Chapter 34
The surgery was done. Pop Talbot was giving them the low down. All had gone well.
“I want to monitor him tonight. You can pick him up tomorrow, early evening. But now, I want him here.”
Amy watched as Nathan’s mouth formed a grim line as he sat beside her on the couch in the tiny room adjoining the surgery. “I can take care of him. He needs me. Just tell me what to do. I can do it.”
Doc Talbot shook his head, towered over the two of them as they sat in the waiting room.
“Sorry, son.” He cast his eyes on her now. “You both best be going.”
She stood up, willed Nathan mentally to get up, stop fighting. “Thank you, Doc. I’ve written our phone numbers on this,” she pointed to the clipboard with the form attached. “Please call any time. Both of us. I want to know too.”
The doc’s face softened. “I know you do, honey. And really, both of you, relax. The surgery went well. We’ll just let nature and God, or the universe, however you want to look at it, do its part. I’ll talk to you both of you tomorrow.” He wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. “I’ve got a bottle of sangria waiting for me.” He winked at them. “Very pleasant lady. Always the same. Totally reliable.”
“Hell, doc. Oh hell.” Nathan burst out. “Listen, I know you’re the real deal. You couldn’t have done what you did for me tonight, for us, and for Ryker if you weren’t. But…a bottle of sangria? Now? How the hell are you going to know if Ryker is doing okay?”
Doc just stared at him, blinked, stared a bit longer, then his face rumpled into a mixture of admiration and gentleness. He laid his hand on Nathan’s shoulder.
“Boy, when I say a bottle, I mean one damn glass. When I say she’s a pleasant lady, damn it. She is. And when I say I’m going to watch the pup, damn it, I’m going to watch the pup. That dog in there,” he pointed to the surgery, “is going to essentially, sleep with me, in my room. And once I’m back in the office in a few hours, he’ll be monitored regularly by me and everyone I have working here. That’s Cheri, who’s the sweetest kid north of everywhere, loves animals, and wears her heart on her sleeve. Kid knows what goes into taking care of an animal and does it better, intuitively, then anyone I’ve ever met. Then there’s John. An older boy who’s working his way through college, gonna be a vet, and is so up on symptoms and treatments, meds and herbs and vitamins, I want to throw him in the waters of Jack’s Bay and sit on him, just to make him seem like a regular kid. That’s my staff. Plus me, and Jane who relieved you at this ungodly hour, just because I asked her. And bloody hell, she wanted to. Now, does that sound to you like that dog isn’t going to get the biggest heap of TLC one little body can take?”
Nathan looked visibly shaken. “I…I’m sorry I didn’t trust you, Doc. It’s just that…”
“Don’t apologize.” Doc’s voice was firm. “A man always makes sure those he loves are in the best hands, and I respect the hell out of you for calling me on my setup, my intentions and plans. Now, I’m off to my bed, my sangria, and I’m not waiting another minute to get to both. You both be off to yours. Good night, folks.”