Kella (Black Jack's Curse Book 1)

by Rebecca Ratliff

  “Blake! Dude! I can't hear you! I'll just see you when you're done with the whore. I'll be happy when Kim gets back in town, you're a dick!” Kella held the phone long after the person on the other end hung up. There was far too much to process, and she just wasn't ready.

  Jackson watched her, and a single tear rolled down her cheek as she slowly dropped the phone to her side. She had been used, and he realized right then that she didn't know that he was going to treat her that way. In his opinion, his kind could be seen from a mile away, but she had missed all the signs.

  How did you not know? I mean.. I hate to judge, but seriously? I thought you just had a thing for asshole men. Jackson stood closer and tried to remain still as she dropped to the floor and wrapped her arms around his thick neck.

  “I'm an idiot.” She cried hard into his fur and he sat firm in her grasp as she poured all of her pain into him. “I'm so stupid. I actually thought..,”

  I'm not good at this, Kella. Come on woman, it's alright. He remained where he was for so long that his legs grew numb. Yet, he wouldn't take her comfort away for anything.

  “And I can't even be mad at him. I never asked what he wanted. I just...,”

  Jackson listened as she dumped her feelings in his direction, hating that she was hurting so badly. In his opinion, Blake's actions were those of a man who was certainly not looking for love.

  Love? No! You loved him! And I sent him away! Shit.. shit.. shit!!! His actions had put an end to Kella having what she wanted, and his world came to a screeching halt when he realized that his dream of going home had been put on hold once again. He was about to go in full-blown panic mode when Kella's phone rang out from the coffee table. He stayed put, thinking of how badly he'd screwed up his mission as she answered the call.

  “Skylar? Hey,” she sniffed, “what's up?” Jackson fell hard to the floor and stared at the door, willing Blake to return. Yet, his dog abilities didn't prevent him from hearing the other end to Kella's conversation.

  “What's wrong? Are you crying?” The woman on the phone was perceptive, and obviously got right to the point.

  “A.. little.” Kella didn't want pity, and she hoped that her friend wouldn't offer it.

  “Sounds like guy shit? What happened?” Jackson found that he was somewhat impressed with the woman on the phone, but he still could only think of himself.

  Over the following few minutes, the women spoke of Blake and everything that had happened. It was when Skylar gave her opinion of it all that Jackson started to pay more attention.

  “Look.. if my aunt died and left me a house in Texas, I'd probably leave Michigan too. So I don't blame you. But we've talked about this, Kel... it's a small town and they already have a veterinarian. People don't like change, especially when you're brand new in the field.” Kella didn't need reminded that her finances were in deep trouble, and that most of her patients were brought in to be fosters instead of actual clients. “And don't get me started on the shallow dating pool down there, especially since you don't think you're good enough for anyone.” That last part had Jackson on his feet, and he didn't even realize that he'd climbed up on the couch next to Kella.

  “But I'm not, Sky. I mean, a guy like Blake doesn't even want me unless I'm just a fling until his girlfriend comes back.” She went on to explain that she thought they'd broken up weeks ago, but clearly, she was simply out of town and Blake was lonely. “Maybe you're right,” she stared at the floor, letting her tears fall silently as she spoke, “I failed. I failed at the business and I,” more tears plopped to her leg, “failed at love.”

  “Really? You didn't fail! You gave it hell and it didn't work out. And besides, since when did you start caring about love? I thought you wanted to wait on all of that until your business took off.”

  Kella had let herself down in so many ways, she didn't even know where to start. She also didn't know how to explain the shift in her plans, and how very lonely her life had been for the past couple of years.“It doesn't matter anyway. I'm not in a position to find love with a good man, Sky. I'm.. broke. And I doubt that a decent man is out there right now, just dying to tie himself to a loser like me.” Jackson knew it was her pain talking, but too much of her tone told him that a part of her believed what she was saying. “And honestly, I can't stand hearing myself talk about it, so if I'm getting on my own nerves, I'm sure I'm getting on yours too.” She laughed quietly, but the sound was so very sad. “I love you. I'll call you later this week.” Jackson could only stare at her in shock, as the reason that she'd allow herself to settle for a man like Blake was because she felt as if she had failed at everything in life. She couldn't be more wrong.

