Page 90 of A Much Younger Man
Was it possible that made it okay? If he wanted me too—never forgetting Beck was a consenting adult—who were Cooper and Shawn to stare me down like this? I studied the words on the menu without reading them.
“I think maybe you misunderstand,” I said quietly. “It’s a pretty personal subject, but you’ll have to take my word for it. I’m not some predator.”
“Of course you’re not.” Cooper patted my arm where it lay next to his on the table. “No one is saying that.”
“It’s the partnership,” Shawn said. “That kind of inequality isn’t healthy.”
“Shawn, seriously.” I addressed my next words to him. “Don’t think I’m not listening, because I’ve heard every word you’ve said. But this is between me and Beck.”
Shawn pressed his lips together unhappily. At the same time, my phone rang.
“We might have to disagree on this.” I checked the caller ID. “Shoot. It’s Jeanine Montgomery, and she usually doesn’t call unless there’s an emergency. I’m sorry, but I have to take this.”
I stood and dropped a ten on the table for Epic. “If I don’t come back, we’ll talk later, all right?”
“Take care.” Shawn started signing to Cooper before I left the building.
I answered outside. “What’s up, Jeanie?”
“I just got a call from Monterrey County Animal Control. They have a big hoarding case, and they asked for my help.”
Shit. “Where is it?”
“Just south of Gilroy. Looks like some kind of breeding operation, but there’s apparently been real neglect. The owner is older. It’s bad. Nearly a hundred animals, half of them near death.”
“Okay. My schedule is light this week. Let me get back to the clinic to see if I can make changes. Can you text me an address?” My phone beeped, and I pulled it away from my ear to check the message she’d sent. “It will take me two and a half to three hours to get there.”
“It’s gonna be slow going and sad as hell. We’ll take whatever help we can get.”
“Got it. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“See you.”
* * *
When I got backto the clinic, I had Lena see if she could reschedule patients. I hated doing it, but unless there were emergencies in town, I could help Jeanie and only inconvenience a few people. If there was an emergency, there was another vet in Cayucos, which was only a quick drive away.
“A hundred animals?” April repeated when I told her.
“Jeanie says it’s grim. She’ll start triaging cases as soon as she gets there.”
Our organization had worked with Monterrey County Animal Control before, and we had a good relationship with them.
“Can I go?” April asked. “You’ll need help.”
“Of course. Can you call Travis?”
“On it.” She pulled out her phone and left my office.
I headed to the supply room and found Beck feeding the kittens. “Hey.”
He turned to me with a winsome smile. “Something going on?”
“Yeah. We’re going to see if we can help animal control at a site near Gilroy.”
He bit his lip. “That’s hours away.”
