“Are you surethe little dog is going to be okay?”
If Matt had answered that question once since he arrived at his sister’s home, he would have repeated his answer a half dozen times.“Jilliebean, the dog has a broken leg, but Doc Adams did a great job, and he expects the animal to be fine once he mends.But what we need to talk about is what happened today before the dog got hurt.”
“Is the lady real mad at me?I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.I thought Pumpkin would get hit by a car if he ran into the road.I didn’t see a car and then when I did, it was at the same time Pumpkin ran off to the side of the road and then the car went into the ditch and all.I’m really, really sorry, Dad.”
“First of all, the lady has a name…Ally Jones.And she has a mild concussion and some bruises and cuts.But she should be okay in a few days.So, it could have all been a lot worse, beginning with you.If she hadn’t swerved when she did, then you would have been seriously hurt…if not worse.But she did her best to avoid you.Instead, she went into that ditch.Her car is a mess.Her dog is at the vet’s after surgery on its leg.And you took ten years off my life.”
“And don’t forget to mention the many more gray hairs there are now, either,” his sister added as she sat the glass of milk on the table in front of Jillie.She grinned at her brother who answered with a frown.
“As I was saying, action and reaction, both have their consequences.Everyone survived…this time.And she knows you are sorry.And she was worried about you and even that kitten.And why does it have a name now?I thought we agreed you were finding it a home.And not ours.”He eyed his daughter who was intent on the food on her plate.
“Is that not the deal we made?”Matt was persistent when he felt there was something else going on to be dealt with.
“Yes, but he’s so scared after what happened and all, Dad.”She looked up with that combination of sadness yet hopefulness in those huge eyes that she could use as one of her greatest bargaining chips where he was concerned.“And I did call my friends, and their parents all said no.So, he’s an orphan and everyone needs a safe place to call home, you always say that.Well, a poor lost kitten is the same, isn’t it?”
“I think we have the makings of another persuasive politician in the family.She’s a chip off the block of her favorite aunt.”
“And on that note,” Matt said, standing up from the table.“It’s time to get home and get ready for another day of school.Get your backpack, Jilliebean.”
“And you should check the calendar, brother dear,” his sister interjected.“This is Friday.Please don’t drop your daughter off at school tomorrow.Because I won’t be here to pick her up.We have a cattle auction tomorrow.And we’re also going to have to plan for things when this little one decides to make its arrival into this family.”She highlighted her words by a caressing rub over the extended belly of a pregnant woman in her last trimester.
Matt shook his head.“It’s been a long day so thanks for the reminder…both.And yes, I am working on after-school care for Jillie.”
“I told you that I can walk to the library and stay there until it’s time for you to pick me up,” Jillie responded.“I’m a big girl, Dad.Not a child.”
He gave her a long look…in silence.She tugged on the straps of the backpack and kissed her aunt’s cheek.“He just treats me like a baby.”
Tori patted the arm around her shoulders in commiseration with her niece, but the smile was sent to her brother.“I have news for you, my sweet girl, you will be a child to your father until you are a grandmother yourself and then some.”
“Can we stop by the hospital?”Jillie spoke up a few minutes later as they passed the courthouse and waited at the red light to make the left turn toward their house on the edge of town.
“Hospital?Are you ill?”Matt cast a quick glance at his daughter.
“No, I’m not.I just think it would be a good thing to check on Miss Jones—and I could also apologize to her.”
“That is an admirable thought, my daughter.But I’m sure she needs her rest so she can hurry and mend and get back on her way to wherever she’s going.”
“I thought I heard you tell Aunt Tori that she said she was coming here to Destiny’s River for some special reason.Does she have family here or anyone she knows?She could be lonely if she doesn’t.”
“Forget being a politician,” Matt replied.“You have a memory for arguing a subject… Being a lawyer might be better for you.But no, we are not disturbing her this evening.”He noted the crestfallen look that replaced the smile of hope from a few moments before.
“What we can do, is stop by the vet’s and check on the dog.That might mean a lot to her.”
Jillie’s smile was huge.“That’s a great idea.”
“Your old dad has those once in a while.”
They took a quick detour a block down and pulled up at the vet’s office a few minutes later.They had late hours two days a week and this was one of those.One of the aides came out and then led the way back to where rows of cages with patients of the fur variety were visible.Some were more boisterous and vocal than others.But they were shown to an end cage that had an occupant with a bandaged leg, which had clearly been shaved of all fur, and an ugly metal pin protruded from either side of the ankle bone.The eyes were huge and melancholy as the animal lifted its small head with its protective cone in place.
“He looks so sad,” Jillie whispered, bending down to see the dog better as it did not move from its place against the corner back wall.“Hello, little guy.I’m Jillie.I’m a friend.”
There was a measured silence.Then a small movement of the end of its tail allowed for a brief lift before it returned to lie quietly.
“Is he okay?”
“That is the most movement the little guy has shown this afternoon,” the tall, white-coated man observed walking up to join them in front of the cage.“He must like your voice, Jillie.”
“Is he doing okay?”Matt looked at the man over his daughter’s head and then thought better of his timing.Jillie didn’t need to hear anything other than good news now that she had seen the little animal.
