Page 36 of A Much Younger Man
He shifted. “But you do.”
“I try not to,” I admitted. “I’ve done things I regret—things that weren’t smart or healthy. The thing is, that’s what makes me the man I am today. I didn’t see it coming then, but I’m pretty content now.”
“You’re not listening, Doc. I don’t regret my decision. I lost Bryce, and it really hurts. Callie lost the focus of her entire world. We needed each other. She’s the one thing I don’t regret. Never will.”
I wanted to kiss him. How many times had I seen animals abused, thrown away, abandoned, neglected? Beck had a bond with CallieIenvied. I wished I could bottle it and spray it on the rest of those assholes with a fire hose.
“I’m on your side, Beck. Do you have a plan for going forward?”
“I like it here.” He spoke quietly. “St. Nacho’s, I mean. It’s not just the beach or the businesses.”
I knew what he meant. “Jim at Nacho’s Bar calls Santo Ignacio the Island of Misfit Toys.”
A light, bright smile flitted across his lips. “I’ll fit right in.”
“Can I get you anything else? Coffee? Tea?”
“No. I should be going, probably.” He eyed me but made no move to rise.
I noodled around with the guitar some more.
I didn’t want him to leave, that was clear enough. I liked having him in my house—liked the sound of him breathing close-by and Callie’s nails clicking on the floor when she left for the water dish I set out.
Beck watched her. “She’s making herself right at home.”
“She’s always welcome here. I like having a dog around.”
“But you don’t have one.”
I shook my head. “Rico only needs a mirror to keep him company. A dog needs more than that.
Beck nodded slowly, and I sensed we were heading into dangerous territory. “People too. Is that why you’re not with someone? You work long hours? Volunteer your weekends?”
“Mmhmm. Pretty much. How’d you know about that?”
“While you were cooking, I noticed your scrapbook.” He tapped his finger on the book my mom had made about the things I’d done with the CAVMRC—California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps.
I wished I could sink into a hole.
“I wasn’t prying.”
“No, it’s okay. I leave it out. I guess I’m an egomaniac or something.”
“It’s really interesting. I never knew there was a vet corps. You work long hours at your clinic, and then you go and do that. Were you at the Camp Fire?”
I nodded. “And the Tubb’s Fire.”
“Do they only rescue pets or wild animals too?”
“I’ll take on any animal I have the skill to treat. Mostly companion animals, goats, pigs. I don’t treat cattle or horses, and I’m not an avian vet.”
“Is it only fires you go to?”
“There have been floods. I’ve been to earthquakes. Mexico, mostly.”
“I don’t get it. You run into fires to treat animals, and yet—”
“It’s not as heroic as Mom’s ode to me makes it sound.”
