The Conundrum of Collies (Love & Pets #6) - A.G. Henley Page 0,36
to recognize a signal of when to start running by pulling the disc behind my back before throwing it. I forget sometimes and she doesn’t listen or pay attention other times, but we’re starting to get the hang of it.
“Stevie!” Logan calls my name. “Stevie, over here!”
I crane around to see him. Logan stands beside a very familiar couple. The guy has dark, wavy hair that brushes the tops of his shoulders, and she’s slim, blonde, and has a wide smile. I wave, leash Bean, and walk over to say hello.
“Travis! Amelia! I didn’t know you’d be here,” I say.
“We’re the official mobile veterinary clinic for the competition,” Travis says with a wink before hugging me. “Hey, Bean, how are you, girl?”
Bean dances in a circle on her back feet. She loves both Doctor Travis, her vet, and Amelia, his fiancée and assistant. Like, almost as much as me or Logan.
That might have to do with the fact that she’s never needed any real veterinary treatment outside of her puppy shots and regular exams, or it might be that they keep a steady supply of treats nearby when they do see her, so she’s associated them with a yum factor. It could also be that they’ll swing through Park Hill to visit her when they can, so every time she sees them isn’t associated with something sharp, scary, or otherwise off-putting.
Whatever their magic sauce is, I wish I had some. She barks excitedly and darts a few times around their legs. Travis laughs and tries to slow her down long enough to pet her.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” I ask. “I got the save the date notice for December. I’m so incredibly happy for you two!”
“Thank you!” Amelia answers. “It’s been a ton of work to plan on top of trying to grow the practice, but we can’t wait any longer.”
Travis and Amelia have been engaged forever. Or at least it feels that way. They’re finally tying the knot at a fancy dude ranch owned by one of their clients, and I can’t wait to go. I’ve already booked a room at the ranch as a Christmas gift to myself. They had a cheaper lodging option, but this seemed like a great way to relax and celebrate the holiday season. I got double beds and mentioned the weekend to Logan—he knows Amelia and Travis, too, thanks to their visits to the house. But now . . . I’m not so sure.
“Expand the practice?” Logan asks.
Travis nods and tries to thrust his hands in his pockets before apparently remembering he’s wearing scrubs that don’t have them. He laughs and crosses his arms.
“Yeah, we’re so busy, we’re starting to have to refer new patients, so we’re thinking about buying a second RV and hiring another vet and assistant team to join the practice.”
“Where is the Love & Pet mobile?” Logan glances around. “Never mind, I found it.”
The RV is hard to miss. Parked over in a side lot, the clinic on wheels is an eye-popping shade of turquoise blue with the Love & Pets Animal Clinic logo on the side. I’m proud to say I designed the logo for Travis and his grandma Jo a few years ago when they started the practice. They were my clients first, and now Bean and I are his. I even went to Jo’s funeral when she passed away soon after Travis and Amelia met.
“How are you two?” Amelia asks Logan and me.
“Yeah, good.” I avoid Logan’s eyes. He doesn’t say anything at all.
When I twitch and smile awkwardly at Amelia, her own happy expression slips. She glances between Logan and me, but thankfully she doesn’t say anything.
“What brings you two here?” Travis asks from beside Bean. She’s on her back now, legs splayed for a belly rub.
“Competing,” I say. “This is Bean’s first.”
Travis’s eyes go wide. “I didn’t know Bean was a disc dog.”
“She is as of this summer,” I say. “We joined a local club, and we’ve been getting great instruction.” When I look to Logan for confirmation, he looks annoyed. But why? Emmy is an amazing teacher.
“That’s wonderful!” Amelia says.
Travis agrees. “Bean will do great. High energy border collies are perfect for this sport.”
“She does seem to love it, although we’re still working on the basics. If you want to watch, we’re in the novice group. Our start time is supposed to be around ten.” I check my watch. “And I’m running out of warm up time, so I better go.”
I hug them