Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
For the briefest of moments Doug thought he must be seeing things. Cramped into the tiny closet was a vet he knew from Danville who treated both small and large animals. His name was Jim Green, and along with Katy, he was one of the few who had supported him. But he looked shockingly different. He had a scraggly beard, his face was gaunt, and he was wearing a floor length black fur coat and a black knit cap over his head.
“Doctor Green? I can’t believe it,” Doug exclaimed. “Come out of there. What happened to you?”
“I’m sorry, Doug, truly, I’m so, so sorry.”
“Just come out and talk to me,” Doug insisted, lowering his voice and stepping aside. “Katy, this is one of the best vets you’ll ever meet.”
“I know! Your wife comes into the pastry shop all the time. She said you were on an extended trip to Europe.”
“I wish,” he muttered. “No, I’ve been…sorry…it’s too much…I can’t begin to explain,” he mumbled, dropping his head in his hands. ”I wouldn’t know how or where to start.”
“You look terrible. Please sit down,” Doug said softly, helping him across to the love seat.
“I’m sure I do. That’s what happens when you’ve been living in the woods.”
“So it was you I saw when we were on our trail ride.”
“I’m sorry, I never meant to scare you. I never meant to scare anyone. But please, you can’t mention you’ve seen me, especially not to the sheriff. I haven’t done anything, I swear, but if I’m found I’m a dead man.”
“Why don’t you come back to the house with us and have something decent to eat,” Doug said softly. “You stood by me and now I’m going to stand by you. We’ll figure this out together.”
“I wish I could but I can’t risk it. Blake’s clients are around and so is Billy, that young cowboy.”
“Then we’ll pick you up after everyone is gone. Until then you can stay here, and help yourself to whatever you need, though I’m sorry to say there isn’t much.”
“I’ll come back with some hot chicken soup,” Katy interjected.
“That would be…be…” but overcome with emotion he dropped his head in his hands. “Thank you,” he sputtered. “I’ve been feeling so defeated.”
“Like I said, whatever has happened we’re here for you,” Doug said firmly. “Don’t forget, you saved my Bigsley.”
“Bigsley, yes, your beautiful lab. That was…goodness…ten years ago.”
“It was, and you were my hero. Tonight you can join us at the house and tell us everything. In the meantime please make yourself at home. There’s shaving cream and disposable razors under the bathroom sink. I keep them because my electric razor is pretty old and fails on me sometimes. But I have to ask, why are you wearing that coat?”
“It was my wife’s. It’s fake fur. I would never wear animal pelts, but it’s still very warm. And again, I’m sorry. I truly didn’t mean to scare anyone. The thing is, I was poisoned, and now I’m cold all the time. I can’t buy what I need to get it out of my system or to treat the symptoms. And finding anything to eat has been very difficult, which hasn’t helped. I can’t kill for food. In fact, up on Smoky Hill I’ve become friends with the animals. Even the wolves, and a mountain lion stopped by to say hello a couple of days ago. Sounds crazy, I know, but it’s true.”
“You’ve been living up there?” Katy asked, staring at him in shock. “It must be freezing at night.”
“I found a small cave so at least I’ve had shelter, but I admit I’m not doing too well.”
“I have a heater tucked away on the top shelf in the closet,” Doug declared, stepping away to fetch it. “Tell me what you need from the pharmacy. I’ll be happy to pick it up for you.”
“I’d be very grateful. I can’t write a prescription, but an over the counter product for my symptoms would be a Godsend.”
“Now I understand why the horses didn’t react and Butch didn’t bark,” Doug declared as he plugged in the heater. “You’ve met most of them, and of course Butch knows you.”
“Butch, he’s a lovely dog, aren’t you fella,” the vet said, stroking his head. “My goodness, that heater feels good.”
“Stretch out on the bed and get some proper rest,” Katy suggested. “You must have been worried sick about being discovered.”
“All the time,” he murmured with a sigh. “Even at night in my cave. Did you know people go for evening hikes up in those hills? Not very smart, but they do. I could hear their voices and I was afraid to light a fire. At least I had this coat. It saved me.”
“Now you can relax and catch your breath,” Doug said warmly. “But tell me what you need from the pharmacy. I can run into town and pick it up.”
“Bless you. Activated Charcoal. That will be a good place to start.”
“And I’ll be back shortly with some hot chicken soup,” Katy declared. “That will help.”
“What a wonderful thought, and it most certainly will. How can I ever thank you?”
“You’ve done so much for so many people over the years— including me—we are still in your debt. I don’t know if you’ve used the shower, but feel free.”
“I wanted to very badly when I got here, but I felt too weak, and I’m still very shaky. I was also worried someone would come in, and you did. I’ll try after a little sleep.”
“Whatever you need, Doctor Green, and I mean anything.”
“Please, call me Jim.”
“We won’t be long, and try not to worry. You’re in safe hands. We’ll figure all this out together and get your life back.”