  I never knew that women did that? They think they're not good enough for love? Because of finances? Or lack of success? Jackson was shocked, and even if he could physically speak, he still wouldn't be able to say a word.

  Of course they do, Jackson. Women and men are not very different. Jackson's ears perked, not that it would have helped him hear his queen. You asked me why she needed to sleep. The answer is right in front of you.

  Chapter Five

  Jackson walked throughout the back yard for hours, having watched the sunrise and was still no closer to figuring out his quest. His wasted years of ignoring humans had caught up with him, and he spent the night and that morning attempting to recall everything he knew.

  The Fae were much more powerful than humans, with a wide range of abilities. Yet, all of them could speak through their minds, and moving through space and time was something that was bestowed upon them all. However, they had found that watching humans had been a great source of entertainment, just as humans enjoy reality shows.

  They would cheer for some, hate others, and keep tabs on people that caught their interest. Jackson had never enjoyed that particular hobby, and he also knew that the only reason his queen had paid attention was because she wanted to help those that she felt were worthy of the Fae's intervention. Jackson was aware that he was being used by his queen to not only achieve that goal, but to also punish him for his past transgressions.

  Why me? There are so many other punishments, why choose this one? I don't understand their ways as much as others, I shouldn't be here. His queen never answered, no matter how many times he asked.

  They're so different from us. The thought had barely played out in his mind when the truth was unleashed. And yet, so much the same.

  Love. It was certainly something that many wished for, no matter the realm. Even Jackson himself hoped to find it someday, but he certainly wasn't in a rush to search or be open to it. He also knew that his queen had her reasons for choosing Kella, and with that thought, he set out his plan to discover that reason and it may help him to figure out how he could help her.

  “Black Jack?” He heard her voice and walked to the door, watching for any signs of sadness that he'd witnessed the night before. Surprisingly, she seemed much better. “I'm taking you to work with me today. Would you like that?”

  No.

  “And I'll put you on my website and send your picture to the animal shelters in surrounding towns. I promise, I'll do all I can to find your family.” Kella gathered her bag and keys and Jackson followed her without another word. She was impressed with how well trained he was, and vowed to stop at nothing to get him home.

  Great. I get to spend the day with crying pups and annoying cats. I fail to see how that's going to help you find your true love. Jackson watched the town pass through the window and tried not to think about how long of a day it would be, sitting in a veterinarian's office. He tried to remind himself that it would at least give him more time to think of ways to find a man for the woman who appeared to be sinking in every aspect.

  He followed her inside and walked directly to the back, where it was quiet and he would hopefully be left alone.

  “Look up here, pretty boy!” Jackson was stretched out on the tiled floor and turned his head to give her a look that should have
said how displeased he was at being called boy. “That's great! Look how handsome you are!” Jackson watched as she turned the phone around and showed him the photo, and he had to admit, he was a damn fine specimen of canine. “I'll get this uploaded and we'll see what happens.” Jackson went back to his sulking.

  Kella opened the doors and walked slowly to her reception desk. It was obvious to Jackson that she didn't have employees, and he tried not to watch her pace behind the counter.

  The only time she left the area was to feed the animals and clean their enclosures, but he noticed that she rushed through the process as if she were keeping people waiting inside. It told him that she was stressed, and he was certain that it had been quite awhile since she'd truly enjoyed life. For that, he felt bad for the woman.

  She was walking back inside when the front door opened, jingling the two small silver colored bells above the front door. He watched a woman and a child walk in, looking around as if they'd never been to the office before then.

