Tagged by Death by Judith A. Barrett

Author:Judith A. Barrett [Barrett, Judith A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wobbly Creek LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The next morning, Riley hurried to her car in the early light of dawn, but Toby growled as he rushed ahead of her and sniffed the tires.

“I don’t usually check the tires before we leave, but I will if you insist.” Riley frowned when she reached the driver’s side and peered at the front tire. “You’re right, Toby, it’s a little low. We might have a slow leak. Let’s walk.”

Toby yipped as he trotted alongside her while she jogged then changed to a fast walk.

“Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe I’ll try for two blocks when we go home.”

The sky lightened, and the birds chirped and sang while Riley and Toby passed the homes with rose bushes, small, neatly trimmed yards, and old pecan trees. As Toby marked trees along their way and stirred up the neighborhood dogs, Riley said, “We should walk more often. I never smelled wood smoke from the fireplaces when we drove through here and never realized there were so many pecan trees in town.”

When they reached the office, Doc Julie Rae’s truck was already in the parking lot. “Wonder what time she gets here?”

After Riley stowed her lunch in the refrigerator, she heard the back door open; when Doc Thad strode into the breakroom, he flinched. “You surprised me; I didn’t see your car out back.”

“One of my tires looked low, so Toby and I walked to work.”

“Low tire?” Doc Julie Rae stood in the doorway. “I’ll ask Charlie and the boys to check it for you. Charlie will enjoy an excuse to get the boys out of the house.”

Riley went to the receptionist’s desk to list the morning’s appointments, and Toby flopped down next to her feet. “Amanda’s smart, Toby. She arranged the appointments so the patients can be managed by one vet tech.” Riley chuckled. “The patient at eight o’clock is Walk In.”

Riley set up exam room one for the unknown eight o’clock patient and room two for the eight thirty patient. When Pia rushed in at ten minutes until eight, she hurried to Riley’s side at the desk.

“Who’s our eight o’clock patient?” Pia asked.

“Amanda took care of us.” Riley leaned so Pia could see the screen, and Pia exhaled.

“Thank you. I’ll put my lunch away and bring you a cup of coffee. Have you been a martyr sitting here with no caffeine?”

Riley’s eyes widened. “I forgot.”

“You forgot coffee? Are you sick?” Pia shook her head as she walked to the breakroom.

When Pia returned with two cups, Riley rose to drink her coffee. “If I were the receptionist, I’d want a standing desk. The hardest thing for me about school was sitting still.”

Pia nodded. “I agree. The hardest class for me was literature. I want to read a book, not analyze it.”

Julie Rae and Thad joined them at the desk.

“I heard back from Zach,” Doc Julie Rae said. “He’s packed and moving his things to Amanda’s house today and could start tomorrow.”

“You could tell him we think he’s a slacker if he isn’t here today by lunchtime,” Pia said.

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