Page 79 of One More Chance
I barely heard her as I turned and saw who I assumed was Detective Harlan entering through the busted front door, his face drawn with fatigue. “Mr. Shaw.” His voice was gruff. "I hate to meet in person under these circumstances.”
I shook his hand, forcing a tight smile, trying to hold it together. “Thanks for coming. I understand she’s officially arrested now, right? After all, she seems like a threat to public health.”
A weary smile tugged at the detective’s lips. “Yes. We’ll take her into custody, Mr. Shaw. You don’t need to worry about that anymore.”
I nodded with relief, but it didn’t take away the dread that was still crawling through my chest. “That’s all I can ask right now. Is there anything else you need from us?”
Detective Harlan glanced around the house, his eyes sweeping over the broken window and the mess. “Honestly, we’ll need to take some pictures of the point of entry. We’ll have a team come help board up the window. Shouldn’t take long.”
I exhaled, trying to process everything, trying to keep myself from falling apart. “Great. Unfortunately, our family dog was injured. We need to take him to the vet. Are we okay to leave?”
The detective nodded. “Of course. Take care of what you need to. We’ll be here for a few hours unfortunately, but in touch if we need anything.”
Turning, I made my way to the kitchen, where Rufus was huddled on the floor, his body trembling. His fur was matted with dried blood. He looked up at me, eyes wide with confusion and pain.
"Easy boy."
I crouched down beside him, gently running my hand through his fur. His breathing was shallow, and I could see how badly he was hurting. I swallowed hard, trying to hold it together for the kids, for Sloane but all I could think about was getting Rufus the help he needed.
“We’re going to get you fixed up, buddy,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.
I carried Rufus out to my truck where Sloane and the kids waited, then we sped off to Sloane's work.
Chapter 26
Ten minutes later, we were at Willow Creek Emergency Animal Clinic.
With my heart in my throat and Rufus’s limp form cradled in my arms, we marched through the front doors.
The clinic had always been a place of routine. Vaccines. Checkups. Preventative care. But now it felt sterile and surreal, as if the walls were holding their breath with me.
Sloane, calm but firm, said, “Kids, go to the playroom down that hallway. You’ll find a room full of consoles and games, okay?”
Violet headed off, but Liam lingered. My son's brow furrowed as he glanced at me, then at Rufus.
“Go ahead, bud,” I said gently, keeping my voice steady. “We’ll be right out here.”
He gave a small nod, cool and composed, every bit the teenager trying to be brave. But I saw his hand subtly brush Violet’s back as she turned a corner, guiding her protectively like he always did when he thought no one was watching.
Sloane's gaze shifted between Rufus and me. “We’ll get him examined. Hold on, Levi.”
I nodded, but my throat was tight. The weight of Rufus in my arms felt heavier by the second, as if my guilt had seeped into his fur. I pressed my cheek briefly to the top of his head, murmuring a soft, broken, “Hang in there, boy.”
The scent of antiseptic, the soft hum of fluorescent lights, and the clack of distant keyboard taps filled the air as we continued to the front desk.
“Sloane? Oh no, tell me what’s going on.”
The voice came from the old receptionist who’d worked here as long as I could remember, seated behind the desk. She stepped out, her reading glasses still perched on her head, silver curls slightly frizzed like she’d been caught in the rain earlier. Her face softened the moment she saw Rufus cradled in my arms.
Without asking, she leaned in to peek at him, her hands practiced as she reached to gently lift one of his paws, careful not to jostle him.
Sloane’s voice cracked, the events of the day bleeding into her words. “We have a bit of an emergency, Sarah. I’m so sorry to barge in like this, but could you please let Dr. Monroe know we need him?”
“Absolutely,” Sarah said, her tone shifting from concern to calm authority. “Let’s get this boy checked in.” She gave a reassuring nod and disappeared down a different hallway, her footsteps brisk.
A vet tech appeared just moments later, clipboard in hand as she took information down. Sloane stayed close to Rufus to whisper soothing words as the tech took his temperature. I sat nearby, elbows on knees, heart drumming.
And thenhewalked in.
