Love's Taming (The Love's Series) Read online

  “Girl, when the sparks are flyin’ you don’t need time to figure that out. It’s either there or it isn’t.”

  “I think Shirley has been reading her romance novels to you at night,” Annie laughed. “Anyway, I just don’t have time in my life for a man right now.”

  “If you don’t make time, doc, it’ll pass you by. Be spontaneous. Be daring, doc. Damn, learn to have time for some fun!”

  Leon winked as she walked by, then handed the bag to Suzanne as she came toward the reception area.

  Annie turned and looked at her two employees. Suzanne was taller than she, with her long black hair pulled away from her face in a tight ponytail and blue eyes that belied her Irish heritage. Drop dead gorgeous, Annie knew Suzanne had men panting after her, but she rarely dated and no long term boyfriends were on the horizon. Annie wondered if anyone would ever take that title. Whereas she wished she had time for a man, she knew that Suzanne avoided the dating scene. But for whatever reason, she never asked, and Suzanne never talked about it. Suzanne was a vet tech student, a hard worker who also served as her receptionist, and Annie valued her friendship as well as her skills in the clinic.

  Tall, dark, with ebony skin and gorgeous eyes, Leon was her vet tech and assistant when needed. Shirley, his long-time girlfriend, was not-so-patiently waiting on him to pop the question so she could plan their wedding. Annie feared that Leon was waiting until his salary increased and guiltily, she had no idea when she would be able to pay Leon or Suzanne more. Leon may joke about Shirley, but the honest truth was that he would do anything for her…and she for him.

  One day, maybe for me. After I build the business. After I pay the bills. After I…yeah right. Looks like crazy cat lady may be my only title after all.

  Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked toward the back surgical area, calling out, “Okay, folks, let’s get ready for the day.”

  Suzanne and Leon watched Annie’s back as she left the reception area then turned their eyes to each other.

  “Lordy, I wish that woman could find herself some fun. And a man. Hell, fun with a man,” Leon exclaimed loudly. As usual whatever came into his mind, came out of his mouth.

  Suzanne, quieter, just nodded before adding, “But she doesn’t need just any man and fun. She needs the right man and fun.”

  “Can’t argue with that, but if she doesn’t ever go out, how is she going to meet the right man? It’s not like Mr. Right is going to drop into her clinic out of nowhere.”

  Shrugging, Suzanne finished her pastry as she headed to the reception area as the door opened and their first customer came in.

  “Mrs. Rosini! How nice to see you and Zoey. Now please tell me you did not give Zoey any treats this morning!”

  Chapter 2

  The last client was checking out with Leon, so Annie went around gathering the trash.

  “Dr. Donavan, I told you I’d get the trash,” Suzanne called from the back room. “I’ve just got to finish sweeping out the exam rooms.”

  Smiling, Annie knew that Suzanne would do everything if she could. Hardworking, diligent, caring…and worked cheap. Thank goodness for that. Veterinary school loans and then taking over the small animal practice in downtown Richland was taking a toll on her finances. Yelling back she answered, “It’s okay. I’ve got it.” Pulling her long hair back up in a messy bun, she grabbed the last of the trash and piled it near the back alley door.

  Popping around the corner Suzanne looked at Annie with irritation. “Dr. Donavan you should have waited. You work too hard as it is.”

  Annie looked at her young vet tech with affection. Suzanne had only been working for her for about six months, but the two of them had become friends. Physically, they could not have been more opposite in height and coloring. Oh, to be twenty and gorgeous, Annie thought, feeling much older than her twenty-eight years. Petite, with her ginger hair and green eyes, she sometimes felt frumpy next to the young beauty.

  “And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Annie?”

  Laughing, Suzanne admitted, “I know, but I call you Dr. Donavan all during the day in front of clients. It’s hard to switch.”

  “Well, we’re finished here. Hopefully, as soon as you finish your vet tech program in a couple of months, I can pay both of you to be techs and hire someone else to be the receptionist. Then neither of you will have to pull double duty.” Looking around to make sure everything was done for the evening, Annie put her arm around Suzanne and steered her toward the front door. “Leon, are you ready? I’ll have you watch Suzanne get in her car tonight, and I’ll toss the trash out. See you guys on Monday morning.”

