Believe: Christmas Short Story Anthology 2010

Secondhand Horses by Amy LeBlanc

Emily Morgan stood behind the front desk of the Iron Mills Veterinary Clinic watching helplessly as yet another grumpy old man stalked away, dog leash in hand, muttering about having to see the “new girl vet.” She had to remind herself that at least this one had allowed her to examine the dog. Most of the other curmudgeons that made up her grandfather’s practice had flat out refused to entertain the idea and rescheduled the instant they set eyes on her.

So far, in the last two weeks, she had seen a grand total of five people. Three of which were little old ladies with little old cats, one teenage boy with a three-legged dog and Mr. Ellis, the grouch with the food sensitive Dalmatian who’d just evacuated the building.

“Don’t take it too personal.” Her grandfather, Sam, smiled as he popped his head around the corner. “They all hated me too when I took over for Doc Leclair. It’ll pass.”

“Thanks Gramp,” she chirped, trying her best not to sound as miserable as she felt. “I’m going to head over to the kennels for a while and check on the dogs.”

“Don’t worry about that Emily.” He laughed with a wave of his hand, his bright blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mike Kelley just checked in for the night. He’s set to pull an all nighter. Why don’t you come with me? I’m headed over to Molly Chase’s to take a look at her new litter of pups?”

“Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t even think about it! I have no intention of sitting on that crazy lady’s couch watching the two of you make googly eyes at one another.”

“She made seafood chowder.” He smiled and wrinkled up his nose. “I know how much you love seafood chowder.”

“No thanks!” She shuddered. “I’ll take my chances up at the kennel.”
“Fine! Suit yourself!” Sam laughed and gave her a wave.

Emily sat down and watched him gather up the extra supply bag he kept for his “house calls” to the Chase house. Even as a little girl she knew this bag was different than the one he normally took out to the local farms because, as her little sister Sarah had pointed out, it had an extra set of clothes in it. She tried her best not to giggle at the thought of her grandfather and her local postmistress having a clandestine affair but since their relationship had lasted longer than most marriages she knew she couldn’t help but feel happy for him.

“So when are you going to make an honest out of the poor lady?” she teased playfully. “That poor woman has been waiting on you for thirty years.”

Sam put his bag down on the table, his face growing as red as the old chamois shirt he wore. “Now don’t you start on me too.” He stammered and pretended to look for his glasses.

Emily sat back and decided to watch the show her grandfather was about to put on for her. He’d been going through the motions of pretending that he wasn’t totally in love with Ms. Molly Chase when the double doors to the clinic swung open.

“Hey Doc!” The deep masculine voice called out. “I need you up at the farm. One of the horses has gone down!”

Emily craned her neck, trying to get a look at whomever the voice belonged to. By the sounds of him it certainly wasn’t one of Sam’s regular grumpy old guys.

Sam turned, his hands firmly planted on his hips. “Should I try and guess which one?”

“Well, if you guessed that it was that skinny mare you talked me into taking off the shelter’s hands you’d be right.” The voice hovered between amusement and annoyance. “Serve me right, listening to you!” he chuckled; a rich, warm sound to Emily’s ears.

“I was headed out to check on the Chase’s new puppies,” Sam mused. “But I can stop by your place first.”

“I’d appreciate that.” The voice sounded more worried now than before.
Emily stood up, stuck between feeling completely useless and overwhelmingly curious, she simply couldn’t help herself. “I can go,” she offered. “I’ve got the night free and you need to get a look at those puppies.” She tried not to gape at the man standing behind her grandfather but found it difficult. He was well over six feet tall, with the kind of build that only comes from a life filled with hard work. “And I know my way around horses.”

A curious look crossed the man’s face. It was as if he were trying to measure her up before he turned her down flat. “Are you a vet?” His honey colored eyes caught what remained of the light in the room.

“She certainly is!” Sam boasted. “Graduated top of her class at Tufts! She’s been working down in Texas over five years now!”

“Large animal vet?” he asked, obviously not willing to take Sam’s word on the subject.

“It’s her specialty!” Sam slapped the counter for effect. “Smart girl I’ve got here! She can get the rangy mare of yours fixed up!”

Emily shook her head as blood rushed to her face, making her blush.

“All I’ve seen around here for two weeks have been cats and a couple of dogs.” She offered him up a weak smile. “I’d really appreciate the chance to get my hands on that horse.”

The man held his breath for a long moment and ran a wide, long fingered hand through his dark, shortly cropped hair. He kept looking back and forth between the two as though he were trying to decide between two evils. “Okay.” He sighed. “I’ll meet you up at the farm.”

“Thanks.” She sighed. “I’ll get my truck loaded up.”

“Wait, Emily.” Sam tucked his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out his keys. “You better take my SUV. That little beater truck of yours won’t get you over hill with all the snow that’s coming down.”

“You sure?” she asked, reluctant to get behind the wheel of his giant vehicle.

“Don’t worry about it Sam.” The man broke in. “I’ll take her.”