I hook up the trailer, giving Victoria some time to herself with Sentinel. I know it can be rough to see an animal you love in such rough shape. But it could be so much worse. Sentinel is really doing incredibly well.

And while the pain meds will keep him from feeling too much pain, I’m also trying to keep his doses somewhere between totally loopy or passed out and alert. I have a feeling that it’s better for her to see him in a little tiny pain but very much alive.

And the pain isn’t more than the soreness we’d feel if we worked out. A bit of a dull ache, but enough that we feel it. I need to find a good balance for owner and animal. Which is odd; generally I’d only care what the animal needs. I push away the thought. With Sentinel up and awake, he’s acting like a mostly healthy pup. Which is a great sign.

I have a feeling once he heals up you’d never even know he was seconds from death. And I’m never going to tell Victoria how close he came. Or that Jax is a fucking hero. Without his blood and the immediate care he received, Sentinel would be a goner.

Heading back to my seat in the truck, I’m greeted by Jax loving on Victoria who’s silently crying and loving on Sentinel’s velvety ears. It’s a touching scene and I can’t help myself. I snap a quick picture with my phone and ask her for her phone number.

She tells me and I text her the image. Her face lights up as she sees how cute it looked to see big ol’ husky Jax hanging over the seat and resting his nose on her shoulder as she leans forward enough to love on Sentinel.

“Thank you,” She whispers, studying the picture as I get in and buckle up.

“I think you have a new admirer.” I tell her as Jax keeps contact with her even as she sits up and pulls on her seat belt.

“I guess so,” She says and I keep reminding myself that she’s going to leave. I need to dissociate. We pull out onto the road and she looks behind us.

“Why the trailer?” she asks.

“In case we need to move the animal to treat it here.” It wouldn’t be the first time. I’d rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.

As if reading my mind, she says, “Hope for the best prepare for the worst.”

“Exactly,” I say, wondering how she does that. She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever been around. When she’s this near to me, I feel a faint echo off her like our souls are using sonar to find one another.

I’m obviously going fucking crazy.

On the long drive, she turns on the radio and flips through station before settling on some upbeat pop rock song. She sings along and I open the window a bit to let the fresh air in for the dogs. Suddenly, Jax’s nose is on my shoulder as he sniffs the wind like crazy.

“Aww,” Victoria says, looking over at him. “Traitor.” Her lips lift in a bright smile and she lifts her phone to snap a picture. She texts it to me, but I’m not going to look while driving.

When we pull into the driveway I feel her tone change. She’s quiet, and I know why. The place seems… empty. I drive up right before the house and park. There’s no sign of activity and I get out to quickly walk the place.

And I see the horse; Molly. She’s pitiful. A bag of bones, her hips jutting out and every rib plain to count.

I pull out my phone and call the non-emergency police number right away.

As I give the details needed, I see Victoria walk up to the fence, offering a hand to the mare. But the mare is too tired to even walk and instead, lies down.

Not good.

Victoria’s eyes meet mine. They’re wide, troubled, and I know she knows it’s dire. But she’s holding it together. She’s poised to help. I hang up with the dispatch and call Emma.

“Hey Em, I need to ask a favor.” It would be awkward if it wasn’t such an important issue.

“Of course,” She says, her voice sounding happy to hear from me. Nothing between us was soured by Kieran, and I’m thankful for that.

“I’ve got a very emaciated horse here that needs an emergency home and care.”

“Oh my god, yes,” she says, her voice worried. “Bring him right over.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you, I know your dad used to help out with these cases-”

“You can count on me,” she says.

“I’ll see you in ten.” I say and we hang up after quick goodbyes. It would be bitter sweet, if I was letting myself feel sad for how things ended between us. Though they never really ended. No, they were torn apart by Kieran’s selfish, typical asshole self. He destroys everything and everyone he touches. But I decided when things got serious between them that I’d be here if Em needs me after he destroys her. Because he will.

I open the gate and walk over to the mare. She’s got a dirty halter hanging from her skinny face, but I feel like there’s no way she’d even have the energy to run from me or put up much of a fight.

“Hey babe, I need you to stand,” I say, approaching slowly. She perks her ears from their lax position. I take her halter and she struggles painfully to her feet. Making a few snap decisions, I decide to look at her hooves later. Right now, I need to get her to Em who’ll get some calories in her and get her the energy she needs to be well enough for me to even treat.

“How did they let this happen?” Victoria says from just behind me. I glance over her and she’s staring over her shoulder at the quiet house.

“The cops will do a wellness check. For now, we’ll take her and get her to an expert.” With my hand on Molly’s halter, I lead her toward the trailer. “Hold her,” I tell Victoria, who takes the halter. She talks gently to the mare as I open up the trailer.

With the ramp down, I ask Victoria to lead the mare up and in, trusting the tired old girl won’t put up a fight.

She doesn’t, and I sense Victoria’s shift in attitude. That defeated set to her shoulders since she found out that her truck had been towed is lifted and morphed into stubbornness, which I admire.

She’s a fighter, I’ll give her that. She’s a tough chick, and it’s fucking sexy.