“Nice try.You, just like most other women around this town, are trying to push me or pull me or otherwise hog-tie me to one or another.Ally Jones will be gone after your maternity leave is done.And you need to help me to help Jillie remember that.I don’t need my daughter’s heart bruised when that happens.People come and go in life and this will just be another example.There is no future in thinking a big-city girl could ever be happy here in small-town Texas.Now, I do have work to do, and I would think so do you.”He did stop long enough to plant a swift kiss on her forehead.She could infuriate him to no end sometimes, but she had raised him and their siblings when there wasn’t anyone else.He would never forget that sacrifice.
*
Ally put awayher clothes in the huge closet, set out her toiletries in the large bathroom, and then helped herself to one of the homemade oatmeal cookies and a glass of the milk that had been supplied along with a wealth of other items according to the list…or VolumeOne as Matt had aptly named the list.It was certainly thorough and very helpful.Tori had highlighted each place that might be of more importance to Ally, including the vet’s office and location for the GPS.That was the first thing Ally hoped to accomplish.She needed to see Teddy for herself and let him know she had not left him for good like his mistress had done them both.
After a shower and change of clothing, it felt good to put on some light makeup and run her own brush through her curls.She sat in front of the makeup mirror on the vanity in the dressing area of the walk-in closet and noted that the bruise was turning from a garish purple to an even more sickening brownish mustard.She worked to get some of the longer strands of hair to smooth over most of it.Not for the first time in her life did she look at her reflection.Her pluses were the sapphire-blue eyes and thick dark lashes—at least that’s what people complimented her on.Some said they envied her the abundance of feathery golden-wheat blonde curls that was often unruly in her estimation, bouncing happily when she walked fast, and never seeming to change even when she ran her hand through them to try to tame them.She’d given up trying to subdue them and have a sleek hairstyle like so many other girls her age did.She had a nose referred to as ‘pert’ and a complexion Annie called peaches and cream.Probably trying in her sweet way to always be uplifting and kind.At least she had a petite figure with suitably comment-worthy curves in the right places.
“It is what it is,” she told her image in the mirror.She chose a pair of slim-fitting brown slacks and a long-sleeved sweater with a cowl neck in a mixture of browns and greens.The tiny gold studs were in her ears where they had been since the birthday two years ago when Annie had presented them to her.The tiny gold cross with a wreath of gold flowers around it hung on a fine chain at her neck.It was with her always also.She had been called sentimental a time or two in her life and she had no problem with that.She didn’t have much of anything to claim as her own, but what she did have was very meaningful to her.And more cherished to her than others felt about their jewels and fancy clothes or trips or ornate houses.It was the people, notably Annie, who were worth all of that to her and more.
She found her purse in one of the boxes gathered up from the wreck site.And she had quickly checked to make certain that the carved box was still sealed and intact that she was entrusted in delivering to Destiny’s River.That brought a sigh of relief when she found it in another box.Gathering her notebook and key fob, she went into the garage and found a small red SUV that looked to be almost brand new.In fact, it barely had two thousand miles on it.And it drove like a dream.She was going to be spoilt when she got her old car back…if she did.That was a conversation and visit for tomorrow with the mechanic.
Traffic was nothing compared to the city she came from.And there was a wonderful absence of blaring horns and people yelling at each other and getting nowhere in the gridlock.It took her all of fifteen minutes to locate the vet’s office on a side street down a block or two from the courthouse and center of the town.Pulling her bag over her shoulder, she pushed through the door of the building and immediately was welcomed by the light barks and meows of a veterinary office.They were only overshadowed by the smiling welcome and greetings from the two vet techs at the front desk.She told them who she was and explained that she was there to see her dog.
“Oh, you’re Teddy’s person,” one of the girls piped up with a huge grin.“He is such a little love.I’ll take you back to see him.”
The cleanliness of the place was a surprise.And she was surprised by the number of people working in the back, moving quickly here and there and animals that were also moving…some in cages, some in arms, but everywhere there seemed to be people and animals on a mission.A tall man in blue scrubs came out of one of the doors and he nodded.“Hello, I’m Dr.Adams.I bet you’re Ally Jones?”He shook her hand.