  Waving goodbye, Suzanne and Leon headed out of the door and Annie watched as they drove off. Looking around the neighborhood for a moment, Annie sighed. Fresh air. Green grass. Room for a dog to run. That had been her ideal setting when she graduated from vet school, but jobs were not as plentiful as she had hoped. When Dr. Cranston was looking for a young doctor to help with his inner-city practice that came with a small apartment over it, she jumped at the chance to start paying off the loans.

  The old neighborhood, filled with tall brick dwellings, a few homeless people shuffling down the street, and some rough looking characters driving by in a car had her shutting and locking the front door securely. One day maybe. A vet clinic in the country.

  Annie headed towards the back door, grabbing the trash bags on her way out. Stepping into the alley, she tossed the bags into the dumpster behind her building.

  The alley was quiet, almost eerily so. Turning to go back inside, a large body was standing right in front of her. Screaming, she jumped back stumbling over her feet. A hand snapped out of the darkness, grabbing her arm. Heart pounding, chest heaving, she stared up at the tall figure in front of her. Oh Jesus. I’m going to be murdered. I’m going to be raped. I’m going to be…

  “Doctor. Are you all right?” a deep voice resonated from the shadowed figure.

  All right? Do murderers ask if you are all right? Still in shock, Annie just stared at the man.

  “Doctor. Are. You. All. Right?” He enunciated each word as though she did not understand him the first time.

  “Y…yes,” she answered tentatively, slowly finding her voice.

  “I need your help.” Stepping from the shadows into the dim light, she saw his features instead of just a shape. Oh my, he’s big. Her fear at an all-time high, she looked into his shadowed face. Broad shoulders that tapered to a slimmer waist, he was wearing a dark, opened jacket that allowed her to see his tattooed chest. Twisting as he knelt down, she noticed his large thighs in old, faded, slightly torn blue jeans. He picked up a large blanketed object from behind the dumpster.

  Annie heard a whimper, her fear immediately replaced by concern. Stepping forward she pulled the blanket back slightly seeing the face of a German shepherd. Its eyes were closed and its nose was warm. “What did you do to it?” she asked sharply placing her hands on its head.

  Sucking in a quick breath, the man growled, “What makes you think I did this? I’m here for help, doc.”

  Pulling her lips in, she looked back at his face, but it was still too much in the shadows for her to see clearly.

  “What happened?”

  “I found him like this when I got home. I think he musta’ eaten somethin’ he shouldn’t. Been throwin’ up. Don’t know what’s wrong, but I know he needs help. I don’t want him to die.”

  Hesitating for just a moment trying to decide if she should trust the stranger, she knew she couldn’t let the dog suffer. Skirting around him, she called out as she walked back in the office, “Come on. Bring him in.”

  The man followed quickly as though afraid she would change her mind and she shut the door behind him. Walking to the first exam room, she directed him to lay the dog on the table. Pulling back the blanket she began to assess the dog, her focus entirely on the patient in front of her.

  While her attention was on the dog, the man was able to see the vet up clos
e in the bright light of the examination room. Rubbing his hand over his beard, he couldn’t help but stare at the beauty leaning over the table. Her hair was the most unusual color. Not red. Not blond. Under the florescent lights, it glistened like copper. She was short, much shorter than his six feet, two inches. And tiny. Her small hands were moving over the large animal assessing its condition. As his dog made a snap in pain, he found himself jumping forward to protect her if needed.

  Startled by the sudden movement of the stranger, she looked up quickly. Her eyes met his and for the first time, she could see his face clearly in the light. His hair and beard were dark, long, and shaggy framing a face that was both rugged and handsome all at the same time. But his eyes were what captured her attention. Unusually dark, almost black. Staring. Unblinking. At her.

  Sucking her lips in again, she glanced at the door, calculating. If he comes after me can I get to the door? Can I shut it on him if I have to? Damn, I can’t lock it from the other side.

