Chapter 6
Dinner was a fun lighthearted affair. Rory was good company. She hadn’t realized just how nice it was to have somebody in the kitchen cooking with her. In an odd way they shared the space very well. She didn’t know if it was because he was better housetrained than a lot of the men she knew or because he enjoyed cooking. If he chopped onions, she sliced the meat, and, if she got the pasta from the cupboard, he was already putting the pan full of hot salted water on the stove. She made a comment about it, and he just laughed.
“I like cooking,” he said. “I don’t do much at the compound because of Alfred.”
“And Bailey?”
Rory chuckled. “Yes, Bailey is in the kitchen as often as she can be. Between the two of them, they work well. But then Alfred’s of an age where he looks at Bailey almost like a daughter.”
“That’s probably not a bad relationship to have,” she admitted. “My parents are back east. They live in one of those retirement centers for people fifty and over. They love it. A lot of times they don’t have to cook because there are so many potlucks and social gatherings and barbecues.” She chuckled. “Not necessarily what I want for my life right now.”
“It would be hard for you. Although I guess, if you eased up your workload, there might be some energy left for a social life.”
“I hadn’t really thought about how antisocial I’d become until I contemplated what life for everyone at Levi’s place must be like,” she said. “There are so many people living there, and most are around the same age.”
“I hadn’t either until I arrived at the compound. I just came from the better part of a year at the family ranch where the only social life I had was introducing animals in heat to their herd sire.”
At that she laughed. “Good for them but not so much for you.”
He gave her a droll look. “Isn’t that the truth?”
Before long they had their plates full of hot simmering beef stroganoff. He studied his meal in front of him. “I usually put red wine in my stroganoff.”
She nodded. “I would if I had any, but I don’t.”
He frowned. “We should have stopped at the liquor store.”
“I don’t think that was on top of our minds.”
“No, I was trying to make sure you weren’t followed home.”
“And I was trying to make sure you were watching how I wasn’t being followed home,” she said, chuckling. She took a bite and closed her eyes in delight. “Now this is tasty.” She glanced at him to see if he agreed. From the look of rapture on his face, she figured that, between them, they’d done just fine.
He had such a look of joy as he opened his mouth and popped in the second bite.
She laughed. “Obviously food is important to you.”
“Food, companionship and, of course, sex.”
She rolled her eyes at the last bit.
He grinned. “It makes the world go around.”
“It does indeed,” she said.
They polished off dinner at a decent but reasonable pace. When Louise pushed away her empty plate, she sat back with a happy sigh. “That was delicious.”
He nodded, looked over at the pot still on the stove and then back at her with a raised eyebrow.
She nodded. “Help yourself.”
He hopped to his feet and refilled his plate. She watched in awe as he inhaled that serving too. “I don’t know how you guys do it,” she said. “And it’s not just you. I’ve seen the amount of food Alfred and Bailey prepare. Every one of you guys is a big eater.”
He shrugged. “We work hard. Have to have the fuel when we need it.”
She glanced into the kitchen. With the two of them working so well together, very few dishes remained to be cleaned up. As she’d been serving, he’d already filled the sink with hot soapy water and had done all the prep dishes. “You’re very good in the kitchen.”
“Don’t tell Alfred and Bailey that,” he said with a wicked grin.
She shook her head. “Although I’m sure they could use the help, they make it all look so effortless.”
“That’s part of the joy of being there. Everybody knows what their job is, and they do it. So it all seems effortless.” He pushed his plate back and said, “That was an excellent meal.” Just then his cell phone rang.
She stilled and waited for him to answer it.
With his gaze on hers, he said, “Levi, what’s up?”
Immediately she knew something was wrong.
“Did the second vehicle stop? Did we get a license plate or any description of the driver? Who was on watch?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, listening.
“Flynn?” Rory’s face relaxed. “So chances are somebody came to check it out and then realized the place was under security. We’ll have to watch for that. If they’re desperate enough, they’ll come back tonight with somebody else.” He nodded. “Yeah, I’ll tell her.” He hung up and said, “You probably heard most of that, but there’s been some traffic at your place.”
“Anybody hurt?”
