Page 59 of Married With Lies
It’s something to chew on.
Something else to chew on is the fact that Richie has not mentioned this information to me. Though I’m technically recuperating and on a ‘second honeymoon’, it seems like someone would have found the time to share the news. Being out of the loop makes me uneasy.
The door that Daisy the poodle last walked through swings open and out comes Sadie’s best friend. Gus spots me, scowls, and scans the room. She’s dressed in her spiderweb lab coat. Giant earrings in the shape of witch’s hats dangle from her ears.
“Sadie will be right back,” I say.
Gus heaves a gigantic sigh and pushes her purple glasses up her nose. “Emily, I’ll be in Room two for a few minutes. Anna is giving Daisy her shots.”
“Got it,” chirps the receptionist.
Gus motions to me with impatience and I follow her lab coat through the doors and into a small exam room. “You’ll have to remove your shirt,” she says, snapping on a pair of blue latex gloves.
A jar of dog biscuits sits on the counter behind the sink. On the wall is a corkboard filled with handwritten notes and animal photos. I draw the line at sitting on the metal exam table meant for dogs but I remove my shirt without a fuss.
Gus raises an eyebrow at the sight of my bare chest. “At least you have some nice ink.”
“Thanks. And at least you have some nice witch earrings.”
She smirks and bends to examine my bandage with a frown. “Any pain?”
“Now and then.”
She peels back a piece of the tape that was holding the bandage on. “I don’t see any sign of infection but I’m also no expert on human bullet wounds. I’m a veterinarian. I treat animals.”
“You should tell Sadie that. I don’t think she knows.”
Gus snorts and removes her gloves. “I’d say you’re good to take the bandage off tomorrow. If you need more medical advice you should seek treatment from a doctor who specializes in people.”
“Noted.” I pull my shirt back on. “Are we done now?”
“No, we are not.” She props her hands on her hips and raises her chin. “Sadie Wingate is my best friend in the whole world. She’s also one of the greatest people I’ve ever known.” Her eyes flicker to the ring on my left hand. “I know Sadie very well. And I know that for whatever reason, you’re important to her. I have no idea what you’ve talked her into but she better not get hurt.”
“Even without your sermon I would never hurt Sadie.”
That is the honest truth.
It’s also the truth that when I hear Sadie’s best friend say that I’m important to her, a weird feeling hits me. I don’t believe she’s lying. Gus doesn’t strike me as the type who blows sunshine up anyone’s ass for the hell of it.
Gus sighs. She adjusts her orange and black striped headband. “You can go now. I have patients to see.”
“Thanks for the advice, Doc.”
She makes a face. “Usually I would say to help yourself to a dog biscuit from the jar but I wouldn’t want to waste any on you. And you better not mess up the Halloween room. It’s my favorite place to sleep.”
Gus leaves me to find my own way out. Back in the waiting room, Sadie has returned.
She grins and rattles a paper shopping bag. “Surprise. I bought you a present. You said you wanted a souvenir. This one will keep you warm.”
I look inside and see a black zip up hoodie.
“Try it on,” she says as she pulls it out of the bag and shoves it up to my chest. The words Sleepy Rock, Colorado are painted in white script across the back. “The size is extra-large. I hope that works.”
Her enthusiasm is kind of adorable. Besides, I can’t deny that the outside air is a little too cool to go running around in only a t-shirt. I pull the thing on without delay.
“Look at you.” She walks around me in a circle and lets out a wolf whistle. “You could almost pass for a local. What did Gus say?”
“That my bad attitude probably won’t kill me.”