Three Things I'd Never Do

by Remi Carrington

  I called Haley as I bounced down the hall. I was a much more chipper version of my usual morning self, and a little bit of gloating was in order. I’d accepted the challenge, and I’d survived. More than survived, I let a dog sleep in my bed. Twice. “Good morning, I’m calling to report that I kept the dogs all weekend and—Oh no!”

  Sundance lay on the kitchen floor with dog puke all around him. Next to him was my box of chocolates. Empty. Pookie lay on top of him, and if a cat could look worried, she did.

  “What’s wrong?” Haley echoed the panic I felt.

  “Sundance ate my chocolates. And he’s puked all over the kitchen floor.” I gathered my hair into a ponytail as if that would help me think.

  “Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. You have to get him to a vet. Now!”

  “That would’ve been good information to have before. Okay, I need to call Adam. I’ll talk to you later.” I dialed Adam, hoping he wasn’t out on an emergency.

  He answered right away. “Hi. I’m walking to my truck right now. How’d it go?”

  “Sundance ate some of the chocolates. He’s sick. I’m going to rush him to the vet.”

  “There’s an emergency vet about a mile from your place. The one near the gas station. Know the place?”

  “In the same strip mall with the taco shop?”

  “Yeah. That’s the one.”

  I stroked Sundance on the head. “I’ll meet you there.” I stuffed the phone in the pocket of my leggings. Pockets on leggings were one of the greatest inventions since smartphones. And why was I thinking about that now? Rambling thoughts wouldn’t help me. I needed to stay focused.

  I moved Pookie off to the side. “Stay out of the yuck, please.”

  She retreated under the table and curled up beside Butch. Amazingly, he didn’t even flinch.

  “Come on, Sundance baby. Let’s go for a ride.” I motioned for him to stand up.

  His tail wagged a little, and he stood. I grabbed his collar and led him out of the kitchen. Once I had my keys and purse, I loaded Sundance into my car.

  I rolled my window partway down. The car now reeked of vomit, and I was trying desperately not to add to it.

  At the vet’s office, Sundance didn’t want to get out of the car. He looked worse than before. The normally excitable Husky lay on the backseat, moving only his eyes.

  I wrapped my arms around him and dragged him to the edge of the seat. “Work with me, Sundance. You aren’t exactly light. And I’m not exactly strong.”

  Picking him up wouldn’t be easy. I reminded myself to lift with my knees as I stood up. After kicking the car door closed, I hobbled toward the clinic door.

  Thankfully, an alert tech spotted me and let me in. “Hi. What’s wrong with him?”

  “It’s my boyfriend’s dog. He got into my chocolate. When I found him, he’d thrown up all over the floor.” I felt the need to say that even though it was probably obvious because the vomit was all over me.

  “Bring him in here.” She stepped into a small exam room and pointed at a vinyl-covered bench. “I’ll get the vet.”

  I laid Sundance down but kept an arm wrapped around him. “You have to be okay, buddy. I’m sorry I left those chocolates where you could reach them. I didn’t know.”

  Tears stung my eyes. If Sundance didn’t make it, Adam would never forgive me. If I couldn’t keep a dog alive for one weekend, how would he want to marry me? Forget the idea of children.

  Whoa! That thought train sure jumped the tracks.

  I blinked back tears. “Please don’t die.” I kissed the top of his head, one of the few spots not covered in puke.

  Adam’s voice carried in from the lobby, so I stepped away from Sundance and poked my head out. “We’re in here.”

  He came running in, calling out a promise to fill out the paperwork in a minute. He glanced at me then pulled Sundance into his arms. “Hey there. The vet is going to make you feel better, okay?”

  “The tech said he’d be in soon.” I choked out the last word. “I’m sorry.”

  Adam nodded but didn’t meet my gaze.

  “I’ll be in the waiting area.” I left Adam with his dog and took a seat in one of the hard plastic chairs. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Sobbing and covered in dog puke, I must’ve been quite the sight.