“No. Flynn was on watch. They must’ve been spooked over something. A guy drove up to the building, did a full circle around and then pulled out his phone. He decided against approaching.”
“Do you think somebody else will join him?”
“No way to tell, unfortunately. It’s possible though.”
She nodded. “So can we relax, or do you think we need to go there?”
“We can relax. Flynn’s on it. Levi is sending one of the other guys over too. The first guy could be coming back with somebody who has better electronics training than he has. It’s obvious we were working on the security system today.”
She nodded. “I remember the wires everywhere.”
“We couldn’t finish the job today, so it’s still being set up. Whether they understand that or not, it’s hard to say.”
She inspected her hands, not surprised to find them trembling.
He reached across, grabbed one and said, “It’s fine. It will be fine.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I wish there was a way to let them know I don’t have the drugs anymore.”
“What do you want to do? Post a sign on the clinic door?” he asked in a half-joking voice.
She looked at him and said, “Yes, I do actually. I mean, if these guys are coming around and looking for that case of drugs, then they need to know I don’t have it anymore.”
“But, as these guys couldn’t have missed seeing the sheriff’s deputy’s marked vehicle here for over ninety minutes this afternoon, it makes sense that they’re spooked now.”
She frowned. “It’s a little distressing to think the clinic is still one of their targets whether the drugs are there or not.”
“I agree.” He checked his watch. “You have patients you need to check on tonight.”
She frowned at him. “Yes, how do you know that?”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I’ve worked on a ranch for a long time. Lived and worked on a ranch,” he corrected. “So I do understand animals and watched those two dogs come in today.”
She nodded. “One is under observation before surgery. The other came from another clinic. The owners were upset at his care and brought him in. I have to admit that he’s not in great shape. So I need to go back and check on him.” She glanced at her watch. “Not just yet though. If we check around eleven, I can return in three or four hours, depending on how they’re doing.”
“Do you ever stay at the clinic overnight?”
Something in his tone made her glance at him sharply. “Yes, there’s a cot in my office, and I’ve used it many times.”
He nodded. “That’s what I figured. Let’s hope it’s not required tonight.”
She shrugged. “I will if I think I need to.”
He shook his head.
She reached over and squeezed his hand. In a firm voice she repeated, “I will if I need to.”
He frowned at her.
“Don’t bother telling me that I can’t or I shouldn’t because I will. If the animals need me, I’m staying.”
“Are there two cots in your office?”
She stared at him for a moment and then realized he would stay with her. She shook her head. “No. You wouldn’t have to stay with me.”
“Don’t even go there,” he warned. “Until this is over, I’m attached to your side.”
She raised both hands in frustration. “Until what’s over? Do you realize how long that could take?”
“I do. But I also can’t take the chance of these guys grabbing you to find their drugs. So protection detail it is. For however long it takes.”
“What do you think they’d do?” Inside her stomach churned at the idea.
He gave her a look. “You know what they’d do.”
She really didn’t want any details. “There’s only so much I can deal with right now, and worrying about being kidnapped and tortured is not one of them.” She stood and said, “You did all the cleaning up of the prep dishes. I’ll finish.” She gathered the plates and washed them up quickly so he couldn’t step in and do it for her.
When he didn’t, she was somewhat surprised. As she turned around, she found him in front of her living room window, talking on the phone. She realized he’d taken advantage of her being so busy to make a few plans of his own. No point in being pissed at him because he was doing exactly what he was supposed to do. Protect her.
She just didn’t know how she felt about having somebody that close to her. He was easy to get along with and fun to have around. But he wasn’t a habit she should become accustomed to. Because this was one habit she wouldn’t get to keep.
*
Rory looked up from his work and studied Louise. She was buried in some files she had brought home with her. “When do you want to go?”
She didn’t appear to hear him. Or maybe she was just working hard on something she needed to finish.
He turned his attention back to his own work. He was going over her security system, contemplating a few more tweaks and upgrades. It would cost a little more but not much, and it would make a big difference in terms of expanding things later.
The house was clean; leftovers were put away; the dishes were done, and they’d been working on their own things for at least an hour. It was about eleven o’clock, which was when she said she wanted to check on her animals. A few minutes later, he looked up again and said, “Louise?”
