“All right, it looks like they’re open. Let’s go in, shall we?” Gia unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. She rounded the hood, opening the door for Marley.
Marley murmured a thanks as she slowly got out of the car.
She pointed at the cat, who had renewed its efforts to escape. “You got that feral beast or you want me to get it?”
“I got it.” Marley grinned sheepishly. “Shh, it’s okay, little guy. I got you. We’re just gonna get you checked out, and then I promise you can go home.”
Once Marley had the carrier securely in her grasp, Gia shut the door and followed closely behind. The automatic doors opened with a swoosh of cool air. The waiting room was empty. In the far corner was a fish tank with colorful fish swimming about. They both glanced around before Marley spotted a bell sitting on the reception desk. Hesitantly, Marley tapped the bell. The resounding ring echoed in the empty lobby.
Not long after, there were sounds coming from the back room, and a man’s voice called out something that sounded like, “Just a sec!”
Gia and Marley shared a look and shrugged. Gia wandered over to the fish tank while Marley placed the hissing animal on the counter as they waited.
A blue tang was swimming its third lap around the tank when the door behind the desk swung open. Gia turned around to see an attractive man behind the counter wearing a rumpled lab coat. He smiled at Marley warmly, stepping up to the desk. Gia went to Marley. The name stitched on the man’s left chest pocket showedhe was Dr. Luke Hawthorne. He turned his charming smile her way.
“Sorry about that. I had to wrestle the lovely Lola back into her cage.” He lifted his arms to show the red, angry marks lining his forearms as proof. “What can I help you with?”
Marley cleared her throat, pink coloring her cheeks. “Oh, um… I have a cat, and I want to have it checked out.”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. What’s its name?” His deep voice had a hint of a southern drawl.
“Well, actually, it’s not exactly a pet…”
“It’s a feral street cat, and Marley was worried about it, so we want to know if you could look it over for us.” Gia smiled at Marley’s grateful look before turning her attention back to the vet.
“I’m Dr. Hawthorne, but you can just call me Dr. Luke. Or, Luke is fine. And who do I have the pleasure of meeting…?” He raised his eyebrows hopefully. She recognized the look of interest on the male’s face.
It is way too early for this.
“Gia. And this is Marley.” Gia tipped her chin at Marley, redirecting his attention to the reason they were there.
“Oh, of course, Marley. Let me look at this beautiful creature you brought in.” An adorable blush colored his cheeks. If a certain other man hadn’t been preoccupying her thoughts, Gia would have found the dark-haired man’s interest endearing.
Marley slid the carrier closer to Dr. Luke. The cat hissed its displeasure at being moved.
“Ah, you are a ferocious creature, aren’t you? Come on, let Dr. Luke take a look at you.” Dr. Luke lifted it into his large arms. “Make yourselves comfortable, ladies. I’m working alone this fine Saturday. There’s fresh coffee in the back.” He disappeared through the swinging doors.
Gia gestured to the side door leading into what looked like a break room. “I’m gonna get a cup of coffee… You want one? Or are you too young for coffee?”
Marley shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
The break room was small, with a self-serving single-cup coffee maker gleaming on the countertop. Fortunately, the device was easy to use, and the aroma of coffee nearly made her moan with happiness within minutes. She rummaged through the fridge for the coffee creamer and added a few packets of sugar, stirring the contents with the plastic spoon she’d found in the drawer.
She was too impatient to let it cool down, and the hot liquid nearly scalded her tongue. “Shit! Fuck, that’s hot!” She tried blowing on it to cool it down and attempted another sip, sighing in satisfaction when the flavor lit up her taste buds.
It wasn’t Mama’s home-brewed coffee, which she’d sucked down too quickly this morning, but it would do for now. She made her way back into the waiting room, finding Marley standing in front of the fish tank like Gia had been not long ago.
Gia observed Marley and wondered again how she had come into Jake’s life. Though Marley appeared to be a normal thirteen-year-old girl, Gia recognized the weary look in her eyes. Marley carried the weight of the world on her young shoulders.
“You okay, Marley?” Gia whispered. Marley jerked as if startled out of her thoughts.
Marley pasted on a smile. “Me? I’m fine.” She shrugged. “Just worried, you know.”
Gia nodded, though she was curious to know more about what ate at Marley. “Yeah, I know. I’m sure everything is gonna be just fine.”
“How much longer do you think he’ll be?” Marley asked, chewing on her thumbnail.
