“Hey, Coco. I got an email about this anesthesia course for vet techs,” Sofia told her at lunch one day as she passed over a page she’d printed out. “Would you be interested in attending?”
“I’d love to go if I can afford it,” Coco said, scanning the page quickly.
“There’s a discount for vets who send employees to train. It’s one of the benefits of a professional group I belong to. If you’re ready to dive in, I’ll pay for you to go. I would ask that you promise to stay at my clinic for a couple of years to repay my investment,” Sofia said, watching Coco’s face carefully.
“Are you kidding? I don’t plan to leave here until you retire. But I can pay,” Coco said, crossing her fingers.
“I hoped you’d say that. Talk to your Daddy to make sure he’s okay with you taking care of Muffin and doing coursework outside of the clinic. That will take some of your free time. I’m okay if you study here, of course, when the schedule allows,” Sofia assured her.
Isabella looked at Coco and they both laughed. The practice was too busy to allow them free time. The two vet techs were busy constantly.
“Do you think we need another employee?” Sofia asked.
“Only if you add another doctor and a couple more exam rooms,” Coco told her honestly. “You could expand. Pet owners love and trust you.”
“But then my clients might have to see the other doctor,” Sofia said. “I think I might be too much of a control freak for that.”
“You think?” Isabella teased her twin.
“Okay, I’ll table that for a while. If Coco is working more in the operating room, we could use an extra set of hands to clean kennels and sanitize rooms—even stock the shelves for us,” Sofia suggested.
“Would you consider hiring a student in a vet tech program? They might like to get a firsthand view before they finish all their coursework,” Coco suggested.
“I like that idea, Coco. I’ll contact the local community college and see what they suggest. Okay, work talk is over.” Sofia stopped and looked at her watch. “Well, for the next twenty minutes of our lunch. I’m so excited to come over for dinner, Coco. It’s very nice of you and your Daddy to invite us.”
“I can’t wait to see your nursery. You’ll have to come see ours, too!” Isabella told her.
“That would be fun. My Daddy’s making his world-famous, cheesy noodles for us. And some other things on the grill,” Coco said.
“Yum. I love pasta. Does your Daddy sneak vegetables into everything?” Isabella asked.
“Always. But these are really good. I promise,” she added when the twins looked skeptical.
“Our Daddy does, too,” Sofia shared.
“Bad news, ladies. Violet Adams is next on the schedule and she’s here thirty minutes early. She’s already sat in the waiting room for ten minutes. I think I see steam coming out of her nostrils.”
“I’ll go. Muffin will charm her into pleasantness,” Coco volunteered.
“You’re an angel on earth,” Isabella said and added, “Good luck.”
“Muffin’s on the job. Aren’t you, sweetness?”
“I’ll finish my sandwich and be there in five,” Sofia promised.
“Make it ten. We’ll be fine.”
As Coco headed for the exam room where the receptionist had sent the unpleasant woman, she heard Isabella tell her twin. “Your best hire yet.”
Coco hesitated a bit to hear Sofia’s response and laughed when the pleasant woman teased her twin with, “I used to think that great find was you, but…”
“I am so going to tell Daddy on you,” Isabella threatened.
Amused, Coco left to deal with Violet and her ancient cat, Sunshine.
“Doyou think they’ll like my nursery, Daddy?” Coco asked.
“I think they will be very jealous of your beautiful room,” he assured her just as he had the last five times she’d asked.
