Page 16 of Heartbeat Harmony (Hearts in Hawthorne #2)

Chapter

Eight

E li had never thought about getting a pet.

For years, his life had been consumed by work.

He had only come home to his apartment to sleep and shower before returning to his ER.

It would have been cruel to leave an animal on its own with him rarely at home.

Things were different now, though. He had a stable job with regular hours.

Having a dog would make for a good companion.

And this little pup needed him as much as he needed it.

“Are you really serious about wanting to keep him?” Autumn asked.

He nodded. “He needs a home, and I have one to offer him. If you’re right and someone merely dumped him on the road because they didn’t want him, I want this little fellow to know that he is wanted.”

He scratched between the dog’s ears, and the pup closed his eyes, a blissful look on his face.

“Well, if you’re serious about this, Eli, you’re going to need to name him. Or her. That’s the first thing we need to find out. May I?”

Autumn leaned close and lifted the dog’s tale for a moment. “Definitely a boy,” she declared. “Now, you’ll need to name him. He needs to hear it regularly so he can learn to answer to it.”

“Atticus,” Eli said immediately. “ To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book. Atticus Finch was a real hero to me. I wanted to grow up and be a role model for others, just as he was. To make a difference, just as Atticus did in Maycomb.”

She smiled. “I like that name.” Glancing down, she stroked the pup. “Atticus, do you like your name? Yes, you do. You’re such a good boy.”

The dog’s trembling had subsided, and Eli felt calmer simply for holding the dog. He decided their relationship would benefit the both of them.

“Let me drive the rest of the way,” Autumn told him. “You need to continue to bond with Atticus. He already trusts you. Let’s build on that.”

“Good idea,” he replied.

They returned to his car, with Autumn opening the passenger door so he could keep his arms around his new furry friend. She even leaned over and buckled Eli’s seatbelt for him, giving him a whiff of her floral shampoo and the subtle scent of vanilla which clung to her skin.

Autumn got behind the wheel and started the car, making a few adjustments with the seat and mirrors.

As she pulled back onto the highway, she said, “There’s not a twenty-four-hour emergency vet clinic in Hawthorne that I’m aware of.

We can Google it, but I think you’ll have to wait until Monday to have Atticus seen by a vet.

He’s going to need a physical and shots.

Also, the vet will need to check to see why he’s limping. You’ll also want to have him neutered.”

“We can examine him when we get back to my house,” Eli said. “After all, we are medical professionals. We might be able to figure out what’s wrong with him.”

“You’re going to need several things. Food. Bowls. A doggy bed.”

“I thought you said that pets slept with their owners.” He stroked Atticus soft fur.

“You can do that when you sleep at night, but you might keep a doggy bed in your great room. A lot of people crate their dogs during the day while they’re gone for work. We don’t know if he’s housebroken or not, so you’ll also need some pee pads. A few toys, too.”

“I’m glad you know something about this. I’ve never been around a dog before.”

“We had both dogs and cats when I was growing up. My parents lost their last cat a year ago. Dad said that they’d had pets for forty years of marriage and that he was ready for a break.

I think he’s beginning to eye retirement and do some traveling.

I think he doesn’t want to worry about boarding pets while they’re gone.

That’s something you need to think about, Eli.

Having a pet is a big responsibility. It’s almost like having a child.

You have to put their welfare above yours.

They’re helpless and dependent upon you.

You’re their protector. Are you up for that kind of responsibility? ”

He glanced down at Atticus and already couldn’t imagine life without the pup.

Looking back to Autumn, he said, “I think it was love at first sight. On both our parts. Yes, I’m up for being a dog dad. My hours are regular now. Once the hospital opens, I’ll even have weekends to myself, for the most part. I’m ready to take on pet ownership.”

“Then we’ll stop at Walmart. I can pick up everything Atticus will need there. Besides what I mentioned before, he’ll need a collar and leash. You’ll want to walk him regularly.”

“I’m a runner,” he shared. “It’s really my only hobby outside of work. Do you think he might be able to run with me?”

“We’ll need to see what the vet says about his injury. If it’s not too serious, I’m sure he’ll be able to accompany you on your runs once he’s healed, but you’ll need to build up to them over time.”

