Read Online A Shadow of Wings by Linda Gayle - Free Book Online Page B

hate him for being gay, even though Dylan had explained she was cool. 
    The exam room was cramped with the three of them in there, four counting Gertie, who’d begun to shake, even though she’d probably never seen the inside of a vet’s office in her entire miserable life. Her claws dug into the old linoleum-tiled floor. Dylan lifted her up onto the steel table for Dr. M. “I hate to say, but maybe we should muzzle her, just to be safe,” Dr. Martin suggested.
    “Don’t.” Cam’s single word startled them both. He gave Dylan one of his fleeting side glances. “She’ll behave.” He turned his gaze on the dog, and she lowered her head into his outstretched palm. Dylan was impressed. Really did seem like Cam and Gert had bonded.
    Dr. Martin bit her lip again, then said, “Well, okay, then.”
    The exam went better than expected. There wasn’t a whole lot to be done for the ears, but the rest of Gertie’s cuts and a couple of puncture wounds were healing already. Dr. M gave her the basic shots, and the pit sat quietly for the entire routine. 
    “Good job, Gerts,” Dylan praised her. He glanced at Cam, who’d remained silent and focused on the dog. “Wanna take her in the back? I got a crate ready where she can stay for the night.”
    “A cage?” Cam lifted his chin but kept his alarmed gaze somewhere vaguely to the left of Dylan’s chin.
    “It’s the best we can do for now,” Dr. M said, finishing putting her supplies in a drawer. “But, Dylan, you know she can’t stay here longer than a day. Maybe two.” 
    “Yeah, I know. Don’t suppose you know anyone who’d take her?”
    Pursing her lips, she parked a hand on her hip. “I need about a thousand people to take all the stray pits that go through this place every year.” She petted Gertie on her bony back. “Such a shame. They make great pets too.” She glanced at Cam. “No way you can keep her?”
    Without looking directly at her, Cam shook his head. “My brother told me to get rid of her. I’m sorry.”
    And he did whatever big brother said, apparently. Dylan had never even met the guy and already he didn’t like him.
    He looped his arms around Gertie, who had to be ten pounds less than what she should be, set her on the floor, then led her into the back. The clinic was small and not up to date, and crates were in short supply. When he and Cam went through the swinging door into the back, though, the three post-op dogs staying there went nuts, like someone flipped the Bark switch. In response, Gertie starting growling and snapping, nails scrabbling on the linoleum.
    “Whoa!” Dr. Martin clapped her hands. “Better take her back out,” she yelled over the barking and howling.
    “It’s my fault.” Cam looked stricken, his eyes wide beneath the curtain of hair. Before Dylan could stop him, he practically ran back into the empty front half of the vet’s office, leaving Dylan and Dr. Martin alone with four panting, whining dogs. They had, in fact, stopped barking as soon as Cam exited. Gave Dylan a chill.
    “Well, that was freaky.” Dr. Martin wiped the heel of her palm over her forehead. “Is that normal, for your friend to set off the dogs like that?”
    Dylan reeled Gertie back toward him with the rope leash. “Not sure. I’ve only known him a day.” But of course he remembered Gertie’s reaction to him at first. Then, he’d chalked it up to the beating, but Cam had said dogs didn’t like him. “He’s a different kind of a guy.”
    “I can see that.” Dr. M’s voice softened, and she put her hand on Dylan’s arm. “Dyl, you know I usually mind my business about these things, but there’s something off about that kid. The way he won’t meet your eyes, the way he speaks. I think he needs more TLC than your dog here.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Be careful with him. That’s all I’m saying.”
    “He’s cool, really.”
    She turned to fill a water bowl. “You’re back on your feet, doing better, and I worry now maybe you