Page 48 of If You Like It, I Love It

“I’ll drive,” Doc says.

My truck is running, but Enzo still has the key. He pulls it from his pocket and hands it over.

How did he get the key to begin with? He must’ve run back into the house for it. I don’t remember him doing that.

We’re halfway to Rose Creek when I glance at the side mirror from the passenger seat to check on the trailer. I know Doc knows what he’s doing, but I feel so goddamn helpless. Making sure the trailer is still behind us is all I can think to do, and I have to do something. I see the trailer, riding smoothly behind us. And then I see Enzo’s truck behind it.

Is he following us all the way to Rose Creek? He doesn’t need to do that. There’s nothing more he can for Oliver.

As soon as we arrive at the large animal facility, a vet and several techs converge on Oliver’s trailer.

Again, I feel helpless. I’m a vet tech. I could help, but they don’t need me. The best thing I can do is stay out of the way so they can get to him quickly. It’s the last thing I want to do, but I have to do what’s best for Oliver.

As soon as they have him stabilized and an IV going, I go out to the truck to get my phone. I don’t know why I feel like I need it, other than needing something to do with my hands. I’m going to need to stay out of the way for a while longer.

When I walk outside, I see Enzo’s truck still parked out front. He’s sitting behind the wheel. Waiting for an update?

He rolls down his window as I walk up. “How is he?”

“They’ve started an IV. They’ll have to run some tests. We might not know anything tonight. The ride stressed him out, but his heart rate is coming down. He’s still stressed about being in a strange place, but he’s in good hands.”

“What happened?” His hair is damp at his temples from all the running back and forth from the barn to the trailer, bringing everything we needed as fast as he could.

“He just went down. It can happen for a lot of reasons, none of them good.”

“Can I come in and wait with you?”

“No. I’m going to be in the back being a pain in everyone’s ass as often as they’ll let me.” I attempt a laugh, but it hangs in my throat.

“I can bring you food.”

“It would be wasted. I can’t eat right now. But thank you. And thanks for everything you did back at the house. Why were you there?”

“I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to see you. And when I saw the vet’s truck, I figured you’d be out back. As soon as you lifted your face, I knew something bad had happened, so I ran to the pen, and that’s when I heard him say you needed a blanket to move Oliver . . . I just wanted to help however I could after that.”

“You were amazing. You showed up in the worst of circumstances, but your timing was incredible. I didn’t know you could hook up a trailer and back it up, but I’m grateful you could.”

He smiles. “I grew up around animals, just not alpacas. There are still some things we don’t know about each other.”

“Yeah,” I agree. The truth is we hardly know each other at all. “But I know you’re a good person, and I’ll always be thankful you showed up when you did today. Thanks again. For everything. I need to get back inside.”

“Please let me know how he’s doing. I’ll be thinking about him. And you.”

“I will.”

“If you need anything at all, Joni, just let me know how I can help.”

“I appreciate that, but I can’t think of anything I’d need at this point.”

“But if you do, please let me help. Just reach out, and I’ll do whatever you need.”

I duck my head so he can’t see my watering eyes. He doesn’t make it easy to move on, to let our fling fade away with dignity. He wants to revive something that was meant to expire already. And every time I see him it gets harder not to let him.

Without fully raising my head, I mutter a final thanks, and walk away.

Doc greets me in the waiting area with a steaming paper cup of coffee. “I have some news that you might find intriguing. I was planning to tell you tomorrow, but with the current situation, I think I should probably go ahead and tell you now.”

“Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any more interesting.” I scald my tongue with my first sip of coffee. “Hit me.”