A Christmas Rescue: A Silver Bell Falls Holiday Novella Read online

  He was interrupted by the ringing of his cellphone and once he saw the name on the screen, he held up a hand and asked Bailey to give him a minute.

  “Hey, Matt. What can I do for you?”

  “Hey, Gavin, sorry to bother you but...remember the pregnant Lab?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Well, she’s in labor and in distress and her owner can’t move her to bring her inside. I know it’s a lot to ask considering the snow is already starting to fall, but do you think you can come and help?”

  “I’m on my way,” Gavin said, coming to his feet. “Get as many blankets as you can spare for now and I’ll pack up a bag of supplies and get there as soon as I can.”

  “Thanks, Gavin. And please drive safe.”

  Hanging up, he walked around the desk and immediately went to the supply room and began collecting what he needed.

  “Warming blankets, antiseptic wipes...” he murmured.

  “What’s going on?”

  Turning around, Gavin saw Bailey standing in the doorway looking concerned. “A bit of an emergency house call. Labrador in labor and in distress. The owner is homeless and is afraid to move her inside to warmer temperatures.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  He looked at her like she was crazy. “I’m going to go help her and hopefully convince the owner to let me bring her here to monitor her properly.” Then he turned and finished collecting supplies. Brushing past her on his way out of the room, he ran up to his apartment to grab his coat, hat, and gloves. At the foot of the stairs, he spotted Bailey putting on her own coat and hat and cursed. They hadn’t finished their discussion, but he really needed to go.

  “Listen, can we maybe pick up this conversation on Monday? I know I’m asking a lot, but it’s important that I get on the road right now.”

  She studied him for a moment. “Do you...I mean...would you like some help?”

  It was the last thing he thought she’d say. “You want to come with me to help deliver puppies?”

  Bailey simply nodded and Gavin wasn’t sure what to say.

  Could they do this? Would this argument continue in the car? And if it did, then what was he supposed to do?

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea considering the...uh...you know...our current situation,” he said.

  “I can be professional if you can.”

  And right then and there he knew she was right. This wasn’t about a silly argument over tinsel and twinkly lights, there was a dog and her unborn puppies to worry about.

  With a curt nod, he said, “Can you get Cooper upstairs while I load up the supplies?”

  “I’m on it!”

  IT WAS A FAIRLY UNEVENTFUL drive and all conversation remained on neutral topics—the falling snow, the amount of snow they thought they were going to end up with, and what they were going to do for the poor pregnant dog when they arrived.

  Bailey was a little nervous about that last one. She may have worked in the veterinary clinic for several years, but she was a front desk girl and knew very little about the actual handling of a sick animal. Hannah and Amber dealt with that. But for some reason, when Gavin told her about the crisis situation, she knew she had to do something to help. Even if it was to just try to comfort the mama dog, she would do it.

  They pulled up in front of a homeless shelter and Gavin was out of the car and in motion instantly. Bailey scrambled to keep up and followed him inside.

  “Hey, Matt,” Gavin said to the man who greeted them. “This is my assistant Bailey.”

  She shook his hand and said hello, but then Gavin was speaking again.

  “Any luck with moving our girl inside?”

  Matt shook his head. “They’re a block and a half away. We brought a couple of blankets, but with this snow coming in, it’s all we could spare.”

  “I completely understand. Point us in the right direction and we’ll head over.” Matt did and in the blink of an eye, they were back in Gavin’s truck and driving around the corner. Once he parked, he turned to Bailey. “I need you to wait here and let me assess the situation, okay?”

  It seemed like an odd request, but she nodded and then watched him exit the truck and approach the man who was huddled next to a large sycamore tree that was already being weighed down by the snow.

  Bailey leaned forward in her seat and watched the scene unfold before her. Gavin spoke to the man and then immediately crouched down to examine the dog. It broke her heart to see the man shivering in the cold while his pet was warm and dry under the pile of blankets. It brought tears to her eyes and she didn’t even try to wipe them away.

  For five solid minutes Gavin examined the animal and then stood and talked to the man again. She wished she had some idea of what was being said, but lip reading wasn’t one of her skills. She had no choice but to sit back and wait for him to wave her on.

  But he didn’t.

  Her eyes went wide when Gavin carefully scooped up the dog and quickly made his way over to truck. She was immediately in motion opening the door for him. “What can I do? Where do you need me to be?”

  Gavin gently placed the dog on the back seat of the cab before climbing into the driver’s seat and shutting the door. “If you can crawl over the seat and get in back with her, I need you to just tell me what you’re seeing and what you’re hearing. If her breathing changes, you need to tell me immediately. Okay?”

  Nodding, she moved into the back seat and began to gently pet the dog’s head. “Is it okay to pet her?”

  “Absolutely. Her head, her back, and even her sides. The more she relaxes, the better off we’ll be.” They pulled away and Gavin turned the truck around and began heading back to Silver Bell Falls. “The drive is going to take a little longer than I’m comfortable with, but hopefully she’ll be okay until we get back to the clinic.”

