Page 33 of Scythe & Sparrow
I turn Barbara toward me and she screeches and squirms, trying to take a swipe at my face. “I mean, she doesn’tlookrabid. But I don’t know shit about raccoons.”
“Well, I’m not going to take my chances and end up barking at my shadow, thanks,” he says as he levels me with a stern look. When Barbara growls, Fionn’s glare softens into worry. Even though he looks like he wants to hold on to his irritation, he can’t seem to. “Let me take her for you.”
“Nah, I’ve got a good grip on her. I don’t have faith this hostage transfer would go well. She’s spicy,” I say as she punctuates my words with frustrated barks. “Just pass me a crutch and stuff one of those trail mix bags into my pocket.” I nod toward a basket filled with very Fionn-esque healthy snacks. “I’ll let her out the back while you get your battle wounds cleaned up.”
Fionn’s brows knit, a crease notched between them. “Are you sure?”
“It’s the least I can do. Thanks for taking a raccoon to the face for me.”
Fionn can’t help but snicker as he slides his gloves off and drops them on the counter. He takes the package of trail mix and hooks a finger into my pocket. Fionn Kane does not flirt with me. Or at least, he tries his best not to. But his eyes don’t leave mine as he slides the treat into my pocket and says, “It wasn’t really by choice. But I’d take a raccoon to the face for you any day, Rose Evans.”
Blush rises in my cheeks as I smile. And I know he likes it. I can tell by the way his gaze drops to my lips and lingers there. I consider calling him out on it, throwing a question or two out into the open to see what happens next as he bends to retrieve one of mycrutches. But before I have the chance, there are three loud knocks at the front door of the clinic.
Fionn pats down his shorts, and that moment of unexpected playfulness vanishes from his eyes as they dart in the direction of the front of the building. “Shit. I left my phone at the front desk. I have no idea who that is.”
“I’ve got Barbara, don’t worry about it. Go ahead, I’ll be totally fine.”
He gives me a doubtful frown and three more knocks rap at the door. With an exchange of reluctant nods, we part ways, him toward the front of the clinic and me toward the rear with a single crutch and an irate trash panda. When I get to the back door, I wait until it’s closed behind me before I lean the crutch against it, using my free hand to fish the trail mix from my pocket. I open it with my teeth and scatter the contents on the concrete walkway before setting Barbara down, using the towel as a flimsy barrier between us to keep her from backtracking and chomping on my legs. She looks like she considers it too, at least until I shoo her away in the direction of the food. With a final glare in my direction, she starts picking up peanuts and raisins with her dexterous little paws.
“So cute yet so murdery,” I say, stuffing the gloves in my back pocket. “I think we’re kindred spirits, Barbara.”
She growls.
“Right. Enjoy your snack. I’m totally going to tell Dr. McSpicy you’re getting in through the vent for giving me that ungrateful attitude.” She looks up at me with her beady little eyes. “Okay, fine. I won’t. But you need to check those manners next time.”
I leave the crusty raccoon to her meal, grabbing my crutchbefore I reenter the clinic. I’m halfway down the hallway before a single text from Fionn stops me short.
Hide.
I dart into what must be Fionn’s office as the light for the corridor flicks on and a familiar voice booms from the direction of the waiting room.
“Apologies, Dr. Kane. I know the clinic is closed and all, but I saw your truck out front and the lights on, so I thought I’d take my chances. It’s just that my eye is a little sore, and I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind just taking a quick look. Save me all the trouble of driving out to Weyburn.”
“Of course, Mr. Cranwell,” Fionn says, but his voice is pinched, his tone clipped. “We’ll take Exam Room Two.”
I linger in the shadows, staying out of sight in Fionn’s office as he leads Matt to the exam room across the hall. My hand passes behind my back. I slowly pull my blade free of its sheath.
“So, tell me about what happened,” Fionn says. Paper rustles as Matt gets up on the exam bed.
“Long story, Dr. Kane. Not an entirely interesting one either. Got some cocktail sticks lodged in there.”
“You’re sure that doesn’t make for an interesting tale?”
Matt huffs a laugh, and the fine hairs at the back of my neck raise. “Maybe for another day.”
Fionn hums a thoughtful note, and then there’s silence, I imagine as he’s pulling off the eye patch and examining the healing wound. “How long has it been since the injury?” he asks, despite knowing the answer.
“About three weeks.”
“And you’re still having pain?”
“Yes.”
My hand tightens around my blade. That one simple word is delivered like a lie. I could give him real fucking pain. Take the other eye and make him beg for mercy. Realistically, would I probably puke everywhere if I did? Yes. But it would be worth it.
“How’s the farm?” Fionn asks, pulling me out of thoughts of murder and chaos. “Wife and kids?”
“Same old, same old,” Matt replies, and there’s a hidden thread of darkness in the jovial tone of his words, as though he’s telling himself a clever joke. “How about yourself, anything new and exciting in the world of Dr. Fionn Kane?”
