Chapter 7 Tully
SEVEN
TULLY
I’m sitting at the clinic when a phone call comes through at my extension.
The small desk area where each vet at Herbert’s Clinic sits is laughable.
It’s not even the size of a cubicle. I’m talking this might be a two-foot-by-two-foot desk area, a couple of drawers, a computer, and a phone.
That’s it. I think a standing desk might be bigger than the surface area I’m currently working on.
Plus, standing while working would be so much better, especially during my chart work time.
I pick up the phone. “This is Dr. Jennings.” Usually, a technician will answer calls and feed them through to our lines. That’s not the case with this call. It came directly to my line, and only a few people have it. Literally, I can name all the people on one hand.
“Tallulah, we’ve got a problem.” I know that voice.
I haven’t heard it since yesterday morning when the rasp of his voice told me good morning and we’d talk soon.
I slept until I couldn’t any longer, then got up to start my day.
Thankfully, it didn’t start until noon. Nevertheless, it meant that Dean and I wouldn’t see each other until later today, if it all.
“What’s wrong?” My stomach plummets. Did something happen to him, to his family, to Birdie, to Ellie, or did news get out about us?
Honestly, the latter would be the less of two evils.
It would suck, but it’s eventually going to happen and, well, whatever happens, happens.
Obviously, I’ve been mulling this over every spare second of every day.
I’m leaning more and more toward outing the whole damn thing myself.
It hit me at Birdie and Lane’s. I could have what my best friend has.
We could potentially be sisters-in-law. The only thing stopping anything from happening is me, the person who stares at her reflection daily in a mirror as she goes through the what-if list.
“Dean.” My voice is heavy with emotion, eyes tingling, and the chart in front of me is getting harder and harder to focus on.
“Fuck, sunshine, nothing like that.” The flashes of losing someone play on repeat in my head, an accident on the highway or the ranch. I must stay quiet longer than I thought, trying to get my breathing under control as well as my racing heart. “I need you to say something, Tully.”
“I’m here. Please tell me what’s going on.” I drop my pen, no longer able to work until Dean tells me the reason for his call.
“JW and I were at the auction. On the road back home now.” I look at the clock on my computer and see it’s getting later in the day.
Which is weird. Usually, they’ll go early in the morning in order to check out the ones they want before the crowds arrive.
I’ve also been at work for hours without seeing patients in order to do the monotonous side of this job.
“Yeah, I remember your text. It’s kind of late?
” I question. Somehow, whoever did the schedule did me a solid.
After being on call last night and tonight, I got this morning off and didn’t have to come in until after lunch.
It’s been a bit quiet seeing patients in office as well as call-outs to various homes, ranches, and farms. Hence, I’ve stuck to my desk.
The less of Herbert I have to see, the better.
He’s not my favorite person in the world, but he’s also not horrible.
Fine, he sucks as a boss more than anything and likes to play favorites as well as works you to the bone to see if you’ll stick.
There’s a reason why he has such a high turnover rate, and it’s him. He’s the problem.
“Yeah, that’d be because a few horses were being sold as is.” I mull this over. This is sadly normal, but I also know Dean and JW would never leave a horse behind that needed a home. None of the Johnson Brothers or their parents would.
“Please tell me you loaded them up in your trailer and you got the names and description of the owners.” I’m not going to confront the asshats.
That’s asking for trouble. What I will do is keep my eyes out and make sure those individuals go on a list of sorts.
I’m sure the auction is watching and observing, too.
This could become a new normal at the auction.
Dean and his family are always there, even though sometimes they’ll come home empty handed.
One where eventually another source would have to step in and take control.
“Sunshine, they’re loaded up. We’re taking them back home.
I’ve got a mare I’m pretty sure is bred, and JW thinks she may only be three or four years old.
I have a colt that looks like he was weaned off his momma too early and a stallion that’s older who’s severely emaciated.
Any chance you can meet us at the ranch, or do I need to call it in?
” There’s a worry in his tone, and I’m already standing up, grabbing shit to put in my pockets, ready to walk out the door without a backward glance.
This is the reason I got into large animal medicine.
I want nothing more than to help animals who don’t have a voice for themselves.
“How much longer till you’re at the farm?” I ask.
“A good hour. We’ve got quite the load. Neither of us were expecting to come home with six horses instead of the three we were going for, and we brought the smaller trailer.” Well, shit, that’s a bit longer than I thought.
“I’ll be there waiting. I’m going to go up front and let Maureen know you called to come take a look at three horses. I’d like to leave the others off until we figure out what’s going on, and we can go from there.”
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. The auction house is aware of the situation.
I paid cash. There’s no Coggins, I did get a bill of sale at least. I had them put them in my name, too, not the ranch.
I’ve got no idea where these guys came from or who they are.
I’m going to find out, though, that’s for damn sure.
” The first order of business when we get to the ranch will have to be a blood test, seeing how there wasn’t a Coggins we’ve got no idea if any of them are carrying Equine Infectious Anemia.
I shouldn’t be surprised Dean would take this into his own hands.
He’s a lot like the rest of the brothers.
When it was Lane protecting Birdie, he went after her abuser without a backwards glance.
We still don’t know what all went down, only that the guy and his father went down in a way they’re now bankrupt and Sherman Jr. is rotting in a cell, hopefully forever.
“Alright, see you there. Drive safe traveling back.”I’m probably making this out more than it needs to be. They could have been passing through Wyoming, stopped along the way, and are now on to the next. Hopefully without any more animals. Still, my gut is saying there’s way more to this story.
“You got it. See you soon.” I wait to hear the click of the line. Once Dean hangs up, I do the same. I’ve got at least a good twenty minutes before I need to head to the Johnsons, so I may as well use this time to finish what I can.