Love's Taming(50)
Annie looked up sharply from taking notes. “Mr. Charleston, we have to make a report when an animal is attacked, so surely they took down your information to do that.”
“He didn’t do a goddamn thing,” he said, then immediately apologized. “Doc, I’m sorry about my language. I should have never cussed in front of a lady, but I guess when it comes to my Petunia, I just lose my manners.”
Why would the emergency vet not take notes and file the city report? Shaking her head to clear her musings, she just replied, “Well, I can certainly understand why you wanted Petunia seen. I’m glad that Mrs. Greenwald suggested you come here.”
Finishing up with his discharge instructions, she left the exam room and noticed that Leon had closed the reception area since Petunia was the last client to be seen for the day.
“Hey Leon, do you have those city animal control forms that are needed when an animal had been attacked?”
Leon found the file and handed one to her. As Annie was filling it out, she began to tell Leon about what Mr. Charleston said concerning the emergency clinic. Suzanne walked in from the back, hearing the story.
“I’m sorry, doc. When he told me that he had taken his dog to the other clinic, I assumed that they filed the report.”
Annie looked up, a crinkle above her brow, replying, “I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t! I’ll call them once we finish up and see what the deal is.” Handing the form to Leon to fax to city hall, she turned and began their end-of-day duties.
By the time Leon and Suzanne left for the evening it was after six o’clock. Perfect time to call the evening shift at the emergency clinic. Sitting at the desk, she reached for the phone when her cell phone rang. Looking down, she saw Shane’s number. Smiling to herself, she grabbed her cell.
“Please tell me you are not calling to put things off some more,” she said hastily.
She heard a deep chuckle that made her smile even more.
“Well, hello to you to, baby,” Shane said, the warmth of his voice carrying across the airwaves. “And no, I am not goin’ to put things off one more fuckin’ moment.”
“Thank God,” she said.
“Tonight is my last night and then I’m finished. I’ll be back to bein’ Matt’s partner at the station.”
“Are you going to be in danger tonight?” she asked.
“I promise that there is nothin’ I’m doing tonight that will put me in harm’s way. I’ll see you tomorrow night when the clinic closes.”
“Okay,” she said softly.
“And baby?”
“Yeah?”
“Be ready to change into other clothes, ‘cause I’m finally takin’ you to dinner. And on Saturday, be prepared for a road trip.”
“A road trip? To where?”
“I’m takin’ you to meet my family.” Silence met this statement. “Baby, you still there?”
“Shane, are you sure? It seems too rushed. You haven’t even seen them yet.”
“Baby, not waitin’ anymore on this shit. Stole too much from me – not lettin’ it steal more. You with me?”
The warm feeling from last weekend crept back over Annie, washing away the fears. “Yeah, I’m with you.”
Clicking off her cell phone, Annie sat back in the chair with what she knew was a silly grin on her face. Sighing happily, she reached for the phone to make her call to the other vet.
Reaching the vet that was on duty, she heard, “Dr. Ketchum, may I help you?”
“Phil? This is Annie Donavan.”
“Annie! How good to hear from you. How’ve you been?”
Annie had gone to dinner several times with Phil the year before, but the spark wasn’t there and they had remained professional friends.
“I’m really calling in an official capacity, Phil. I had a client come in to the clinic this afternoon with a dog that had been attacked by a stray dog. He claimed to have brought him to your emergency clinic last night, but that no one would treat the dog, nor did they take a report.”
“I was here last night but was working in the back. We have a nighttime receptionist up front, but I can tell you that they never told me that a dog had come in. I admit that the person up front is a new hire, but I don’t know why they wouldn’t let me know about a dog attack. Are you sure he actually came in?”
“Well, no. I am just going off of what he said. I filed the report to animal control, but I wanted to follow up with you.”
“I’m glad you did, Annie. That new hire isn’t working tonight, but I will talk to our clinic supervisor, Dr. Watkins, and let him know he needs to train our new hires, especially if they are going to be working the front desk by themselves at night.”