Page 47 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"Don't give me that," she told him."You are, you're the sweetest.And I love what you're trying to do, but wouldn't you rather take the cookies to Janey yourself?"
"Honestly, I'd love to, but she wouldn't thank me for it.I don't go to see her at work too much because I always end up asking too many questions and playing with the puppies."
Harper and Shelley both chuckled at that.
"It's true.Don't laugh at me."
"I'm laughing because I can see that it's true, not doubting you."
"So, what do you say?Do you want to be my delivery person?I know Janey and Emmett are both in the office this morning.They do a clinic for people to bring their pets in.See, Janey’s as bad as me with the cats and dogs.Emmett only ever used to work on large animals, I think."
They all turned when Deacon appeared at Rocket's side."Don't you believe it.Emmett's as soft as you are, Rocket.He just hides it better."He met Harper's gaze and held it."He might act like nothing affects him anymore, but he has a soft heart."
Harper opened her mouth, about to inform him that she had no intention of ever hurting Emmett.But she closed it again when she realized that he might not even be talking about her.In theory, he shouldn't know that she and Emmett were kind of maybe seeing each other.And if she blurted something out to defend herself, she might give the whole thing away.
She relaxed when Deacon smiled and nodded."It's good to see him relaxing a bit lately."
"I think so, too."
"I'll take my nose right back out again, then.See ya later."He winked as he added, "But if you're gonna deliver those cookies for Rocket, I can tell you that chocolate chip are his favorite."
Harper could only laugh as she looked around at them.It seemed that keeping secrets wasn't easy around here.But finding good people wasn't hard.
~ ~ ~
Emmett walked Clem Harrington back outside, glad to get out in the sun after the morning clinic.When Janey first suggested doing them, he'd let her run the domestic animal clinics by herself.He preferred to be out and about visiting ranches, working with livestock.But when she showed him how long the waiting list for appointments was, he'd agreed that he should help out.Especially since many of the names on that list were his ranchers, anyway.
Clem turned and grasped his arm when they reached his truck."Do me a favor and lift him back up in there for me, would ya, son?Me and Chester are both at the point where we don't have any choice but to swallow our pride."
Emmett picked up Chester, Clem's border collie, and loaded him into the passenger seat.He petted the dog's graying head—he'd known him since he was a pup fifteen years ago.And he'd known Clem for as long as he could remember.
Clem hauled himself up into the driver's seat."Don't look so sad.It comes to us all, you know.Me and Chester have had a good run, haven't we old boy?"
Chester hopped across the console onto his lap, making Emmett smile.
Clem ran his gnarled hand over his dog's head."Between you and Trip, you're keeping us going till it's our time."His eyes clouded over as he petted Chester again."I just hope he can hang in till I'm ready to go with him.Haven't done a damn thing without this fella by my side for fifteen years.I'll be ready to check out when he does."
Emmett had to clear his throat."All I can tell you is that I'll keep doing my best for him, Clem."
Chester didn't have that long left, and from something Trip had said when they were all at Deacon’s last week, Emmett had a feeling that Clem didn't either.
"I know that.Oh, and before I go…" He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and gave Emmett two crisp new twenty-dollar bills.
"Thanks, Clem."
He rasped out a laugh."Make sure the girls get those, and you tell 'em me and Chester send our love."
"I will.Tanya was asking if we can all come out and visit you guys sometime soon."
"I'd like that."Clem's voice wavered as he added, "You might want to hurry about it, though.They'll feel like shit if I kick the bucket before you make it happen."
Emmett let out a short laugh.
"You know it's true.We'll see you soon, then."
"You will."
Emmett closed the passenger door and stepped back, holding his hand up as Clem's truck disappeared back up the driveway, hoping that wouldn't be the last time he saw them.
