“Oh, that’s absolutely fine! Dr. Paine will understand. We’ll see you soon!”
I hang up and glare at Ragnar.
The sheep stares calmly back.
“You happy now? Move.”
Ragnar rises slowly.
As though carefully considering every movement.
Then he steps aside from the car and settles onto the grass nearby.
“Finally,” Connor groans dramatically.
I wave quickly at Fergus and the twins, climb into my car without another word, and drive away.
In the rearview mirror, I catch sight of Hamish and Ragnar sitting side by side watching me leave.
Even from this distance, they somehow look sad.
Don’t think about them.
Don’t think about Finn.
Focus on the interview.
I drive too fast.
The road winds through the Highlands offering breathtaking views I barely register.
All I can think about is Ragnar constantly rejecting me.
Ignoring me.
Always choosing Finn.
And this morning, he tried to stop me from leaving.
I need to stop thinking about this.
Ragnar is just a weird sheep.
I arrive at the Perthshire clinic ten minutes late.
The building is modern, bright, exactly what you’d expect from a high-quality veterinary practice.
Dr. Paine greets me warmly.
Mid-fifties.
Gray hair.
Open smile.
“Hello, I’m Mary McGregor. Sorry I’m late.”
“Not a problem at all.”
