Atlas wasn’t looking so good.
~~~
By the time the cavalry arrived, Atlas was out cold and Lucy was nearly beside herself with worry. She still couldn’t fathom what had gone wrong. All she’d done was give Atlas a dose of the meds the vet in Española had prescribed. He hadn’t reacted like this at all to the meds they’d given him at the vet’s office. Lucy sighed as she headed out to greet her guest, thankful that he’d come and hopeful that the new doctor could get to the bottom of things and help Atlas.
If that dog died on her watch, she’d never forgive herself.
Lucy stepped out of the studio, surprised to see two men climbing out of the vet’s van. She’d only called one.
“Ms. Vasquez?” The tallest one smiled pleasantly and Lucy was drawn to his eyes. They were kind, but mismatched - one green with brown flecks, the other a brilliant blue. “I’m Doctor Greyson Truett. We spoke on the phone. And this is my colleague, Maddox Beck,” he indicated the hulking man with deep amber eyes and rich brown hair.
“Hello.” She smiled.
God, how rude was she with the staring?
But honestly, these men were unlike anyone she’d hung out with before. They were huge compared to her, and she wasn’t a small woman.
“Please, call me Lucy. Won’t you come in?” She headed for the house, waving them inside. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, thank you.” Doctor Truett had a pleasant smile.
“Nice place,” the burly brunette said.
“Thanks.” Lucy smiled, trying not to stare.
Maddox. He was called Maddox. And there was totally a gym in Pine Haven Falls judging by the muscles on him.
On both of them, actually.
Even the doctor, who was more rangy in build than his assistant, was obviously sinewy and strong.
“How long’ve you been here?” Dr. Truett asked, taking a seat in one of her armchairs.
“Just a few weeks officially, but I’ve been having work done here for months.”
“So, you bought the place then.” Maddox’s amber eyes seemed to bore into her and Lucy shook her head.
“No. This was my grandfather’s property and as his only living kin, I inherited it when he died. He loved this place.” She smiled sadly, looking around the living room and remembering how Yayo had decorated it with his fly-fishing stuff. “I didn’t have the heart to sell it so, I had it renovated and decided to spend the summer here.”
And why was she telling them all that, anyway? Maybe she should get out more, make some actual friends in the area.
“I’m really worried about my dog.” She blurted, trying to stop the small talk. She focused on the veterinarian, who’d perched on the edge of the armchair, both hands on the old-fashioned black doctor’s bag in his lap. “Can you examine him please, Dr. Truett? I think the medicine the other vet gave us messed him up.”
“Medicine?” Maddox raised his dark eyebrows. “What medicine?”
Lucy shook her head, glancing at the doctor. “You didn’t brief your assistant on the way?”
Dr. Truett smiled wryly. “I didn’t give specifics. Where’s the patient?”
As the doctor stood to follow her, Lucy was surprised all over again by how tall he was. He had to be over six and a half feet. And with his silver-flecked black hair and mismatched eyes, he looked more like a rock star than a veterinarian.
While she led him to her studio, Lucy reminded him again of the details of the accident and her interactions with the other doctor, as well as the treatment and medications he’d given the dog.
“Atlas.” Dr. Truett chuckled, squatting down to examine him. “Like the titan?”
“Yes.” Lucy grinned, glad he knew her source material. “Do you need anything to help him?”
“Just a few minutes with him to start.” He smiled. “Would you mind putting a kettle on, please? I think I might like some tea after all.”
