Lila nodded, smiling at Fleet. “Come on, let’s get her settled in. We'll take good care of her, I promise.”
As they moved toward the exam room, Lila couldn’t help but notice how Whit’s presence seemed to calm both her and Fleet. His confidence and kindness were qualities she admired more and more each day. It made her wonder what other facets of him she had yet to discover.
Once they were in the exam room, Lila helped Fleet place the puppy on the table. She gently stroked the pup’s fur, speaking softly to reassure both the animal and its owner. “She’ll be just fine, Fleet.”
Fleet nodded, giving the pup one last affectionate pat before stepping back. He stroked his handlebar mustache. “I know she will. Thanks, Lila.”
Whit entered the room a few minutes later, fully prepped and ready. “Alright, let’s get started. Fleet, you can wait out front. I think we have some recent copies of Horseman magazine. We’ll come get you as soon as we’re done.”
Fleet hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right outside.”
As Fleet left the room, Whit turned to Lila. “Ready?”
Lila took a deep breath. “Ready.”
Whit smiled, and for a moment, their eyes met, sharing an unspoken understanding and connection. Then, with a nod, they turned their attention to the task at hand, working together seamlessly to care for the little pup.
The spay procedure went as expected and soon, little Nala and Fleet were reunited.
Fleet drew her into his arms. “I can’t thank you enough, you two.”
Lila handed him a sheet of printed instructions. “Here’s what you need to know for taking care of Nala over the next few days.”
Fleet took the paper and listened attentively as Lila explained. “For the next ten to fourteen days, you need to keep her as calm and quiet as possible. No running, jumping, or rough play. Leash walks only.”
Whit joined them wiping his hands with a towel. “Check her incision site daily for any signs of swelling, redness, or discharge. It’s normal to see a bit of redness, but if it looks very inflamed or if there’s any oozing, give us a call immediately.”
Fleet nodded that he understood. “And this?” He pointed to the soft cone around the pup’s neck.
Lila straightened the device. “Make sure she doesn’t lick or chew at her stitches. We’ve given her this soft cone to wear, and she should keep it on until the stitches are removed in about a week.”
Whit smiled reassuringly. “She’s a strong little pup, and she should recover quickly. But if you have any questions or concerns, we’re here for you.”
Fleet nodded, looking relieved. “Thanks, both of you. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem at all,” she said. “We’ll check in with you in a couple of days to see how she’s doing. Take care, Fleet.”
As Fleet carried Nala out of the clinic, Lila felt a warm sense of accomplishment. She loved helping animals and their owners, and moments like this made her feel grateful for her work, and maybe a bit closer to Whit, too.
Lila hated to admit it, but working with Whit wasn’t so bad, after all. Unlike Doc Tillman, Whit seemed to respect her knowledge and ability. She was never made to feel inferior and was considered an important part of the veterinary team.
As the day wound down and they finished up the last of their appointments, Lila found herself lingering in the break room, her thoughts racing. She couldn’t shake the growing attraction she felt towards Whit, nor the warmth that seemed to blossom whenever they worked together. She knew she had to do something about it, but the idea of making the first move filled her with nervous energy.
Whit entered the room, his easy smile making her heart skip a beat. “Hey, Lila. You did a great job today. Thanks for handling everything so smoothly.”
Lila smiled back, trying to gather her courage. “Thanks, Whit. It’s been good working with you.”
There was a moment of silence, the kind that could stretch awkwardly if left unattended. Lila took a deep breath, deciding it was now or never. “Whit, I was thinking…my daughter will be out with friends tonight. I hate eating alone. If you’re not busy, maybe you’d like to come over for dinner? Just a casual meal. I owe you for all the help you’ve been giving me here.”
Whit raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes, followed by a genuine smile. “Dinner? That sounds great, Lila. I’d love to.”
Lila’s heart raced. “Really? Great! I mean, good. I’ll, uh, cook something nice.”
Whit chuckled softly. “I’m sure whatever you make will be fantastic. What time should I come over?”
“How about seven?” she suggested, her nerves slightly easing with his enthusiasm.
“Seven it is,” Whit agreed. “Need me to bring anything?”
