Page 105 of Vetted for Vengeance
“You’re doing great.” She reassures, standing up to leave me. “You can put these two in a separate incubator. They don't haveto be a littler of twelve, or two litters of six. Just not alone or they'll fade.”
Okay, having two little pups in my non-existent cleavage isn't practical, but they both fit into my pocket, and I'll just spend the next three weeks with my hands in my pockets.
Chapter forty-nine
Rhys
The news about the case being dropped lifts a weight from my mind. I hadn't been worried as such, but my mind definitely lingered on it more than it should.
“So we can now re-home the dogs to their forever homes,” Noah grins, his pockets wriggling more than usual.
“And I can move forward with the expansion.”
“I…” Noah pauses for a moment. He knows my plans. I've had him outside with a brick and a tape measure more times than necessary. He has faith in me, but not in himself. Running the hospital, the large animal side, the puppy barn, the branch surgeries and now my three porta-cabin plan.
He sees so many pieces to juggle. With so many puppies taking up all of his hands.
But soon he will truly see what I see. A man who doesn't need to juggle so many departments, a man who just needs to chair a committee of people who have been running all my branches for years.
“Cheyanne has gone into labor.” Tree calls, banging on the door after she's entered. “Harry wants Noah to lead as she's so skitty. Do you want him to bring her over, or will you go to them?”
Noah stands up calmly. He reaches into his left pocket and pulls out a blanket pouch containing Bunny and Sunny. Then the right pocket and pulls out three micro pups in another pouch.
“Five?” I frown, taking the offered bundles. He's been stealing the runts from each litter. Old habits die hard, and he still removes the weakest pups. But instead of discarding them, he slips them into his pocket. I have twelve incubators over in the puppy barn, and they're all full.
It's a long-term investment for my wildlife hospital idea, but for now, it's a sympathy project for Noah, making life easier for his remaining girls and one hundred times harder for himself.
But he wouldn't be my Noah if he did have more puppies than pockets.
“I’m on my way.” Noah walks out of the office, leaving Tree laughing at my sudden collection of vulnerable puppies.
“How many are you letting him keep?” She asks.
“Honey.” I sigh. “But he hasn't put any of the runts up on the adoption sheets.”
“Keep telling yourself it's his pessimism in case they don't survive, but you know you'll be keeping them all.”
“I know you've put your name down for Figgy.”
“Yes. When her puppies are weaned, and if you decide you're going to let us bring them in with us.”
“You will always be second place in their hearts if they see Noah daily.”
“They have big hearts.”
“It means Noah can keep more dogs without me having them at home.” I give a shrug, knowing I've opened the floodgates. Itwas inevitable. My staff asked, and I said no. Noah batted his eyes, and I melted.
I thought I was broken before, but now…
Killer with a heart.
I never imagined it would be possible.
But he's opening my heart to the whole world.
A lot can happen in a short time. In terms of puppy growth, it’s a huge difference. One that can be easily measured in Noah’s growth charts. But it can also be measured in the chance to my practice.
Seeing the smile on Tree's face as I grant permission for Figgy to live under her consultation room table.