She lifted her head. “Yes?”
“When do you want to go to the clinic?”
She glanced at her watch. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late.”
He smiled. “It’s not a good habit to bring work home.”
She gave a half snort. “You’re a fine one to talk.”
He nodded. “I know, right? At least it’s your security system I’m working on.”
She dropped the files back into the folder she brought with her to take a look at his preliminary scratchings on a notepad. She started to ask a question, then stopped and shook her head. “I probably won’t understand it anyway. So, as long as you guys figure it out, and you know what to do, then I’m good.”
He chuckled. “Let’s go.” He shut down his laptop, placed his scratch pad on top and considered whether he should take it with him. He hated to. It was a quick trip, but he’d learned the hard way that quick trips weren’t always quick. Often they needed a whole lot more work and effort than he had originally thought. Maybe he should consider that this time too. He packed up his computer bag, and, with that in one hand, he picked up his keys and waited at the front door. She joined him a few minutes later. She glanced at the keys in his hand and said, “Are you okay to drive?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She shrugged. “I just figured I should drive.”
He shook his head. “It might be better if no one sees you or your vehicle.”
She froze for a mere second, then nodded. “If you say so.”
With both of them seated in his truck, he drove to the clinic. As they pulled into the parking lot, he sent a text to Flynn. We’re here to check on the animals.
Good. No action in the last hour.
Rory put away his phone. “Nothing’s happened here since you left.”
Relief swept across her face. “That’s great.” She hopped out of the truck and walked up to the front door.
He rushed up behind her and said, “Let me.” He undid the rigged system and let her in.
“I guess it might be a bigger trap with my security system unfinished rather than finished, as you’re the only one who knows how to disarm it,” she said with a half laugh.
He smiled as he quickly hooked the wires back up again. She didn’t stay to watch. She headed straight to the back. Instead of following her, he took a moment to walk through the place, checking all the wires and boxes they’d set up. It was a simple system, but he didn’t look forward to redoing all the work just because some asshole had crept in and undone it all. After Rory was satisfied everything was as it should be, he joined her in the animal area of the surgery room. Cages of all different sizes were stacked on top of each other.
He found Louise with a gray-multicolored tabby in her arms. He sported a shaved spot on his abdomen and had tubes coming out. Yet the cat’s huge purring engine worked just fine and the cat had a look of ecstasy in his eyes. Rory reached over but hesitated, then looked at Louise and asked, “May I?”
She nodded and smiled. “This guy would be forever grateful.”
For several long moments, they cuddled the cat. His engine never slowed. When Louise took a step toward the cage, Rory watched as she carefully placed the cat back inside and made sure his lines were clear and then locked him up. She made a notation on the clipboard outside.
“Isn’t the clipboard a bit old tech?”
“Sure is,” she said cheerfully. “These notes will be transferred to the computer files later. But, for the moment, it’s a good system for letting people know when he was last checked.”
She went through a couple cages, stopping for a moment to talk to different animals. He saw the respect and love on her face as she handled each one. After a lifetime with animals, Rory appreciated her and her manner toward them. “You really love your job, don’t you?”
“Every part of the job except for when I have to put down an animal. Sometimes it’s a kindness if they are too sick or too injured, but often it’s just because of one difficulty or another. If we had better technology and better medicine, they could be saved, but too often there’s nothing we can do.”
He understood. He’d seen it over and over again on the ranch too.
When she was finally done, she looked around and said, “The first shift comes in at six.”
“Do we need to come back?”
She shook her head. “No, the animals are doing fine. We can go home and go to bed now.” As soon as those words were out, a flush walked up her neck and cheeks.
He grinned, but he didn’t say anything. She was embarrassed enough. He followed her back out to the front door and saw headlights sweep down from the highway. He watched as they went past the parking lot. When they did, he could hear her slowly let out her breath. He glanced at her and smiled. “Not everybody is coming here to do you harm.”
“No, but just having that one was one too many.” She stepped into the parking lot and walked over to his truck. He followed after reconnecting the temporary system he’d put together. Outside again, he pulled out his phone. He texted Flynn. Heading home.
Okay, check in when you’re there came the answer.
