by Ali Parker
“I see.” I didn’t really, but I had to try and remain unbiased. Kayla was everything I hadn’t been growing up.
It was clear that she came from money and was used to the finer things in life. She was wearing a damn ribbon around her head, for God’s sake. Like a real little princess.
She was probably used to having things handed to her, but if she thought that would happen here, she had another thing coming. The only way I’d sign off on the forms for her school was if she actually did the work—including the gross and dirty stuff.
“Why do you want to be a veterinarian?” I asked, mentally going through the list of questions I’d memorized last night. I’d already agreed to the internship based off our conversation on the phone, but I felt like I could still throw a couple of interview-like questions out there.
Kayla’s nervousness seemed to melt away at the question, replaced with moving passion that reminded me of myself when I was asked that.
“I love animals more than anything in the world. I always have. All I’ve ever wanted to do was help them. Too many people are cruel to them or don’t realize how smart they are, how the pain they feel is the same as we feel, or how much of a commitment they can be.”
I was a little taken aback by how closely her answer resembled the one I’d given on my own first day of internship. “Do you have any animals?”
The corners of her mouth turned down as she shook her head. “We have plenty at home, but I never thought it would be fair to keep any at school. You know how long the hours are. I miss my babies, but I’d never do that to them.”
“That’s true,” I said, glancing at Mae as she traipsed into the office. “I only got mine after I graduated too. I volunteered at plenty of places to get my fix before I could get her though.”
Kayla gave me the first unguarded smile I’d seen from her. “I volunteer at three different shelters in California. I’m so much better at animals than at people.”
My eyebrows rose in surprise when Mae walked to her and went to sit on the floor beside her chair. Kayla’s hand lifted to her head instantly, and my girl rested her head on her leg.
“That’s exactly how I feel about myself,” I said, eyeing my enormous dog warming right up to her. “People can keep their parties, sporting events, and whatever else they do. I’m happy spending my time with animals.”
She nodded so fast and so many times I was afraid her head might pop off. “I know what you mean. I’m twenty-three and I haven’t been to one college party unless my roommate has dragged me there. She’s given up on me, and I can’t say that it bothers me not to be invited anymore.”
There was definitely a lot more to this girl than I’d thought. Maybe she had grown up differently than I had, but we clearly had a lot in common. “I think you and I are going to get along just fine.”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “You know, when we spoke on the phone, I didn’t realize you were the vet I would be working with. I thought it would be a man because of the name of the clinic but I’m so glad it’s you.”
“Oh, you mean, ‘Eduardo’s Angels’?” She nodded. “I named it after my father as something to remember him by. He loved animals too. Always called them his angels because he said they were the closest we’d ever really get to the pure nature of the angelic while on earth.”
Kayla’s face fell. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. If I had, I’d never have brought up something so personal.”
“No, it’s okay. You have nothing to apologize for. I like thinking about him.” My voice was a touch tighter than it had been, but I was used to having to deal with the onslaught of emotion that always came when I talked about my dad.
But just because it was difficult didn’t mean I couldn’t or shouldn’t do it. My father had taught me to be strong, brave, and courageous. I wouldn’t have come this far if he hadn’t. “So, how about I show you around? Our first patient will be arriving in about twenty minutes. Let’s see if we can get you settled by then.”
Chapter 4
COLTON
Ross whistled between his teeth when we walked onto the field where the festival was being held. He stopped, pulled his sunglasses to the tip of his nose, and peered at the crowd over the top of them.
“There are hundreds of people here,” he commented. “It looks like craft beer is the way to host a successful fundraiser these days.”
“It could also be that people came out because they support the cause.” I pointed in the direction of a petting zoo with hordes of children clamoring around it. “Or because they get to drink beer while the animals keep their kids busy. It could be either one really.”
He clapped me on the shoulder and laughed. “I think the kid and beer thing is the more likely answer. Nothing against animal charities but there are just too many of them to support these days. Don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t think.” That was part of the problem, though. With so many different organizations, causes, events, types of animals that needed support, and so on and so on, too many people didn’t know where or how to support. So they simply didn’t.
Which reminds me. “Have you ever heard of an EM Martinez? The name was on the donor list for this, but I didn’t recognize it. Gave quite a bit of money.”
Ross’s eyes snapped to mine before he pushed his sunglasses back up. That one flash of blue was all I needed to know I’d piqued his interest now too. “You think there could be a story there, don’t you?”
I shrugged. “Mysterious new donor who gives a couple thousand to a charity craft-beer festival? Yeah, I think there might a story.”
“We’ll keep our eyes open for something with that name on it,” he said without questioning my reasoning. Not only had we been friends for long enough that he trusted my judgment, but we’d also been working together for six years. “If they’ve got a booth, we’ll find it. Maybe there will be someone there we can ask a few questions to.”
“Let’s do it,” I agreed.
