Max shifted, suddenly more aware of how that sounded. “I was going to tell her we’re dating.”
Hadley remained quiet a moment as if processing his words. Then her expression softened, a hint of amusement breaking through her earlier confusion. “We’re dating?”
Max rubbed the back of his neck. He hadn’t meant to say that. Not really. He and Hadley hadn’t really talked about the official status of their relationship or anything . . .
What was Hadley thinking right now? That he’d made too many assumptions?
He wished he could take the words back.
“I mean—if that’s . . . I just figured?—”
She laughed softly, cutting him off. “I’m just teasing you, Max.”
Max blinked, then let out a small breath, part relief, part embarrassment.
“I like the idea that we’re dating,” she added.
He gave a small shrug, glancing down before meeting her eyes again. “I guess we never really made it official.”
“It’s official enough.”
Warmth filled his chest at her words.
Before he could respond, a door opened down the hall.
Both of them turned, the brief moment of lightheartedness disappearing.
The doctor, a middle-aged man who was prematurely balding, stepped into the waiting area, his expression professional but not overly urgent. “Dr. Chase?”
Hadley stood. “Yes?”
Max rose beside her as the doctor closed the space.
“Are you Susie’s family?” the doctor asked.
“No, she works for me, and she doesn’t have family in the area. But they’re on their way.”
“Then I can only tell you the basics,” the doctor said. “She’s stable. She’s still unconscious, but we’re monitoring her closely.”
“I don’t suppose you can tell us what went wrong?” Hadley asked.
The doctor hesitated. “Not legally. However, since you’re a vet and you own the clinic . . . there is something I need to ask you.”
She straightened. “Of course. Whatever I can do to help.”
“We found a small pinprick near her neck.”
Hadley squinted. “A pinprick?”
He nodded. “We think she may have been injected with something.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “What? You think maybe it was something from the clinic?”
“We’re running blood tests to know for sure. But I’m guessing that maybe it was some kind of tranquilizer . . .”
Hadley pressed her eyes shut. “We do have those medications at the clinic, but they’re locked up—of course.”
“Could you check to see if anything is missing? I’ve already informed the sheriff of this.”