  After that, the only time either spoke was when Gavin asked how the dog was doing and Bailey replied. By the time they arrived back at the clinic, Bailey’s nerves were stretched tight and she hated how the poor dog was still in distress and had yet to begin to deliver. Once Gavin came around and lifted her out, Bailey grabbed all the supplies he had initially packed and followed him to the door. After unlocking it, she followed him inside.

  In the exam room, they set up the warming blankets and then Bailey went into Gavin’s office and grabbed Cooper’s new bed. When she came back, she asked, “Is this okay? I know it’s brand new, but...I just thought we should make her as comfortable as possible.”

  “Good idea.”

  “Do you want me to call Amber or Hannah and ask them to come back?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so. We’ve got this, right?”

  And right then she knew what he was asking and all she could do was nod.

  Before long, Gavin had the dog hooked up to an IV and began to do a more thorough exam. Bailey stood back in wonder and watched him work. Normally her place was at the front desk and she was never privy to see Gavin in action, but right now she was a little beyond impressed.

  “Does she have a name?”

  Gavin paused and looked at her, almost as if he had forgotten she was there. “Lola.”

  Cautiously, Bailey moved closer and began to gently pet Lola. “Hey, sweet girl,” she cooed. “You’re going to be okay and so are those babies you have in there. Dr. Maguire is going to make sure of it. You just need to relax and let nature take its course, okay?”

  And that’s how things went for the next several hours. Gavin continued to monitor Lola’s vitals while Bailey did her best to comfort and encourage the dog. Every once in a while, she would go and get Gavin and herself something to drink. Other times she would go and let Cooper out. But with each pass of the windows, she noticed how the snow was piling up and yet she couldn’t find the will to care. It was winter and there was always snow and one way or another, she’d get herself home.

  Hopefully.

  Sure, her house was ten minutes away on a good day, but with the snow
it would take at least twice that, if not more. And her car wasn’t the greatest in the snow, but maybe she could call the sheriff or someone to give her a lift. Either way, at some point she was going to have to leave and make her way home. No doubt once the puppies were delivered, Gavin would be more than happy to see her go.

  Her immediate thought was how she should have put the letter of resignation on his desk and left right away. Then there wouldn’t have been their awkward discussion that was now going to be continued on Monday.

  She sighed. Why couldn’t he just let me go? She wondered. Why was he prolonging something that would ultimately make him happier? Why drag this out? Why didn’t she just...?

  “Bailey! Come quick!”

  And she took off at a sprint as her heart beat madly in her chest.

  Chapter Four

  SIX PUPPIES.

  Gavin carefully placed the last one down beside Lola and breathed a long sigh of relief. Once the dog had been hydrated and warm, things started progressing as they should have. It just took a lot longer than he expected and now he and Bailey were making sure Lola and her babies were comfortable as they cleaned up the exam room.

  Behind him, he could hear her cooing to Lola and the puppies and he knew it was the first time she had ever witnessed puppies being born. Seeing the wonder on Bailey’s face had been a little eye-opening for him. Not because he was so jaded by the actual process of delivering puppies, but because of the total joy and excitement she expressed as each one was born. There was wonder and constant smiles and it had Gavin looking at her in a way that he hadn’t allowed himself.

  Except when he was alone and couldn’t sleep...

  Okay, so yeah, he found Bailey attractive. It wasn’t like that from the beginning. Not even close. When he’d first purchased the clinic, he appreciated her work ethic even as he was annoyed by her constant chatter and sometimes overly exuberant way of interacting with everyone who came in. But when he pushed that part aside, he found himself thinking about her in a very non-work-related kind of way.

  There was no way he’d ever act on it, though. If they were going to work together, it wasn’t a smart idea to get involved, even casually. It was never a good thing to hook up with a co-worker or an employee and...

  Then he remembered the way the day had started and all that had transpired before they’d left to pick up Lola.

  If they didn’t work together...

  Bailey groaned as she stood and stretched. Her scrubs were a little wrinkled, her ponytail was a little haphazard, and yet there was still something about her that drew her to him.

  “I’m starving,” she said. “When I get home, I’m going to put on some warm, flannel pajamas and make a big bowl of soup and some grilled cheese. It’s the perfect day for it, right?”

  He nodded and wasn’t sure what else to say. When Bailey looked down at the dogs, Gavin could see she was still smiling.

  “They’re going to be okay,” he told her—just to reassure her. “If we hadn’t gone and gotten her before the snow hit, I’m not sure any of the pups would have survived.”

  She turned and smiled at him. “That was kind of amazing—what you did today.”

  That wasn’t at all what he expected her to say. “What do you mean?”

  “You totally went out of your way to go save Lola.” She paused. “I mean...you drove in the snow and you know there’s no way her owner could ever pay you for what you did and...I don’t know...I just think it was amazing.”

  Gavin could almost feel himself blushing. Clearing his throat, he quickly picked up the last of the discarded towels and made his way down the hall with Bailey right behind him. “It’s not really a big deal. Matt had warned me that we might have a situation on our hands, so I was a little prepared.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “So it’s not really a big deal.” He tossed the towels in the stackable washing machine they kept in the back room and then stepped aside as Bailey placed the dirtied blankets in as well.