She pulled into the Walmart parking lot and rolled down the windows before cutting the engine.

“You two stay here. I know what Atticus will need, and this will give you more time together.”

Eli sat contentedly with his new dog, holding an entire conversation with Atticus, telling the dog about his new home and what his life would be like.

He had heard people talking about their pets before, thinking it a bit strange that they seemed so gaga over them.

Now that he had a dog of his own, he was beginning to understand those feelings.

Autumn returned twenty minutes later, pushing a shopping cart.

“Stay in the car. I’ll just put these things in the back seat.”

She placed two sacks on the floorboard and lifted a large crate, resting it on the back seat. Digging through one of the sacks, she pulled out something.

“This is a collapsible bowl for travel,” she told him as she opened it up and took a bottle of water from the cooler, pouring water into it.

Handing it to Eli, he placed it under Atticus’ snout. Immediately, the dog began lapping at the water.

“This is good to keep in the car in case you take Atticus on a road trip with you. Or even if you drive somewhere and then go for a run, you can have water waiting for him in the car.”

He handed the bowl back to her, and she filled it again. Eli let Atticus drink the rest of it.

“That’s enough for now,” Autumn warned. “We don’t want him to drink too much too fast and get sick. Who knows the last time he ate or drank?”

As she drove to his house, she gave him advice on what to do with Atticus. How often to feed him. When to take him out to pee or poop. Told him she’d bought bags so he could scoop the poop.

“You’re right,” she said. “He’s going to make a wonderful companion to you. Dogs are extremely loyal. Atticus will know that you saved him, and he will give his undying affection to you.”

“Do you know of a vet in town?” he asked.

“Mom and Dad used the same vet for years, but he retired about three years ago. I think Dr. Bridges bought that practice.”

He carried Atticus inside the house while Autumn collected the purchases from Walmart. She placed the crate and doggy bed in the great room and then brought the sacks into the kitchen, emptying them and placing the items on the counter.

“I only bought a small bag of food. The vet may have a recommendation for a line he carries at his practice. This will get you through the rest of the weekend, however.”

She reached out and petted Atticus’ head, and he woofed softly.

“I also bought some doggy shampoo and a brush. I think we should give him a bath now. He’s not going to like it at all, but he needs to be cleaned up.”

“Would you stay and help supervise? I’m not really sure how to go about it.”

“I’m happy to help out, Eli.”

They took Atticus to the primary bathroom, where Autumn filled the large soaking tub with a couple of inches of warm water. She had brought the collapsible bowl with her.

“This is what we’ll use to rinse him for now. You might want to buy a plastic pitcher for in the future.”

He placed the pup into the tub and saw how the dog began to tremble again.

“Just talk to him soothingly,” she encouraged. “He already trusts you.”

“This is for your own good, Atticus,” he said gently. “We don’t know how long you were out there or what’s in your coat, so you get to have this nice bath.”

He held the dog while Autumn poured warm water over the animal, wetting his coat. She poured shampoo into her hands and rubbed it across the dog’s back, chest, and legs. Atticus seemed to understand that this was for his benefit, and his shaking subsided.

Autumn rinsed him, both continuing to talk softly to the dog.

“I didn’t think to purchase a towel for him. We’ll need to use one of yours.”

“In the linen closet,” he said, wincing as she opened it. He only owned two towels, and one hung from a hook on the back of the bathroom door now.

“I hate to use your last towel, but Atticus needs it,” she said. “Do you think when I shop for your bedding that I might need to purchase a few bath towels?”

“Get whatever you need. I’ll reimburse you for that and whatever you spent today on Atticus.”

They dried the dog together and noticed that he favored his right paw. Autumn held it up to her, inspecting it. She pulled out her cell phone from her pocket and turned on the flashlight.

“It looks as if he has a thorn jammed pretty deeply. That must be the cause of his limp.”

Eli directed her to the medicine cabinet, where she removed tweezers, alcohol, ointment, and some gauze pads. He held Atticus steady as she removed the thorn and rubbed alcohol and the ointment on it. The dog whimpered slightly but stayed still otherwise.

“I’m going to cover his paw with one of the larger gauze pads,” she explained.