Fully aware that we probably looked like a couple of douches on the prowl with our mirrored sunglasses, I sighed and shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans. Going out with Ross was always a risk in terms of getting mistaken for someone who was interested in fucking around, but I really wasn’t in the mood for any bullshit today.
Thankfully, even his dick seemed more interested in finding a new story than it was in someone to hook up with right then. We were approached a few times by women he appeared to know, but he brushed everyone off.
As we were walking past a small makeshift paddock with some horses for one of the booths in it, he pinched his nose. “Christ, those things smell terrible. Can you believe some people keep them as pets?”
“Yes, I can. I’ve always wanted one, remember?” The only time I’d actually come close to owning a horse had ended in total tragedy, though. “They might be smelly, and they can be dangerous, but you have to admit that they’re majestic.”
“I don’t have to admit shit.” He scowled in the direction of the horses. “I also don’t have to clean their shit. Why would you want to do all that and keep up with something that can’t even talk to you?”
“Animals are way easier than people to deal with,” I said. “You don’t have to call them in the morning or avoid them later. They also don’t complain about how you haven’t done the dishes or if you put the toilet roll in the wrong way around.”
He tipped his head. “Sure, but you also can’t fuck ‘em. That’s what makes the ‘call me in the morning’ stuff worth it.”
“Does it though?” I questioned. “Does it really make it worth it? What about the nagging because you spend a whole night with your friends instead? Horses don’t do that either.”
“You really have to get over what happened in college, dude. If she got away, she wasn’t the love of your life. Time to move on. You’re thirty-one. It’s time to let it go.”
I breathed in deeply to avoid punching my lifelong friend in the face. “Do you have to keep bringing
that up? I’m over it. I’ve simply come to the conclusion that I wasn’t made to be in a relationship. It’s time for you to let it go.”
“Getting laid doesn’t have to mean being in a relationship.” He smirked and pointed at his chest. “Look at me. I’ve been happily single most of my life and I still get it more than most of you monogamous types.”
“I get laid often enough,” I said firmly. “Now will you please pay attention? We came here to work.”
“We came here to drink beer,” he corrected. “There’s a possibility we may need to get some work done while we’re at it.”
I stood still when we reached the far end of the paddock, turning to face the festival to see if I could spot the name from this vantage point. Still nothing.
Ross straightened up suddenly, jerking his head at a portly man making his way to us. “That’s the organizer. He’s the guy who gave me the tickets. He was probably hoping we’d run a story on the event anyway, so we could probably get some information out of him.”
“Good idea.” I stepped forward when the man reached us, my hand outstretched and a wide smile on my face. “Hi there. Colton Stark. Thanks for inviting us.”
The man gave my hand a firm shake, his jowls jiggling from the force of it. “Peter Anthony. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for coming, gentlemen.”
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be here,” I said jovially. Ross let out a soft sigh beside me, but he let me take the lead after he greeted Peter. “This is a great cause. Thank you for sending us the tickets, but we actually donated them to some kids outside and bought our own.”
His red eyebrows went up. “Thanks for the support. We had a few to give away to influential locals but not enough for children who wanted to attend.”
“Isn’t that always the case?” I asked, trying hard to keep the judgment out of my tone. “You need the influential people to attend more than the children though, isn’t that right?”
He sighed, shrugging one of his shoulders. “Those influential people will ensure we can have more events like this in the future. The animals need our help, and this is one sure way to get the community involved.”
“I’d say.” I nodded toward the crowds of people gathering near each booth and milling around between them. “Speaking of influential people, I noticed a name on the donor list I didn’t recognize. An EM Martinez?”
“Yeah?” He took a small step back. “What about him?”
“Who is he?” I asked casually, hooking a thumb into my pocket while keeping half an eye on the crowd.
Peter shook his head. “Someone who wanted to remain anonymous.”
“The name has been published. How is that anonymous?” I shook my head. “I’m just curious to know where he came from, is all.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you that.” His jaw tightened. “I know who you are, which is why I invited you, but he hasn’t signed a consent form for any further information to be given out about him. I’d love to talk to you about the other donors and the festival itself.”
“We’ll set it up.” I already knew what I needed to about all the other donors. I could come to my own conclusions about the festival, since I was here myself, and write an article for the sake of publicity, but now that my curiosity was piqued, I couldn’t just let this mysterious donor go. “It wouldn’t be fair if I excluded one donor though.”
He eyed me warily. “I’ll have a chat with him and get back to you, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. He was very specific about wanting to remain anonymous.”
“Why’d you publish his name then?” I asked, tilting my head. “Wanting anonymity and being named seem like mutually exclusive concepts, don’t you think?”
“Part of our policy is to name all donors. It assists with transparency and accountability to the public for the funds we received. People believe there’s corruption happening within just about any organization these days.”
“That’s because there mostly is,” I said. “So your policy is to name them even if they want to remain anonymous?”
“I got consent for that,” he replied, crossing his meaty arms defensively. “I’ll get back to you with any further information. In the meantime, do you have any other questions about the festival or the various charities we’re supporting?”