  “Well, I still think it is,” she said. “Is Matt a friend?”

  Damn. He really didn’t want to get into this. The volunteer work he did at the shelter was for him and not something he liked to talk about. Clearing his throat again and doing his best to busy himself with starting up the laundry, Gavin nodded. “We’ve known each other for a while and he runs the homeless shelter.”

  When he chanced another look at Bailey, she was still smiling. “That’s awesome that he thought to call you. I hate thinking about what could have happened.” A small giggle came out and her hands instantly covered her mouth and her pretty blue eyes went a little wide.

  His own chuckle followed. “What’s so funny?”

  “I was just thinking about how small and sweet the puppies are and I want to take them all home with me!”

  And the thing is, Gavin knew she was telling the truth. “I’m sure you could probably adopt one once they’re ready to leave their mother.” Her expression softened and then turned a little sad at his words. “What? Now what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

  “I guess I’m wondering how that’s all going to work. It’s wintertime, Dr. Maguire. Do we send Lola back to her owner after the storm and just leave the puppies to deal with the elements?”

  Gavin hadn’t really thought beyond the here and now. Leaning against the row of cabinets in the laundry room, he crossed his arms over his chest and considered the options. “I don’t think Lola’s owner is capable of caring for her and the puppies, but I have to at least give him some options.”

  “Could they...I mean...would you consider letting them stay here until they’re ready to be adopted?”

  “That’s eight weeks, Bailey. I don’t know if we should board them for that long. You know how crowded it can get in here some days and...” He stopped and considered his next words very carefully. “And we’re already going to be shorthanded with you quitting, so...”

  Her soft gasp and wide eyes almost made him regret saying what he had, but he was finding that he was enjoying interacting with her like this—loved watching all the emotions play across her face and wondered if she knew just how transparent she was.

  “Well, I...we never did finish talking about that, did we?”

  He had to stop himself from smiling. “No, we didn’t.” Then he paused. “How about we make something to eat and finish the conversation?”

  Bailey looked over her shoulder toward the reception area and then back at him. “I really should be going. I haven’t looked outside in a while and I’m sure the snow is piling up and I need to get home.”

  The disappointment he felt at her leaving surprised him. Normally at the end of the day, he looked forward to his solitude, but today it just felt...wrong.

  Bailey was walking out of the room and toward the front windows and Gavin followed and thought for sure he was seeing things. It was a complete white-out. You couldn’t even see the buildings across the street.

  “Um...Bailey...?”

  But she was shaking her head and quickly moving around and grabbing up her coat, hat, gloves and purse. When she was at the front door, she turned and said, “I promise to come in early on Monday morning so we can talk before Amber and Hannah get here, but I really need to go.”

  “I really don’t think you should be out there driving...”

  “I’ve lived here my whole life,” she said, but there wasn’t a lot of confidence behind her words, and the smile she gave him didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  Gavin took a hesitant step toward her. “The snow has been coming down like this for hours, Bailey. The roads aren’t clear or safe to drive. I really wish you’d reconsider.”

  She wasn’t listening and as she bundled up and took out her car keys, she said, “I’ll be fine. I’ll see you Monday.” And then she was gone. And Gavin wondered if he should have done more to stop her.

  BAILEY BANGED HER HEAD on the steering wheel and cursed her rotten luck.

  Honestly, she knew as s
oon as she stepped out of the clinic that she wasn’t going anywhere, but pride had kept her moving. Now she was sitting in her car and contemplating walking home. All the local businesses were closed and none of her friends lived within walking distance either.

  Just go back inside.

  Yeah, she knew that was her only option, but it was beyond unappealing.

  Way beyond unappealing.

  Although...today had not turned out the way she had expected. After the horrible way it started out and then handing in her resignation, Bailey had been completely prepared to go home and have a pity party. There was going to be brownies, ice cream, and wine and it would have been glorious. Now she was going to have to deal with the fact that she was going to be snowed in with Dr. Grinch.

  And even that suddenly didn’t feel right.

  Yes, he was a grinch where the holidays were concerned, but after watching him go help that homeless man and how he brought Lola back to the clinic, she had a feeling there was more to him than she originally thought.

  And really, she hoped there was because the thought of someone being that mean and miserable all the time didn’t seem right.

  But the whole Christmas thing couldn’t be ignored.

  Why would someone be so against a holiday that even looking at decorations put them in such a bad mood? Did something happen to him at Christmas? Did he lose someone at Christmas? Of course there were a million possibilities, but she doubted he’d share any of them with her. If there was one thing Bailey learned in the last year, it was that Dr. Maguire did not engage in any kind of personal conversation with anyone.

  Anyone.

  It was maddening. Living in a small town her entire life, Bailey knew everything about everyone. That’s just the way it was. When Dr. Maguire moved to town, he was a mystery and a year later, he still was! She’d lost count of how many people had tried to get some information out of her on the new veterinarian, and they were always disappointed when she shared that she didn’t know any more than they did.