  “Hello! How can I help you?” Kella was beaming with happiness, which Jackson knew was from the relief that she had a true and genuine patient.

  “Hi,” the woman responded, “my son and I are wondering if anyone had brought in a dog recently. He's very large, black, and is part Mastiff.” Kella knew that Black Jack wasn't Mastiff, even in part, but she still wondered if they were searching for the mystery dog in her care.

  Jackson watched Kella's shoulders falls slightly at realizing that she didn't have a patient at all. “No, I haven't seen any Mastiffs. I'm sorry.”

  “Well,” the woman seemed irritated, “aren't all animal shelters linked together? I mean, can you check the computer?” Kella didn't understand, and she looked at both the mother and child before answering.

  “I.. I'm not a shelter. A foster facility asked if I could help them because they had too many...,”

  “Foster, shelter.. whatever,” she interrupted, “can you just check?” Kella tried to remain professional but the woman was wearing on what little was left of her patience.

  “Like I said, we're not linked. I'm a veterinarian and..,”

  “Who do I call to report your refusal to help?” Jackson tried to stay out of it, none of it was his business, but even he couldn't take it any longer. With a deep breath, he got off the floor and entered the front lobby where Kella was still trying to explain.

  “I'll keep an eye out for..,”

  “Is that yours?” The kid interrupted her that time, and for a child who appeared no older than eleven or twelve, he certainly seemed like someone who had already been given far too much authority. Kella also knew who the child was referring to.

  “Sort of.” She looked back to Jackson who had walked to her side and sat on the floor near her leg. “I'm searching for his family.”

  “I want him.” Kella laughed, although she didn't mean to, and the kid's mother found no amusement.

  “Is that funny?” Kella's head shook, but she held her tongue. “If we can't find his dog, then we'll take that one.” She nodded in Jackson's direction and Kella smiled wide as she reminded herself to be polite.

  “I'm sorry, he isn't up for adoption. I'm in the process of locating his family and,”

  “Here,” the woman dug in her bag and handed over a fifty, “is this enough? Just hold the dog for us, and if we can't find ours, we'll be back to get him.” Kella's head shook as she refused the money.

  “Again,” Kella's tone changed, and her friendly disposition had ran its course, “he's not for sale and he's not up for adoption. He has a family out there and that's where he's going.” Kella turned and walked back behind her desk, but Jackson stayed where he was. Sitting, only a few feet in front of the woman and child, sizing them up as he found humor in the entire situation.

  Which one should I bite first?

  The front door opened and another person was present when the woman began to shout. Clearly, with the newcomer and a chance to have an audience at her disposal, venom poured from her lips as if on cue. Kella saw who it was, that entered the office and she was humiliated to have a scene right then.

  “The dog is homeless! I'll take the thing and it won't be homeless! How hard is this for you to understand?!” Kella stood her ground and called Jackson. For the first time, he didn't obey.

  “Black Jack! Come.. here.” Still, he didn't move.

  “See! He doesn't even like you!” The kid, that time, offered his reasoning as to why he should have the dog.

  Jackson looked back to Kella and saw that she was on the verge of tears, and that was something that he would avoid at all costs right then. He stood and took two slow steps in the direction of the woman and her son. His lips raised as his head lowered, and he looked like an animal possessed, willing to kill at the slightest move.

  “Call the dog.. now.. get him away from us..,”

  Kella smiled, knowing that Jackson wouldn't harm them, and simply shrugged.

  “Are you sure? I mean.. I thought you wanted him?” The kid hid behind his mother as Jackson took another step. “Look, I think he likes you.” Another growl, that time, much louder and every tooth in his mouth was bared for all to see.

  “I'll sue you! I swear it! Make it stop!” Kella couldn't believe that she would be threatened with legal action because of a growl, but he she didn't take any chances as she left the counter and walked quickly to Jackson' side. She put her fingers around his collar and pulled him close to her.

