Chapter 4 #2
“Viper Locke.” There was a slight growl when he offered his name. Was he suddenly going to break into a Hulk move, offering a terrifying roar?
“Viper?” I asked, laughing.
He didn’t.
“Okay, well, Viper. Why don’t we see if he has a microchip first. He might be lost.” When I pulled up my wand, every muscle in his body tensed.
“That won’t hurt him, will it?”
Wow. For a big, bad predator, the change in the man’s voice at least allowed me to know he had a heart.
“Not at all. I’m just checking to see if he has a chip just under his skin, which would provide details about his owner, even the pup’s veterinarian.
Very helpful in reuniting lost pets and their people.
” I moved the wand over the dog’s neck, even going all the way down his back.
“Unfortunately, he doesn’t, but you should put up a few flyers in the local grocery and pet stores just in case the pup’s owner is missing him. ”
“Are you crazy? Look at him. He’s suffering. He’s starving. If I find the owner, I’ll kill him with my bare hands.”
I’d heard serious outbursts in my time practicing medicine, but the heartfelt tone dragged at my heart instead of my anger. In another moment I knew I’d hate myself for, I placed my hand on Viper’s arm, squeezing to try to calm him down.
Maybe I managed to do so, but I was all worked up, my breath hitching.
“I think Sailor is in very good hands. You’re right, he’s severely malnourished and my guess is he’s not vaccinated.
I’ll need to run some tests to check for things like parvo and heartworm disease.
He’ll likely need his rabies shot as well as Lyme disease and a couple other typical inoculations.
I’m also worried how dehydrated he is. Now, my guess is you’ve given him plenty of water, but sometimes that’s not enough and an IV is needed. So don’t worry. Okay?”
The quick, tight, and explosive emotions expressed on his face in the one paragraph I’d said highlighted how tightly wound he was. There was no trust in the man for anyone. Including or maybe especially me.
“You don’t know exactly what I’m talking about. Do you? And that’s okay. If you’ve never had an animal before, you don’t know all the requirements. I’m happy to walk you through them.”
The way his jaw was clenched I feared he was going to lash out and a small part of me couldn’t blame him after the wretched way I’d accused him.
He looked away briefly, all while refusing to take his hands off the dog. I could tell in one day’s time how attached he was to the little guy. I didn’t want to scare him with just how worried I was. I might never see him again. “How much is this going to cost?”
“I offer the checkup for free at this clinic. As far as the vaccines, I can work you up an estimate if you’d like.
” The pained look on his face brought a skip to my pulse.
Wow. Whoever he was, the man was hurting and maybe I was wrong; maybe he was trying to do the right thing.
“I can do almost everything right now and maybe you’ve seen the sign.
It’s free. I like running the clinics on Saturdays. It’s my way of giving back. You know?”
I had a feeling he wasn’t used to taking a handout from anyone. “Okay.”
“And if it’s alright with you, I own a sanctuary. Well, I’m trying to turn it into one anyway. I can do much more there, including putting him on an IV. Just precautions to make him feel better. That’s an extension of my services here today. So it won’t cost you a penny. How does that sound?”
When I scratched Sailor’s tummy, he lifted his head, dragging his long pink tongue across my face and mouth. That was the closest I’d been to a French kiss in three years.
Why was it that a very naughty, highly inappropriate image of Viper’s face mere centimeters away floated in front of my mind?
Bad girl. Very bad.
While Viper looked relieved, the expression was short lived. “I’ll pay you back.”
“You won’t need to.”
“No, I pay what I owe. Period. Understood, Dog Doctor?” His tongue slid along his bottom lip in an overtly sensual way, only that’s not what was on his mind. He was furious with everything and everyone, including being forced to deal with me.
Still, a woman could fantasize. That was allowed even if the rugged, arrogant man and his dog were technically my clients.
Everything about the mysterious hunk was completely masculine from head to toe, including his thick, wavy chestnut hair I longed to run my fingers through, but only if my body was wiggling under him.
Broad shoulders, a sculpted barrel chest dipping to a thin waist and I could easily envision the sharply cut V in his abdomen, dipping to his… groin.
As soon as I blew a strand of hair from my eyes, his flickered for two seconds, a hint of amusement smoothing the deep lines of rage in his face.
Mr. Tall, Sexy, and Grumpy wasn’t inclined to provide his opinion.
