and see that he has pop or something. Oh, and ask if the dog has eaten today. If not, get something from the back.”
“You’re feeding dogs and their humans now?” She studied me. “Something going on there?”
“No.” I probably protested too fast, because she gave me the side-eye.
“It’s one of your projects, isn’t it?”
“No.” I couldn’t meet her knowing gaze. “Okay. Maybe. His name is Beck. The dog is Callie. They might be living rough, so they could use some help.”
“Ah, gotcha. I’ll tell Travis and then finish up with Mylo.” She carried the baggie as if it was an animal carcass.
I left the safety of the back rooms to talk to Jill and her kids. They stopped crying as soon as they knew Mylo was okay. That dog was a lucky critter, considering every sock removal cost the family around two hundred bucks. It was hard on the dog too. I’d have reminded them not to leave socks where Mylo could get them, but Mylo was a wily creature. He’d been known to steal socks off a sleeping child’s foot.
Outside exam room one, I pasted a smile on my face. “Hello, Mrs. Grimes. What’s Misty got for us today?”
* * *
Dutifully,I finished with the three patients who’d booked their appointments ahead before I approached exam room four. From outside the door, I could hear a distinct drumming rhythm. Fingers, probably, on the wall or the exam table. Like Cooper, Beck obviously made music wherever he could. The idea made me smile.
I opened the door. “Sorry to keep you waiting so long, Beck. Today just blew up out of nowhere.”
He stopped his hands. “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Well, thank you for stopping by. I’ve been looking forward to seeing Callie again.”
“Thank you. Your guy—”
“Travis.”
“Yeah. He gave me a sandwich and lemonade. You didn’t have to do that.” Beck’s guitar case and backpack sat against the wall. At his feet, a very patient Calliope leaned against his legs. “We make our way.”
“I’m sure you do.” I braced against the exam table with my arms folded. “But I kept you waiting for such a long time. I didn’t want you guys to eat me when I finally came in.”
His eyes sparked with mischief. “Calliewouldn’t eat anyone.”
Despite the AC, my face burned. “So, the reason I asked you here…Lena says Callie’s caught up on her vaccinations, but I’d like to check her for parasites and make sure she gets protection.”
“Parasites?”
“I’d like to see her protected from fleas, ticks, and mosquito-borne illnesses. A simple blood test will be necessary before we can give her heartworm medication.”
“Oh.”
“Did I ever formally introduce myself? I’m Dr. Linden Davies. My patients call me Lindy or Doc or any combination, really.”
“Really?” His mouth curved impishly. “Hear that, Callie? Call him Lindy or Doc.”
“All right, smarty pants.” I flushed again. “My patients’ humans call me Lindy. And you’re Beck?”
As if I didn’t know.
