Page 17 of Always Another Sunset

Thankfully, Bella only hesitated for a second before nodding. “I can do that,” she said, helping JC into the jeep before climbing into the driver’s seat.

Cooing to the animal on her lap while she buckled in, JC was relieved it remained calm with no hint of aggression.Hopefully, being in a moving car won’t upset it,she thought as Bella started driving. The start was a little jerky, and the dog let out a slight whine.

“Sorry,” Bella grimaced. “It’s been a long time since I drove a stick shift.”

“You’re doing great,” JC said, impressed Bella agreed to drive if she wasn’t confident driving with a manual transmission.Not that I gave her much choice,she thought with a frown. “I’m sorry if I came across as bossy.”

Bella shifted, much smoother that time, and grinned. “Under the circumstances, having me drive was the only thing that made sense,” she said with a glance at the dog. “And you’re very brave.”

JC tenderly patted the dog’s furry neck. “Honestly, I was reacting on instinct,” she said. “I saw something in trouble and, well, I couldn’t just drive past.”

When Bella didn’t respond, JC looked to see a smile on her face as she drove them down the street. “Of course you couldn’t,” the woman said. “Because you’re good and kind. And I am extremely lucky to have you in my life.”

17

Getting to the vet clinic took longer than Bella expected as she worked the jeep’s clutch and gears. Thankfully her dad taught her how to drive a stick shift when she got her driver’s license. Even though her first car was an automatic, he insisted. “It’s a skill everyone should know,” he had said, beyond patient as Bella killed the engine over and over again. So far, that hadn’t happened, but it wasn’t exactly a smooth ride. Every time she jerked the jeep forward, the dog let out a small whine, and Bella cringed. “I’m sorry,” she said to JC and the animal, but JC proved to be as patient as Bella’s father.

“You’re doing fine,” she said. “You’re only out of practice.”

“Well, the last time I drove a stick was when I was sixteen,” Bella said. “So, yes, way out of practice.”

“Then I’m even more impressed,” JC said, nodding to the right. “That’s the clinic up there.”

Pulling into the lot, Bella managed to find a spot near the door and park without further problems. With JC right behind her, carrying the dog in her arms, Bella rushed into the vet clinic. There were two other people in the small, sterile-feeling waiting room—one with a cat carrier with a meowing pet inside, and the other wringing her hands looking anxious. Guessing they were already checked in, Bella went directly to the window at the front counter. “Excuse me. We have a dog who I think has been hit by a car,” she said before the receptionist even said a word. “It’s whining a little, and there is blood in the mouth, but we don’t know what happened.”

“Okay, let’s slow down and find out what’s wrong,” the receptionist said in a comforting tone that helped Bella relax immediately. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but the calm voice of the plump, middle-aged woman at the counter who radiated a soothing demeanor was perfect for her job. After setting a clipboard holding a form and a pen on the counter, the receptionist picked up the handset on the desk phone. “I will need that filled out in a minute, but first let me get a technician to come to help us.”

Bella nodded. “Thank you,” she said, taking the clipboard.

“You’re welcome,” the woman said before speaking into the phone and asking for someone to come to the front. After hanging up, she settled in at her keyboard. “Now, let’s get a few basics. What’s the name of your dog?”

Bella glanced at JC who held the dog and was unsure if saying it wasn’t their dog would matter. “I think it’s a stray,” JC answered for her after a second. “We found it hurt on the side of the road, but I’ll pay whatever charges there are to help it.”

Nodding, Bella refocused on the receptionist. “We both will,” Bella added without hesitation.

The woman smiled, and her eyes were gentle. “You are good people,” she said. “Have a seat, fill out the form, and someone will be right out.”

Moving to sit next to JC where she sat with the dog on her lap, Bella studied the hurt animal. It was panting and looked anxious, but not like it was ready to bite. Normally, she was not a pet person. There weren’t any in her household growing up, although she wished for a kitten at times. Meeting a strange dog was outside her comfort zone, but if JC stayed relaxed, she would trust her instinct.I’ve been doing all kinds of things out of my comfort zone lately,she thought.And all of it has been good.Wanting to let the animal know her a little, but being wary too, Bella slowly put out her hand so the dog could sniff her. After a pause, the dog gave her fingers a gentle lick.

“That means she trusts you,” JC said.

Bella’s heart melted a little. She gently caressed the dog’s face. “We’re going to get you all taken care of, okay?” she said as a door to the waiting room opened, and a young man in green scrubs entered.

Like the receptionist, he radiated reassurance. “Hi, I’m Justin,” he said. “Let me take her into the back for an x-ray and run some tests.” He slowly took the dog from JC. “Are you going to wait? Or Teresa can call you. It will be a while.”

Uncertain, Bella looked at JC. “What do you want to do?” she asked.

“Let’s go get a cup of coffee,” JC said, and Bella nodded, knowing JC was making the best choice. Bella wanted to know the dog’s prognosis right away but sitting in the waiting room for an hour or longer would be nerve-wracking. “We won’t go far.”

“Good,” the vet technician said. “Make sure you have your contact number on the form when you give it to Teresa, and we will call as soon as we know something.”

After usingan app on her phone to find a coffee shop a few blocks away, JC found them a table near a big plate glass window with a hint of an ocean view in the distance. “What can I get you?” JC asked Bella as the woman slipped into her chair.

Bella shifted in her seat. “I don’t know if I should have anything with lots of caffeine right now,” she answered. “I’m so anxious about our dog. So, maybe a green tea on ice would be best.”

Our dog?JC thought, a little surprised at Bella’s statement, but not unhappy. Anything that could be classified as theirs felt good. Still, she worried Bella would be devastated if the animal were truly hurt. Anything could be wrong internally from being hit by a car. JC hoped the injuries were minor.And then there is the likelihood the dog has a microchip, and an owner is looking for it. It’s not like we can take it with us.

“That sounds refreshing,” JC said with a reassuring smile. “Green tea it is.” Before she made her way to the counter, Bella grabbed her hand. Turning back to her, JC saw a heartfelt look in the woman’s eyes and paused. “What is it, Bella?”

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