Outcast by Joan Johnston

Author:Joan Johnston [Joan Johnston]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-04-01T23:00:00+00:00

32

Finding a spot to park on the street in Georgetown was tough, and Ben ended up so far from Anna Schuster’s apartment, that his route walking back took him right past the vet’s office. Which reminded him of Rocky the rottweiler. He glanced at his watch. Four o’clock. The dog was probably already dead.

Ben kept walking.

That dog doesn’t deserve to die. Being crippled doesn’t make him worthless. After all, he still has a tail to wag.

Ben turned and trotted back to the door of the vet’s office. He still didn’t want a dog. But if he rescued the rottweiler, he could at least buy some time to find the animal a good home.

“Oh, you came,” the doctor said with a relieved smile. “She said you would.”

“What?”

“Dr. Schuster. I called her when the noon deadline came to euthanize the dog, and she said I should wait, because you would come. And you did.”

Ben gritted his teeth.

“The bill is $952.35.”

“What?”

“She said you’d pay with a credit card.”

Without a word, Ben pulled out his wallet and handed the vet his American Express card.

The vet shot Ben a rueful grin. “I don’t take American Express.”

He put the black card away and pulled out a Visa. “Will this one do?”

The vet handed the card to his pretty assistant and said, “Come on back with me to the kennel. I have some instructions to give you for Rocky’s care.”

“I’m not ready to take the dog home today,” Ben said.

“She said you’d say that, too,” the vet said with a smile.

Ben managed not to snarl.

“I have everything you need—food, dog bed, collar, leash, antibiotics—all ready for you to take home.”

“What about the dog?” Ben said. “Maybe Rocky’s not ready to leave here yet. I mean, he’s had major surgery, right? As I understand it, he had a rear leg amputated.”

“Rocky’s making a remarkable recovery.” The vet began walking down a row of cages. “Dogs can manage very well on three legs. Rocky was on his feet the day after surgery and he’s doing great. You will have to bring him back in about a week to have the stitches out.”

“I just…I’m not really ready…” Ben realized that if he told the truth, that he didn’t want the dog, the vet might decide to euthanize Rocky after all. “Could you just keep him for tonight?”

“Anna said you’d say that, too,” the vet said with a laugh. “Bringing a pet into your home is a little like screwing up the courage to swim in an icy, spring-fed pond. Some folks like to dip in a toe. With a pet, you kind of have to dive right in.”

“Yeah, well.” Ben had always considered himself a “dive right in” kind of guy. But his head was whirling. What had he gotten himself into? Check that. What had Anna gotten him into?

“Was there anything else Dr. Schuster told you?” Ben asked sarcastically.

“She said you were a good guy and that you’d take good care of the dog.”

They’d reached the large cage where Rocky was penned.

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