Vet's Desire (30 page)

Then the
dreaded call out to another patient, this one to a couple of pet
lambs who’d been attacked by dogs, and possibly neighbouring dogs
let loose, for the hobby farm was on the outskirts of the city.
Another euthanasia, this time accompanied by the crying children
who had been helping their parents hand-raise the lambs.

Jesus, the day
was just getting worse and worse. The other two vets worked just as
hard but it seemed as if Tim’s luck was just plain rotten, as he
seemed to get every bad scenario.

Another owner
who came in and abused them all for the cost of caring and
medicating his dog, and a woman who couldn’t decide whether to
sterilise her cat or let it have a litter so ‘the kids can witness
the miracle of birth’. When Tim tried to point out the difficulty
in getting homes for kittens, she brushed it away and he watched in
frustration as she walked out the door, head held high, as she
announced that children needed to watch the miracle of birth.

“You should
have asked her if she wanted her kids to witness the sadness of
watching the kittens put to sleep because no one wants them,” Lara
said sourly. “Think she’ll be back with the unwanted kittens?”

“God, I hope
not.” Tim scowled. “Then again, better to be put to sleep than
dumped. Shit, days like today I don’t need.”

Sighing, Lara
nodded.

Going through
the swing door out to the back, Tim heard the old cat yowling and
he went into the cat’s room and squatted before the cage.

The old cat
bumped his head against the cage door and looked up at him in
anticipation of a pat. Smiling, Tim complied, rubbing the big head
through the cage door, feeling some of his tension slip away as the
old cat purred.

But if the
owners didn’t turn up, this was another cat destined to be
euthanised. He sighed. All he could do was hope the owner would
turn up or someone would take the old cat, but there weren’t many
people wanting an old cat and all the health issues that could come
with him.

Straightening,
he moved onto the last consults of the day. The final consult was
yet another euthanasia, this time a dog that had got hit by a car
and was so badly injured that nothing could be done except to put
it out of its pain. It didn’t help that the owner was the one who
had been driving the car, and the sobbing woman had to be helped
out by her husband while Tim followed with yet another dog wrapped
in a blanket to put into the back seat of the car.

Going back
inside, he felt that the entire day was cursed. Even the vet nurses
weren’t happy. Returning to the treatment room, he did a final
check of the animals there, all in various stages of recovery from
illnesses and operations. And one yowling old cat needing his
owner.

“Need anything
before I go?” Lara came into the room.

“No, thanks.”
Tim shook his head. “Let’s just pray that tomorrow is much
better.”

“I hear you.”
She looked at him. “You look really wrung out. Can I do
anything?”

Again he shook
his head, but he managed to smile. “I’m fine. Go home, go out,
whatever you do, just have a good time.”

“If you’re
sure…?” She hesitated.

“I’m sure. You
all did a good job today.”

She smiled. “No
worries. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here.”
And please, God, let it be a much happier day.

The clinic grew
quiet as the nurses and the other remaining vet left, and Tim did
one last, final check of the animals and locking of doors before
returning to his office.

Walking in, he
took one look at who was waiting at his desk and the weight on his
shoulders seemed to slip away. Cindy smiled at him, eyes warm, not
saying anything, and then she straightened from where she perched
on the edge of his desk and opened her arms.

Without a word
Tim strode straight into them, gathering her close and resting his
chin on her shoulder, breathing in deep of her soft, sweet
scent.

She gently
smoothed one hand over his hair while her other hand ran up and
down his back soothingly.

The tension
eased from him, slipping away as he allowed her comforting,
undemanding presence to soothe him. It was as though she knew what
he needed, saying nothing, just being there for him.

No one had ever
been there for him except for his friends, but there were some
things he couldn’t tell them. But with Cindy, he felt as though he
didn’t need to tell her anything, that she just knew.

And she
accepted him. Closing his eyes, Tim snuggled her closer, feeling
her softness resting against him, feeling the inner strength in
her, her calmness in his storm of emotions, her comfort in his
sadness, her quietness in his clamouring.

He needed her,
not sexually, but just to be there for him, and she was, asking for
nothing and giving him what he needed.

