Love's Taming(3)

Pushing open the door to the clinic, she was greeted with exuberance.

“Finally! I thought I was going to have to send out the cavalry for the fucking pastries!”

Leon reached over the counter, grabbing the bag from her hand and popped a donut into his mouth before she could react.

“Leon! Do you treat Shirley this way when she brings you donuts?” Annie asked, glaring at him.

“Doc, my woman greets me at the door with her bodacious booty, and when I give her the business, I never have to wait on my donuts.”

Annie threw her hand up in his face, laughing as she walked toward the back. “Too much information. I do not need that image in my mind.”

“Well, doc, if you were getting some of the business yourself it wouldn’t seem like too much information!”

“I don’t have time to get anyone to give me the business.”

“What about that nice doctor over at the emergency vet clinic? He was interested,” Leon added, following her through the hall toward the back of the clinic.

Annie’s nose wrinkled as she thought about her date with Dr. Ketchum several months ago. She could tell he was interested, but between his schedule and hers there hadn’t been time for more dates. “Leon, I told you. We didn’t have enough time to see if there could have been interest.”

“Girl, when the sparks are flyin’ you don’t need time to figure that out. It’s either there or it isn’t.”

“I think Shirley has been reading her romance novels to you at night,” Annie laughed. “Anyway, I just don’t have time in my life for a man right now.”

“If you don’t make time, doc, it’ll pass you by. Be spontaneous. Be daring, doc. Damn, learn to have time for some fun!”

Leon winked as she walked by, then handed the bag to Suzanne as she came toward the reception area.

Annie turned and looked at her two employees. Suzanne was taller than she, with her long black hair pulled away from her face in a tight ponytail and blue eyes that belied her Irish heritage. Drop dead gorgeous, Annie knew Suzanne had men panting after her, but she rarely dated and no long term boyfriends were on the horizon. Annie wondered if anyone would ever take that title. Whereas she wished she had time for a man, she knew that Suzanne avoided the dating scene. But for whatever reason, she never asked, and Suzanne never talked about it. Suzanne was a vet tech student, a hard worker who also served as her receptionist, and Annie valued her friendship as well as her skills in the clinic.

Tall, dark, with ebony skin and gorgeous eyes, Leon was her vet tech and assistant when needed. Shirley, his long-time girlfriend, was not-so-patiently waiting on him to pop the question so she could plan their wedding. Annie feared that Leon was waiting until his salary increased and guiltily, she had no idea when she would be able to pay Leon or Suzanne more. Leon may joke about Shirley, but the honest truth was that he would do anything for her…and she for him.

One day, maybe for me. After I build the business. After I pay the bills. After I…yeah right. Looks like crazy cat lady may be my only title after all.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked toward the back surgical area, calling out, “Okay, folks, let’s get ready for the day.”

Suzanne and Leon watched Annie’s back as she left the reception area then turned their eyes to each other.

“Lordy, I wish that woman could find herself some fun. And a man. Hell, fun with a man,” Leon exclaimed loudly. As usual whatever came into his mind, came out of his mouth.

Suzanne, quieter, just nodded before adding, “But she doesn’t need just any man and fun. She needs the right man and fun.”

“Can’t argue with that, but if she doesn’t ever go out, how is she going to meet the right man? It’s not like Mr. Right is going to drop into her clinic out of nowhere.”

Shrugging, Suzanne finished her pastry as she headed to the reception area as the door opened and their first customer came in.

“Mrs. Rosini! How nice to see you and Zoey. Now please tell me you did not give Zoey any treats this morning!”





Chapter 2





The last client was checking out with Leon, so Annie went around gathering the trash.

“Dr. Donavan, I told you I’d get the trash,” Suzanne called from the back room. “I’ve just got to finish sweeping out the exam rooms.”

Smiling, Annie knew that Suzanne would do everything if she could. Hardworking, diligent, caring…and worked cheap. Thank goodness for that. Veterinary school loans and then taking over the small animal practice in downtown Richland was taking a toll on her finances. Yelling back she answered, “It’s okay. I’ve got it.” Pulling her long hair back up in a messy bun, she grabbed the last of the trash and piled it near the back alley door.