It was nice not being alone.
Chapter Three
As she worked on one of her commissions, Lucy couldn’t stop smiling.
The morning had been gorgeous, but then, that’s how it usually was around here after a big storm. The earth seeming to glow as it dried out, tiny raindrops lingering on the pine needles and forming prisms for the sunlight. It wasn’t just the fact that the storm had passed that had her grinning, though.
Atlas was going to be okay.
Sure, he’d broken a leg, but according to the x-rays, he was going to heal just fine, which was a relief to know. Even though he technically wasn’t her dog, she’d had to name him to get treatment today, and naming him made things feel more official.
Atlas.
She glanced over at him, lying on one of the new beds she’d bought him.
“Poor baby,” she cooed. “You look wiped out.”
That trip to Española hadn’t been easy on him, on either of them, if she was honest. Not only had she had to load Atlas into the car again, she’d had to witness him being poked and prodded, which he’d absolutely hated. At least the doctor had let her stay with Atlas throughout the examination. But even with her petting him and trying to keep him calm, he’d still growled a bunch and made Dr. Gomez and his staff nervous. Then again, the veterinarian had originally thought Atlas was a wolf, as though anyone would actually have a wolf for a pet.
Lucy chuckled to herself about that as she glanced at Atlas again. Man, he wasn’t looking so hot. Chances were good the dose of meds she’d just given him had more to do with the glassy look in his eyes than fatigue, but she was glad to know he wasn’t hurting.
“I wish you could speak English, Atlas.” Then she’d know exactly how he felt right now instead of making guesses. “You just rest.” She encouraged him. “It’ll help you heal.”
She went back to her painting for a while, adding thin layers to the piece, stepping back occasionally to witness the play of light before adding more. After a while, she took a break to check on Atlas.
He was still lying on the cushy dog bed, but he wasn’t sleeping. In fact, his breathing was off, his side rising and falling in an erratic rhythm.
“Atlas?” she pet between his ears, wondering what was up. “How you doing, buddy?”
He tried lifting his head and—
“Oh my gosh,” she giggled. “You look absolutely stoned.”
As his eyelids dropped, Lucy felt a pang of guilt.
“I’m sorry.” She stroked his soft ears. “That was rude of me.”
He couldn’t help how he looked after all.
“You’ve had a big day, haven’t you?” She soothed, running her hand along his spine. “You just relax.”
He dropped his head onto his paws and as she continued to stroke his fur, a sense of unease slithered through Lucy’s gut. Atlas normally watched her while she pet him. He was usually alert and attentive, tracking her movements and making that little purring sound. He hadn’t been this docile and lethargic after the veterinarian had dosed him with pain meds earlier. Then again, he’d been too busy growling at the guy and his assistant to relax, hadn’t he?
Still, the fact that Atlas could barely seem to lift his head right now frightened her.
“Atlas?”
When he didn’t even crack an eyelid, she knew something was wrong. Following her instincts, she went for her phone. She didn’t know what was going on with him, but she was pretty sure he needed help.
She only hoped she could get it fast enough.
On that note, she called the clinic in Pine Haven Falls. Her call was answered promptly, and she was put through to the doctor right away.
“Hi, um, my dog is sick.” She said lamely, fighting back tears. “Please, can you come see him? I don’t think I can get him in the car again today.”
As though the doctor could sense her distress, he cut right to the chase, asking for particulars and arranging a house call. He had a pleasant voice that somehow soothed her, even across the phone line, and by the time she hung up, Lucy was feeling a little more hopeful. Dr. Truett had sounded like a nice man and a competent doctor.
She only hoped he’d get here quickly.