“Well, then we can work something out. Let me run a few tests.” I tried my best to keep my eyes off him while he hovered over me like a vulture, not asking a single question, but I could easily tell he was ensuring I wouldn’t dare hurt his baby.
When I offered a piece of cheese for a treat, Sailor even finding the energy to place his huge front paws on my shirt, I was rewarded with another few seconds of a kinder expression.
Wow, the man was tough as nails. He had to be new to town. While I’d only been in Missoula for a little over five weeks, I would have noticed him. Certainly, Darlene or my other new friend Cassie would have expressed their desires to marry the man.
“Okay. That’s all I can do here today. What dog food did you buy for him?”
The question was as if I was chastising him all over again, Viper slipped back into serving the definition of what I suspected was a nickname well. “Let me guess. What I purchased wasn’t good enough?” The sneer gave him a dangerous don’t-fuck-with-me aura.
“You don’t need to have a chip on your shoulder, Viper.
I was just checking because maybe I could find a way for you to obtain a discount on the food.
That’s it. I do have connections even though I’m only a goddamn dog doctor.
” There. I lobbed some attitude back in his direction as if we were playing a vicious game of tennis.
Only I had a feeling he was at the point of tossing his racquet across the net and storming off the court.
Surprise. Surprise. His face softened, but it was a full minute before he managed to pry open his mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to kindness. Farmer’s Dog something? Roxie suggested it.”
“Ah, that’s great. Perfect choice. Just be careful and don’t feed the fur baby too much, which you will want to do.
” Now I was using the voice I did with eighty-some-year-old grandmothers who came in with their poodles.
“His tummy can’t handle it right away. Can you, big fella?
” Instead of facing another round of Viper’s verbal wrath, I returned my attention to Sailor, kissing him on the nose.
I had to wrinkle mine given the stench.
“Yeah, okay. I can do that. He’s just so hungry.”
“I know, which is good to hear.” While the puppy was eager to get off the table, we stood staring at each other with complete uncertainty what to say.
I noticed another potential customer behind him and resisted groaning.
“Let me grab my card with the sanctuary’s address. And a couple other things for you.”
I’d always been awkward around boys I liked from high school through the remainder of my life until now. But I was jerky with my motions, dropping items and my thoughts jumbled.
Why?
Because of how attracted to him I was. So much so, my heart was pounding. I grabbed a bottle of doggy shampoo sent as a sample, putting everything into a bag.
“Here you go.” Our fingers touched again and this time, a sliver of an unwanted, far too husky moan slipped out.
And he heard the whispered groan. Damn it.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. One hint. I put some doggy shampoo in the bag. Why don’t you go ahead and give Sailor a bath?”
For whatever reason and after spending almost forty-five minutes feeling as if I was standing on the only spot without broken glass, his features finally softened, an almost smile sliding across his chiseled face.
He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days and even I was able to relax when enjoying the sight of something so spectacular standing right in front of me.
“I’ll think about it.” As expected, his voice was gruff, tinged with anger and I could clearly tell he didn’t like anyone telling him what to do.
Just like a man.
Maybe Darlene’s assessment of all men was spot on.
Toddlers until they were fifty.
When he grabbed Sailor’s leash, nodding once before pulling the dog into the crowd and disappearing, I was annoyed with him all over again.
Why?
Not because of his surly attitude or the fact he’d called me a dog doctor. Not even because he’d locked the pup in the truck with no air, which in my world was a mortal sin.
No, all because of how handsome he was and the fact I’d just invited him over to my house.
My messy house I’d need to clean.
Even worse, I had no clue what to wear.
* * *
“No. No. No!” I almost tossed my wineglass against the wall after taking a quick glance outside. “Shit.” With Ellie May at my heels, I bolted toward the door, throwing it open and running outside. Even though I was wearing a damn dress, which I never did, I had on my Skechers, my running shoes.
And that’s exactly what I did, running toward the corral where the three horses who were usually calm, cool, and collected in their demeanor decided this afternoon of all days would be the perfect opportunity to go frolicking around the yard.
Even worse, they were running away from me.
Full speed.
Not one of them bothering to turn his or her head toward the crazy lunatic lady who was screaming her head off.
Or the dog who was barking as if six intruders had stolen her dog biscuits.
Nope.