Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(26)

I nodded. “I’ll do everything this afternoon, and you can come pick her up. Once I know what it is, we’ll figure out a course of action.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, and my chest ached. I remembered the day I’d felt the tumor in my cat’s stomach. She’d been sick for months, but I’d wanted to hold on to her for as long as I could. I was selfish and couldn’t bear to be without her. That same day, I’d put her down so she wouldn’t have to suffer anymore. That was one of the reasons I hadn’t had any animals since her.

Mrs. Jenkins got to her feet and so did I. “Do I just hand her to you?”

“Not unless you want to follow me to the back and lay her down in a kennel. You can say goodbye to her there. I’ll make sure she’s comfortable while she’s here.” Opening the door, I led her down the hall to the back room that housed all of our patients. I picked out a smaller kennel with a nice, fluffy bed. “I think Lady will like this one,” I suggested.

Mrs. Jenkins nodded and gently placed Lady inside. “I think so, too. Will you call me when the tests are done?”

“Of course.” She said goodbye to Lady and walked with me to the front. “Take care, Mrs. Jenkins. I’ll talk to you soon.”

She shook my hand. “Thanks, Dr. Hunter.”

As soon as Mrs. Jenkins was gone, Amanda rushed up to me. “So what do you think about Lady?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m hopeful. Let’s get these tests done and find out.”

—

For the rest of the morning, I went back and forth from Lady to my other patients. Luckily, the rest were simple exams, but there was an old German shepherd that had to be put down. I loved animals, and having to take their lives hurt my heart every time, especially when the owners took it hard. I’d never mastered the art of distancing myself from the pain. Jeremiah and Michael could do it, but I hadn’t developed the thick skin. I probably never would.

Time started edging closer to lunch, and I needed the break; I was ready to see Derek. Once I heard the intercom beep in my office, I knew it was time. “Dr. Hunter,” Jessica announced giddily.

“Yes,” I replied, trying to keep from laughing.

“Derek is here for you.”

“Thank you. I’ll be up there in a second.”

“Take your time,” she said in a sultry voice.

Just the thought of her up there working her charm on Derek made my stomach clench. Jessica was young, beautiful, and could get any man to turn his attention to her. I took off my lab coat and ran a brush quickly through my hair. Before I could walk out, Michael brushed past and winked back at me.

“Looks like it’s time to meet the boyfriend,” he announced.

“He’s not my boyfriend, Michael. Now, don’t embarrass me.”

He laughed. “Why not? I have lots of funny stories to tell him.”

And he did. Michael knew everything about me, including the time I ran into a tree and broke my nose; that wasn’t one of my glorious moments. Michael waited for me to join him and we walked up to the front together. Derek waited by the front door, and when he saw me, he smiled. His auburn hair was covered by a University of Tennessee hat, and he had on a pair of khaki shorts and a navy T-shirt. I thought I’d find him at the front desk talking to Jessica, but he paid her no mind.

“Hey,” I greeted him.

“Hey yourself. You ready to go?”

I placed my hand on Michael’s arm. “Yeah, but I want you to meet my friend Michael, the one I told you about the other night.”

Michael held out his hand and Derek shook it. “It’s nice to meet you,” Michael said.

“Likewise. Hayden has said nothing but great things about you.”

Michael nudged me in the side, a sly smile on his face when he winked. “That’s because she loves me.”

Laughing, I rolled my eyes and grabbed Derek’s arm. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Wait! I want to meet him,” Amanda shouted, racing around the corner. She straightened her scrubs and rushed up to us, her eyes full of excitement. “I’m Amanda.” She held out her hand and Derek shook it.

“It’s nice to meet you, Amanda. I’m Derek.”

I looked up at him. “She’s my assistant.”

“Ah, I see. Does she work you hard?” he asked her.

Nodding, she put her arm around me. “Yes, but she’s amazing.”

“That she is,” he agreed, grinning down at me.

I ignored the butterflies in my belly and tapped my watch. “We have to go so you can get back to practice on time.”

He waved at everyone and I pulled him out the door. The last thing he needed to do was get caught by Wilford; we’d never leave the office. “Where do you want to eat?” he asked.

I pointed at the pub just down the street. “Have you ever been there?”

He shook his head. “You’d think since I live here that I would have, but I haven’t. If I go anywhere, it’s usually to Carolina Tavern. They have the best food around.”

“I know what you mean. That’s my favorite place around here, but I know we don’t have the time to drive out there.” We stopped in front of the pub and he opened the door. “This place is good, too. You’ll like it.”