Tiffany grinned. “Abram will be the happiest.”
“I’m sure he will.” She had a soft spot for the red-headed baby. Until he started teething, he’d been the happiest baby she’d ever met, despite the upheaval of his first months of life.
“Before I get back to work, is it okay if I leave fifteen minutes early today? All my work will be done.”
“Of course. You’re here early every day.”
“Thanks. My sister’s in town for tonight only, and we’re going to dinner.” Uncertainty wrinkled Tiffany’s forehead. “I haven’t seen her since last Christmas.”
“If you want to leave earlier, that’s fine. We have the coverage today.”
Tiffany’s lips twisted in indecision. “I don’t want to skip out on my work.”
“You are a dedicated worker, and I know how close you and your sister are.” Rachel leaned forward and issued an empathetic smile. “If my sister were in town for one night only, you can be sure I’d spend every second possible with her.”
“I forget that your family is far away, too.”
Times like this, she wished she didn’t have that in common with her colleague. “It’s not easy being apart from them.”
“When will you go home again?”
“Maybe after Christmas.” It seemed so far away, but then she remembered her mom’s call first thing this morning. “My parents might come for the Fourth of July.”
“That’s only a few weeks away. I’ll be praying they can make it.”
Rachel appreciated the genuineness of Tiffany’s statement and let her know. “Thanks. They should know by the end of the weekend.”
“I best get back if I’m going to leave early. I’ll pop in and let you know before I leave.”
After Tiffany left, Rachel turned back to her lunch, but tossed it in the garbage when she’d discovered it had become soggy. At least she’d finished most of it, and she still had her slice of French bread to eat…because carbs made everything better.
She pulled her phone from her desk drawer. When she’d arrived this morning, she’d put her phone on silent and hid it away so she wouldn’t obsessively check for messages from the vet. A call this morning confirmed Roxie did well overnight, and by two, Dr. Scott would let her know if Roxie could come home tonight.
Eastern Vet hadn’t called, but Aaron had sent a text to check on Roxie’s progress. Rachel grinned, glad no one was in the room to see her. There was a slight possibility she was in the beginning stages of being sweet on him, as her great-grandmother would have phrased it.
Everything about him, in the short time she’d known him, attracted her to him. Most importantly, he was an unapologetic Christ-follower. She suspected he was an old soul, a gentleman from days gone by. He had a tender heart, which reflected in his care for people and animals, but he also possessed a distinct masculinity.
She texted him that she hadn’t received word yet, then erected mental roadblocks to any train of thought regarding Aaron. Mountains of work awaited her, and she had no time for daydreams, especially fanciful ones including romance.
At two forty-five, her office phone rang. The blinking light told her the initial call had come into another line and been transferred to her extension. She answered her standard greeting, “This is Rachel with Hope House, how may I help you?”
“Hi Rachel. It’s Mandy from the vet.”
She drew in a quick breath of fear. In all these years, they’d never called her at work, never had a reason to. Why now?”
Mandy continued. “I’m sorry to call you at work, but we left a message on your phone and hadn’t heard back. I know you’ve been eager for news and wanted to make sure you heard.”
“Is Roxie okay?”
“She’s great. Nothing can keep her down.” Affection echoed through the call. “Dr. Scott said she can go home tonight.”
Her shoulders relaxed and she slunk several inches from the loss of tension in her body. “That’s fantastic.”
“Could you come in before six? Dr. Scott would like to show you how to change the bandages when he gives you the discharge information?”
Dr. Scott’s personal attention was part of the reason she continued going there, even when his prices were a notch higher than the other options in town. When it came to medical care, for her dog or her, she’d didn’t mind paying for compassion and experience.
“I can be there at five-thirty. Would that work?”
