Part 6 (2/2)
Rheyna shut the door. ”I know,” she said, walking toward the front of the car with Caroline by her side. Rheyna climbed into the seat and closed the door. ”But I don't want to take any chances,” she said through the open window.
Caroline leaned against the door. She nodded at the envelope lying on the pa.s.senger seat. ”I can take those to Mom if you like.”
”I would really appreciate that,” Rheyna said, reaching over to pick up the envelope. She handed it to Caroline through the window.
Rheyna glanced at the puppy lying on the back seat. She turned back to Caroline. ”Do you make house calls, by any chance?” she asked sheepishly. Seeing hesitation on Caroline's face, she quickly added, ”I'd be willing to pay you, of course. I've never had a pet before and with her leg and-”
”You don't have the foggiest idea what you're doing, do you?” Caroline interrupted.
”Am I that obvious?” Rheyna asked, making a pouting face with her lips.
Caroline placed her hands on her hips. ”I think you're more pitiful than the pup is,” she said, shaking her head.
Rheyna raised her eyebrows. ”Does that mean your answer is ayes'?”
Caroline grinned at her. ”How about I give you a call first and then we can discuss my house calling fees.”
Rheyna reached over and flipped open the glove box. She pulled out one of her business cards and handed it to Caroline. ”Thank you,” she said as she put the key in the ignition.
Later that night, after getting the puppy settled on the couch, Rheyna took a bottle of beer, along with her cell and stepped outside on the patio. She took her normal seat on the lounger and hit the speed dial. On the fourth ring, Laura picked up.
”Should I congratulate California's newest pet owner?” Laura asked, chuckling.
”Yes, ma'am, you should,” Rheyna answered, smiling from ear to ear.
”So tell me, did it work?”
Rheyna took a swig of beer. ”Oh, it worked all right-better than I thought it would-and Dr. Caroline is going to call me tomorrow so we can discuss her services.”
”And why on earth would you need her services?” Laura teased.
”This is where the brilliant-but-nuts part comes into play. You see, not only did I get a dog, I got one with a broken leg and get this, she's still wearing a cast.” As soon as the words left Rheyna's mouth, she wished she could take them back. The feelings of guilt blindsided her, guilt for using the puppy in this manner and guilt for taking advantage of a beautiful and caring woman.
The sound of Laura's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. ”Yep, I have to agree. You are definitely nuts, but brilliant.”
”Well, I better get off of here. It's about time for my new pup to eat dinner,” she lied.
”Okay, give me a call tomorrow.”
”Will do.”
”Oh, and Rheyna...”
”Yeah?”
”Good job.”
”Thanks. I'll talk to you tomorrow,” she said and hung up the phone, relieved to end the conversation. She didn't want to think about what she had done, and although she knew she was just doing her job, it still didn't make her feel any better.
Chapter 7.
Just as Caroline had predicted, the new puppy had slept the entire first day and only went to the bathroom after Rheyna carried her outside. Today, the little fur ball was a little more active. She let Rheyna know just how hungry she was when she chomped down on the fried egg sandwich in her hand.
Rheyna tore off a small piece and handed it to her. She then made a mental note to go out later and get some proper puppy food. She wasn't sure exactly what she needed, since she had never had a pet in her life, but she was sure the store clerk would be able to fix her up.
Even with a broken leg, her new pup was a bundle of energy and bounced off the couch. She hobbled over to the fridge where Rheyna had placed a water bowl. She raised her head and looked at Rheyna, oblivious to the amount of water spewing all over the floor from her jaws. Rheyna got up off the couch and grabbed a rag from the counter. She bent down to wipe up the floor when the phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and felt her heart race. She answered it on the second ring.
”Hi, Caroline,” Rheyna said into the receiver, her voice shaking a little.
”Am I disturbing you?” Caroline asked, not seeming to notice.
”Not at all,” Rheyna answered. She sat down on the couch and smiled as the puppy jumped up beside her.
”I'm calling as promised to see how you and the puppy are doing.”
”Right now, she's being a good girl. If you had called an hour ago, I wouldn't have said the same thing. I think everyone but her knows she has a broken leg.”
Caroline laughed. ”You're in for a real treat. Just you wait. When she gets that cast off, you won't be so quick to call her a good girl. Seriously, though, how are you holding up?”
”I'm doing well, thank you, and I think I'm going to like having her around.”
”Good. That's what I like to hear. Before I forget, I also wanted to tell you Mom loved the photos. She chose three from the proof sheet you sent.”
Rheyna thought about Terasa and smiled. ”Good, I'm glad she liked them.”
”Well, I guess I'll let you go now.”
Rheyna didn't want to hang up the phone. If she were honest with herself, a part of her was disappointed that the puppy was the real reason Caroline called. She thought about her motives for getting the puppy. ”Aren't you forgetting something, Doc?”
”I am?” Caroline asked.
”House calls, fees, feeling sorry for me, etcetera. Any of this ring a bell?”
Caroline busted out laughing. ”I'm not sure, but I think something may seriously be wrong with you.”
”Does this mean you'll be my puppy's personal physician?”
”On one condition.”
”And that is?”
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