Chapter 2
Jordan
Jordan stirred in bed when he felt the vibration on his left wrist. He opened his eyes to his bedroom’s flashing blue and yellow strobe lights.Reaching to his nightstand, he grabbed one of his hearing aids, what he calls the “uninvited ear guest” and placed it in and over his left ear. He picked up the cell phone from its cradle. “Dr. Williams speaking,” he answered in a groggy, disoriented voice.
Linda wasted no time, her voice filled with worry and determination. “Jordan, it’s Linda Skeens. I need your help.It’s my nephew, Alex.A dog crashed through his glass window, and it’s injured badly. There’s a lot of blood.Can you please go to his house and help the poor thing?”
There was a brief pause as Jordan processed the request.He and Linda had known each other for years, and he had tremendous respect for her.He also knew that her nephew held an extraordinary place in her heart. She boasted about him frequently.
“Of course, Linda.I’ll head to his place right away.I’ll do everything I can to help the dog,” Jordan assured her. “Text me his address.” Jordan jumped up from the bed.He was already wearing blue sweatpants, socks, and a green t-shirt, and he slipped on his running shoes.
“He just moved to town two weeks ago and is renting the Jenkins’s place on Otter Terrace. I’ll text you the address. It’s where we had the barbecue two years ago when Emily joined the clinic,” Linda said.
“I remember that house. I can be there in about ten minutes,” Jordan said. He struggled to get the second hearing aid in his ear after he put his shoes on .
Linda’s voice trembled with gratitude. “Thank you, Jordan.I hate to ask this of you.Can you please make sure that Alex is okay, too? I’ll take care of all the billing. Do whatever you have to for the dog.”
Jordan put the call on speakerphone as he grabbed his car keys. “Yes, ma’am, understood.I’ll call you as soon as I have some information for you. Take care.” Jordan hung up the phone and placed it in the pocket of his sweats.He opened the closet by the cabin door, withdrew a red backpack, and slung it over his shoulder.He locked the front door behind him and walked to his Jeep.
As he backed out of the driveway, his mind raced, thinking about how to help the injured dog.He knew every minute counted in situations like this.The dog’s well-being was his top priority.Linda's call left his heart pounding. He reached for his phone and dialed a familiar number.
Emily Rodriguez was a veterinarian known for her expertise in emergency surgeries. She answered the call with a brisk but professional tone. “Dr. Rodriguez speaking.”
Jordan took a deep breath, his words coming out in a rush. “Emily, it’s Jordan.I need your help with an emergency surgery.It’s for Linda Skeens.”
Emily gasped, “What? Is it Whiskers or Muffin?”
A slight pause on the phone. Jordan and Emily were very familiar with Linda’s cats. They knew the playful Whiskers and his mischievous sister, Muffin, who didn’t like vaccines.
“Neither,” said Jordan. “Linda’s nephew moved to town recently. A dog jumped through a window in the house. She said it’s cut up pretty badly. I’m on my way to his house now to assess its injuries.Can you head to the clinic and get ready for surgery?Daniel is working the overnight shift tonight. I’ll have him bring the van for transport.”
Emily was quiet momentarily. “I’ll get dressed and head to the clinic now.I’ll make sure everything is ready for surgery. Get there as fast as you can.”
With that, Jordan hung up the phone. His sense of relief mingled with his determination. He would do all that he could to save the injured animal.
He attached his phone to the mount, his fingers dancing across the screen to dial Daniel’s cell number. Daniel Thompson was a highly skilled veterinary technician. Jordan trusted Daniel’s expertise and knew he could count on him in times of urgency.
As the call connected to the car’s internal speakers, Jordan could hear the sounds of the clinic in the background. Daniel must have been around the kennel area. “Daniel, I need your help,” he began, his tone urgent yet composed.
“What’s going on? Why are you calling so early?” Daniel’s voice held a note of concern as he responded.
Jordan explained the situation to him.“Can you please bring the clinic’s van to help with transport?Emily is on her way in to prep for surgery.”
There was a brief pause on the line before Daniel replied, “Of course. Where am I heading?”
Jordan turned the corner too quickly and had to focus on the road momentarily. “Do you remember Mr. Jenkins’ vacation home?The place where we had that barbecue for Emily when she first arrived in town?”
Daniel thought momentarily and answered, “Yes, I remember. I know how to get there.Everything is fine here. I’ve given all the meds to our patients already. I’ll grab the van and head to you now.”
