Page 60 of The Geography of Happiness

He hesitated and looked to me, and I answered cautiously, “Let’s wait and see what the doctor has to say first, okay?”

Hannah’s sigh was far too big for a little girl. “I suppose.”

Spencer added, “Tell you what. I’ll keep him in the clinic another day and we’ll see if we can make it happen.”

“Really?” Hannah’s eyes lit up and I wanted to kiss Spencer, which was hardly news.

Hannah freed her hand from mine and grabbed Spencer’s instead. “Thank you, Spencer. You’re the best.”

Spencer startled at the gesture but then a slow smile crept over his face. “You are most welcome, young lady.”

I caught Spencer’s eye and silently mouthed the words,Thank you. His answering smile went some way toward calming my hamster brain, and the next breath I took was long and slow.

Zach’s gaze bounced between Spencer and me, a million questions circling their pretty depths. “Well, since it seems you have everything in hand—” His shrewd eyes landed on Spencer, and I’d swear some colour crept into the vet’s cheeks. “—I think I’ll head off, if that’s okay?” He shifted his gaze to me and I nodded.

“Perfectly. We’re in good hands. And I haven’t forgotten you have a date night to get to.”

Zach’s eyes sprang wide and he quickly checked his watch. “Shit. Luke’s gonna kill me. In all the rush, I forgot to text.” He glanced at Hannah. “Sorry for the language, poppet.”

Spencer sucked in a breath. “Better get those running shoes on or you’re in big trouble.”

“Don’t I know it.” Zach leaned down to place a kiss on Hannah’s cheek. “Bye, beautiful. You’re gonna be just fine. Text me tomorrow, okay?”

“I will,” Hannah promised.

He made it to the door before I called out. “Hey, Zach.”

He turned, a tiny frown in place. “Yeah?”

“I am truly sorry, you know. About how I reacted. I owe you a beer.”

His frown morphed into a sunshine grin. “No way. When our kid arrives, I’m going to be the worst Papa Bear you could possibly imagine. No one will get within a mile of our baby without a full background check and ongoing training and supervision.”

I laughed. “Right now you think you’re joking.”

He snorted, then his expression sobered. “Seriously, Terry, I understand. No apology needed. We’ll talk when you get back. I’ll leave Hannah’s gear at the front desk. For you to pick up. Keep me in the loop, yeah?” He shot Spencer another troubled look that Spencer missed because he was talking with Hannah. “Call if you need anything,” he insisted. “And I meananything.”

I swallowed a smile at his obvious concern over leaving us in Spencer’s care, and it made me wonder just how well they really knew the vet. Spencer could be flippant, sure, but I felt perfectly safe with him in every respect. “We’ll be fine,” I insisted.

“You say that now,” he scoffed. “But you haven’t eaten the man’s food yet. I’ve heard he’s a menace in the kitchen.”

“Get outta here,” Spencer growled, and we all laughed, something I wouldn’t have thought possible just a half hour before.

As soon as Zach was gone, Spencer caught my eye. “I’ll head to the waiting room. I only wanted to check you were okay.”

“No, stay. Please,” I insisted, surprising myself at how badly I wanted him there. “If it’s okay with Hannah, that is?”

She nodded. “He’s nice,” she announced, like that answered everything, and maybe it did. Worked for me, anyway.

“I’m honoured.” Spencer slid down in his chair and made himself at home. A few minutes later when Hannah’s eyelids fluttered closed and her breathing slowed, he quietly asked, “How are you holding up?”

I looked up from watching Hannah sleep and shrugged. “Oh, you know. Insulting friends and generally being an arsehole.”

Spencer’s eyes danced. “Same old, same old then?”

I chuckled. “I’m not usually like this, just so you know.”

His expression sobered. “You’re a father, Terry. Your kid was injured. I’d say you’re allowed to lose your shit just a little bit.”

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