3

Matty sneezed and rested his head on Gage’s shoulder. His eyes looked sad. Almost as though he knew this was gonna be goodbye.

“I can’t hardly take care of myself, pal. You need a family with a big house, a huge backyard—maybe that organic food that will keep you healthy and fatten you up.” He had to believe letting Matty go was the best thing for the dog. His life was empty without Gunner, but he didn’t have it in him to love and care for a pet when he’d spent so long with a dog as his partner.

A partner he’d lost after serving by his side for three years.

His steps faltered as he pictured Gunner, wagging his tail and hunting for IEDs like finding bombs was a game. Gunner would go still and his posture would change when he’d catch the scent of the explosives. With the last one…he hadn’t had a chance.

Shaking his head, Gage quickly brought Matty back to the car to take him to the closest vet. On the drive, he caught himself rubbing the tattoo on his wrist. H916—the same tattoo Gunner had inside his ear. His chest ached as the memories haunted him. He knew his best bet would be to drop Matty off at the vet and forget about him. He’d spent the last nine months trying to figure out how to rebuild his life. He couldn’t afford to get all sentimental and fuck up his progress.

A tiny receptionist with big brown eyes and a warm smile looked up as he walked into the Cathia veterinary clinic. Her smile faltered as she looked at Matty. “Oh, the poor baby. How long has it been sick?”

“Not sure he’s sick. Found him.” Gage would never let a dog get sick enough to be in this condition. Of course, the girl didn’t know that. “Fed him, but I think he needs a vet to look him over, ma’am.”

She pursed her lips. “Well, I can make you an appointment for later in the week, but unless it’s an emergency, I’m afraid Dr. Paulson is booked solid.”

“Dr. Paulson?” Couldn’t be the professor, could it? Gage frowned, adjusting Matty when he squirmed in his arms. “Listen, he can hardly walk, he was out in the cold for who knows how long, and he’s underweight.” He tried to stay calm, but he couldn’t help the anger that slipped into his tone. He didn’t care who the vet was. Matty needed to be taken care of now. “I’ll wait.”

Blinking at him, the receptionist stood and watched him take a seat with Matty in his lap. She huffed and then spun on her heel, disappearing down the hall and behind one of the wood doors. He rolled his eyes and scratched behind Matty’s ear as he looked around the room. There were six chairs on one side, a large window at the front, and the desk. All clean and smelling a bit like a hospital. Smaller than he’d expected looking at it from outside. The rest of the clinic must take up most of the space.

Only a few minutes passed before the receptionist returned. With Derek Paulson, Gage’s animal science professor, striding behind her then past as she took her place behind her desk. He stopped in front of Gage, his blue eyes narrowed and his bearing so like Gage’s Sarge that he had the urge to stand at attention.

But he wasn’t going to disturb Matty unless he was gonna be taken care of. For all he knew, they’d have to find another vet.

“I shouldn’t be surprised. This is twice in one day that you’re demanding attention, Mr. Tackett.” Dr. Paulson folded his arms over his chest, the same disapproval in his eyes and his tone that had been there in the hall of the university. Only instead of a stuffy suit, the man was wearing a white jacket over a pale blue shirt and dark blue tie. There was no one else in the waiting area, but the man acted like he was too busy to deal with Gage. “Britney tells me you refused to take an appointment?”

Inhaling slowly, Gage stroked Matty’s head as the dog whimpered and snuggled closer. He didn’t want to deal with Paulson either, but he wouldn’t let Matty suffer for his pride. He lowered his gaze and swallowed. “Not trying to be pushy, Doctor. He was out in the cold for a long time. You can see his ribs and his spine. I want to make sure there’s nothing else wrong with him.”

Paulson’s eyes softened as he glanced down at Matty. “Is he the reason you were late for class?”

“Yeah.” Gage looked up, not sure what to make of the sudden understanding in Paulson’s gaze. The professor hadn’t cared to listen to his “excuses” before. No point in dwelling on that now. He stared up at Paulson, relieved when the man simply nodded.