“I always talk to myself. Sometimes that’s the most intelligent person I speak with all day,” the woman said, chuckling. “Think of it as your good deed of the day. You helped me figure out dinner. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Coco answered and thought to herself.If this isn’t a sign to go get tacos, I don’t know what would be.
Filling her tank fully for the first time in months, Coco celebrated having a good job. She needed to focus on her blessings. If a Daddy appeared, he would be the icing on the cake. Coco smiled as she stopped to grab some yumminess for her and Zelda.
CHAPTER 3
After the best sleep she’d had in weeks, Coco headed to work. About a block away, she noticed the clinic’s lights were all on. That rarely happened until they got ready to open for clients. She hurried there and parked. What was going on?
“Coco! Good morning!” Isabella greeted her.
“You’re so awake,” Coco said as the other woman practically vibrated. Isabella depended on a lot of coffee to focus.
“One of our patients got hit by a car last night. Sofia and I came in a bit after three to stabilize him. He has a broken leg. She’s going to fix it before the appointments come in. Want to help in the operating room?”
“Oh, definitely!” Energy flooded Coco. Getting to watch Sofia operate would be a treat. “Have I met the dog?”
“I don’t think so. Fluffy is in cage twelve over there. Go say hello. We’ll get him sedated and ready to go in a few minutes,” Isabella told her.
Cage twelve was on the bottom row and was one of the larger containment areas in the vet clinic. Coco squatted down to look in the cage. The dog lifted his head slightly and dropped it back to the floor.
“Hi, Fluffy. I’m Coco. I’m sorry you’re here.”
The dog’s eyes followed her as she lifted a hand to unlatch the door. Coco could see his bashed leg extending awkwardly behind him. Her heart ached for him. “Oh, sweetie. You really got hit, didn’t you? Dr. Sofia will fix you up in a flash.”
Fluffy exhaled strongly, and the tension melted away from his shoulders. It was like he understood Coco’s reassurance. She rubbed his head.
“I’m adding sedation so we can move him without pain,” Isabella told her as she shifted the IV tubing.
In a few minutes, Fluffy slept as they moved him onto a board to carry him into the OR. Coco loved how they operated like a team who’d worked together for years. Soon they had him set on the table. She and Isabella prepped for the surgery and returned to Fluffy’s side.
Thrilled to observe the surgery, Coco made mental notes of how the tech administered the anesthesia. She wanted to learn as much as she could. After watching what felt like a hundred videos on the procedure, she was tickled to discover that she knew what was happening and why. It cemented her desire to add this certification to her training.
Pushingthe surgical cap off her hair, Coco walked out the back door and around the side of the clinic to take a seat on the steps. The surgery had not gone as they had hoped, and Sofia had removed Fluffy’s leg when the extent of the damage became clear. He would be fine with three legs, but Coco wished he had avoided the accident in the first place.
“Are you okay?” a deep voice asked.
She jerked her head up to make eye contact with the handsome man she’d met on that first day. “Buster’s dad, right?” Instantly, her heart beat faster. Coco had a fleeting thought cross her mind—from surprise or in reaction to his magnetic good looks. Mentally, she shook her head at her silliness.
“Yes, I’m Roman. You’re Coco,” he said with a confident smile. He seemed pleased to see her.
How had he remembered her name? Roman must be a people person who mastered names easily. Even so, why would he bother remembering her name?
“IamCoco.” When he stood there looking at her, she got nervous. What did he want? “The laddies… I mean, ladies are at the desk. They’ll be able to help you.”
Fuck!Screwing up her words in front ofthisman was the final straw to break her back on this tough morning. Coco blinked furiously to keep from crying, her fingers twisting in her lap. If only she could maintain her composure until he moved on.
“Coco. Are you okay?” Roman sat down on a lower step, putting them on the same eye level. He reached out and wrapped a powerful hand around hers. He squeezed gently. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Fluffy lost his leg,” burst from her lips. She shook from the struggle to keep the tears inside her. “Oh!”
Coco froze when he scooped her up in his arms and placed her on his lap. His arms swept around her, holding her tight. Pressed to his chest, she could feel his slow and steady heart rate. He stroked his hand up and down her back.
Instead of making her panic, his touch soothed and reassured her jangled nerves. She loved being wrapped in warmth and caring. Coco relaxed her tense muscles, trying to memorize how incredible being held by Roman felt.
“Little one, I’m so sorry. That is sad. Is Fluffy your dog?”
“No. I only met him this morning,” Coco said, stiffening. She pushed herself away from the shelter of resting against his body. He had to think she was a weirdo, getting upset over a pet that wasn’t hers.