She did so and retrieved a coated rubber band from her purse, placing it around the pup’s leg. “This should hold it in place until he can see the vet.”

Eli carried Atticus to the kitchen. Autumn poured half a cup of food into one of the pet bowls she’d purchased, and the dog enthusiastically gobbled it up.

“This should be it for now,” she said. “He may not have eaten much for a good while, so we don’t want him to overeat and be sick. I would feed him a third of a cup three or four times tomorrow at scattered intervals. Dr. Bridges will be able to give you more of a schedule once you see him.”

Atticus looked as if he were about to drop from exhaustion, so Eli scooped up the pup and placed him in the dog bed in the great room. Within seconds, the dog closed his eyes and fell asleep.

He moved to sit in the lawn chair since Autumn had taken the folding chair.

“You’ve certainly had a full day, Eli. From buying furniture to claiming your first pet.

I’m glad you decided to bring him home with you.

I think rescuing an animal is one of the most noble things a person can do.

I know people will pay hundreds—sometimes, thousands—to buy a purebred, but I believe rescue dogs make for the best pets. ”

“Should I leave a message at this Dr. Bridge’s clinic?” he asked.

“That’s a good idea. You want to get Atticus in to see him as soon as you can.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and searched, giving him the vet’s phone number.

He input it into his contact list and then dialed the number.

“You have reached the voicemail of Hawthorne Animal Clinic. Please leave your name, number, and a detailed message of what your pet needs. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”

After the beep sounded, Eli said, “This is Dr. Eli Carson. I’m the new medical director at the hospital about to open.

I just found a dog abandoned on the side of the road when I was out today and want to adopt him if he doesn’t have a microchip.

I need to bring Atticus in for an examination and whatever shots he needs. ”

“Register,” whispered Autumn.

“And register him with the city,” he added. Eli left his cell number and said he looked forward to hearing from them.

“It’ll probably be Monday before you get a call back. I do know they board pets, however, so someone will be in this weekend to care for those animals. Whether or not they listen to the messages and jot them down is another thing.”

“I’m set to go for now. I can’t thank you enough for all your help, Autumn. I wouldn’t have known the first thing to do for Atticus. I appreciate your guidance, with him and the furniture shopping spree.”

“I know the background you came from would be considered a disadvantaged one, Eli, but you’ve made so much of yourself.

You have landed a wonderful position at a prestigious hospital.

You’re now a homeowner who’s about to have furniture he can sit on and sleep in.

And you’ve decided to join the ranks of pet owners.

I think you’re doing quite well for yourself. ”

“And I’ve made a friend in you,” he said. “I’ve told you that I’ve never really had friends before, just acquaintances or work colleagues. I’ve never gone out for drinks with a group from work or gone to a movie or dinner with people. I value the friendship that we are building.”

“I do, too,” she said softly, looking at him in a strange way.

Then Autumn shot to her feet. “I need to go,” she said brusquely. “I have things to do at home. I’m glad we were able to furnish most of your downstairs, Eli, as well as finding Atticus.”

He accompanied her to the door, wondering if he had overstepped by sharing how much their new friendship meant to him.

“Thank you for everything today, Autumn.”

She bit her lip as if she were thinking something over and then said, “I was glad to be of assistance, Eli. See you at work on Monday. Enjoy Atticus.”

He watched as she hurried down the sidewalk. She got into her new car, which she seemed very proud of, and he watched her drive away, feeling a hole in his heart with her departure.

Autumn may have felt as if he were the one at a disadvantage growing up, but she’d gone from what probably had been an idyllic childhood in Hawthorne to a messy adult life.

A bad marriage. A cheating husband. Years of pulling long hours of double shifts.

Just as he was starting a new chapter in his own life, he realized that Autumn was doing the same.

And much as Eli wanted to take things beyond friendship with Autumn, if he tried to do so, it would likely cost him the friendship they had already established. That would mean working together and always being uncomfortable around one another. He couldn’t risk that.

He went to his bedroom, bringing his ancient sleeping bag with him, putting it next to Atticus’ dog bed. Slipping inside it, he rested one hand on his new pet’s flank. He would have to direct all his affection to his new furry friend.

And not Autumn Sutherland.