Jordan breathed a sigh of relief.“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. I’ll see you soon.Will you grab the trauma kit and bring three bags of plasma?” He heard Daniel walking fast and keys jingling. “On it, boss. I’ll see you soon.”
Jordan felt a renewed sense of determination when the call ended.With Emily at the clinic and Daniel on his way with the van, the team was ready to help this poor dog.Time was of the essence, and every minute counted in their race to save the pup’s life.
He raced down Tanbark Road and he turned left onto Otter Terrace. He drove to the white cottage that backed up to the cliffs leading out to the cove.He pulled up alongside a grey Toyota Tacoma, then turned off his engine.He grabbed his backpack from the passenger seat and headed for the door.
The knock on the door echoed through the quiet coastal evening. Jordan could hear the faint sounds of the ocean in the distance. It was a stark contrast to the tension that filled the air. He adjusted his backpack nervously, waiting for the door to open .
When the door finally swung open, Jordan saw a sight that took his breath away. A large man stood before him. He wore only black running shorts. The word ARMY was in yellow on the right leg. A mixture of blood and sweat glistened on his skin. It was covering his stomach, arms, and legs. The man’s intense blue eyes were wide with concern. His muscular arms and lean torso were wondrous.
“I’m Dr. Jordan Williams,” he said urgently. “You must be Linda’s nephew, Alex.Can you take me to the dog?”
Alex reached out unexpectedly and took the red backpack off of Jordan’s shoulder.It initially took Jordan aback as he raised his arm to allow the man access to the pack. “This way, he’s back here,” Alex said as he led the way into the bedroom, carrying Jordan’s backpack.
Alex walked in front of him briskly, his bare feet padding softly on the hardwood floor. The dog’s whimpering grew louder as they approached the bedroom at the back of the house.
They entered the room and Jordan’s eyes widened at the sight of the injured large German Shepherd. The dog lay on the floor, covered and surrounded by clothes, blood matted in his fur, and pain evident in his eyes. Jordan could see the shards of glass still embedded in the dog’s side, a gruesome reminder of the accident. Broken glass littered the floor. The windowpane had shattered when the dog jumped through the window.
Jordan assessed the dog’s injuries with a determined focus. He noticed Alex watching him intently as he worked swiftly and methodically.Alex set the red veterinary bag down next to Jordan and was quiet. An unspoken understanding formed instantly between them as they entered the room. Their shared concern for the injured Shepherd forged a connection that transcended words.
Jordan’s hands moved precisely. He reached into the bag and got his digital stethoscope and bandages.He delicately moved some t-shirts that were not tied together.It impressed him that Alex thought to tie off areas of the dog’s body to help control the blood loss.The weight of the situation pressed down on him. He knew the odds were not in their favor but refused to give up. They had a fighting chance, with Emily prepping for surgery and Daniel on his way .
He reached into his bag. Alex remained beside him, offering silent support and encouragement. Amid chaos and uncertainty, their unspoken connection deepened.
Jordan leaned closer to the large animal, his face a mix of concern and determination. “Alex,” he began, his voice calm yet urgent. “His injuries are severe, and he is in a lot of pain.I need to give him some morphine to help manage it and keep him comfortable while we get him to my clinic.”
Alex, his eyes filled with worry, nodded his understanding. “Do whatever you need to do, Dr. Williams. Please help him.” Alex’s voice cracked as he said the words, and tears ran down his face.
“Call me Jordan." Jordan retrieved a vial of morphine from his medical bag. He measured the dosage based on the dog’s size and condition.He filled the syringe and explained to Alex, “this should help ease his pain and keep him as comfortable as possible for the transport.”
With the syringe prepared, Jordan leaned into the dog. “Hold on, buddy,” he whispered.“This will make you feel better.”
Gently, Jordan administered the morphine, injecting it into his hind upper leg. He reached into his bag, pulled out a silver emergency blanket, and placed it over the Shepherd to keep him warm and secure. He was careful to avoid the large shard of glass protruding from the animal's side.
Jordan finished and turned to Alex. His expression was a mix of professional determination and empathy. “The morphine will take a little time to kick in, but it should help him feel more at ease soon. I’m doing everything I can for him here. Our clinic’s van is coming. It should be here momentarily. We’ll get him in the van and back to the clinic.My colleague, Dr. Rodriguez, will perform the surgery.She’s extraordinary with emergency cases.I won’t lie to you. His chances are not good, but we’ll do all we can to save him.The amount of blood loss concerns me, though. What is his name?”