For two months
they’d been going out, having fun, chatting about different things.
She never complained when late-night call-outs took him from her,
he didn’t complain when she had to go away for a meeting in another
city with her father, brother and a business investor. Neither
complained about the sometimes odd hours they kept - he for his
work, she for hers.

He’d learned a
lot about Cindy Lawson in the short time they’d been together. The
party girl worked hard, often from home, her agile brain and
computer skills a useful asset to her family’s business. People
disregarded the bubble-headed, giggly blonde to their own
detriment, especially the business sharks cruising around looking
for opportunities. They zeroed in on her father and brother, while
she circled the permitter, looking into their backgrounds, gleaning
information, using contacts in both the computer world and her own
acquaintances in other countries and cities to find out about the
business sharks. Her family took her advice and reports seriously,
and she was just as serious about doing them.

Yeah, Cindy was
made up of many fascinating facets. Party girl, giggly blonde,
luscious babe, steel trap minded business woman, a soft heart for
the animals, and a quiet understanding of Tim.

“How do you do
it?” His voice was muffled in her hair as he turned his head to
press a kiss to the side of her throat.

“Do what?”

“You seem to
know what I need before I do.”

“I read people
well. Part of my job.”

“So I’m just a
part of your job?”

“The worst
job.”

He gave her a
squeeze.

She laughed
softly. “But I can handle it.”

“You’re going
to have to prove that one day.”

“Uh-huh.” But
she didn’t move, just kept holding him.

Because she
knew it was what he needed.

Relaxing
against her, he allowed his thoughts to simply drift away, filling
himself instead with the scent of Cindy, her softness, her
calmness. He couldn’t imagine a better way to end a horrible
day.

His mobile rang
and with a sigh he straightened, but he didn’t move away from
Cindy, holding her against him as he leaned to the side and picked
up the phone from the top of the desk. “Hello?”

“Tim?”

“Yes. Who is
this?”

There was a
light laugh. “It’s Sassy.”

“Sassy?” He
searched his memory without success.

Cindy’s hand on
his back went still.

“Sassy. We met
at the pub, remember? It was awhile ago. I manage Petite
Creations?”

“Oh yes, Sassy.
Of course. I’m sorry.” Tim raised his brows as he looked out at the
darkening night beyond the window. “What can I do for you?”

“I was
wondering if maybe you’d like to go out for a drink tonight?”

“Tonight?” Tim
ran his hand up Cindy’s back. “I’m sorry, no.”

“Oh. Okay.”
There was a slight hesitation. “What about tomorrow night?”

“No.” Tim
smiled down at the blonde strand of hair he was twining around his
finger, feeling Cindy standing so still against him. She knew there
was a woman on the other end of the phone. Her breasts pushed
against his chest with every breath she took, and he felt it when
she took a particularly large one. “I’m afraid I’m seeing someone,
Sassy, but I thank you for asking anyway.”

“You’re going
out?” Sassy sounded puzzled. “Really?”

“Yep.”
Satisfaction oozed through him. Oh yeah, he was going out with a
luscious babe who took all his attention, sexual and otherwise, and
boy was he glad.

“I see.” Sassy
sighed. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”

“No doubt. By
the way…” He frowned slightly, a sudden thought occurring to him.
“How did you get my mobile number? This is a private line.”

Cindy started
to pull away and he tightened his grip, keeping her in place.

“Oh, Cindy gave
it to me.”

Tim pulled away
just enough to look down into Cindy’s face, taking in her red
cheeks in one glance. “Oh? Cindy? Really?”

“Yes. She gave
it to me the night we met. I thought she was considering breaking
up with you.”

“Really?” His
hand slid down to Cindy’s ample backside. “Well, fancy that.”
Amusement went through him, especially when Cindy looked away.
“Well, like I said, I’m seeing someone.”

“Sure.
’Bye.”

“’Bye.” He
clicked the phone off and tossed it back on the desk. “So.”

“So.” Cindy
rested her hands on his forearms and eyed him as closely as he was
doing to her.

“You gave Sassy
my number. My private number.”

“Hey, I didn’t
know it was private.”