  His eyes cut over to the door following the path that hers had taken and he stepped back raising his hands. “I’m not gonna hurt you, I swear. I just wanna help my dog.”

  Blushing, she mumbled an apology as she leaned back over her patient.

  Shaking his head, he growled, “Don’t apologize, doc. You got a right to be cautious. Makes you smart. You’re a woman alone who just let in a stranger. But I swear, I got no other reason to be here except for him.”

  Annie spared another glance at the rough man filling up all of the space in the room, then patted the dog. “I need to get x-rays to see what’s going on. I can work up a fee payment for you first.” As the words came out of her mouth, she knew he couldn’t afford to pay for a vet. Another charity case. Jesus, I must be an idiot. I’ll never pay all my bills.

  “No need, doc. I can pay.”

  Unable to hide her surprise, she looked up at the man, wide-eyed.

  Drawing himself up to his full height, towering over her, he cocked his eyebrow. “I can pay. Up front. In cash.”

  Her mouth snapped shut as she turned back to the dog. “Fine,” she bit out. Great. I’ve just insulted Mr. Scary.

  Grasping the blanket around the dog, she started to pick him up when she was gently shouldered out of the way and the stranger scooped up his dog. “Where to?”

  Quickly moving out of the room she led him to the back surgical area where she had her digital x-ray equipment. After settling the dog in position on the table, she began. The radiographs appeared on the computer screen next to the table completely capturing her attention.

  “There is definitely something in the intestines,” she said leaning in closer to observe the pictures.

  He watched her carefully, waiting to see if recognition would flash across her face. It didn’t. Instead, he noticed her brow furrow as she squinted in concentration.

  “I don’t know what he swallowed but we have to do surgery. Those objects won’t pass the way they are.” Leaning in closer to the x-rays, she tried to figure out what they were. Shaking her head, “I just can’t tell what he ate. Do you have kids? Is it a kid toy?”

  “No,” came the short reply. The voice was right behind her as he had silently moved to see the picture closely.

  “Look mister. I’m trying to help but here’s the problem. Your dog has a foreign object in his intestines and he needs surgery. I can’t do it alone and my tech isn’t here. You can take him to Emergi-Vet which is a twenty-four hour service. It’s about fifteen minutes away.”

  “No,” came the same short reply.

  Putting her hands on her hips, looking almost straight up into his eyes, she huffed and blew her bangs up in the air. “Can you say anything without growling ‘no’?”

  He looked down at her flushed, beautiful face, focusing on her large green eyes, porcelain complexion, and cupid bow mouth. Perfection. Good. Clean. Beautiful. How long has it been since I’ve been around someone like this. Two years? Jesus, seems like fuckin’ forever.

  “Well? What’s it going to be?” she said trying to read his facial expression but coming up empty.

  Jarred out of his perusal of her, he blinked. “Not takin’ him anywhere else. You do the surgery.”

  “Look mister, I just told you, I can’t. My vet tech is gone and I can’t do the surgery and run the anesthesia myself. You have to take him somewhere else.” Turning, she continued, “I’ll call ahead and let them know you’re coming. I know they’re more expensive, but I’ll put in a good word and see what I can do.”

  Before she could take a step, her arm was caught in his grasp. Firm, but not painful. Pulled back around to face him her anger won out over her fear. “Take your hands off of me.”

  He slowly let go of her arm, keeping his eyes directed onto her. “Sorry, doc. But Sarge needs surgery now and I want you to do it. I’ll help. You tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

  Sarge was whimpering on the table and Annie ran back over. What are you doing? The dog could die if you try this without Suzanne or Leon. But if the man won’t take him somewhere else he’s going to die anyway.

  As though reading her thoughts he spoke, this time more softly. “Doc, I’m not here to cause trouble. I just trust you and my dog needs you. Please.”

  It was the last word that came out of his mouth that caused her to reconsider. It was soft. Pleading. His need speaking.

