4. Sienna

FOUR

SIENNA

“Hi, do you happen to have a leash I can borrow to bring in an abandoned dog I called Doctor Johnson about?” I ask Maureen. She’s stayed on after Tallulah took over the vet practice. Amos kept me filled in on all the small-town gossip, and even if he didn’t, news travels fast, even when you live in the bigger city.

Since it happened, I’ve refused to think about the interaction I had with Trey. He gets me so fired up, and for good reason. The man knows how to work my body. Still, I either want to jump his bones or strangle him. I’m not sure which feeling is stronger at the moment, probably the later seeing as how I’ve yet to calm myself down. I have the wet panties to prove it, damn him. As for my pebbled nipples, yeah, they decided to keep waving their flag begging for attention from Trey. Again, not thinking about him or his handsome face is going splendidly swell, as you can see.

“Hello! Of course. There are a few to choose from on the hook by the front door. I’ll let Doctor Johnson know you’re here.” It’s so hard to keep professional Tully straight from friendship Tully when I’ve known her as a friend for as long as I have.

“Thank you.” I head back through the intimate lobby, nodding at other people or saying a quick hello. I’m not sure how the dog in my truck will react to being stuck inside while I’m gone. Sure, the truck is running and there’s air conditioning, but he could be destructive, and while the vehicle I’ve been using is not worth more than a couple thousands of dollars, I quickly grab the closest leash and hustle out the door, making sure it closes behind me. Tallulah’s waiting room seems to be decently full, and I’d hate for someone’s pet to get lose and dart out onto the highway. I’m walking as fast as my legs allow me, head on a swivel as I make my way through the parking lot.

“Oh, you sweet precious boy.” I’m halfway in love with him already. His nose is pressed against the window that's covered in kisses and slobber. There’s no way I’m going to be able to not bring him home. Which means I’ve got to hope that he’s not microchipped, or he is, and his owners no longer want him. That makes me sound cruel, except he’s clearly been gone quite a while. His ribs are showing, he’s caked in dirt, and I can only imagine what comes off of him with a bath.

I open the driver’s door, take the keys out of the ignition, and move to the backseat. A few minutes later, he’s got a slip rope around his neck and jumps out of the truck, letting out a small yelp. “Are you okay, buddy?” I ask the dog, who can’t respond. I’m sure if he did, it’d go something along the lines of ' Does it look like I’m okay, lady?' And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wish Trey were here right about now. He could carry him easier than I can. “Alright, looks like I’m carrying you. There’s no way you’re going to walk into Tully’s now.”

I bend down, arms going beneath his stomach, and lift him up using my legs. This pup sure is giving me quite an exercise today. It’ll be worth it in the long run. We’re standing up, my arms burning while holding him, and I’m moving as quickly as I can to get back inside.

“I really need to get back to walking three miles a day. Clearly, riding horses isn’t enough in the exercise department,” I huff out as I walk back up the ramp to Tully’s office.

Lucky for me, a patient is walking out and holds the door open. “Thank you, Mr. Reyes.”

“You’re welcome, Sienna. Glad to see you home. We’ll have to catch up later. Looks like you’ve got your hands full.” He and his wife would check in on me from time to time when Amos had to make the long haul to the auction out of town when I was a teenager.

“I’d love that.” He tips his head in acknowledgement, and I step back inside. Today must be my lucky day. Tallulah is out in the room, a rolling stretcher-like cart in her hands, and she’s moving toward me.

“Thank goodness. When Trey put him in the truck, he didn’t make a peep. He jumps out just now, and bam . A whine comes from him.” I don’t even say hello to Tully, going right into what happened.

“We’ll get him figured out. Come on back.” It’s safe to assume I figured other patients waiting for what I’m sure is their appointment times and would grumble. No one says a word, though, and I do as I’m told, laying the dog on the cart thing and following Tully and her assistant toward the back. The whole time, I’ve got my hand on the poor guy’s head, gently scratching his matted fur. We’re led into a room with a table and X-ray machine, and the assistant pulls out a tablet and waits for Tallulah to proceed.