  “Ma’am, if you’d like to wash your hands, the bathroom is right there.” The receptionist pointed at a door.

  I knew a hint when I heard one. “Thanks.” I slipped inside and washed my face and hands.

  When I walked back out, Adam was in a chair, filling out paperwork.

  “Where’s Sundance? Is he okay?” I dropped into the chair next to him and rested my hand on his arm.

  He pinched his lips together and continued writing.

  I understood, but it hurt worse than getting a sticker poked in the bottom of my foot. “Do you want me to leave?”

  Focused on the clipboard, he shook his head. “They took Sundance into the back. He’ll get his stomach pumped. It’s too soon to know if he’ll be okay.”

  “I’m so sorry. I want to hug you, but I’m nasty.”

  He continued scrawling on that stupid paper. “Why don’t you head home? I’ll be over in a bit to pick up Butch.”

  “I want to stay, but I’m not even sure I locked my house.” I ignored the part about picking up Butch, hoping that didn’t signal an end to our relationship.

  I couldn’t blame Adam if it did, but I’d cry myself to sleep for a month at least. And I couldn’t even think about telling my mom.

  “Just go. Check the house. Take a shower. I’ll be over in a bit.”

  I kissed his cheek. “Are you okay to drive?”

  “I’m fine.” That was a flat out lie, but arguing wouldn’t change the answer.

  I walked back out to the car, glad that my purse was still where I’d left it. I dialed my boss before backing out.

  “Mindy, I’m not going to make it in today. I was pet sitting, and one of the dogs got into chocolate—”

  “Oh no. Chocolate is poison to dogs. Is he okay?”

  How did everyone in the world except me know about chocolate being poison?

  I turned onto my street, hoping I’d at least closed my front door. Losing the other dog wouldn’t be a good way to win back Adam’s affections. “We don’t know yet. The vet is going to keep him for a while. He’ll call us later.”

  “No worries about not coming in. I hope the doggie is okay.” Mindy sounded distracted.

  “Me too. It’s my boyfriend’s dog.”

  “Yikes. That’s not good. Listen, I need to run. I’ll talk to you later.” She ended the call.

  When I parked in the driveway, I called Haley. “Sundance is at the vet. Adam hardly spoke to me. What am I going to do if I killed his dog?”

  “You’ll need more chocolate.”

  “That’s not funny!” I pushed the door open and walked around looking for Butch and Pookie.

  “I wasn’t trying to be funny. People cope differently. Some women drink straight tequila; others indulge in chocolate. You are definitely one of the eating-chocolate variety.

  I found Butch and Pookie curled up together in Sundance’s bed. “Maybe. I need a shower then I have a mess to clean up.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “No. I’m not okay. I need to let you go. Adam is calling me.” I switched to the other call. “Hi. Any news?”

  “The vet wants to know how long ago he ingested it. Do you have any idea?”

  “Sometime after two-thirty. I was up at that time, and he was asleep in his bed. The chocolates were still in the box. After that Butch crawled in bed with me, and I closed the door to keep Pookie out. That’s why I didn’t hear Sundance getting into stuff.”

  “You may have gotten him here in time.” He ended the call without another word.

  Not only did I feel horrible because Sundance was sick, but Adam was so distant. He was worried, but was he mad?

  I wandered back to take a sho
wer. I could just as easily worry while getting clean as I could covered in yuck.

  So much soap was required. Finally, after multiple scrubbings and two rounds of shampoo in my hair, I no longer reeked. Sobbing didn’t help me shower quickly either.

  After drying off, I threw on shorts and a grubby t-shirt. The next chore wouldn’t be fun.

  Adam was on his hands and knees in the kitchen. “Hey, I’m almost finished cleaning this up. I’m sorry he messed up your floor.”

  “I’ll do that. You have no reason to be sorry.”

  He gave a small grunt without looking up.

  I touched his back. “Please look at me.”

  Sad brown eyes focused on me as he stood. “I’m really worried.”

  “Me too. I feel horrible.” I leaned in to hug him.

