“Just thinking.What do you need me to do?”
Thomas had been at this for a lot longer than Rowan, and he didn’t hesitate to give Rowan pointers on what to do.Thankfully, they’d cleaned the room well after it had last been used, and the fox was on the examination table just ten minutes later.
Rowan and Thomas hovered around, even though they weren’t needed for this part.Thomas had explained that he liked to do that in case the animals reacted badly.Not all the vets wanted their help, but a few were always grateful.Dr.Reeves had mentioned that she didn’t want to sedate the fox if she could avoid it, so having Rowan and Thomas there meant that if the fox reacted to what she was doing, they could help her control it.It might be wounded, but it was still a wild animal.It could still bite.
The fox reminded Rowan of Thomas more than the rabbit had.The rabbit had been cowering and not fighting back, but that wasn’t what Thomas did.Thomas was strong.He might not think that he was, but Rowan could see it.
Thankfully, the examination didn’t take too long.The fox did try to bite Dr.Reeves, but Rowan and Thomas subdued it without using sedation, and it settled down after Dr.Reeves gave it painkillers.It was still snappy and scared, but unfortunately, that wouldn’t change until they were done and could put it back in its cage.
“The break is clean,” Dr.Reeves declared.“It should heal without too many problems.”
“Will we be able to release the fox into the wild once it has?”Rowan asked.
“That’s the goal.Most of the time, we don’t want to keep the animals here.Theyshouldn’tbe kept here.If they can be returned to the wild, it’s the preference.”
“Most of them do,” Thomas commented.“Hopefully, this fox will heal quickly.”
Rowan couldn’t help but think about Finley.The dog didn’t feel like he belonged in the sanctuary.He wasn’t a wild animal.He should probably have been transferred to a shelter, but it was clear that everyone, including Thomas, was attached to him.It made Rowan wonder why Thomas didn’t want to adopt him.Rowan had no idea where Thomas lived, though, or if he had the space, time, and mental capacity to take care of a big dog.He’d thought about taking Finley in himself, but he lived in an apartment.It wouldn’t be possible.He was pretty sure no one was going to get Finley out of the sanctuary, but it didn’t feel right to have the dog live here once he was healthy.
Once the fox was back in its kennel with its leg set, Dr.Reeves disappeared into the office, leaving Rowan and Thomas behind to clean.It was one of their duties, and Rowan didn’t mind.It was a quiet part of his day.He loved working with the animals, but he didn’t mind having a few minutes to relax his mind, either.He didn’t have to be careful when he was cleaning.He didn’t have to think.
But he couldn’t avoid thinking about Thomas.The man was right there, working next to him.He was in his element, moving easily and quickly, clearly knowing what he was doing.It was a stark contrast with the way he behaved when they were studying and when Rowan had found out what he was doing.It made Rowan even more curious about the circumstances around Thomas’s life and the fact that he didn’t have his high school diploma.It was clear it was a sore spot for him, but Rowan wasn’t sure if Thomas would answer his questions.
He wasn’t going to ask them.Rowan wasn’t about to put their fragile friendship in jeopardy just because he was nosy.
He was glad Thomas seemed to trust him more now.That was what he’d wanted.He hoped that eventually, they’d call each other friends, but even if they never did, he was happy to be a person that Thomas could trust.He couldn’t be sure, but he felt like maybe Thomas didn’t have many people like that in his life.He’d mentioned his family and not telling them that he was studying, so maybe Rowan was wrong, but he couldn’t help but wonder why Thomas couldn’t tell them.Would they judge him for it?They had to know he didn’t have his high school diploma.
“Are you daydreaming again?”Thomas suddenly asked.
Rowan blinked at him.He’d been caught, hadn’t he?“Busted.”
Thomas shook his head, smiling.“You’re very distracted today.”
Rowan couldn’t tell Thomas that he was distracted because of him.It wasn’t his fault, and he didn’t want to fluster Thomas.He needed to get his head on straight and focus on the work he was being paid to do.“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.Usually, it’s me, though.I’m not used to having to ask someone else to focus.”
“At least you have a good excuse.I don’t.”
Thomas shrugged.“Everyone can be a little distracted sometimes.You don’t need a reason to be.”
“Maybe not, but we have work to do.”
Thomas’s smile widened.“Maybe you should start working, then.”
He was right, and Rowan set out to do just that.He needed to stop obsessing over Thomas.It wouldn’t do him any good.He and Thomas were friendly, and for now, that was all that mattered and all it could be.
But maybe that could change.Maybe thatwouldchange.
* * * *
THOMAS WAS ALWAYS SURPRISEDby how patient and encouraging Rowan could be.He wasn’t sure why.When they’d first met, he’d expected Rowan to be brusque and focused on his job, and he was, at least most of the time.He’d been especially distracted lately, and Thomas couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with him.
He looked across the diner table.Once again, they were surrounded by books and notebooks, as well as two cups of coffee.Rowan was tapping the pen he was holding on the table, going over the math quiz Thomas had just done.Thomas wasn’t sure how Rowan could understand the stuff enough to be able to correct Thomas’s work, but that was probably why Thomas didn’t have his high school diploma.He really hoped he’d never have to use this kind of math again once he was done.It bored him as much as it made him anxious, which was saying something.
“It’s pretty good,” Rowan eventually said.
“Is that a roundabout way to tell me that it’s not a disaster?”
