Page 5 of The Enemy's Daughter

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. Puppies are known to nip. Train them not to, and they’ll be more than fine. You want a checkup, right?”

“I just picked him up. He’s twelve weeks, and I want him checked over. I read in one of those books that the moment you get him you’re to bring him here.”

“Yes.”

When the hottie went to put him on the floor, Bella gasped and stopped him by grabbing his arm. “No. You’re going to have to hold him. He can’t go on the floor.”

“Oh, right.”

“There’s a diseases out there that can kill puppies if he gets it before we give him his injections.” Taking a seat, she started tapping on her keyboard. “Shoot. I’m afraid you’re going to have to come back. The last appointment we have is at six-thirty, and that’s all we’ve got. If you want to be seen sooner, there’s another practice down the street.”

He shook his head. “No. I want to get seen here. I’ve heard this is the best place for pets in the city.”

She smiled. “Thank you. We do like to try.” She tapped on her computer. “What’s your name?”

“Blue.”

She looked up. “Your name is Blue?”

“Yes. It’s Blue Patterson.”

“Right.” She tapped him in for an appointment, along with his pet’s name. “Have you named him yet?”

“I’m thinking Buster? What do you think?”

“I think it’s great. We’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Thank you.” He looked down at her chest. “Bella.”

She nodded, not liking the thrill that rushed through her entire body from his voice. He was older, way older than she was, but he was one of those sexy older men.

Get over yourself, Bella.

Leaving her station, she went to the staffroom, and grabbed herself a coffee to help clear her head. There was no reason for her to even fantasize about Mr. Hottie. He was never going to look her way. She was too young, and of course, too plain. He was probably married. The good ones always were.

The rest of the day went by without much event. Several people came in with sick animals, and Bella struggled with her tears. Watching them leave was the hardest. In fact, she was wiping away more tears when the very hot guy returned. The moment he saw her, the smile on his face disappeared.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She was charmed by his concern. “Yeah, I am. It’s the curse of working in a veterinary practice.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “If you want to go through, you’re just on time, and I know Deidre is waiting for you.”

He hesitated, and she went back to work. Blowing out a huge breath, she cleared her throat, and moved toward the board that had their lost loved ones. The veterinary practice preferred to connect to their customers through their pets. Sticking three more pictures, Bella believed it to be one of the worst days when it came to cats.

“I’m so sorry,” Leanne said, gripping her shoulder, also crying. “It never gets easier.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

Bella hated loss, and if she wanted to, she didn’t even have to work at all. There was no reason for her to. Her father was incredibly wealthy, like stupid rich, and it made her uncomfortable when people found out who her father was. She never brought him up, and preferred her much simpler life. Her mother was a great believer in keeping your feet firmly on the ground.

Working was something Bella liked to do, and there was no way she could sit around all day or even go shopping. She liked to work. She enjoyed working, and the thought that she could be helping someone was more than enough reward.

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