Wyatt found that Jazmine’s eyes were hazel, with gold specks in them. Weird. He’d never noticed that before. He went to respond, but a nurse bustled in with a tray full of meds, but Diablo growled ferociously at her, hackles raised. The nurse sprang back.
“That’s it,” she declared, fleeing the room, “I’m calling the pound.”
“Okay, Bodhi might’ve been proud,” Wyatt informed Jazmine. “But now I’ve got to get Diablo—”
“Hey,” Jazmine protested, cooing at the spawn of Satan as though he was some sort of bunny rabbit. “Don’t call him that.”
“No, that’s his name. And his attitude.” Wyatt looked around for something to use to subdue the beast. “I just need to throw something over him, and then maybe wrestle him to the—” The whole time Wyatt was prepping for the dognapping, Jazmine was moving toward the prickly Chihuahua, murmuring sweet little nothings the entire time.
Then she did something crazy. She picked him up.
“Now, now,” Jazmine said, nuzzling against Diablo’s neck. “It’s just that nobody understands. You just want love, don’t you, baby? I know you want to protect your daddy, but we’ve got to get you home, darling.” Jazmine darted a look at Wyatt. “Some communicator you are.”
“How?” Wyatt sputtered, “Why? What? Huh?”
Jazmine flashed a mean set of dimples. “My mother’s a vet. I grew up around a clinic. Trust me, it’s going to take more than a Chihuahua’s growl to scare me off.” She chuckled as she moved to hand the devil dog over. “Here.”
“Uh-uh. No way,” Wyatt said as he backed away. “He likes you.”
“Yes, but I’m allergic, so take him.”
Okay, there wasn’t much arguing with that. He didn’t want Jazmine to go all runny-eyed and drippy-nosed on him.
“Fine. Then here.” Wyatt went to hand the stacks of cards over to Jazmine, stopped, reconsidered, and withdrew the ones with the numbers on them. No reason this day should be a complete loss. “I’ll be keeping those.”
“No,” she said urging the cards toward him. “You are keeping them all. They’re your responsibility now.” She offered the dog once more. “Just like he is.”
Jazmine deposited the tiny animal in Wyatt’s arms. While Diablo allowed the exchange to happen, he bared his teeth to remind Wyatt exactly who the Alpha male was in the relationship.
“Ummm. I’m not sure if you attended the same event as I did, but I ain’t got nothing going on in the communicator arena. Nada.” He made a chopping motion with his empty hand, jostling Diablo. Wyatt went completely still as the dog snarled. Diablo was way too close to his nose for comfort.
“True, but honestly, I’m not sure any of them did,” Jazmine explained as she petted Diablo. “You touched those people. You reached Andrea when no one else could. Or would.”
“Yeah, but—”
Jazmine held up her hand, cutting off his half-formed protest. “They felt that you understood their concerns. Now they’re asking for your help.” She cocked her head. “I’m assuming you and your uncle need the income?”
Wyatt looked over at Bodhi’s still form. If the insurance wasn’t going to pay for these medical bills ...
“Yeah, definitely,” he answered. “But look, I may be able to fake my way through three minutes, but a whole hour …” He stopped. He felt an idea itching at the back of his brain, just like it had with Wooda. If only he could scratch it.
Wait a minute. Hold the phone. He turned back to Jazmine.
“You seem to know a lot about animals.”
“Yes …” Jazmine stretched the word out, clearly suspicious.
“Are you feeling what I’m feeling?”
“What?” Her eyes twinkled. “The remnants of the ferret attack?”
Ouch. “You saw that, huh?”
“Yeah. Everyone saw that.”
Okay, Wyatt couldn’t linger on that especially painful memory. “Well then, more proof positive that we should work together.”
* * *
Seriously? Jazmine nearly choked. That was the worst idea she had heard since … well, going to the pet-whispering event in the first place.
“Excuse me? What?”
Wyatt beamed at her, excited, though. “You need a job. I need someone who knows the difference between a weevil and a weasel.”
She responded automatically, “First of all, a weevil is a beetle, whereas—”
“Hey, hey!” Wyatt said holding up his hand. “Save it for when you’re on the clock!”
“I don’t know …” This was a crazy idea, right? An idea that really should be thrown into that trash can helmet, right?
“C’mon,” Wyatt wheedled, lifting up a pile of cards. “Right here are people needing—” He paused and squinted at the cards. “Okay, ladies needing a little Wyatt in their lives.” He switched stacks.
“People needing help, remember?” he said. “You like helping people? Huh? Huh?”
“Yes, but—”
“And you need the income?” Wyatt pressed, not letting up. “Am I right? Am I?”
Ugh. She really hated it that he was more than right. “Yes.”
