Under Her Wing

by Ronica Black

“Not that I can see.”

  “Okay, hang tight.” She ended the call and cursed. “The lack of blood concerns me.” She glanced at Kassandra.

  “Why?”

  “Could be a snake bite.”

  “Oh, shit.” Kassandra hadn’t even considered that. “Do you see a lot of those?”

  “I’ve seen a handful. If he’s not treated real soon, he’ll die.”

  Kassandra swallowed hard and stared at the road. Could she handle seeing a dog die? A dog suffering? Could she handle this? She’d already agreed to come along to help, so help was what she had to do. But her stomach was flip-flopping and a sense of panicked dread was overcoming her. So much so that she stared in silence until they arrived and only then did she jerk to attention as Jayden touched her arm.

  “We’re here.”

  Kassandra nodded. Jayden turned on her hazard lights and drove up next to the animal control vehicle that was parked off in the dirt shoulder on the left side of the road. Two men sat inside. Night had settled and there were no streetlights. Empty desert stretched for what seemed like miles.

  Jayden eased down her window and gave a nod.

  “He’s right out there at our ten o’clock,” the driver said.

  Jayden leaned out the window, searching. “Got him.”

  Kassandra tried, but she couldn’t see him.

  “You guys go ahead and pull up a little. I’m going to go around behind him.” Jayden put the truck in reverse and backed away and then drove into the desert slowly. Kassandra scanned the dirt in the cones of light, desperate to find the dog.

  “There,” Jayden said, pointing to the right. She turned then and parked at an angle, turning on her overhead KC lights. The dog started, tried to move, but failed. He was panting furiously and nearly skin and bones. He looked to be a husky mix of some sort.

  Kassandra reached for the doorknob with a shaky hand.

  “No, don’t.” Jayden grabbed her shoulder. “Not yet.” She reached behind her and grabbed a long pole with a noose on the end. Then she retrieved black gloves, wrist guards, and a mesh muzzle. She slung the medical bag across her chest like a satchel. “Okay, I’m going first, slowly. Right now, I don’t think he can move. But just in case, I don’t want to overwhelm him or cause him to run.”

  “Okay.”

  Jayden plucked the radio and gave the same instructions to Brad, also mentioning the possible snakebite to which Brad said he was already prepared for. Then Jayden carefully exited the vehicle and approached the wary dog. Again, he tried to rise, but again he fell, unable to stand. He barked at Jayden nervously as she grew closer, walking slowly with her palms out. She held the pole with the noose upright, and as she neared him she began talking softly to him. At about ten feet away, Jayden stopped and held her hands out into a stop position to both vehicles. Kassandra remained still, watching intently.

  Jayden stepped closer, lowered the pole, and quickly noosed the dog, who began whining and squirming. Jayden crawled to him, over him, and held on to his snout from behind. She eased the mesh muzzle onto him and then stroked him long and slow, calming him. She leaned and looked at his leg. She waved Brad out.

  “Looks like a bite,” she said as Brad jumped from his truck with a medical box. He, too, approached carefully, not wanting to scare the dog. Kassandra watched anxiously as Brad examined his lower leg and checked his vitals. He then motioned for his partner, who joined the group, carrying a stretcher.

  Jayden continued to hold the dog in her arms, speaking softly, stroking his neck. Kassandra couldn’t tear her eyes away from the gentle scene playing out before her. And soon they had the dog on the stretcher, heading for the animal control truck. Jayden motioned for her to join.

  Kassandra crawled from the truck hesitantly. She trotted through the desert to the other vehicle. The three were working on the dog, inserting an IV. Kassandra looked away from his trembling body. She covered her mouth and closed her eyes.

  The trio spoke quickly, worked efficiently, and she could hear them loading the dog up for transport. Jayden was on the phone with an emergency clinic wanting to bring the dog there. She was afraid animal control would put him down, and she wanted him to have the best care.

  Kassandra drowned out the rest until a gentle hand touched her shoulder. Jayden came to a stand before her. “They are taking him to a friend of mine. She runs a twenty-four-hour emergency clinic.”

