A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (The Boones of Texas 1)

“They’re in exam four,” Martha said once he’d reached the admissions desk.

He nodded, opening the door to find Jester. The dog growled, deep in his throat, a nerve-racking sound considering Jester was a nasty-tempered mix that tipped the scales at almost two hundred pounds.

“How’s he doing?” Hunter asked Clarence Shaw, Jester’s owner.

“He walked into the door frame today.” Clarence shrugged. “I can’t stand to see him this way, Doc. You gotta fix him up.”

Hunter scanned the dog’s chart. “You sure?”

Clarence patted the broad head of the massive dog. “He’s my baby, Doc. I’m sure. How long until he’s better?”

“Cataracts are pretty bad.” Hunter kept his voice steady, soothing for Jester—and Clarence. “Especially for a dog this age. After the surgery, he’ll be seeing in a few hours.”

“No kidding?”

“No kidding.” Hunter stood, rubbing the dog’s head and neck.

“He’ll like that.” Clarence was smiling. “Hell, I’ll like that. It’s hard on a body, carryin’ Jester around.”

Hunter smiled. “I can imagine.”

Jester lay flat, resting his head on his paws. “You’ll be fine, big fella. You’ll see,” Hunter said.

“What’s next?” Clarence asked.

It took twenty minutes to get Jester checked in to the hospital and settled in a cage.

Tripod came around the corner as Hunter closed the cage door. “I’d stay away from this one, Tripod. He can’t see you.” He watched the three-legged cat wind his way between his legs. “Either way, I imagine he’d rather eat you than cuddle with you.”

“Dr. Boone.” Mario, a tech, laughed. “I’ll keep Tripod out of Jester’s way.”

Hunter grinned. “I’ll check in on him tomorrow.”

“Headed to the parade?” Mario asked. “Tell Eli good luck with the float.”

“I will.” He nodded his goodbyes, heading back to his office. He hung his coat on the rack and dug for his keys. With a quick glance around the room, he flipped off the light and locked the door behind him.

“Dr. Boone.” Dr. Lee was in the hallway. “I was wondering if you’d heard anything from Miss Stephens. Any interest in the mural project?”

“I’m on my way to see her now.” He tugged on his jacket. “I’ll see what she’s thinking.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Dr. Lee smiled. “Enjoy your evening.”

“You, too.” He nodded.

“Thank you for sending Mrs. Boone to us. It seems you have a very talented family.”

Hunter stopped cold. “I didn’t send Amy to you, Dr. Lee. To be perfectly candid, I would not have recommended her.”

“Oh, I see.” Dr. Lee frowned. “I suppose we’ll have to make the best of it. Enjoy your evening.”

The drive from the hospital to the bakery took fifteen minutes. It took every second of that time to ease the tension from his shoulders. He wanted to enjoy tonight, enjoy being with Jo. The streets were blocked for the night’s celebration, so he had to walk, which did him good. Nothing like seeing the smiling faces of the community, the kids piled in the backs of minivans or sitting in lawn chairs to set things right again.

By the time he reached Pop’s Bakery, he wasn’t thinking about Amy or Dr. Lee or the pile of charts he needed to review.

He pushed into the bakery, the little bell chiming. Most of the lights were off, but he heard movement in the back room.

“Jo?” he called out. Sprinkles greeted him by jumping up and down and yapping excitedly. “Good to see you, too—especially since you’re not throwing up or needing a diaper.”