Forever a Family

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There was plenty of determination in her violet eyes but so much wariness he wondered which would win. “If you insist that you’re okay to work, you can start with walking the patients in post-op.”

Olivia frowned. “Dogs? You want me to walk dogs? That’s not work.”

“Here it is. Getting them moving is part of the recuperation process.”

She looked dubious.

“Just like people who’ve had surgery.” Zeke stood, placing the first-aid kit on a lower shelf, then made himself not smile when he turned around. “What were you expecting to do on the first day? Surgery? Deliver a calf? Or something simple like drawing blood?”

Olivia didn’t look amused.

Puzzled, Zeke drew his eyebrows together. “Lighten up. We get enough serious stuff to worry about here. And the dogs and cats in post-op are confused and miss their owners. It’s important enough.”

Olivia’s expression softened. “Of course. I wasn’t thinking.” Again she twisted her blond hair around one finger.

Morning light pooled through the window and he had an immediate desire to reach out and see if Olivia’s hair was as soft as it looked.

“You’re the boss,” she continued with an impish glint to her expression. “I’d love to walk dogs.” Her smile suddenly disappeared. “But what if they don’t like me?”

“Why shouldn’t they?”

“Well, I don’t know anything about animals and I’ve read they can sense that.”

Zeke chuckled. “Then it’s a good thing you’re not walking lions or tigers. Come on, let’s get started.”

Olivia looked out the window to where Joey was helping Angie with the morning feed.

“Joey’s fine.” Zeke pushed the rolling stool back to its usual corner, then opened the connecting door to the kennels. “Each animal has a chart. You note when you take him out and when you return. Also any output.”

“Output?” She pinkened, then cleared her throat. “Oh, of course.”

“We’ll start you out with a dog who had routine surgery and is doing well.” He pointed toward a back wall. “That’s our ICU. All of their exercise is closely monitored, and either Angie or I will work with them.”

She turned to the back wall. “I only see one dog and a cat.”

“Thankfully. I like it best when it’s empty.”

Olivia nodded in agreement. “Of course. Just trying to take everything in.”

And she was. From the feeding stations to the surgical equipment to the small assortment of kenneled animals.

Zeke stopped at the first crate. They were built so that if needed, one animal could be held in the top portion, a second in the bottom. He liked it best when they were at eye level. Pets were less likely to get agitated when they could see their surroundings. He unfastened the crate so that the soft-eyed cocker spaniel could be retrieved. “This is Scratches.”