Baby Season by Lisa McAllister

Author:Lisa McAllister
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

IT COULD HAVE BEEN worse, Josh thought, a few days later, as he hurried back from a farm call for the afternoon’s appointments. Matt was going to be off work for another week, depending on how he felt, but Josh was handling the workload without too much difficulty.

Many of the farm calls couldn’t be avoided since they were either emergencies or seasonal procedures that had to be done within a specific time frame, but most clients understood about the need to reschedule elective surgeries and non-emergency appointments. The Connollys had a loyal clientele who genuinely liked them, and most were happy to do whatever was necessary to accommodate their vets’ situation. As a result, Josh and the rest of the staff were keeping their heads above water.

When they brought Matt home from the hospital, Sue volunteered to return to work to see office patients, an offer Gen and Matt had vetoed in no uncertain terms. Josh was relieved. He couldn’t imagine how he’d react if she hurt herself or the baby. Not to mention what he’d do if she went into labor.

Josh reached the hospital and entered through the back door. “How’s the afternoon looking?” he asked Beth.

“Busy, of course, Doc.” The blond technician handed him a thick file folder. “Stan Marshall is in exam two. His Brittany is limping on a front leg.”

“Thanks.” Josh took the folder and skimmed the details while pulling on his lab coat. Fortunately, after his last call, a difficult calving, the rancher had offered Josh the use of his shower once they’d finished. Otherwise, his office clients might have had to stand upwind while he treated their animals.

He walked into the exam room. Stan Marshall, a stocky, freckled, blond man about Josh’s age, stood up. The red-and-white Brittany spaniel sitting on the floor by his feet started to rise as well, but Marshall signaled him to stay as he stepped forward to greet Josh.

“Good to see you, Doc.” He shook Josh’s hand. “I know you’re swamped with the Connollys out, but thanks for taking a look at Buster.”

Josh smiled. “No problem. Let’s get him up on the table and see what’s going on.”

Marshall signaled the dog to his side, then lifted him onto the steel exam table. “I was working him out in the field yesterday after dinner. He was fine when I put him back in his kennel, but this morning I saw he was limping.”

Josh noticed the dog was keeping his weight off his right front foot. He lifted the foot and flexed it. The dog didn’t seem to mind. When he ran his fingers along the metacarpals and down to the toes, however, the dog stirred in discomfort.

“Well, that narrows it down,” Josh said. “Would you hold his head? I’m going to have to move those toes so I can see what’s happening. He probably won’t enjoy it.”

“Sure, Doc.” Marshall wrapped his arm around the Brittany’s neck, holding the dog’s head against him.

Josh checked each toe, waiting for a reaction from Buster.

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