Page 24 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Shelley frowned."Is that all?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, I was hoping..."
Harper gave her a rueful smile."So was I, but I shouldn't.I mean, he's not in a position.And there’s the girls, and...Emily."
"I know, but...he was the one who asked if he could come get you; I didn't talk him into it."
"No, I know, but it wasn't about wanting to spend time with me.It was only about wanting to clear the air.And I'm very grateful that we were able to do that.That's enough for me."
"Is it?"
She shrugged."It'll have to be."
~ ~ ~
Emmett got up from his desk and walked over to the window, raising his arms above his head and then wincing when his shoulder reminded him that he needed to warm it up before stretching like that.It was already getting dark outside.He'd be grateful when the clocks went forward.He didn't like leaving the girls home alone any time, but it seemed even worse in the dark.
He checked his watch.His admin day was pretty much done.If he left now, he could finish up in the morning.It wasn't like him not to finish something that he'd started, but he made his way back to his desk and shut the computer down.It wouldn't do any harm.Sitting at a desk was much harder for him than being out and about working with animals.
He locked his desk drawer and glanced out the window again when movement out there caught his eye.At least he thought it had; he couldn't see anything.
He went through to the back to check on the animals who were overnighting.They were mostly a large animal practice, but Janey could never say no to anyone who needed them, so at the moment there was a litter of puppies back here that all needed homes.He squatted down and opened the door to their kennel, laughing when they flocked around him.He sat there for a little while, giving each of them some individual attention.
A ranch hand had brought them in after he found their mother by the side of the road.She'd been hit by a truck and Emmett hadn't been able to save her, but fortunately for the pups, the hand had heard them in a culvert pipe nearby and had brought them in with their mom.
He closed his eyes for a moment.Pups didn't expect to grow up with their mom—they weren't like little girls.He traced his finger over the final puppy's head as he put her back into the kennel before closing the door."You're going to be all right, little ones," he told them."We'll find you good homes with people who'll love you."
He got to his feet and cleared his throat.The vet techs had gone home, so he didn't need to worry about anyone hearing him.Then again, he doubted they'd be surprised if they did.
He made the rounds of the whole building, checking everywhere before he left.It was a habit he'd gotten out ofin the last couple of years, but recently he felt like he needed to be more vigilant again.When he was done, he locked the main door behind him and climbed into his truck.
As soon as he started the engine, his phone rang, and he hit the button on the steering wheel to answer, "Hey Janey, what's up?"
"Nothing, all good.Just wondering if you were still there.I'll stop in and see you on my way home.I'm all done at the Hanson place."
"How did it go with his herd?"
"Oh, it was fine.Just a routine visit.And I got done faster than I thought I would, so I can come in if—"
"There's no need.I'm heading home myself.I just got into the truck."
"Is everything okay at home?"
"Everything's fine.It was my admin day, remember?"
"Oh, of course.That's why you're leaving early.Well, I might just stop in and..."
Emmett frowned and looked out at the rapidly darkening sky."Whatever it is, can it wait till tomorrow?"
"It can," said Janey."Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine."He didn't need to share whatever his uneasy feeling was with her.It was probably nothing anyway."But since I'm going home early, it'll make me feel better if you do the same."
Janey laughed at that."Okay then.Just to make you feel better, I'll go home."
"I appreciate it.I'll see you tomorrow."