“Not at this time.” I flashed him a smile. “Thanks again for inviting us, Peter. We’ll have a look around, and if anything comes up, we’ll find you.”
“Enjoy the festival, gentlemen,” he said, looking decidedly less cheerful than he had when he’d walked over to us. “Good night.”
As we watched him rejoin the festivities, Ross bumped his elbow into my side with a shark-like grin on his face. “You know what might coax the donor out? A nice article about how fucking shady all this looks.”
“Yeah, I like it,” I agreed, feeling that familiar buzz in the center of my stomach. There was a story here. Possibly a good one. And I was going to find it. “I’ll have it on your desk first thing tomorrow morning.”
Chapter 5
HAVEN
Birds sang from the trees. The sky above was that robin’s egg blue that always made we wish I could spread my wings and dart lazily around it. There wasn’t a cloud in sight and not much of a breeze.
Tall pine trees towered along the side of the walking trail Mae and I were on, the branches laden with deep green needles that only allowed mottled sunlight to filter through. There was enough shade that we weren’t hiking in the blazing sun, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t hot as hell.
It wasn’t even nine yet, but we were definitely in for a scorcher by this town’s standards. My hair was piled up on my head, the roots still damp from a shower which I was going to have to retake when I got home.
Mae tugged on her leash, making me stumble over a small rock wedged into the dirt. When I didn’t speed up even more, she turned her head to give me a look that said, come on, really? Hurry it up back there.
I grunted in exasperation. My muscles burned from the relatively strenuous trail I’d chosen for us this morning, and rivulets of sweat covered my entire freaking body. Yet I still wasn’t going fast enough for her.
“I know, girl. I know. I’m doing my best here.”
Her tongue lolled out of her mouth, and I was pretty sure she was laughing at me. Rolling my eyes at my gigantic teenager, I came to a stop and rested my hands on my knees, hanging my head forward.
“I can’t go any faster. You have to stop walking me and let me walk you.”
She just panted in response, spittle hanging from her pendulous lips. The amount of drool this dog could produce definitely wasn’t for everyone, and it sure as hell wasn’t cute, but she had more than enough endearing qualities to make up for it.
I reached out to scratch behind her ears while I caught my breath, but she only allowed it for a few seconds before she decided it was time for us to get going again. She dragged me along the path, my muscles screaming and lungs begging for a break, and all I could think was how I had all this training as a vet and I couldn’t even get my own dog to walk properly on a leash.
Mae continued to set a grueling pace, and by the time we reached the end of the trail, I decided I was never walking her again. The sign for a local coffee shop appeared as we came around the final bend, and I nearly sank to my knees to worship at the feet of the nearest barista.
“This time, we’re doing what I want to do, girl,” I said.
Mae walked placidly beside me, suddenly as obedient as she’d been on the day she’d graduated from her training. She smiled at every person we passed on the street, like she was saying, I know. She’s crazy. Look how well behaved I am.
As soon as I had the thought, I mentally admonished myself. You really have to stop putting words in your dog’s mouth. It’s just not right.
Sighing as I walked up to the outside counter to buy a coffee and a gallon or two of water, I wondered if I’d ever find a person I was as comfortable with as I was with Mae. Sadly, the an
swer was probably not. If it hadn’t happened in my first twenty-nine years on the planet, I didn’t even know why I still wondered if it might happen this second.
A newspaper headline caught my attention while we waited in line. The picture was of a charity event that had happened the day before, and the caption read, “No Show From Lead Donor.” A sense of foreboding took hold of my insides.
I ordered my coffee and my water but added the paper to my purchase. Instead of drinking on my walk home, I flopped into a plastic chair beneath a wide umbrella and immediately read the article. Mae settled at my feet, lying down and drinking from the water I set down on the ground for her.
Smoothing out the paper on the table in front of me, I nearly choked on my first sip of coffee when the name of the supposed no show jumped out at me. EM Martinez.
My blood instantly started simmering, but I forced myself to read the entire article before reacting. It had been written by a C Stark, and it turned out it was all about the donation I’d made to the festival in my dad’s name.
Just like I’d put the clinic in his name, doing business as “Eduardo’s Angels,” I also occasionally made donations on his behalf. It was all part of my way of keeping his legacy alive.
I remembered so many conversations we’d had where he told me that if he ever made enough money to be able to make donations and still keep food on our table, he’d give everything he could to animals in need. So that was what I did now.
Becoming a veterinarian hadn’t been an easy road for me. There had been no money, no one to co-sign loans, and no one to help me convince any financial institution that I’d be able to pay them back. I’d realized from a young age that it would be that way though.
After the shock of Dad’s sudden death had worn off and I’d been trying to learn how to continue living with the gaping hole I knew would always be in my heart, I started burying myself in my schoolwork. Homework became my refuge, a way to keep my mind off my dad while still doing something I thought he would approve of. When I wasn’t studying, I was volunteering anywhere that would take me—as long as they worked with animals.