“All right, then! You be the brains …” Diablo turned his head to try to bite Wyatt’s gesticulating hand and Wyatt squirmed out of the way to save himself.
“And you’ll be the brawn?” she chuckled. “Really?”
“No.” Wyatt said taking on the air of a radio announcer. “I’ll be the pet whisperer…er…” Diablo growled, giving one last rrrrr to Wyatt’s self-appointed title.
Dear God, had her life really gotten to the point where she was considering actually working with the wackiest-haired pet whisperer who ever lived? Sadly, it appeared that it had.
“All right. For a week,” she conceded, but then rapidly qualified it as Wyatt’s grin grew. “We’ll see how it goes for a week.”
Before he could respond, the nurse poked her head in the door, glared at Diablo, and then picked up her cell phone to dial as she scurried away.
“We should get out of here before animal control catches our scent,” Jazmine suggested.
* * *
Wyatt, too, sensed that the time for getting out was getting good. First, though, he turned back to his uncle.
“I’m taking Diablo home, and then I’ll be right back, Bodhi …”
His uncle’s skin had a sickly cast to it as the machines breathed for him. “Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
“But he—”
Wyatt turned to Jazmine. He knew how ill his uncle was. It was the tree that he didn’t want him going off to yet.
“You’re right,” she said, seeming to understand. “He can’t go anywhere.” Jazmine grinned. “We’ve got too much work to do.”
Right she was. And the good news? She was now in charge of the clients. He took the correct stack of cards, the ones without the lady’s numbers, and ceremoniously presented them to Jazmine. She smiled, her dimples popping up again.
He opened up the door like the gentleman he was and let her walk out first. The nurse scowled at them as they walked past. Which was fine, since Diablo scowled right back.
Wyatt indicated the cards he’d passed to Jazmine. “So, what’s going on there, anyway? That elephant guy didn’t book me, did he? Because that trunk …” He shuddered. “Let’s just say it wanders.” Oh, the flashbacks. “It made me very uncomfortable.”
“No,” Jazmine said as she shuffled through the referrals. “Dumbo went with the wicked witch lady.”
“Good fit.” Literally. The chick looked very fit, which was necessary for the stamina needed to run from Dumbo’s more-than-enthusiastic trunk.
“I think our first one should be this Dalmatian,” Jazmine said as she read the card. “Seems he’s afraid of sirens.”
“Being a police dog,” Wyatt said as he nodded sagely. “That would be a problem.”
Jazmine looked askance. “No. Dalmatians are the firefighters’ mascots.”
Silly girl. “Where are you
getting your information?
“Those spotted canids help fight crime.” He noticed that despite Jazmine’s outrage, the corner of her mouth twitched upward. Somehow, out of this crappy day, that little grin made him feel better. Wyatt barked twice and gave a quick whine. “See? That’s armed robbery.”
“No, no, no,” Jazmine protested. “Dalmatians were trained to run alongside the firefighters’ water trucks to keep the horses running toward the flames rather than away from them.”
“What? That’s just plain … well, ludicrous. And not the rapper.” Wyatt gave a growl and one short yap. “That right there is Dalmatian for grand theft auto.” Jazmine opened her mouth to protest, but Wyatt rushed on. “With a speeding violation.”
Jazmine shook her head, but that smile played at the edge of her lips. “Now that there aren’t water trucks, the fire department mainly use Dalmatians to go out to schools to help teach fire safety.”
Wyatt whined with an upward inflection. “That’s Dalmatian for jaywalking.”
“It is not jaywalking.”
“It totally was,” he said with all the sincerity he could muster. “Look, if we’re going to work together, you’re going to have to brush up on your phonetics.”
Jazmine seemed to chuckle despite herself. “You are such a dork.”
Yes, yes he was. But a dork who could make her laugh.
Perhaps this pet psychic gig might just work out.
###
About the Authors
* * *
Carolyn McCray
“Neonatal veterinarian” is a term used to describe vet school applicants who apparently decided to become veterinarians while still inside the womb.
Carolyn McCray is one of those wonders. As proof, after visiting the zoo at the tender age of ten months old, Carolyn’s first word was “rhinoceros.” Not Momma or Daddy, but rhinoceros.
Yep, that’s when Carolyn’s obsession with animals officially began.
So while other kids in kindergarten wrote down that they wanted to grow up to be firefighters and nurses, Carolyn carefully printed “veterinarian” (spelled correctly, to the astonishment of her teacher).
Then came the bunny rescue, the aviary (including peacocks), the pony and sheep, two dogs, two cats, and tending to any animal in the neighborhood she could catch—we mean help.
And that’s just her preteen years. If “veterinarian” could be encoded into someone’s DNA, it was in Carolyn’s.
Carolyn did become (and still is) a practicing veterinarian. Her love for all animals shines through and inspires everyone in this feel-good story.
