Page 29 of Clearly Charmed

‘No, it’s okay. Lia can probably get someone to fill in for a short time during her shift.’

‘Dani.’ His determined voice made me look up from the screen. ‘Don’t bother your sister. I’m right here, and I owe you one.’

It would be easier to let him come along than to bother Lia, who would definitely drop everything to help me but grumble about it the entire time.

‘Seeing a dog with a face full of quills can be hard. Sure you won’t get squeamish?’

‘Squeamish?’ he said like he was offended.

‘Thought for sure you were going to pass out with Indy at the clinic, and he wasn’t even bleeding.’

‘I’ve reported from war zones for fuck’s sake.’

I gave him a knowing look.

‘Helping another dog feels like paying it forward. I swear I’ll be fine.’

‘I’ll agree, but only if you promise to warn me if you get light-headed. It can be hard to see a dog in so much pain.’

Indy trotted up beside him and nuzzled his leg.

‘I can get through it. I promise.’

We headed back down the trail, and I tried not to think about what happened the last time the two of us were alone in the clinic.

Chapter Ten

Easy Prey

The minute Judge Greene walked through the clinic door with Julius, I tightened my grip on the edge of the reception desk. Dozens of bright white quills covered the dog’s face and head.

‘I swear to you, Dani, I’ve trained Julius better. The ol’ boy caught the scent in the woods and took off before I could get to him. When I heard the growl, the yelp, I knew it was bad.’ His lips pinched together like he didn’t appreciate Bryce being a witness to his dog’s predicament. ‘Eric’s in New Orleans working at a Broncos game. He’s not gonna be happy with me when he finds out this happened. Again.’

Poor Julius cowered at the judge’s feet. ‘Buddy, this is the third time this year. Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?’

Julius let out a whimper in response. His tail whipped around and hit me in the legs, and a zap of dizzying heat shot through my bones, the shock of it making me stumble. Bryce’s hands flew out toward me, but I shook him off.

‘You know the drill. I’ll need to sedate Julius because this will be painful. Bring him back and we’ll get started,’ I said to the judge.

Once inside the main exam room, I turned to the cabinets above the sink and pulled out the supplies I needed for sedation, as well as drugs for pain management. I ordered the judge and Bryce to heft the dog onto the table. I shaved down the fur on Julius’s front right paw and inserted the IV line.

Bryce’s gaze stayed on me the whole time. Clocking me as I ran my hand over Julius’s back to see if the porcupine had struck any other place on his body besides his muzzle.

As soon as Julius was out, I said, ‘Judge, you helping? The more hands on deck, the quicker Julius will be pain-free.’

‘I, uh, think I’ll wait outside. Where’s Flora? She’s always a good companion.’

‘She’s up in my apartment with Bryce’s dog.’

‘Oh? What kind of dog do you have?’

‘Chocolate Lab.’

‘That’s a great breed. Had one growing up as a kid.’ For a moment the judge paused, his eyes going watery at the state of an unconscious Julius, before he shuffled out the door.

‘He comes off as a gruff old guy, but he’s a total softie, right?’ Bryce said.

‘Last time this happened, it was at one a.m. I forced the judge and his husband, Eric, to work beside me, because I didn’t have the heart to wake up my vet tech. The judge had a hard time getting through it. He really loves Julius.’