“I guess tonight’s off?” Shawn asked.
“I don’t know,” she answered, glancing at the clock. It was five fifteen. “Let’s sit awhile. If Dr. Fisher is too busy, we’ll walk home.”
Shawn sat, trying not to look too disappointed. “Think he’s okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Definitely. I think Dr. Fisher could handle just about anything. Knowing him, he kept his cool and cracked a few jokes, too.”
“Hey, Shawn, Kylee.” Fisher sounded amused. “Ready to go?”
She was so relieved she didn’t even try to hold back her smile. He was fine. She knew he would be, but...
“Yes, sir,” Shawn answered.
“You two have fun.” Kylee tugged up the strap on her backpack. “I have my shift tonight at Shots so I should head out.”
He stood there, staring at her with a strange look on his face.
“I’m glad Goliath didn’t eat you.” She shook her head, trying not to get caught up in his gaze.
“You and me both,” he answered, his gaze never leaving hers.
She tore her gaze away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her breath was unsteady.
“Didn’t Cutter take Mrs. Schwartz and Donna?” he asked. “You don’t need to walk. I can drive you home, if you want.”
She was nodding before she realized it. What was she doing? This was bad.
“How is Chance doing out at your place?” Shawn asked.
She loved that Fisher had adopted her little rescue dog. If she and Shawn had a more dog-friendly place, she would have brought Chance home in a heartbeat.
Fisher blinked. “You can see him yourself. I’ve been bringing him to work, getting him used
to riding in the truck, playing with other animals and not chewing on the counters in my house.” He laughed, leading them back into the hospital.
“How did your first day go?” he asked.
“Fine.” She swallowed, all too aware of him.
“Things like today, with Goliath, don’t happen often.” He pushed open the door to Recovery. “Unless you’re working emergency. Even then, people rarely get chewed up by their pets.”
“What happened?” Kylee asked.
“Goliath wasn’t happy to see me. We had him propped against a door so I could get some blood but Mrs. Schwartz was worried about him.”
“She was worried about him?” Kylee shook her head. “Why not sedate him?”
“Owner’s choice. If he’s sedated he has to stay here until he’s out of it—he’s too big for her to carry into the house on her own.” He shrugged, leading them between the kennels. “Anyway, she went to comfort him and Goliath bit her. I don’t think he realized it was her or he wouldn’t have done it.”
Chance barked in greeting.
“He looks great,” Kylee said, watching Shawn kneel and open the cage so the dog could run-hobble around her little brother in circles.
Shawn flopped onto the floor, laughing as the dog climbed into his lap and slathered him with doggy kisses. The carefree sound of her little brother was the best sound in the world. After everything he’d been through, it soothed her heart to see him laugh like the boy he was. She smiled up at Fisher. “Thank you.” She paused. “For fixing Chance and...for making my little brother laugh.”
Fisher nodded. His look was a little too intense...too much. She focused all of her attention on her brother, trying to contain the panic that fluttered wildly in her stomach. But it wasn’t really panic; she knew panic. It was a sour feeling, a cold weight you couldn’t shake. This was different. This was warm and sweet. And dangerous. Being close to Fisher was all it took to have her confused and...wanting. Her hands clenched against the slight tremor that ran down her arms.
She knelt beside Shawn, hoping her unease would lessen.