Page 4 of The Enemy's Daughter

It was the worst memory of hers.

“Hey, everyone,” she said, smiling at all of the clients. Going behind the counter, she fired up her computer, and quickly left to put her coat and wraps in the staffroom.

Coming out, she got to work, answering the phone, and dealing with payments, appointments, and whatever else she needed.

“Mrs. Henderson,” Bella said, smiling. Mrs. Henderson was an old woman, in her late seventies, and had a ginger cat called Boss. The moment Bella saw the tears on the woman’s face, pain gripped her heart. “What happened?”

“Oh, dear, he was getting slow in his old age, and I’m afraid, he didn’t make it.”

Tears filled Bella’s eyes, and before she could stop herself, she stood, wrapping her arms around the older woman. “I’m so sorry.”

Boss was such a beautiful soul. Yes, he was a cat, but he’d made Bella love him so much, and the thought of never seeing him again hurt her.

“He’s gone to a better place.”

Cat heaven.

Still, she had tears running down her cheeks, and her lip quivered. Bella was a horrible crier, and now was no different.

“Bye, honey,” she said to Mrs. Henderson.

“Poor woman,” Deidre, the vet and her friend, said.

“What will she do?” Bella asked.

“I don’t know. Poor guy was gone before she got him here. I hate seeing them like that.”

“There was nothing you could do?” Bella grabbed a tissue and wiped under her nose. This was the one downfall to working inside a veterinary practice. She got so close to the pets and their owners, feeling their pain whenever something bad happened.

“No.” Deidre placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, sweetie.”

“Oh, you know me. I’ll be fine soon. I hope. It’s just so sad. I mean, she loved Boss so much.”

“I know. It’s always hard when we lose one. There are times I wish I didn’t become a vet. They never really train you to deal with the losses, you know?”

“I know. I really do.” Bella blew into her tissue and forced a smile at her friend. “Go on. I’ll be all right. You know me.” She gave her a wink, even with it filled with tears.

Deidre laughed. “I’ll be back around to check on you.”

She waved her hand, and took a deep breath.

This was something she had to deal with. Keeping a tissue handy, Bella dealt with the rest of the booked customers for the day. Every time someone came in with a worried look on their face, Bella panicked and placed them right in the front of the queue. She probably shouldn’t have done that, but waiting around to find out if your loved pet was okay or not was just too much for Bella to deal with. They needed answers, and Deidre was the only one who could give them those answers. Pushing her hair out of her face, Bella leaned forward, and checked through the latest list of appointments.

She was so lost in her own little world that she gave a little cry when someone tapped her shoulder. Looking up, she found herself caught by the sexiest pair of green eyes she’d ever seen.

“H-hello,” she said, stumbling over her words.

He was a handsome man, and he had the most intense eyes.

“Hi,” he said, smiling. “I need to see a vet.”

Hottie then lifted up his arms, and Bella fell in love. There was no other word for it. The puppy in his arms was a very small cocker spaniel, blue roan, and he was just the cutest little puppy.

“Oh my, he’s so gorgeous.” Standing up, she reached out, to give the little puppy a stroke. “He or she?”

“He.”

The puppy licked her fingers and gave them a little nip.

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