I felt around Fred’s coat and everybody went quiet with anticipation. I looked up at Dr. Atkins and pointed to the spot I thought should be the point of entry. “Right here?”
He winked. “What do you think?”
I knew this. I’d watched him drain at least fifty abscesses. “Yes. There.”
He nodded his approval.
I tried to bite back a smile, but it was a rush of excitement. I slowly and carefully made a small slice in Fred’s skin and jumped back just in time for the geyser of yellow pus to narrowly miss my boots.
“Eew,” James and Liam yelled at the same time. “Eeeeeewww,” they yelled again, when the smell hit their adorable little noses.
My eyes widened at them. “Watch this.” I wiggled my finger into the hole, making it bigger. The liquid came out faster and harder, leaving a large puddle on the ground.
The boys giggled and my uncles let out sounds of approval.
“Poor Fred,” I said to the horse, petting him with my hand that wasn’t covered in bacteria-ridden goo. “You’re going to feel better so quick. Aren’t you, boy?” After three minutes of a steady stream of pus, I thought the littles might lose interest. But they didn’t. They just stayed, awed that so much nastiness could come out of Fred. When the stream slowed to a trickle, I gently massaged in downward motions, helping the rest of the fluid find its way out. The bit at the tail end had a little blood mixed in. But Dr. Atkins had taught me a long time ago that was normal. The area made by the abscess hung loose, but at least the infection was out. The skin would tighten back up eventually.
Everyone looked over when the barn door opened. Tally and Madden walked in, hands in their pockets. I watched as Blue’s eyes went to Ash who exhaled like he was steeling himself. Watching Tally date Madden had been tough for me. I liked Madden a lot. He was a really great guy and Tally deserved that. But I also knew Ashton was in love with her and he didn’t deserve the constant hurt of watching her with someone else. It hurt me to watch him hurt.
Sorry, Blue mouthed.I told him to wait in the car.Madden had just finished a tryout with a new AHL team in Richmond. Tally was dropping him off to ride back with Blue. From the excitement on their faces, the tryout had gone well.
“Hey, guys,” Gramps waved them over. “Just watching Dr. Anna drain Fred’s abscess.”
Tally and I shared a look. She knew the pain it had caused for me to give up vet school. The pain it was still causing.
“You mean Vet Tech, Anna,” Madden grinned, shooting double finger pistols at me.
My entire face squeezed and there was an instant pit in my stomach.
Silas scowled. “No. Anna’s going to vet school to be an actual vet. She just had her interview.” He looked at me for reassurance. “Right?”
Everyone’s eyes landed on me.
“Sorry,” Madden shook his head and looked at Blue. “Maybe I was confused?”
Silas’s gaze ping-ponged between me, Blue, Tally, and Madden. At least one of us must’ve been a bad actor because his eyes narrowed. “Anna?”
I winced. “I was thinking of switching to a vet tech program.”
“Why would you downgrade to vet tech?” Silas said in a careful tone that sat at the edge of terrifying. He looked at Dr. Atkins, who appeared as sideswiped as him.
Dr. Atkins glanced at me, a question in his eyes. “I was kind of expecting you to take over for me when I retire.”
That had definitely been the plan.
I turned and pulled my ponytail from my hair, trying to shield my face, which wasn’t cooperating in being cool and calm. “Uh, can we talk about it later?”
“Blue?” Silas said, a bite to his voice.
My need to protect came out and I turned to face Silas, folding my arms. “He doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Really?” Silas looked downright pissed. “Because the only reason I can think of you doing something like that would be so you could go with him when he’s drafted in the spring.” He aimed himself at Blue. “So, let’s try this again. Blue, why would Anna switch to a vet tech track?”
For a second, Blue looked like he wanted to run. But then a hardness came over his face as if he’d told himself to cowboy up. “She’s going to vet school.”
Madden chuckled and ran a hand over his face. “I’m so confused right now. I thought she told you?—”
Tally shook her head and did a slicing motion across her throat. Too bad Silas saw it.
