Page 22 of Animal Instincts
Joss licked his lips, weighing his words before he spoke.
“If finding time to go food shopping is a problem, I can set up a regular delivery for you.”Then you wouldn’t have to havejust coffeefor lunch… Or horrible frozen meals…“It wouldn’t take long, and I could do it before I tackle the admin.”
Oliver grimaced. “I did set up an account not long after I first arrived, but when I ended up with a box of mangos and a two for one on fabric conditioner, I did kind of let it slide, so…” Oliver’s lips twitched a self-deprecating smile as his gaze flickered to Joss before falling away.
How does this man make it through the day?Joss’ heart twisted deep in his chest. “Let me know what—” It was as far as Joss got.
“That’s the practice bell, it’s connected through to the house.” It rang again, longer, as though somebody was keeping their finger on the button.
As one they rushed from the kitchen and through the door leading back to the practice. Urgent banging accompanied the bell. Oliver flung open the door, which Joss had locked when they’d shut for lunch.
A teenage girl, with tears streaming down her face, clutched a quivering bundle of fur in her arms.
“It’s Oscar, he got out the house and dashed into the road, and—”
“Bring him through.”
Joss’ heart leapt into his mouth as the girl followed Oliver into the consultation room. Oliver eased a small rabbit from her arms and set him on the bench.
Oscar, his fur blood-matted, his little body shivering as he panted for breath, tried to jerk away as he let out a desperate cry. Oliver threw Joss a glance, the silent communication between them clear and unambiguous. Joss answered with a barely there nod.
“Gemma.” Joss had wracked his brains for her name. She worked an evening shift in Stop ’n’ Shop. “Dr. Strachan’s going to examine Oscar, who needs to be kept calm. Come on.” He escorted her from the consultation room before he rushed back.
Oscar was struggling but his efforts were weak and puny.
“Sshhh, just lie still little bunny,” Joss whispered as he gently held the rabbit as Oliver, gloved up, inspected the injury.
“It’s a nasty gash from a glancing blow from a car, but nothing appears to be broken. He’s going to need stitches, though, and—”
Oscar jerked, sudden and violent, almost breaking free of Joss’ hold, as he let out another pain filled squeal.
“Come on Oscar, you need to be a brave boy.”
Oscar calmed and Joss felt the prickle of tears as the rabbit stared up at him with huge, liquid chocolate eyes. Joss bit down on his lip, feeling the animal’s pain as if it were his own. He swallowed hard, and blinked away his misted vision. This was part of the job, and he needed to get used to it fast, because if he didn’t he wasn’t going to be of much use to either the animals or Oliver.
“Are you okay to help with this?”
Joss’ gaze snapped up to Oliver, who looked at him through grave grey eyes.
“Yes.”
Oliver responded with a sharp nod. “Keep him calm and still whilst I prepare the anaesthetic.”
Joss whispered words of encouragement to the rabbit, trembling under his hands. His own heart beat as fast and irregular as Oscar’s and his throat squeezed tight as his words faltered, just for a moment, before he told Oscar again he was a good, brave boy who was just going for a short sleep. Joss swallowed. Oscar was such a small rabbit…
“Just need to apply some antiseptic before…” Oscar wriggled and whimpered as though knowing what was coming, but Joss held him firm for Oliver to administer the injection. Oscar’s struggles weakened, then stopped, as he fell into a drugged sleep.
“I’ve given him the lowest possible dose as I don’t want him kept under for long.” Oliver threaded up the needle. “The gash is jagged and deep, but there’re no internal injuries, thank god. How could the driver not know they’d hit an animal?” Oliver’s already serious and focused expression tensed as he bit out the angry words.
Oliver used the electric trimmer to shave away the fur around the wound. The gash looked angry against the bald patch and Joss winced as the needle pierced the light pink skin, but Oscar, in deep sleep, didn’t so much as twitch as Oliver worked quickly, his hands sure and confident. It took only moments before the wound was cleaned then closed with a row of neat stitches.
“All that’s needed now is some bandaging. Do you want to do it?”
Joss met Oliver’s steady gaze.
No… Yes…Joss looked down at the little rabbit. He’d bandaged up other small pets before… Joss nodded.
“Yes, I can do it.”