  “Will he make it?” Kassandra’s heart just tore for him, and all she could do was imagine a similar scenario as Jayden and Brad had saved Lula.

  “I think so.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I don’t for sure. But I’ve seen a lot. And this one is a fighter.”

  Kassandra felt a warm hand slide into hers. She inhaled sharply as she met Jayden’s piercing eyes.

  “You’re not okay, are you?”

  Kassandra struggled for words. “I’m fine. I’m just worried about him, and seeing him and listening to you guys work on him—”

  “It made you think of Lula.”

  “Yes.”

  Jayden led them back to her truck as Brad and his partner quickly drove away. Kassandra felt safe, warm as they held hands and walked. Jayden was so fierce and so strong, yet she was so incredibly gentle. It was a dichotomy she couldn’t quite grasp. How could a person be so many things? Have so many layers? Be so special to both humans and animals alike?

  “I think of all the dogs I love when I try to save one. And then, as I get down to business, I think of only one thing. Saving them. The rest, the emotion, the heartache, it goes and I can do my job.”

  “What if they don’t make it?”

  They stood at the passenger door and Jayden faced her, holding both hands. “Then I send them off as peacefully as I can.”

  Kassandra fought tears.

  Jayden squeezed her hands. “It’s not a job for everyone.” She opened the door for her. “I’ll drive you back to your car.”

  Kassandra stepped up inside the truck. “No. I want to go with you. I want to be there for this dog.”

  “You sure?” Jayden rested a hand on her knee as she studied her.

  Kassandra nodded. “Yes. I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jayden drove in silence as Kassandra slept propped up against the passenger door. Her breathing was soft and she was snoring lightly with cute little puffs of air. The evening had been dramatic, and Kassandra had handled it well, considering it was her first time saving a dog near death. Jayden had seen tears slip down her face only once, and that was when they were leaving the dog for the night. Kassandra seemed to be a sensitive soul, mostly quiet and unassuming, but very observant and intelligent. She learned quickly, and once at the clinic didn’t hesitate to jump in and help, holding the dog and soothing him as they gave him the antivenom. She’d held him for the next hour, praying he would make it. Jayden had been impressed. She’d seen a lot in her line of work, and many grown women couldn’t handle a situation like that. Many grown men couldn’t either. It took strength, courage, and an understanding of life and loss. Kassandra seemed to understand that he was pain free now, and if he did pass, he would do so peacefully. Thankfully, though, the dog was recovering and resting. But Jayden knew he still had a long road ahead of him, considering his physical condition before the bite.

  She hoped like hell he’d make it, hoped Kassandra would get to see the difference they made. But for now, they were both exhausted and Jayden had offered to take Kassandra directly home. Lula needed her, and Jayden didn’t trust Kassandra to drive in her exhausted state. She’d had a hard day and even mumbled a little about it as they had waited at the emergency clinic. Some coworkers were giving her a hard time and she wasn’t sleeping well.

  Jayden wanted to insist on her taking Dax, but she held back. Kassandra had to make up her own mind.

  Jayden gently shook her awake as she pulled into her complex. Kassandra straightened, but her eyes kept falling closed.
Jayden wondered just how many nights she’d gone without sleep. She killed the engine and rounded the truck to help her out.

  “Are you walking me to my door?”

  “Yes.” Jayden held out a protective arm, afraid she might stumble.

  “There’s no need. I can take care of myself, you know.”

  “I know. I’m just being polite. Making sure you’re in safe and sound.”

  They walked down a quiet sidewalk to a patio with a thigh-high gate. Jayden unlatched it as Kassandra dug in her pocket for her keys. A motion light came on, and Kassandra focused on the lock. Something, however, caught Jayden’s eye.

  “Someone’s got a secret admirer.” Jayden held up the bouquet of flowers from the patio chair. Kassandra blinked at them in apparent disbelief. Her face reddened and then went chalk white.

  Jayden stepped to her. “Something wrong?”

