“I do need to know a little about you, though,” I said. “I’m guessing you were hitchhiking? That’s what most people along that stretch of road do.”
Alex swallowed, then shrugged. “Tried to.”
“Can I ask where you’re from? And where you’re going?”
Without looking at me, he swirled the spoon in the hot soup, thinking. I waited patiently, silently pleading with him to trust me. It was the only way my plan could work.
When he didn’t say anything, I tried again, softer this time. “I really need you to be honest with me right now, okay? I promise I won’t judge or give you a lecture about your life choices. I just need to know who you are and who that sweet pug is so I can help you.”
Mentioning Roxy seemed to do the trick because he relaxed.
“How old is she?” I asked.
“Four-and-a-half, give or take.”
I nodded. “I guessed five, so I was close.” I didn’t want to get too off topic, so I didn’t push for any more information about his dog, and after a moment, Alex glanced at me.
“I honestly have no idea where I was heading,” he said.
There was such so much heaviness to his voice that I had no doubt it was the truth. “Okay. Can you tell me where you’re from?”
He took a quick scoop of soup before answering. “Spokane.”
My spoon clattered to the table. “Spoka… shit, Alex, you’ve been walking sinceSpokane?”He grimaced, looking more ashamed now than when we’d first met.“God, no wonder you were soaked! What happened?”
The tick of his jaw let me know I’d pushed a button. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Maybe not, but I just want to be sure you’re okay,” I said. “Are you?”
“I’m fine,” he said in a firm tone. Alex held my gaze a full three seconds before shoving another spoonful into his mouth, swallowing too quickly to even taste it. “I didn’t mean to cause you trouble,” he said. “Thank you for helping Roxy.”
When he reached for the piece of sandwich he’d torn off earlier, I quickly realized he was getting ready to bolt, and that piece of food was to make sure Roxy had something to eat.
I reached for his arm. “Don’t go,” I urged.
Alex clenched his jaw. “I don’t know what you want, Vaughn. I told you. I can’t pa—”
I held up a hand to cut him off. “I know you can’t pay. Please, just let me finish.” I took a sip of water to clear my throat before explaining what I hoped would a good proposition. “Look, the truth is, I’m trying to figure out what you’re going through because I want to strike a deal with you. Roxy has at least six weeks in that cast, maybe longer, depending on how well she manages to stay off it and let it heal properly. I’d like to keep an eye on her during her recovery to make sure she gains a little weight and doesn’t have any vitamin deficiencies.”
Alex opened his mouth to argue, but I silenced him yet again.
“I mean no offense. You’ve done a great job taking care of her, considering your circumstances. All I mean is, I want to be sure there aren’t any other health concerns. It’s my job.” When Alex didn’t try to argue, I took it as a sure sign I was on the right path and continued. “I’m not sure if you noticed, but my property isn’t exactly… inviting to new clients. I bought this land at an auction about three years ago. Unfortunately, I had no idea the vet down the road would be retiring soon after, so most of his patients have since become my patients. It was a blessing and a curse because it meant I ended up having to spend all my remodeling budget on fixing the interior of the building just so I had enough room to work.” I sighed. “Anyway. All that means is that the outside has been a little… neglected, and I think I’m losing potential clients because of it.”
Alex straightened, genuinely curious where I was going with this. “You want me to work off her care?”
I nodded. “I’ll give Roxy the medical care she needs, and provide food for both of you. In return, you’ll help me make this place more presentable.”
He considered it. “What needs to be done?”
“Just about everything,” I said with a huff. “Painting. Weeding. The awning over the front door needs to be fixed or maybe just replaced. I’m not sure yet. There’re a few outdoor kennels that need repairs too, since someone ran their truck into them a few months ago. I have the supplies for most of the work already, but honestly, I just don’t have the time. I’m swamped with patients, and my assistants are barely keeping up with the work we have. I’d like to hire another full-time assistant in the spring, but I’m not quite to that point yet, and I think if I spruce up the property, it’ll help me get there.”
Alex studied the contents of his bowl, thinking it over. “Roxy would stay with you, then?” he asked.
“Yes. And you can too.”
That caught his attention, and he looked up, eyes wide. “What?”
I nodded. “I have a small room above the clinic that has its own private entrance so you’ll have a place to stay for a while. There’s a toilet, but no shower. You’re welcome to use the one in here, though.”
