“I think we caught this in time,” Matt told Mrs. Pemberton. “We’ll run some blood work, but I suspect he’s having a flare-up of kidney disease. It’s common in cats his age.”
Relief washed over the older woman’s face. “Oh, thank goodness. When he wouldn’t touch his tuna, I thought the worst.”
Matt nodded, understanding her fear. For many of his older clients, their pets were their only companions. “You did the right thing bringing him in. Kidney disease is manageable with the right treatment.”
He worked efficiently but unhurriedly, drawing blood for testing and starting an IV line for fluids. Throughout the procedure, he kept up a steady stream of conversation—partly to reassure Mrs. Pemberton and partly to distract Rusty.
“There we go, big guy,” he murmured as the fluids began flowing. “You’ll be feeling better in no time.”
After Rusty was in a crate, Matt turned to Mrs. Pemberton. “I’d like to keep him on fluids for a few more hours. You can pick him up this afternoon, around four. By then, he should be feeling much better.”
Mrs. Pemberton nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Reynolds. I don’t know what Rusty and I would do without you.”
After seeing Mrs. Pemberton out to the waiting room, Matt asked his vet tech, Sarah, to monitor Rusty while he saw his next patient.
The morning flew by with a steady stream of appointments. In between giving someone advice about how to look after their goldfish, he’d vaccinated a litter of puppies, stitched a laceration on a dog’s paw, drained a cyst on a cat’s back leg, and performed wellness checks for five elderly cats. By lunchtime, Matt was ready for a break.
“I’m heading out for a sandwich,” he told Brenda as he grabbed his jacket. “Do you need anything from the deli?”
Brenda looked up from her computer. “No thanks. I had a big breakfast.” She held up her phone. “Carol just texted. She’s freaking out about the fundraiser this weekend. She said they’re short on volunteers to set up the barn, and the printing company messed up the programs.”
Matt sighed. The shelter fundraiser had been consuming most of Carol’s energy for weeks. As the only full-time employee at the chronically underfunded shelter, she was trying to run the place and organize a major event at the same time.
“I told her we’d stop by after work to help,” Brenda continued. “Is that okay?”
“Of course it is,” Matt told her. “I need to drop off the latest list of auction items anyway. As well as all the other last-minute donations, Frank’s offered to take two people onto the lake for a full day of fishing.”
Brenda looked impressed. “How did you convince him to do that?”
Matt shrugged. “I went to his grandson’s school with a litter of puppies and talked about being a vet. He was grateful.”
“I imagine the students were, too,” Brenda shook her head. “No wonder you’re never going to retire. You love working with animals too much.”
“The animals aren’t the only thing I’d miss,” Matt said with a grin. “I enjoy seeing what ideas you and Carol come up with to keep the shelter’s doors open.”
“While we’re talking about keeping the doors open,” Brenda said, giving him a meaningful look, “you’re staying for the entire fundraiser, aren’t you? Not just dropping by, but actually attending the event?”
Matt’s eyebrows rose. “Have you been talking to Carol? She asked me the same thing.”
Brenda smiled. “And you’re dodging my question. You should bring someone. It’ll be a fun night.”
“It’s a community fundraiser,” Matt replied dryly. “Most women wouldn’t see that as a great date option.”
“Still.” Brenda wasn’t giving up. “Lynda Morth was here yesterday. She’s looking forward to going to the fundraiser.”
Matt felt heat rise to his face. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“Oh, please.” Brenda rolled her eyes. “You light up like a Christmas tree whenever she comes into the clinic.” She raised her hand to stop his protest. “And don’t try denying it. You talk about her all the time.”
“She’s a good vet with decades of experience. Of course, I mention her work.”
Brenda shrugged. “All I’m saying is, you’re both going anyway. You could go together. Maybe get dinner after it finishes.”
“I’m getting lunch now,” Matt said firmly, zipping up his jacket. “Alone. Are you sure I can’t tempt you with a chicken and avocado salad?”
Brenda shook her head. “I’ll be fine, but don’t be surprised if I mention Lynda’s name a few more times before the fundraiser.”
The shelter’s doorbell rang, and Matt turned to see Diana Preston and Charlie, her Golden Labrador.
