Healing Hearts Read Free Page A

back in the chair near the bed and held her hand. “Go back to sleep. I’ll stay beside you. Nothing can hurt you now—not with me here.”
    She closed her eyes, but a minute later they popped opened, then slid shut again. Slowly her tense body relaxed. He kept holding her hand until he was sure she had fallen asleep. Tomorrow would be a long day with her surgery. He needed to get some rest, too.
    He moved to the cot he’d been using and eased down onto it, his feet planted on the floor, his elbows on his thighs, his hands clasped together.
    Heavenly Father, if someone has to suffer, make it me. I can’t take seeing Madi go through this anymore. I’ve needed You these past months. Why are You so silent? I’ve gotten her the best doctors money can buy. It doesn’t seem to be enough. What should I do?
    * * *
    The next morning, Abbey entered Harris Veterinary Hospital, which her father owned, and headed back to the examination rooms where he saw animals. Spying her dad writing something on a chart, she stopped, taking in the white lab coat he always wore at work. Distinguished-looking, with short salt-and-pepper hair, he was one of the kindest men she knew. Her childhood had been filled with animals and loving parents.
    “Hi, Dad. Why did you want to see me? I can’t stay long, or I’ll be late for work.” Abbey set down a cup of coffee from their favorite place on the counter for her father. “Who do you have here?”
    “An abandoned dog. Someone left her on my doorstep this morning. She’s in pretty good health and hasn’t been on her own long. I wouldn’t be surprised if her owner left her here.”
    She knew where this was going. At least once a month, they had this conversation. “I can’t take another pet. I have three dogs and a couple of cats. With my crazy hours lately I feel I’m neglecting them.” Abbey tried not to make eye contact with the white bichon frise with matted fur.
    “I’m going to have to cut most of her fur off. She hasn’t been brushed in a while, but she isn’t too thin. She has fleas, but I’ll take care of that as well as her shots,” he rattled off as he checked the dog’s ears, teeth, lungs and heart. “But I need a home for her.” He fixed his dark eyes on her.
    Abbey shook her head. “What part of ‘I can’t take her’ do you not understand?”
    “Oh, I heard you. But she’s so sweet and loves to be held. Just ask around. She’ll make someone a great pet. She could easily be trained as a therapy dog. Here, hold her while I give her a shot.”
    She started backing toward the door. “No, you don’t. You think the second I hold her, I’ll fall in love with her and take her. I know all of your tactics. Where’s Emma? She’s usually in here assisting you.”
    Her father ignored her protests and thrust the animal against her. “Emma’s busy with another animal.”
    Abbey sighed, put her coffee down and took the quivering dog into her arms.
    “She needs extra love right now.” Her father finished with the shot and turned away rather than taking the bichon.
    Just like Madison Winters. “You could always take her. Or Emma.”
    “I already have five dogs and two cats, besides taking care of this veterinary practice. And Emma took home the last stray.”
    “You already asked her, didn’t you?”
    He nodded. “I have to keep my assistant happy. She’s the best there is. Almost like having another veterinarian working here.”
    “I know.” When Abbey made the mistake of looking down into the dog’s brown eyes, she knew she was a goner. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to find her a home. But no guarantees.”
    Her dad smiled. “Good. You can come pick her up after work today. Being at your house would be so much better than living in a cage here. Don’t you agree?”
    She laughed. “I could say no, but it wouldn’t make any difference.” Approaching her father, she kissed him on the cheek, then turned to leave. “Now I really do have to go. A little girl is