  “Come on, Black Jack. Let's go.” He stared at the two, barely feeling Kella pull with all of her might, then turned and walked at her side.

  The person that joined them had remained quiet until the woman tried to speak again.

  “I'll have my attorney..,”

  “Hello, I'm Parker Williams. I represent this business. Please, have your attorney contact my office and we can discuss the injuries you sustained from a dog that growled in a veterinarian's clinic.” The woman huffed loudly and ushered her child, and herself, out the door.

  “Thanks, Park.” She could only sigh in absolute despair as she knew that the woman would most likely tell everyone she knew to avoid Kella's office. “At this rate, I'll be back in Michigan, working at my dad's discount tire shop by the end of Spring.” Jackson saw the look on Parker's face, and it wasn't that of a man who simply felt sorry for a friend. No, he thought, that was a man who had far more interest than just hoping Kella's life would improve.

  You're a lawyer. You volunteer here on the weekends and you even helped with the festival to raise money. A lawyer... who spent a Saturday night cleaning the streets. For Kella.

  “So... any leads on where he's from?” Parker leaned against the counter and smiled at Jackson. The man was friendly, and Jackson paid close attention to the interaction of the two. Kella's head shook as she checked online again for any messages.

  “No. Not yet. But I put his information out there and I'll print some fliers. Hopefully, someone will recognize him.”

  “He's pretty unique, I'm sure all the neighbors of the owner would know who he is.” Kella wanted to agree but her post was already gathering dust online.

  Jackson sat close to Kella and silently watched the two interact. The tiny details that some would miss were on full display as his gaze caught every move.

  Her nervous smoothing of her hair behind her ears, his smile that he couldn't stop and had literally made his mouth dry as his upper lip caught on his teeth once, and the tap of Kella's foot on the floor behind the counter. They were very interested in the other one, but something was standing in their way. She doesn't think she's good enough for him! He's probably the one that she won't even let herself think about... because she believes he would never be interested!

  He jumped up and put his large paws on the counter and looked at Kella, then Parker. The move made them both laugh and reach a hand to his head for a friendly pat. It's not what he wanted, but at least he had their attention. He then barked, which sou
nded ridiculous to his own ears, before jumping down and running to the back door. His plan was to get them outside together, because if there's one thing that always worked for him it was a walk in nature with a woman of interest.

  “I guess he needs to go out.” Parker walked to the door and opened it, but Jackson simply stood there and stared at him. Going outside alone had nothing to do with the plan. “Go on, buddy! The yard is all yours.” Jackson couldn't believe that they couldn't understand him, and he walked outside with the thoughts that at least the two would be alone.

  I'd love to know how being a dog is going to help these two. He walked to the kennels and looked at the pups who were all yelping for his attention. Dogs. That's it!

  He brought his large paw down hard on the gate and opened it with ease. Once inside the enclosure, he proceeded to release every puppy that was inside. You're not going to get out of the main yard, but they'll have fun catching all of you.

  He laughed hard, even if only in his mind, as the onslaught of puppy escapees ran free. Aside from his plan to give Kella and Parker something to do together, he had to admit to himself that seeing how happy the dogs were to get out of the enclosure was worth the act in itself.

  Jackson barked loudly several times before he found a spot in the shade in which to relax and watch the show. It only took seconds from then for Kella and Parker to run from the building and start the process of grabbing so many balls of fur.

  They were serious, concerned, and tried to formulate a plan as they ran after the babies. Yet, in just a few minutes, Kella and Parker were laughing so much that they barely had the breath to run after the pups. Jackson stretched hard on the soft grass and congratulated himself on giving the couple time together with a mutual goal. It was epic, and even his queen would have been impressed.

  “I have to stop...,” Kella could barely catch her breath as she laughed loudly and dropped to the ground near Jackson. Parker joined her and they started to relax as they watched the dogs run freely through the backyard. “They're so happy.”