Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Maddie

Roman glares at Mike and then turns to the vet. “Your tech accused Maddie of negligence in her care of the birds and squirrels that came here.”

“What?” the vet breathes. “Mike?”

“There were no care plans.” He sounds like a sulky teenager, but my face is still hot and I’m sure I’m various shades of red. He’s not the first veterinary professional to tell me I’ve no business caring for animals.

Part of me has always believed them.

But then I’d find some wounded creature and I’d think to myself…if not me, then who… If I walk away, that might mean this little creature dies.

And so I’d take the bird with a broken wing or the squirrel with the broken leg home. My grandmother would sigh about my heart being bigger than my smarts.

The vet lets out a frustrated sigh. “It’s not true. I got the plans verbally from Dr. Anderson myself. She took the time to go through each case with me.”

“Lucia.” I should have known. I’m not sure what I did to deserve such an amazing friend but my shoulders wilt in relief.

“But—” Mike starts.

“You’re dismissed.”

Mike huffs out a breath, but leaves the room, the door closing with a thud behind him.

Roman’s hand is at my back again, his body close enough that I can feel his heat.

“My apologies,” the vet clears her throat. “I’m Dr. Stevens.”

With a nod, I hold the kitten closer, still feeling awkward and nervous. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Roman’s other hand comes to the underside of mine, like he’s holding the kitten too. “Should we let Dr. Stevens examine the patient?”

With a wincing nod, I hand the baby over, waiting while Dr. Stevens completes her checkup. “Tell me what happened that’s brought you in.”

“The kitten stopped breathing,” I say. “I used massage to stimulate the heart and lungs again.”

“Good thinking,” Dr. Stevens says, “Not everyone is able to do that.”

I really appreciate her kind words. Roman gives me another gentle squeeze. I take in several slow breaths as I wait, trying to clear out my worries.

“There’s not much to be done,” Dr. Stevens hands me the kitten back. “Heart rate is normal, number of breaths per minute are not elevated. Weight is fine, but I’d keep a careful eye on that.”

“I will.” Roman has a kitchen scale. It will only take a minute. I’m sure Roman will help me.

“Overall, I’m afraid, this is a wait-and-see kind of situation.”

I nod, snuggling the kitten back against my body. I’m not surprised to hear her say that. “Thank you.”

“I hope you weren’t hoping for more from me.”

I shake my head. “This is not my first patient that’s given birth. I know how tenuous these first days are. I just wanted to make certain there wasn’t an obvious health issue with this little one. It’s always a worry that there is something wrong with the heart or lungs.”

“I agree. It was smart to bring the kitten in. And you’re welcome. Though, I’m pretty sure, I should be thanking you.”

“Why is that?”

“Your animals have provided endless educational opportunities for us. Dr. Anderson’s plans were excellent, and a different methodology from our own. In addition, we rarely get to have animals in the various states of healing for our students to look at comparatively.”

“Dr. Stevens,” I start, worried she’s just being nice. “You don’t have to?—”

“I do. Have to. And just so we’re clear, we have several open positions in the vet school for associate professors. If you ever find yourself in need of a job, call me.”

I blink back my surprise, my heart swelling in my chest. It’s more than I’d ever hoped for. Not having finished college, I’m not even sure I’m qualified but the offer still takes my breath. To think of someone wanting me... “Thank you.”

Roman and I walk out of the exam room, the kitten now rooting around on my chest. Poor thing is likely hungry.

I brush my hands down it’s little back. “I’ll hurry. As soon as we’re in the car, I’ll give you back to Mama.”

Roman’s got an arm around me, his other hand holding the carrier as he guides me through the waiting room and down a short hall.

We’re almost to the door when someone else stops us. “Roman.”

“Alex,” Roman rumbles. Then he squeezes my arm. “Maddie, this is Alex. He’s the one who picked up your animals.”

I stop, all my insecurities coming back. My first conversation with Alex wasn’t the easiest one. He was barking on the phone to Roman, Lucia was snarking at Alex…. “Hi,” I softly reply, my chin dipping to my chest. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you. I’d shake your hand, but I see they’re full.”

I smile at that, thinking that Alex is actually much nicer than Mike. “Thank you again for all your help. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t collected my rescues. And my apologies about Lucia. She is the most wonderful person but she’s not afraid to express herself.”

“No need to apologize. Roman and I go way back,” Alex says. “And it was no trouble. Well…it was a bit of trouble, Lucia is not a woman I’d want to cross. But we’ve spoken several times since and her knowledge has been invaluable. I’ve enjoyed many of our conversations since.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“And she’s been amazing for the students.”

“Dr. Stevens mentioned the student experience,” Roman inserts. “I’m so glad it’s worked out all around.”

“It has…with the cat too, I see.”

My brow furrows, as I blink several times. “The cat?” How would Alex know about Thomasina? “What does that mean?”

There is an awkward pause, the air stilling around us as some energy I don’t understand crackles. “I called Alex when Thomasina was in labor,” Roman supplies, his hands flexing on mine. “I needed to know if help was required beyond what I could give.”

“Oh,” relief washes through me because that makes sense. “Right.”

“Kitten doing all right?” Alex asks, clearing his throat.

“Hopefully,” I answer, still feeling some of the tension that I don’t quite understand. “Speaking of, this little one needs to get back to Thomasina. I don’t want to open the carrier until we’re all contained in the car.”

“Right,” Roman is already moving us down the hall. “Thanks again, Alex. I’ll call you later.”

I stroke the kitten in my hand, as Roman opens the door to the clinic and leads us out to the car. He helps me in and then places the kitten in the carrier with Thomasina. Thankfully, she doesn’t bolt, content to be with her kittens. “You think the kitten will be all right on the way home?”

I frown, forgetting about Alex, as I look back. “I think eating and being with Thomasina is the kitten’s best chance.”

Roman gets in the car and pulls out of the lot. “We’ll keep an eye on them both tonight.”

I nod, drawing in a deep cleansing breath.

Today has been an odd day. Getting back out in the world is everything I’ve feared and hoped it would be. I’ve been avoiding the Mikes, but when you face them, you get the moments like the one I had with Dr. Stevens. The great only comes with the bad.

I scratch at my chin, wondering about some of the choices I’ve made and the ones that are in front of me.

What if I did sell my house? Would I have enough money to finish school? Get a job? Buy a small place to live?

What would my gran really want for me? We never got a chance to discuss it. By the time I realized what was happening, she was too lost to help me find my way.

But maybe I don’t need to ask.

Maybe, I already know. She’d want me to make this decision with my head and not my heart.

And if I’m being totally honest, the Kincaids’ original offer was beyond generous.

I draw in a shaky breath, my thoughts swirling so rapidly, I almost feel like I can’t breathe.

“Maddie?”

“I’m fine. I just…”

“Is this about Alex?”

“Alex? No. Why?”

“Nothing. What’s wrong?”

I pack that one away. “I know that Mason already started the process of leasing my yard, but suddenly I’m wondering…” I stop, realizing I’m jumping way ahead of myself. I should order my thoughts first. Is Roman even the person to ask about this?

He takes one hand off the steering wheel and places it in mine. “What are you wondering, my little bird?”

His little bird. I suppose I have been a wounded little creature. But I want to be something else. “Actually, can we discuss it a bit later? I might need to think some more.”

“Of course.”

I squeeze his fingers, letting out a long breath.

I feel like I’m finding myself again. Or maybe for the first time.

I lean over, brushing my cheek over Roman’s shoulder. Whatever happens with Roman, however long he’s in my life, I’ll always have him to thank for that.