They made it onto the road, headlights shining bright in front of them. When she yelled, “Stop,” he hit the brakes. They were just at the edge of the clinic property. She pointed ahead to something lying on the side of the road. Cautiously he drove closer. It would be the perfect opportunity for a trap. He pulled up beside it. Before he had a chance to stop her, she jumped from the truck and raced forward. It was an animal of some kind. She checked it over and then came running back. “It’s an injured dog. He’s been hit but is still alive. I need to get him back to the clinic.”
Rory hopped out, took a look and saw the dog was too big for her to lift. Using his spare work shirt stowed in his truck, he gently wrapped up the poor thing, who even now struggled to get away. Covering him, Rory lifted him to put him into the bed of the truck, but Louise already sat in the driver’s seat and said, “Come on. I’ll drive.”
Considering that was the easiest way to go, he took the passenger seat, holding the dog gently. It whimpered in his arms, damn near breaking his heart. He studied the area, wondering what happened, and how long the animal had lain there. He could swear the dog hadn’t been there when they arrived. He wondered how long it would take her to realize that fact. Awkwardly she turned the truck around and then drove back to the clinic.
“I don’t know if you can disarm the security system while you have him in your arms, but I need him in the back room.”
He couldn’t do anything while carrying the dog. Once they arrived, she dropped the tailgate, and he gently laid the dog down. Then he uncoupled the wires so they could get back inside. He scooped up the dog and carried him through to the large surgery area.
She tapped a large stretcher. “Put him on here please.”
He gently laid the dog down. Within seconds, she had his old shirt pulled away and the dog stretched out. She tugged on gloves and said, “I need to check him over.”
“I’ll lock up the truck. Be right back.” He ran out to the truck, closed his passenger door and the tailgate, and headed back inside, resetting the security on the way. Just as he finished, his phone rang. It was Flynn.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“We found an injured dog on the side of the road. Just where you saw us stop.”
“The vehicle here earlier stopped there briefly and then carried on.”
“Of course it did,” he said. “Either they hit the dog by accident or dropped off the dog as a way to lure her back here.”
Flynn said, “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. Keep a watch on her in there.”
“You keep a watch out there,” Rory said. “Text every ten minutes if all is well so I get the buzz and know everything’s cool.”
“Will do.”
Rory put his phone on vibrate so he could feel it in his pocket. Then he headed back to where Louise worked. He washed his hands and approached. “What can I do to help?” he asked.
She looked up at him gratefully. “I don’t know how long he’s been lying there, but he has several cracked ribs, and his front leg is broken.”
“Do you have an X-ray machine?”
She was already wheeling the dog into a small room. “Can you help me realign him?”
Under her instructions, the dog was laid out the way she wanted him. Rory didn’t like the look of the dog’s front leg, but she had an IV in him, and the dog appeared to be calm. Whether she’d given him antibiotics or an anesthetic, he didn’t know, but the dog wasn’t fighting his rescuers. Maybe he just understood he was in good hands.
With the X-rays developed, Louise pushed them into place in the reader and pointed to the front leg. “It looks like he’s been hit by a car. The front leg’s got a clean break, and he took a heavy blow to the front shoulder and chest. The shoulder has soft tissue damage, but that will heal on its own. Looks like the vehicle clipped a couple ribs too.”
She checked the alignment against the X-ray and then quickly casted it. “The ribs,” she said, “are cracked but will heal without any intervention from me as long as he stays calm. He’s a young dog and will bounce back fairly quickly. He’s in decent shape otherwise. Still it’s lucky we found him.”
“Would he have lasted the night?”
She nodded. “But in a great deal of pain. He was likely unconscious, only coming around before we arrived.”
By the time she and her patient settled for the night, another hour had gone by. In fact, it was almost one o’clock in the morning. “Are you ready to go home?”
She frowned and stared at the patient. “Was it deliberate, do you think?”
He winced. “I was hoping you wouldn’t consider that.”
She shot him a hot look. “That vehicle that went ahead of us?”
He nodded. “It’s possible. You tell me though. I didn’t see the dog when we came down here, and we weren’t here very long. Could the injuries have been that fresh?”
She nodded. “They were very fresh.”
“There’s your answer then.”