“What?” He held up his hands in surrender and grinned at her. “It’s not a secret that you don’t care to be home. She probably doesn’t want to put you out. And honestly, are you excited about moving home? Even temporarily?”
She shrugged, her face softening. “Not really.”
“So the feeling is mutual.”
This insight earned him a smile. “I suppose.”
That smile warmed him to the core as it always did, no matter how irritated he was with her. It was her magic bullet, and she didn’t even know it. He forgot about staying in control of his feelings and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She didn’t even resist, melted right into him.
“It’ll be fine, you’ll see,” he murmured into her hair.
She nodded and pulled back to look at him. “She’s still awake, if you were going to stop in. I have a shift. You just missed Masi. Your mom’s in there, though.”
Dhillon nodded. “Ooh—did your masi bring chai?”
“Of course.” Riya grinned. “There should be some left.” She started to walk away but turned back. “So. Scout.”
“What about her?” His face darkened with apprehension as he recalled their conversation when she’d brought Scout to his office. “Is she okay?”
“Oh, she’s fine.” Riya paused. “It’s just...she can’t stay at the station. And since I brought her in, I need to find her a home.”
“So?” Dhillon smirked. She needed his help and he was going to make her ask directly.
“So. You’re a vet.”
He nodded, widening his eyes in innocence. “I am.”
“You know people. People who like pets.”
“Sure.”
She stared at him, expecting him to get it.
“What?”
She sighed. “Can you help me find a home for her?”
He grinned. “Of course I can. But why don’t you just keep her?”
“I can keep her for a bit while I’m at my parents’. But once I go back to my apartment, she’ll be alone all day.” Her eyes lit up. “You can keep her. Take her to work with you!”
He shook his head. “No. Lucky cannot handle a puppy. Especially that little one. She’s a handful. I’ll put the word out and see if anyone is interested.”
“Sure. Thanks.” Riya was smiling, but there was sadness in her eyes.
He located the room and found his mother there as well as a doctor he had never met. Must be Auntie’s doctor-in-charge at the rehab facility. He was Indian, and he had a bit of gray sprinkled through the black of his hair. Perfect: if he spoke Gujarati, then Auntie would feel very comfortable here.
“Hi, I’m Dhillon.” He offered his hand to the new doctor. “How is she?” He nodded at Auntie.
The older doctor shook his hand. “Dr. Rohun Shah. But I’m not her doctor here.” Dhillon saw the doctor gaze at his mother. But her expression remained unchanged as she focused on Radha Auntie. Dr. Shah cleared his throat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Who is her doctor?” And why was this guy here and looking at his mother that way?
“She just left. But she did say that Radha was doing well, and that she could start physical therapy in the morning,” Dr. Rohun Shah informed him.
Dhillon nodded, but he still had no idea why this Dr. Shah was there.
“Hey, Mom,” Dhillon said. His mother was still in scrubs, her hair in a low ponytail, so she must have stopped over on a break from work. “Did you meet with Auntie’s doctor?”