  “Is there a card? Anything?”

  Jayden checked the chair, the ground. “No.”

  “Oh, God.” Kassandra pushed open her door and hurried inside. Jayden followed, confused.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” The spark of jealousy that kept trying to ignite in her gut was shoved from her mind by Kassandra’s reaction.

  Kassandra lifted an excited Lula and paced her living room. Jayden closed the door and watched helplessly as fear overcame her.

  “I don’t know who they’re from,” she said.

  Jayden noticed that all the lights were on in the house. All the blinds closed. There were two deadbolt locks on the door along with what looked like door opening sensors. The home was decorated nicely and well kept, but Jayden could sense the uncertainty of its safety. For Kassandra’s sake, she tried not to assume the worst.

  “Maybe a neighbor you’re friends with?”

  Kassandra shook her head. “They always leave a note if they leave me something.”

  “Maybe they forgot this time.”

  “You don’t understand.” She set Lula on the couch and rubbed her forehead.

  “What am I not getting?”

  Kassandra stopped and looked at her. “If they were from anyone I knew, there’d be a note or a message on my door or my phone. I’m not dating. I have no man asking me out…”

  Jayden sank down onto the couch.

  “Jayden, whoever broke into my house…he took things. Personal things. Intimate things.”

  Jayden stared at her as heat rose up to her face. “You’re sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “Did you tell the police?”

  Kassandra sighed and sank down on the opposite side. Lula hopped from one end to the other, giving them both kisses. “By the time I realized it, I was too embarrassed to call.”

  “Kassandra, you need to tell them. They need to know this.”

  “Why? So they can keep a lookout for my panties?”

  Jayden stood, walked to the windows, and checked to make sure they were secure and locked. Now she was beginning to feel more than uncertain.

  “No, so they can ask around to see if other women are being targeted. Or if anyone has seen a Peeping Tom.”

  “A Peeping Tom? You mean he might have been…watching me?”

  Jayden crossed to the two bedrooms and checked the windows there. “I don’t know. But it wouldn’t hurt if the cops checked it out. Has anyone been lurking? Have you noticed anything unusual?”

  Kassandra was silent for a moment. “I sometimes notice that my motion lights come on at night.”

  Jayden thought quickly. Tonight, they’d been well into the patio before they came on. But she didn’t say anything more. It wouldn’t do any good for both of them to panic. She returned to the living room, saw the mortified look on Kassandra’s face, and her heart melted. She was so frightened and tired. Her normally sparkling eyes were dark and deep. “How long has it been since you’ve had sleep?”

  “I don’t know.” She ran a limp hand through her short hair. “A couple of days.”

  Jayden eased down next to her. “I want to stay the night.”

  Kassandra looked at her quickly. “You what?”

  “I’ll sleep out here, keep an eye on things, and you can sleep.”

  Kassandra touched her neck as if she’d felt something there, a caress perhaps. Her eyes were wide. “I’m fine, really. I have the new locks…”

  “Yet you still aren’t sleeping. And now the flowers.” She reached out and touched her hand. “Let me do this for you.”

  Kassandra inhaled sharply at the contact. Jayden noticed, but she didn’t dare move. The moment was heavy, pivotal. Jayden suspected Kassandra’s attraction, but she didn’t want to risk being wrong. She wanted Kassandra to trust her. She wanted her in her life any way she could have her. Even if that meant being close friends.

  “We’re both filthy,” Kassandra finally said, surprising her. “We need to shower.”

  Jayden pulled her hand away, embarrassed by the thought of them showering together. She cleared her throat, trying to get the image out of her mind.

  “I’m okay as is. I can sleep on the floor.”

  “No, you won’t. If you’re going to stay, you’re going to be comfortable.”

  “So I’m staying, then?”

  Kassandra nodded. “If you’d like. Will your dogs be okay?”

  “My guys? Yeah, they’ll be fine. Allie’s there. She knew I’d be out all night with the rescue. Sometimes I hang at the vet clinic until the dog’s able to be released.”

