As he petted Fifi, he thought about Rachel. Should he email the person back on his blog and simply ask if she happened to be at Eastern Vet today? That was far less creepy than digging through the internet and social media for a hint.
He logged in again to the back office of the blog and began formulating a response. Since the writer hadn’t left their name, he could only give a generic salutation.
Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to contact Paws More, Worry Less. I’m sorry to hear about your Roxie. Dogs have a way of weaving themselves around the cords of our hearts and lives. No matter what diagnosis she receives, Paws More is here for you.
I noticed your email came from a place that is local to me. Forgive me if this sounds strange, but would you happen to be Rachel? I only ask because I met a lady at the vet today who owned a dog named Roxie.
Please give me an update when you can on Roxie. I’ll be praying for you and her.
Aaron Bradley
Founder/Owner, Paws More, Worry Less
He tappedSendbefore he could second guess what he’d written. His brain concocted fifty replies she might send, and another fifty responses he’d receive if it weren’t her. He set the iPad aside and resisted the urge to check for an immediate reply. Raising his arms, he stretched them high toward the ceiling.
His movement jarred Fifi. She cast him a glare of disdain before leaving him with a sharp swing of her tail. A chuckle rumbled from his chest. Fifi was all attitude with just enough sweetness to make her likable.
The clock ticked closer to eleven, reminding him of the early morning he faced. At first light, he had damage to investigate at a home struck by lightning. Being a claims adjuster wasn’t the most thrilling of jobs, but he enjoyed the satisfaction of helping people in their darkest hours.
Despite knowing he needed to get to bed, an internal debate ensued. Curiosity got the better of him, and he reached for the iPad and checked for a response. His lips curled into a smile when he sawNew Messagein a bold font. Tapping on the link, he opened the reply.
Thank you so much for a quick reply, and what a small world! Yes, I was at Eastern Vet today. I remember you—the guy with the cat. Thanks again for helping me with Roxie. The visit obviously didn’t go as planned. Roxie is my best friend. What if they find something even worse? I know I need to leave it in God’s hands, but I’m terrified.
Rachel
Was she a Christian? Most people wouldn’t have made that comment at the end unless they were. The possibility pleased him, but he shook his head and shoved those thoughts aside. Rachel needed a friend and ear to listen. His fingers began typing as though they had a mind of their own.
Dr. Scott is the best vet in the county. You can rest assured he will give Roxie the best care and go above and beyond to get answers. When my Chance was sick, Dr. Scott and the entire office were amazing. What time is Roxie’s surgery? I’ll make sure to stop and pray for her at that time. You can also call or text if you want. My number is 555-0981. Please let me know how she does.
Aaron
Drawing his fingers down the line of his jaw, he read his reply before sending. Should he take out his number? He didn’t want to appear too forward, but he’d also been through this with Chance, and he would have appreciated a friend at the time who would understand.
He hit send before he could change his mind. Whether she took him up on his offer or not, he’d say a prayer for the best possible outcome for Roxie.
Chapter Three
A narrow, beaten-down path of grass marked where Rachel paced for the last half hour. She’d been so distracted at work that she’d taken off mid-morning and gone home. Her shot nerves wouldn’t allow her to remain still until she heard Roxie made it through fine.
She pulled out her phone and started to dial the vet’s office like she’d done five times already then slipped it back in her pocket. They said they’d call when Roxie was awake from anesthesia, and she didn’t want to bethatclient who called nonstop.
The sun peeked out from behind a cloud, resulting in an increase in temperature. Already warm, Rachel sought comfort in her airconditioned house. Three years of living on the east coast had weakened her tolerance for the heat. To be fair though, she’d never had to deal with humidity until moving to Maryland. She couldn’t imagine living in the deep south where the humidity was worse.
After grabbing a glass from the cabinet, she pressed the cup against the ice dispenser then filled it with the unsweet tea she’d brewed while unable to sleep last night. She dropped her phone on the table and sat down.
If only she had a friend to sit with her. She could have called someone, but she felt silly not wanting to be alone while her dog had a biopsy. Compared to the problems of many it seemed trivial, but, nonetheless, it was her current reality and one that scared her.
There’s one person I can call who would understand…
Aaron had given his number to her. She’d thought about calling him, but she figured he was only being nice and didn’t mean for her to actually call him. On the other hand, he also didn’t have to tell her he recognized her from earlier, which indicated an inkling of desire for further contact. Hadn’t she wished for another opportunity to talk to him?
She unlocked her phone and debated long enough that she had to unlock the screen a second time by the time she decided to call him. Her breathing paused while she waited for him to answer. At the sound of his voice her fingers gripped the phone more firmly.
“Hi, is this Aaron?” She hated the hesitant tone to her voice. She’d moved from one coast to another without knowing a single person—a simple phone call shouldn’t get the better of her.
“This is Aaron.”
