Bonnie Winn - Forever a Family

“That would be amazing.” Kate brushed back her auburn hair and smiled. “I feel terrible having come here originally to ask a favor.”

“Originally?”

“Unless you’d rather I not, I’d like to be a friend, not just someone who passes you on the sidewalk.”

Touched, Olivia smiled. “I’d like that, too.” For the first time since she had been a small child, Olivia realized she could have a friend, one she didn’t have to bid goodbye in a matter of months.

Chapter Three

Deciding that Joey was going to remain silent, Zeke headed out the door of the clinic with the boy in tow, pausing to point out the buildings. “You can see that’s the barn. The stables. And the corral’s off that way. I’ll show you the lay of the land later. Chores are waiting.”

The two-story barn was meticulously clean, fragrant with the aroma of fresh hay. Zeke never could decide which he liked better, the comfort of his home or the warm feeling of the barn. His own cow, Milkdud, which he’d raised since she’d been a sickly calf, mooed in welcome. Adjoining stalls held various recovering domestic stock that required daily care.

Zeke introduced the assortment. Three horses, two cows, three pigs and four sheep. The new patients were stabled in the front stalls. After making some notes, Zeke headed back to his office. Joey trailed behind, surreptitiously checking out the grounds and other buildings. Zeke hid a grin. His little ranch wasn’t any Disneyland, but it was a lot more interesting to a twelve-year-old than school.

Once back inside, Zeke checked blood results with Angie. Glancing up, Zeke noticed that Joey had wandered over to the aquarium. But this time he kept his arms at his sides, not touching the glass, just watching the fish. Quick learner.

“Angie, how many appointments this afternoon?”

She looked at the computer screen. “Besides the puffball, not too many.” They’d had to make up appointments they had canceled the day before with the chick debacle.

“We should be okay, then.” Zeke strolled over to Joey, wanting to know more about this boy who had never been allowed a pet other than a turtle. “Joey, while Angie’s prepping the first patient, watch the phones.”

Joey spun around, his eyes wide. “And answer them?”

Zeke thought of Olivia’s delayed reaction when the chicks had first scattered. Definitely related to his mother. “Yes.”

“But I don’t know what to say.”

“Answer ‘Harrison Veterinary.’ If it’s routine, take a message. If it’s an emergency, come get Angie or me.”

His eyes grew even bigger. “How do I know if it’s an emergency?”

Zeke smiled to himself. The boy wasn’t as indifferent as he pretended. “Most people know when it’s serious and they’ll tell you. If they don’t know, ask one of us.”

Joey’s Adam’s apple rose up and down as he visibly swallowed.

Zeke pointed to a few labels on the multibutton phone. “Our beeper and cell numbers are marked.” He lifted a spindle from the desk. “Messages go here.”

The boy ran nervous hands down the legs of his jeans.

“If you’re sure it’s an emergency, beep us with the number 911.” He pointed again to the phone. “It’s preset right here.”

Joey gingerly sat in the chair behind the desk. Heading to the barn, Zeke mentally ticked off the afternoon’s procedures, all routine: one case of bovine mastitis, a split hoof, some mild colic and an infected ear. Just one horse had him concerned.

Zeke patted the filly, confident about the ultimate outcome. “She’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, Doc,” the grateful owner responded.

Zeke stroked the horse’s silky mane. “And you stay away from milkweed, my friend.” The words barely out, his beeper went off.

911.

* * *

“Mom!” Joey yanked the phone out of Olivia’s hand.

Zeke burst through the door on a dead run into the clinic.

“There’s no emergency,” Joey rushed to explain, glaring up at his mother.

Olivia winced. “Joey was showing me the beeper on the phone and I accidentally pushed the preset button.” Zeke’s face filled with disbelief.

And Olivia didn’t blame him a bit. “I’m really sorry. I seem to fumble everything these days.” The man must think she was an absolute idiot.

“Better to find out it wasn’t an emergency,” he replied, releasing a whoosh of relief. “Not that I’d encourage any more false alarms.”

“Of course not.” She flushed, her face hot. “Um, I hope this won’t be counted against Joey. For his community service.”

Zeke turned toward Joey. “What do you think? Should we let her off?”

Joey smirked. “I’d have to do more volunteer work.”

Zeke scrunched his brow in concentration. “I think you’ve got something there.”

Olivia blinked. “You’re not serious?”

“You did push the 911 button.”

She looked at Zeke, then Joey. “Fine. Do you want me to start tonight or will tomorrow morning be soon enough?”

Zeke stroked his firm jaw, appearing to deliberate. “Morning ought to be soon enough.”

“I’ll wear my jeans and an old T-shirt.”

Grinning, Zeke started to speak when the door opened and a rush of perfume and yapping pushed inside. Zeke’s benign smile disappeared and Olivia could see a tic in his clenched jaw.

“Belinda,” Zeke said curtly to the woman.

Olivia looked over, hoping she hid her surprise. The woman was decked out in designer clothes she would have expected to see in Houston’s Galleria or on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, but not in little Rosewood. Although she hadn’t visited veterinary clinics herself, Olivia guessed most people didn’t dress for their appointments the way this woman did.

Angie pushed open the door and made her way to the desk. “You can have a seat, Belinda. The doctor will see you in a few minutes.”

Her eyebrows raised at Angie’s brisk instructions, Belinda frowned at a chair, then perched on its edge as though not wanting to muss her expensive clothes. The dog sat beside her, its glittering collar and leash seeming glaringly out of place.

Olivia hadn’t seen anyone like this woman in Rosewood, and it was all she could do not to stare.

Zeke took her elbow.

Surprised, Olivia forced herself to act casual.

He walked her to the door and seemed preoccupied as they stepped outside.

Olivia cleared a nervous knot in her throat. “So, Joey, you about ready to head home?”

Joey glanced at Zeke for approval.

Surprised, Olivia was at a loss for words. Lately Joey had barely acknowledged the need for approval from anyone.

Zeke agreed, “Works for me. Get here early tomorrow and I’ll make buckwheat pancakes.”

“With maple syrup?” Joey questioned, as though she never cooked pancakes for him.

“Warm maple syrup,” Zeke promised.

Olivia tried to regain a little control. “That’s not necessary.”

Zeke shrugged. “I have a taste for them, so I’ll be up early cooking.”

Clearly she was outnumbered. Having worried about Joey all day, Olivia was taken aback to see that he was handling the entire situation better than she was.

“I’m curious.” Zeke drew his dark eyebrows together in contemplation. “Just when did Joey call you?”

“Well...”

“He was with me out in the barn earlier for a few hours. He came back inside to relieve Angie on the phones...what, five minutes before you pressed the emergency beeper? It raises the question, how did you get out here from town before Joey had time to call you?”

Squirming inwardly, Olivia searched for an explanation that wouldn’t mortify her son. Yes, he was twelve now, but he was still her baby. One she worried about constantly now that Ted was gone. It was as though Joey was now even more vulnerable, more susceptible to anything that could harm him.