* * *
Ben Hopkin
Ben Hopkin
Ben Hopkin is a transplanted Texan. After being indoctrinated in the Lone Star State, he was ripped from his ancestral home and whisked away to Los Angeles, where he was forced to appreciate fish tacos and sushi. While there, he worked as a professional actor, director, and producer, as well as a teacher, which he loves most. He has now settled in Provo, Utah, with his wife and three children. Just in case there was any question, Provo is NOT a happy medium between Ft. Worth and LA, although his kids have made the transition from body boards to snowboards seamlessly.
* * * * *
Other Works by Carolyn McCray
If you like dogs, you are going to love Carolyn’s book, Pups in Tea Cups: Tales of “Littleness” Overcoming BIG Odds!
Diminutive dogs. Tiny terriers and petite poodles. These miniature canines are leaping straight from the teacup... and right into our hearts. And with their small size come some unique quirks and challenges. Dr. Carolyn McCray, DVM, takes us through tale after heartwarming tale of these teensy terrors and their almost unbearable cuteness. So snuggle up with a warm blanket and read these Tales from the TeaCup: How “Littleness” can overcome BIG odds!
Praise for Pups…
“Pups in Tea Cups is an amazing, heartfelt collection of stories sure to pull on the heartstrings of any dog lover. Truly an inspiring, touching, and immensely enjoyable read!”
Amber Scott
Author
Irish Moon
“Being a veterinarian, Dr. Carolyn McCray has been at the heart of many a true story where ‘Littleness’ in the form of Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Poodles, Pugs, and many more, have changed people’s lives, even saving a few. I reread many tales just to be able to laugh and even cry again. I can’t imagine a better book for any dog lover out there!”
Elena Gray
Author
WidowMaker
“As a veterinarian, I could completely relate to all of Carolyn’s stories. The joy and sometimes heart-wrenching moments. She had me laughing and crying at the same time. I couldn’t recommend this book more to anyone who loves dogs, not just the Tea Cup variety!”
Ken Herman, DVM
“This book is ... a view of the charms and challenges of living with the tiny tyrants that toy-dog owners adore.”
Lori Drouin
Professional Dog Trainer
“I read Pups in Tea Cups cover to cover in one sitting. How could I not? I loved each and every tale, whether it was silly or touching. All I can say is ... if you love dogs, you MUST buy this book!”
Kelli McCracken
Author
What the Heart Wants
To purchase or sample Pups in Tea Cups, simply click here.
* * *
And if you were looking for more from Wyatt and Jazmine, check out their short story in… 8 Hearts Beat as One: A Romance Anthology.
Stories in the Anthology include…
An Engagement to Remember, a beautiful proposal at the Taj Mahal is interrupted by... well it's a Carolyn McCray story so you can imagine the mayhem!
A Cupid trying to shave a few years off her sentence. Oops, speed dating is a disaster.
All she wants is a second date. Too bad her mouth gets in the way.
Can a haunted instrument bring two damaged souls together, or will fate stop the music?
Each story will weave its way into your heart and leave you sighing for more!
And Love Birds? a delightful short story of one of Wyatt and Jazmine’s mid-adventures! You aren’t going to want to miss it!
To purchase or sample 8 Hearts Beat as One simply click here!
* * * * *
Copyright Information
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, places, and dialogue are drawn from the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
PET WHISPERER...ER…RRRRR
An Off Our Meds Project/published by arrangement with the author
FIRST EDITION
Copyright 2011 by Carolyn McCray
All rights reserved
Kindle Edition
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Any inquiries can be made to:
1387 Hanover Lane
Ventura, CA 93001
* * * * *
Acknowledgments
From Carolyn McCray:
So many people contribute to any book that it is hard to list them all. However, I intend to try!
This book would never have come into existence without, of course, Jim. Ever cool. Ever there.
Ben, a wonderful coauthor despite the fact he turned down the job at first!
Dee Dee, who has believed in me for so long it is almost impossible to remember a time without her. #andnothatsnotadissonyourage
Carrie, my editor, who knows of my love for sentence fragments and run-on sentences, yet who still patiently edits them to the point where they are readable!
And lastly, Teresa, who somehow stuck it out for more than a year, renewing my faith in mankind. #oratleastroommates :-)
* * *
From
Ben Hopkin:
First, I would like to thank Carolyn McCray for giving me the opportunity to co-write with her. I also want to thank her for offering again when I freaked out the first time. I want to thank my parents and my children for continuing to believe in me well after any sane person would’ve given up. Finally, I want to thank my beautiful wife, Aimee, for her untiring and unyielding support through the years. I love you, babe!
* * * * *
Contact Information
Pet Whisperer...er...rrr Page 8