He flexed his
hand on her bottom. “How did you get it? Back then I wouldn’t have
given you the time of day.”

“Oh, that’s
harsh.” A twinkle appeared in her blue eyes.

“You were an
irritating bit of goods that night, if I remember.” He delivered
the lightest of taps on one generous buttock.

“Hey, I was
saving your life.”

“You were
dropping me into the manure, and you knew it.”

She fluttered
her eyelashes at him.

“So how did you
- oh geez.” He remembered her going back to Rick and asking him
something, right before they left the pub. “You got it from Rick,
didn’t you?”

She
laughed.

“And then at
some stage you passed it on to Sassy.”

“Guilty as
charged, sir.”

Another light
tap on her bottom. “You devious wench.”

“Just trying to
help you out.”

“I bet.” Tim
grinned. “You knew she was after me.” Another thought occurred to
him. “Hang on. It took her this long to call me?”

“Oh, baby.”
Cindy smoothed down his jacket collar. “Are you upset? Sassy found
herself another man, but they’ve broken up now.” She winked.
“You’re the rebound.”

“You know, that
would have made me happy once.” He tugged gently on the blonde
strand of hair still around his finger, tipping her head back. “I
could have boinked her without worry.”

“You’re such a
romantic.” She tapped him on the cheek, a little harder than
warranted. “And not something you should be saying to me, your
girlfriend.”

Tim’s grin
widened. “Luscious babe, you’re all the woman I want or need.”

Her brow rose
haughtily. “Now you’re just trying to regain favour.”

“I swear I
spoke without thinking.” He raised one hand. “Scout’s honour.”

“You were never
a boy scout.”

“Hey, I’m
always prepared. There’s a condom in my wallet.”

“Oh well, I
guess that’s proof.” The twinkle in her eyes spread to a sparkling
smile. “So, Playboy Vet, I guess I’ll keep you for awhile after
all.”

“How about
forever?” The words fell out before he thought about it, and she
laughed.

So did he.

And then they
looked at each other. Tim’s breath caught, his eyes widening as he
realised what he’d said.

Cindy’s gaze
searched his eyes. “Tim…?”

“I didn’t
mean-” he began at the same time.

His mobile rang
again.

She glanced
away. “You better answer it.”

He didn’t know
whether to be relieved or not as he picked it up. “Hello?”

“It’s me.” His
mother’s voice came through, cold and clipped. “I want to see you
at the house.”

“What?”

“Now.”

Tim released
Cindy, feeling the loss of her warmth as she moved away. “What’s
wrong?”

“Something we
need to discuss. This can’t wait, Timothy.”

It had to wait.
The vibes he was getting from Cindy’s stiff back wasn’t good. “Not
now.”

“
Now
.”

He cut her off
and walked up behind Cindy, stopping just behind her, feeling the
warmth of her body through his white coat. “Cindy, I-”

Turning, she
looked up at him, a small smile on her lips but her eyes serious.
“It’s okay, Tim. This is too soon for us to talk about
forever.”

“I know.” Too
soon. Way too soon. She wasn’t ready, he wasn’t ready.

The mobile rang
and he ignored it.

“That sounds
important,” Cindy said quietly.

“It’s my
mother. She can wait.” Reaching for her hand, Tim said quietly, “I
didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not
upset.” She gave his hand a little squeeze. “We’ve only been going
out a short time.”

The mobile
phone started ringing again.

“It’s not
important.” Tim shook his head when she glanced at the mobile. “You
are.”

Warmth seeped
into her eyes and she moved forward to lean against him.
Automatically, his arms came around her waist.

“That’s sweet,”
she said. “But she’s just going to keep ringing you.”

“I can turn the
whole phone off.” He did so. “See?”

“Rebel.”

Relaxing as the
familiar companionship fell between them again, he sought safer
ground. “Thanks for coming here tonight.”

“My
pleasure.”

“Did someone
phone you?”

“I was driving
past and decided to call in on the chance that you wanted to go out
for pizza.” Cindy’s arms around his waist tightened. “I met Lara on
the way in and she told me you’d had a hell day. So I came in here
to wait.”