  He shook his head and looked down at his shirt. “You don’t want to do that.”

  I did, actually. “Do you have clothes with you? Go shower. I’ll clean up the rest.”

  He nodded. “I haven’t even checked on Butch to see if he needs a bath.”

  “I’ll check on them. Bathing Pookie will be so fun.”

  Adam gave a slight chuckle. “Yeah.”

  He closed himself in the bathroom, and I peeked into the living room. Butch and Pookie were still lying in the doggie bed and looking at me like I’d just ruined Christmas.

  While Adam showered, I mopped the kitchen. When the water stopped, it occurred to me that he hadn’t taken anything into the bathroom with him. Did he plan to put on dirty clothes? Why bother to shower if he was going to put those puke-covered clothes back on?

  The bathroom door opened, and with a fluffy, coral-colored towel wrapped around him, he leaned out. “I forgot to grab my bag out of the truck. Would you mind?” He held out his keys.

  I stood there, staring at his chest. “Sorry. Did you say something?”

  “Very funny.” He jingled the keys. “Will you grab my bag?”

  Grinning, I took the keys.

  “And now we’re even, right?” He motioned to his still-damp body. “Only difference is I’m not in the tub.”

  “You have a giant towel. That’s a pretty big difference.” I ran out to the truck, thankful for the little bit of laughter. When I walked back inside, I set the bag a few paces from the bathroom door. “The bag is outside the door.” Leaning against the wall, I waited.

  For once, I wasn’t the one blushing.

  He gripped his towel, holding it in place. “I’m glad this amuses you.”

  “You could raise money for charity if you posed like that for a firemen calendar. Oh! You could be holding Pookie.”

  “I’m all for charity, but I think I’ll pass.” He stepped back into the bathroom then peeked back out. “But I am flattered.”

  I left him to get dressed.

  After he’d put on clean clothes, he walked out to the living room. “Mind if I wash these?”

  “Just drop them in the washer. My clothes are already in there.” I followed him into the laundry room and started the load. “I checked Pookie and Butch. Somehow, they managed to stay out of it. At least they don’t smell like they got into the mess.”

  “That’s good news.” He nodded toward the living room. “Sorry I made you late for work.”

  I followed him into the other room. “I told them I wouldn’t be in today.” I finally gave Adam the hug I’d been craving. “I feel horrible. I didn’t know about the chocolate being poison. If I’d known, I would’ve put it up someplace way out of his reach. I don’t want you to hate me.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “Did you really let Butch sleep with you?”

  “He wouldn’t quit whining. Pookie kept sleeping in his bed, so I figured that was the only way to get sleep. But it looks like the two of them have figured it out. They both hate me.”

  “I don’t think they hate you, Eve.”

  “They do. Watch.” I dropped onto the sofa and patted the cushion. “Come here, Butch. Pookie, come curl up over here.”

  Pookie didn’t even lift her head. At least Butch had the courtesy to act like he had to think about it.

  Adam grabbed my hand. “First of all, Pookie never comes when you call. Well, except that one time when she was in the tree. And Butch just doesn’t know what to think. Sundance is always around.”

  “I didn’t even think of that. Poor doggie.” I wiped my eyes, determined not to fall apart.

  Butch trotted over and laid his head on my leg. He knew when I needed a doggie hug.

  I patted my lap. “Come sit up here.”

  He climbed up next to me and dropped his head in my lap.

  Adam draped an arm around me. “Pookie, come on. There’s room for you too.”

  That darn cat scampered across the room and sat in Adam’s lap.

  “How did you teach her to do that?”

  “It took me all weekend, but she really likes those treats.”

  “And that’s why she’s sitting in your lap, silently begging.”

  Chuckling, he pulled the bag out of his pocket. “These almost went through the wash.” After Pookie had eaten her treats, Adam pulled a receipt out of his pocket. “I don’t think I’ve showed you this.”

  He wadded it up and tossed it across the room, and Pookie ran for it. She batted it around a second then picked it up with her mouth and carried it back to Adam. She dropped it in his lap.