  Sighing deeply, Annie hung her head. “Mister, this is probably going to be a huge mistake. Sarge could die under my hand if we don’t do this right. But, if you’re refusing other treatment, then we can try.”

  “That’s all I ask, doc. I trust you,” his voice carried across the room, this time less gravelly.

  Nodding to the sink on the side, she ordered, “Go scrub in.” Looking at his open jacket which had seen better days, she added, “And ditch the jacket. Scrubs are in the cabinet over there,” she said pointing to a corner closet.

  Turning away, she went over to prep Sarge and scrub-in herself. What the hell are you doing? You don’t even know his name? Thinking back on Leon’s words, she tried to remember the last time she did anything spontaneous. Or dangerous. Or out of the ordinary. Well, Leon, you won’t believe this when you come in on Monday!

  * * *

  The sweat beaded on Annie’s forehead as she struggled with the surgery while keeping an eye on the anesthesia. This is never done. Never. Jesus, what did I get myself into? She had placed the IV catheter in Sarge’s front leg and with assistance managed to administer the Propofol to make him sleepy. After intubating and hooking him up to the anesthetic machine, she gave rudimentary instructions, but she was essentially doing both the job of the vet and the tech at the same time.

  Earlier, when the man had walked into the brightly lit surgical room, washed clean and wearing fresh scrubs, she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. Tall, muscular, a strong jaw covered in a beard, but somehow it looked sexy. His eyes were so dark though. They didn’t seem to fit his face, but she found herself not wanting to be on the end of an angry glare from him.

  Looking back up at the x-rays after making the midline incision she felt confident that she could get to the object, but her focus was divided. Glancing over at the man, seeing the concern for his dog on his face, she realized she did not know anything about him.

  Without looking up, she asked, “So, what’s your name? I mean, if we are in this together, I should know who’s helping Sarge.”

  “Stoney,” came the solitary response.

  Confusion wrinkled her brow. “Stoney? What’s stoney?”

  “No. My name is Stoney.”

  Annie was too good of a veterinarian to look away from where her scalpel was, but the look on her face showed her surprise. “Stoney? Your name is Stoney? Or is that a nickname?”

  “It’s what I’m called,” he answered truthfully.

  Sparing a glance at the anesthesia machine, she noticed that his eyes had not left the machine he was monitoring and admiration for his diligence filled
her. “I’m Annie. Annie Donavan.”

  Her attention was back on Sarge’s surgery, so she missed the slight smile curving his lips.

  He watched her in between watching the machine carefully. Copper hair pulled up and tucked in a surgical cap. Perfect complexion – pale with a hint of pink on her cheeks. Her green eyes, sharp and clear, never wavered from her task. In the past couple of years, the only women he had been around had the glassy eyes of users. But Annie Donavan…Smart. Beautiful. Caring. Trusting. Damn! It was the trusting part that bothered him. She was trusting him now and he’d have to betray that trust.

  “So, I haven’t seen you around the neighborhood Stoney. Do you live around here?”

  “I come through sometimes.”

  “Do you work around here?”

  “I meet some friends near here sometimes.”

  “You don’t give very informative answers, do you?” she asked glancing up at him.

  Stoney took his eyes off of the anesthesia machine just long enough to look at her, surprised to see her smiling at him.

  “It’s okay. I mean, you don’t have to tell me anything. I’m just curious.”

  Nodding, he went back to watching Sarge.

  “I’m used to my techs being in here with me, so I’m used to some noise. Leon tends to prattle on and on, so sometimes I just tune him out, but my other tech is quiet so I usually have to do the talking when she is helping me. We can turn the music on if you would like.”

  Stoney moved his eyes back over to her. Her voice was soft and clear, not harsh with too many years of smoking or slurred with alcohol. I could listen to her all day. God, I forgot what that was like. He watched as her brow furrowed with concentration as she was bent over his dog. Her green eyes clear and shining not, dulled with drugs.

  “Got it!” came the excited shout from Annie as she was removing a small object that looked like a sausage from the intestines. “This is crazy. I removed something like this a couple of weeks ago from a dog. What is that?” she wondered out loud.