Alex was silent for a moment, processing what Jordan had just said.“I... I don’t know his name. He isn’t my dog.I was sleeping, and he jumped in through the window—scared the hell out of me.” Alex stood there looking down at Jordan. Jordan caressed the dog’s hindquarters, where he gave the shot of morphine .
Jordan leaned on his knees to look outside the window. “I wonder if he was being chased.Something or someone had to startle him for him to jump through the window like that. It could have been a black bear or an elk he was trying to escape from…” He trailed off.
Just then, he heard the van pull in front of the house and beep its horn.“That will be Daniel. Can you go let him in? I’ll stay with the dog.” Jordan watched as Alex nodded and headed out of the room. He didn’t take his eyes off Alex’s butt in those very short, tight running shorts.He looked down at the dog. “I can see why you jumped in his bedroom window. I would’ve, too.” He reached down and found that the pup was much more relaxed.He felt his neck for a collar and didn’t find one.The dog appeared malnourished.It looked as if he hadn’t been eating well.“Don’t worry, big fella. I’m doing all I can to help you.”
Daniel and Alex returned to the room with a small stretcher for the dog.“Here you go, boss,” Daniel said. Seeing the gravity of the scene, he added, “Damn!” Jordan pulled the silver blanket off of the dog.A pile of multi-colored t-shirts covered him, all stained with blood.
Jordan pulled out a thin board from under the stretcher pad and laid it next to the dog on the floor.“If we can easily slide him onto this board, we can lift him onto the stretcher,” Daniel said. He bent down to the opposite side of Jordan on the floor.Jordan noticed Alex was silent and stood back out of the way as he and Daniel worked on the dog.The giant man’s stare was intense, and Jordan could see the pain in his eyes.
“I’ll pull him toward me, and you slide the board under him,” Jordan instructed. Daniel nodded in acknowledgment. “Ready, now,” Jordan said as he lifted the dog’s legs and shifted his body gently toward him.Daniel slid the board under, and they were ready to raise him.Jordan looked up at the towering, shirtless, muscle-bound man who stood over them.
“Alex, can you help us lift him so we can keep him steady as we move him to the stretcher?” Alex nodded and moved closer to them, taking his position by the dog’s head.Jordan and Daniel had each side, and they held onto the board. “Ready, on three.One, two, three, and lift.” In a gentle unison, all three men rose simultaneously and lifted the dog onto the stretcher .
Jordan could tell that this was hard on Alex.There was trauma here, not about the dog’s injuries, but more, much more.Jordan had always been very sensitive to other people’s energy.Alex’s demeanor and energy were sorrowful and full of despair.
He looked at Alex. “I’ll ride in the back of the van with the dog.We’ll take him to my clinic and get him into surgery.Since we don’t know the dog’s owner, we have to decide to do the right thing for him.” Alex looked at Jordan and moved closer to him.
“Give him the best care possible. I’ll pay for whatever he needs,” Alex said.
“Don’t worry, Linda has that covered.She already told me to do whatever was necessary.He’ll get the best care.”
Alex nodded.
Daniel and Jordan started pushing the stretcher toward the front door.Jordan saw Alex reach down, grab his belongings, and put them back in the vet bag as he exited the room.
As Daniel and Jordan got to the van, Alex emerged from the house with the bag and walked up to them.Daniel used the lift, got the stretcher into the van, and secured the straps. He and Alex watched.Jordan climbed into the back of the van and looked over at the dog as Daniel headed to the front.
“Can I come with you?” asked Alex.Having a half-naked, muscled Adonis follow him back to the clinic sounded fun. But he knew he needed to focus on the dog, not those biceps.
Jordan knew Alex had been in the military and had been having difficulties since returning home –- Linda had told him that much. He could see that he was having a hard time focusing right now. He knew as a soldier Alex would find focus and structure in following orders.
Hoping this helped him, he said, “My clinic is Pawsitive Vibes. Look us up on your phone and head over after you have showered to clean off the blood and change your clothes.The surgery will take a while, so no need to rush. It would be best if you hydrate yourself as well.When you get there, ask for me, and I’ll come get you,” Jordan said as he hurried over to the van’s side door.“I’ll do my best, Alex. I promise.” He reached out and touched Alex’s bloody forearm and squeezed it gently. “I’ve got him.” As he smiled at Alex, he reached for the door. Their eyes locked, and Alex smiled back .
Alex nodded.He stepped back from the van, and Jordan closed the van door.
Jordan reached over and leaned on the stretcher, looking into the dogs’ glazed eyes. “Here we go, buddy.”