  “You taught her to play fetch?” I didn’t recognize my own cat.

  “Cute, isn’t it?”

  “You’re turning her into a dog.”

  He chuckled. “What’s so bad about that?”

  He tossed it over and over, and after bringing it back a few times, Pookie decided she was tired of playing. She stayed in his lap and watched the bit of paper fly across the room, but she didn’t chase after it.

  It seemed weird having fun without Sundance around.

  “How long did the vet say we’d have to wait?” I leaned my head on Adam’s shoulder.

  He shrugged, and I swear the sun ducked behind a cloud because the room darkened.

  “Can you ever forgive me?”

  “I don’t blame you. I’m the one that brought the chocolate. I should’ve said something.” He rested his head on mine. “Thanks for staying with me.”

  I kissed his cheek.

  “You really let Butch sleep with you?”

  “Why do you keep asking me that? Yes. Even after he pinned me to the bed and licked my face.”

  “Oh no. What did you do?” He ran his fingers through my hair.

  “I was authoritative like you suggested. I told him to get down.”

  “And?”

  I patted Butch. “He laid himself down on top of me.”

  Adam shook his head. “But you figured it out.”

  “I did.” I’d enjoyed having them around way more than I expected.

  “Did you like having them here?” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

  “I do.” I was anything but subtle. I might as well have dropped to my knees and begged him to marry me, but honesty was supposed to be the best policy.

  Adam’s phone rang, and he lunged for it. “Hello.”

  I held my breath and waited for good news. It had to be good news.

  “Thank you. Yes, I will.” Adam ended the call. “Sundance is doing okay. They think he’ll make it, but they want to keep him overnight.”

  “So it’s good news, right?”

  “So far, yes. You got him to the vet in time.” His shoulders relaxed. “Thank you.”

  The morning ended much better than it had started.

  Chapter 23

  I sat on the counter, watching Adam cook. “If you want to stay close to the vet clinic, I don’t mind if you stay here tonight.” Even after spending all day together, I wasn’t ready for him to leave. “In the guest room.”

  He glanced up from the cutting board. “If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to be close to the vet clinic.” He emphasized his last
few words. “Thanks for asking.”

  “When the vet tech called late this afternoon, I got super worried.”

  “I know. But it sounds like he’s almost back to normal.” Adam tossed the diced tomato into the pan. “Keeping him overnight is just a precaution.”

  “I’m glad he’s okay. And that we’re okay.”

  “I’m sorry if at any point you thought we weren’t. I meant every word written on that mug, Eve.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Staying here will be good because then I can drive you to get your car.”

  “Getting it detailed was a great idea. Those poor guys. It smelled awful.” I admired the tangerine color on my toes. It did look good on me. “I was thinking we might need to do a family dinner again.”

  He crinkled his nose. “You think we need to? So soon?”

  “We had them over months ago. What if we invited our families over here for Thanksgiving?” I’d been thinking about it before the disaster with the chocolate. It would be an easy way to let the family know Adam and I were serious. I might even love on the dogs while my mother gaped.

  “You’re a brave woman. But it’s not a bad idea. My siblings are at their in-laws this year. They alternate years.”

  “Same with mine. We could spend Thanksgiving together if we hosted it here. Neither set of parents would be left out. And you could invite Harper.”

  “He’d like that. I need to check the schedule. I’m not sure if we’re on duty that day.”

  “We can be thankful any day of the week, not just on a Thursday. We’ll gather on a day you aren’t working.”

  “I’ll help you cook.” He wiped his hands and tossed the dish towel over his shoulder. “I can make a stuffing that will bring you to tears.”

  “That bad, huh?” I leaned close and gave him a quick kiss.

  “You going to change back into my shirt before bed?” A smug grin spread across his face.

  “I wear it so often, it’s going to start falling apart.” I slid off the counter and laid out plates and silverware.

  He set the food on the trivet in the center of the table. “I’ll bring you more shirts. We get them all the time.”

  “You cook. You bring me goodies. What’s not to love about you?”