  “That’s dedication,” Kassandra said softly. “Don’t you ever take a break? Take time for you?”

  “I don’t need to,” she said. “At least I don’t think so.”

  “Maybe you should try.”

  Jayden looked at her, curious. “Do you think I’m too far in?”

  “I haven’t known you for very long. But from what I’ve seen…it seems you do everything. You’re always busy or out on a call. Do you sleep?”

  Jayden laughed. “I do.”

  “Guess I’ll have to witness that to believe it.”

  She stood and disappeared into the second bedroom. Jayden assumed it was her study, with a nice desk and two large bookshelves. Movie posters were framed and hung on the walls, most of them classic thrillers and noirs. Jayden wanted to sit in there, choose a book, and read for hours. She imagined Kassandra doing just that, and her heart warmed.

  Kassandra returned, caught her smiling blissfully, and cocked her head. For whatever reason, she chose not to ask her about it.

  “You can shower in there,” she said, referring to the bathroom in the study. “I laid out some necessities for you.” She handed over a small pile of clothes and towels. “I know it’s not great and probably not what you normally sleep in, but all I have are cotton nightgowns.”

  Jayden laughed but stopped when she realized she was serious. “I definitely do not wear those. You’re right about that.”

  “My pajamas are too small; you’d be uncomfortable. What do you normally sleep in?”

  Jayden took the small pile from her. “My birthday suit.”

  “Oh.” Kassandra looked away.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t do that here.”

  Kassandra rubbed the back of her neck. “I’ll, um, just make your bed on the couch while you shower.”

  Jayden smiled as she watched her move nervously around the living room. “Thanks, Kassandra. For letting me stay and help.”

  Kassandra looked up. “Thank you, for caring.”

  Jayden held her gaze for a moment and then entered the bathroom to shower. She’d imagined this scenario more than once, and now that it was here, she wasn’t quite prepared for just how strongly she felt for her. Not just a physical attraction, but a protectiveness, a longing to just hold her and listen to her breathe in peace.

  She turned on the faucet and slipped out of her shoes. She might not be able to hold her, or express how deeply she felt, but she could protect her and give her some peace of mind. And that, she realized, was the most
important thing.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kassandra awoke to morning Lula kisses. She rolled to her side and squinted at the red numbers on her clock. Her alarm would go off in an hour. Her eyes felt heavy, and she was just about to fall back asleep when she smelled something. She sat up. Pancakes. She was sure of it.

  “Jayden,” she whispered, suddenly remembering she had stayed over.

  Lula jumped from the bed and scratched at the closed door. Kassandra followed her, opening the door and walking to the kitchen. Jayden was standing at the stove staring at a bubbling circle of batter and wearing one of Kassandra’s nightgowns. Lula rushed to kiss her ankles.

  “Do not…” Jayden said without turning, “laugh at me.”

  Kassandra pressed her lips together. “Okay.”

  “This nightgown is way too short for me, and it feels way too close to a dress.” She tugged on it as if that would somehow make it remain lower on her mid-thigh.

  “You look nice.” Kassandra couldn’t seem to look away from her long, tanned legs. Jayden flipped the batter with a spatula and turned. Kassandra smiled. Jayden was wearing the Garfield gown. The one that showed Garfield wearing a scowl and holding a mug of coffee. It said “I hate mornings.” The caption seemed to fit her as she stood with her hand on her hip, scowl on her face, dark hair disheveled.

  “I told you not to laugh.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just…you look so cute.”

  Jayden rolled her eyes. “Where in the world did you put my clothes?”

  “Oh, I washed them. They’re in the dryer.” She turned to go get them.

  “Don’t. It can wait until after we eat.”

  Kassandra joined her at the small table next to the plantation blinds. Normally, Kassandra would open them for breakfast, but she was still uncomfortable in thinking that someone might be watching her.

  “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” she said, feeling a little guilty. After all, Jayden was her guest.

  “Nonsense. I love this. Besides, you look like you could use a good meal.” She sat across from her and sipped her orange juice.