“Well, yes, I am.”
“You are just as Matt described you.He told me we would probably be seeing you if not today, first thing in the morning.”
“I wanted to check on Teddy and let him know I didn’t abandon him.”
“Well, he has had a very thoughtful visitor each day like clockwork.And I am expecting to see her come through that door in the next ten minutes.So why don’t we get you situated in one of our free rooms and bring Teddy in for a reunion?”
He nodded at the tech who had escorted her from the front.The girl took off down a side hallway.The doctor indicated she should follow him.The room was nice and spacious with a full-length window that looked out on a wide expanse of fenced yard where there were trees for shade and benches for sitting.A couple of larger dogs were visible outside with one of the techs enjoying some exercise.“I was feeling bad for Teddy being locked up, so to speak, but this is a very nice place.And I thank you for all you did for him.I don’t know what I would have done if he had been seriously hurt or worse.He and I are what’s left of our family.”
The man nodded.“I totally understand that.But once we get that pin removed from his ankle area, he should be good as new.Maybe a little limp in colder weather…but then I do that with my old bones too,” he said and laughed.She did the same.The door opened about that time and the tech came in carrying the furry animal.When he caught sight of Ally, he couldn’t wait to get from the arms that held him to Ally’s.
“Settle down, my sweetheart.I’m here now.Everything is good,” she crooned in a soft voice to the bouncing ball of fur.She was trying to be mindful of the pin that she had been told was visible and it was anchored in the bones.She looked up at the vet.
“It is sturdier than it looks but we do try to keep him calmer than this.However, this is a special occasion.He will calm down in a couple of minutes.Just let him lie on the table and you can talk to him.If all progresses as it should, I think he can go with you tomorrow afternoon, if he is kept reasonably quiet, no jumping off things or chasing rabbits or rough play.Couch time is good.Being even more spoilt than I think he already is.We’ll have instructions for you, and we have an on-call rotation twenty-four/seven so we can help whenever needed.”
There was a light tap on the door, and then Jillie stuck her head around it.Her face lit up when she saw both Teddy and Ally together.She joined them beside the table.Teddy had to smother her in licks a few times.
“He’s so happy you’re here now,” Jillie said to Ally.“I told him you were coming soon.”
“And I’m so glad you kept him company and kept him from being sad.You helped him heal by doing that…you helped both of us.”
“Well, isn’t this a great sight?You two are united once more.”Tori had slipped into the room after Jillie.She joined them and added a pat for Teddy, also.
“He is the center of attention and eating it up,” the vet said.“But I think we can let him settle down a bit before his dinner does get served.He will need to rest up for his trip out of here tomorrow.”
“He’s going tomorrow?”Jillie seemed a bit sad but happy for him, too.
Ally smiled.“Yes and remember you’ll see a lot of him still when you’re at Primrose in the afternoons.You guys will still be best buddies.”
“That’s true!I’m so glad you and Teddy came to Destiny’s River.And I hope you two will stay forever.”
“That makes three of us,” Tori spoke up.“Now let’s go, Miss Jillie.You have homework to get done so you won’t have to waste your weekend time with it.Your dad will drop you at Tiffany’s.And don’t let us forget your bag is in my car and he needs to take it and you to Tiffany’s.”
“I’m going to a sleepover tonight.But I’ll be home after lunch tomorrow.In case you need help bringing Teddy home or anything.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.It sounds like you’ll be having a fun evening.Good for you.”Ally was touched when Jillie gave Teddy a hug and then she turned and wrapped her arms around Ally’s waist, giving her a quick hug too.Then she was gone.Tori gave her a quick wink and told her and Doc bye before she left at a slower pace for an expectant mom.
“You met some good people there in the Lockwoods and Parkers.The ones you haven’t yet met are just as fine, too.Now, don’t you worry.Teddy will be ready tomorrow afternoon.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Dr.Adams, I hope you know how much this little dog means to me.I couldn’t lose him now.”
