He took the device from her, made a quick choice, and stuck the phone in the cup holder.It began to dictate directions in soothing female tones.Meredith turned around and focused on Daisy for the remainder of the drive.The dog recovered slowly from the episode.Her eyes became more alert, and her stiffness eased.She began to respond to Meredith’s voice.Her tail thumped under the blanket.
“She getting better?”Wade asked.
“I think so.”
“We’re almost there.”
Meredith smoothed a hand over Daisy’s sweet head.The dog’s muzzle was damp.Maybe she’d been bitten by a snake or eaten something poisonous.Meredith ran her fingers through Daisy’s thick fur, but she didn’t find any wounds.
The emergency pet clinic was on the west side of Lost Lake, near one of the routes she’d investigated earlier.Wade pulled into a shopping center with a grocery store and several restaurants.He parked in front of the clinic and hopped out.
Meredith had planned to carry Daisy, but Wade did the honors while she held the door.Inside, an employee led them into an exam room.They waited together in taut silence amidst the smells of antiseptic, flea shampoo, and pet dander.
A harried-looking veterinarian entered the room with a stethoscope around her neck.
“I’m Dr.Munroe,” she said, nodding at Wade and Meredith.“And who’s this?”
“Daisy,” Meredith murmured.
“What’s going on with Daisy?”
Meredith told the vet how she’d found Daisy in a collapsed state.Dr.Munroe did a thorough examination and recommended some lab tests.
Meredith gave her permission, and the woman looped a leash around Daisy’s head.Daisy followed her obediently out of the exam room.Wade and Meredith returned to the front office to fill out paperwork.She accepted the clipboard with a weak smile and sat down.She wrote her name, and Daisy’s name, with careful script.Then she got stuck.Paperwork was difficult for her when she was calm.Under stressful circumstances, it was impossible.She hazarded a glance at Wade, who was studying her intently.
“You want me to do it?”
She passed him the clipboard, cheeks heating.
“How old is she?”
“Three.”
“Spayed?”
“Yes.”
They went through the rest of the information quickly, and he turned in the paperwork.The receptionist gave a quote for services that made Meredith’s heart sink.
“I don’t have that much cash on me,” she whispered to Wade.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said.
Relief washed over her.“I’ll pay you back.”
He shrugged, unconcerned with the amount.
“It’s going to be about an hour,” the receptionist said.“You’re welcome to wait here in the lobby, or you can leave and come back.”
Wade inclined his head toward the taco place next door.Meredith accompanied him without argument.She was too upset to eat, but she could hardly begrudge him a meal.They both used the restroom to wash up before choosing an outdoor table.
“You don’t have to wait with me,” she said to him.“I can call a cab.”
He ignored her suggestion.“How many tacos do you want?”
“None.”
He went inside to order and came out with two bottles.One was a Mexican beer, the other a Mexican soda.He set both down on the table, making a gesture for her to choose.She selected the soda.