“You want me to give you the details?” I ask. There isn’t much, but I can tell them what I do know.

“Sure. Sasha, will you grab the scanner for me?” Tallulah is already whipping her stethoscope out of her pocket and doing an assessment before I can even start.

“I found him while driving into town, ten minutes from the farm on the main highway. Trey helped me because, of course, as soon as he appeared, the dog ran off, then somehow, Trey being Trey, has him eating out of the palm of his hand. Not really. I didn’t have any food, but he loaded him in the truck, and now we’re here. There’s no collar, he looks like he hasn’t eaten a good meal in weeks, and I’m hoping you can fix whatever he has wrong with him.” Through my tirade, Tallulah nods, listening while working, and now I’m left with bated breath.

“His lungs and heart sound good. He is on the skinny side of what he should be. We’ll do a weight check and see how much he needs to put on. I’d like to say I’m surprised he was dumped, but honestly, it’s been happening so much I’ve become immune.” Sasha comes in and hands Tully the scanner, I sit down, unable to contain my hope about what will happen next. The beeping of the machine has my stomach dropping to my toes. I know already without Tallulah or Sasha saying a word. Someone lost their pup, and aren’t I the asshole for hoping this wasn’t the case?

“Alright, looks like he’s chipped, and his name is Bucket. I’m going to have Maureen see if she can get ahold of the owner. Until then, let’s finish the exam, see if he needs an X-ray, for sure get him started on IV fluids and go from there.” Tully looks from me to Sasha. The two working together mesh well. She’s out the door and getting the ball rolling.

“That’s a horrible name for a handsome dude like yourself,” I say to the dog, looking at him instead of Tully. “I’m going to go ahead and say it. Should the owner surrender him, or you not get a response, what’s the next step?” When Tallulah starts moving his back leg, he lets out a low yelp, and I’m back beside him. My hands and clothes are filthy, but who cares?

“I’m going to go ahead and X-ray him. I don't like how his leg feels or how he’s crying. As for the owner situation, if he or she surrenders him, you’ll be the first to know. Which is saying something because Dean would take over if I so much as a breathed a word to him about a dog. Bucket here will need to stay regardless for three days. I’d like to do bloodwork, check for parasites, and make sure he can hold down food without getting sick. That’s not including his leg, though I don’t suspect a break, thank goodness.” Dean, Tallulah’s husband, is a softy exactly like his mom, Catherine Johnson.

“I will fight Dean, Tully,” I say with laughter. In all fairness, I’d pull out the big guns and make Trey do my dirty work. We may not talk and there’s a lot left unsaid, but he knows how I am with animals. I’ve heard Amos talk about the menagerie that seems to find me, and Trey always sides with me on letting them stay.

“Of that I have no doubt. Are you willing to cover the cost for treatment?” I’d never expect her to do any of this for free. Even should the owners come back to claim Bucket, I’d pay her fees.

“Without a doubt. Do whatever you need to. As long as he’s healthy, that’s all that matters.”

“Good. I won’t tell Dean. Anytime one comes in and we can’t find the owner or adoption isn’t possible, he swoops in, rescues them, and foots the bill. This way, if you do, Dean won’t even try.” Tallulah winks at me. My stomach is no longer at my feet.

“Perfect. I’m going to head out. Can I come back later to check on him?” I need to get to Genevieve’s, or she’s going to try and do everything herself.

“Of course. I have your number and so does Maureen. I’ll let you know regardless about the owner situation.” I pat Bucket on his head one last time, bend to whisper a see you soon in his ear, and his soulful eyes stare back at me, looking at me like I’m the best thing since sliced bread.

“Thanks, Tallulah. I appreciate your help, a lot.”

“It’s what I’m here for.” She smiles softly, and you can tell this is truly her calling.