“I’ll make sure your wishes we discussed before are completed correctly. Stay as long as you would like with Buster. Knock on the inner door when you’re ready for us to take care of him,” Dr. Rossi said quietly.
Coco could hear the pain in the vet’s voice. She imagined Dr. Rossi had treated Buster for years. Coco had witnessed animals being put to sleep during her training. In her opinion, Dr. Rossi was as compassionate as anyone could be. In just an hour, Coco thought the world of her.
Please let me get this job!
She crossed her fingers again as she followed Dr. Rossi into the back area. Isabella met them with a box of tissues. They both grabbed one and patted their eyes.
“That doesn’t get any easier,” Dr. Rossi said and sighed deeply before turning to Coco. “Can you start tomorrow? We need you.”
“I can start this afternoon if you wish, Dr. Rossi.” Coco had never in her life been more sure that she was in the right place. If the other doctor was half as nice as Dr. Rossi, this would be heaven.
“I could use the help,” Isabella told her twin.
“Paperwork first in my office and then, if you’re serious, head back here to dive in,” Dr. Rossi said with a smile. “Oh, and call me Sofia.”
CHAPTER 2
After her first full week working with Sofia and Isabella, Coco still pinched herself when she woke up to go to work. She’d always dreamed of working with animals and being part of a dynamite, supportive work force absolutely rocked. Each day was different and exciting.
Coco fit in seamlessly with the wonderful workforce in the clinic. Her nervousness faded quickly, and she hadn’t flubbed up any words recently. That was a true sign she was relaxed and happy.
When her phone buzzed with a message on her way in on Monday, Coco glanced at the screen to see Isabella’s name. In case it was something vital, she pulled into a strip center of shops and read the message.
Hey, Coco! Can I ask you a big favor? Could you pick me up an iced coffee on your way? I’ll pay you back.
Quickly, Coco considered her funds. She should have enough to cover it. Fingers crossed, she typed a response.
Of course! What do you want?
When Isabella’s response came through, Coco headed for the closest coffee shop and ran through the drive thru. She hadn’t gotten her first paycheck yet, so she had to scrounge for changein her cupholders, but thankfully she found enough to cover the cost.
Walking through the back entrance, she met Isabella. “Hey. Here you go!”
“Thank you so much! We got called in early with an emergency, and I had already started to drag.” Isabella took a big drink and sighed with delight. “That’s going to help. I should have had you supersize this for me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I should have gotten a large, but I only had elephant… enough for the smaller cup,” Coco explained, feeling her face heat with embarrassment.
“I should have thought of that, Coco. It’s right before payday. Let me get you some money.” Isabella rushed to the lockers where they all kept their personal possessions during the day and returned with a ten-dollar bill.
“That’s too much, Isabella. I’m sorry I don’t have change. I can treat you this time.”
“Consider it gas money. My other option was to have it delivered with a big charge or call Daddy and have him bring me one,” Isabella told her.
“Oh, how nice. Your father lives in town?”
“Oops. No, that’s what I call my boyfriend.”
Coco took the ten Isabella held out to her as thoughts whirled in her mind. There was no mistaking her co-worker’s blush. Calling her significant other Daddy meant more than his having children. Coco didn’t ask, not wishing to pry—but she had a million follow-up questions she wanted to pose.
She asked an easy one. “Why were you here early?”
“A couple of emergencies came in,” Isabella explained.
“Daddy just texted,” Sofia announced as she came into the workspace. She stopped in her tracks upon seeing Coco.
“She knows. I just blew it,” Isabella told her twin.
“You’re not appalled and going to leave, are you?” Sofia asked. “I’d hate to lose you because you’re offended by our lifestyle.”
