Page 34 of More than a Memory
His thoughts of Darcy were still present, like a mist surrounding him as he went about his workday. She would drift in and out, but he could feel her even when he wasn’t consciously thinking of her. Her scent was imprinted in his memory; he had only to recall burying his nose in her hair to once more experience a delight to his senses. Remembering her firm breasts pressed against him as they had kissed on the couch, her leg wrapped around his, made him yearn for more. Their bodies fit together like two halves of a whole. It had taken all his willpower not to lose himself entirely. He knew that she was ripe and ready, as was he, but he also knew himself, and he would never be satisfied with a one-night stand. If he were being honest with himself, he also knew it was way too late to turn back now. He had developed deep feelings for Darcy and was determined to win her heart.
For now, he had to focus on his next patient, a $100,000 Dutch Warmblood named Dame, who was supposed to be in a show this weekend but had turned up lame. The owner, a pretty young woman named Addison, greeted him effusively as he jumped out of his truck.
“Oh, Dr. Parker, thank God you’re here!”
“I got here as fast as I could. It’s already been about three days squeezed into one morning,” he replied.
“We’re supposed to leave Thursday for a dressage show. There are people coming to watch that are interested in breeding her with their champion stallion in the spring.”
“Lead the way. Let’s see what we can find out,” Sam said.
Sliding open the stall door, he looked into the large, gentle eyes of a beautiful black mare with distinctive white markings.
“Hey there, Dame,” he said calmly, holding out his hand for her to smell. After Sam had palpated and examined her by doing joint movements and stretches, he said, “Addison, why don’t you slip her halter on and walk her up and down the aisle?”
“Sure.”
She walked Dame up and down the corridor as Sam observed.
“Let’s move to the indoor arena so I can evaluate her at a trot and canter,” he said, taking the lead rope from Addison.
“I’ll grab a lunge line and whip from the tack room and meet you there,” she said.
Standing in the center of the arena with Dame on a lunge line, Addison held the line in her left hand and lunge whip in her right, forming a V-shape. She clicked her tongue, commanding Dame to proceed counterclockwise at a brisk walk. She then asked her to trot, slightly cracking the whip. Dame immediately responded but had obvious difficulty with the trot.
“Whoa. That’s good, Addison, now bring her back to a walk. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t think she’ll be up for a show by this weekend. I suspect a slight strain; however, I want to do some bloodwork to rule out an infection. Could be a little bursitis in the knee joint as well. I’ll prescribe some NSAID pain meds. I don’t think it’s a fracture, but if she doesn’t respond, we will want to get X-rays. You’ll have to hand walk her frequently, and I suggest you call in your farrier to re-shoe her.”
“Oh no! Are you sure about this weekend?”
“I can check on her toward the end of the week and re-evaluate, but you don’t want to cause permanent damage. I’m sure you’ve been working her fairly hard in preparation for the show, so that’s why I think it is probably a strain. I won’t make any promises, let’s just see how she responds. OK?” Sam asked.
Impetuously, Addison hugged Sam then blushed beet red. She had the biggest crush on him, and, on an impulse, she said, “If you’re available, maybe we could go out for a beer sometime?”
Sam looked at her kindly and said, “Well, that is mighty tempting Addison, but I make it a rule not to mix my personal and professional life, but I’m flattered at the offer. I hope you don’t take it personal,” he added.
Embarrassed, she replied, “I don’t know why I said that. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, don’t be sorry. Nothing risked, nothing gained. It made my day!” He grinned at her. “Any guy would be thrilled to have the attention of a pretty girl like you!”
She lit up at the compliment, forgetting her earlier embarrassment.
“Well, now you made my day! If you change your mind…,” she said flirtatiously, having quickly recovered from her embarrassment.
“I’ll check in on Thursday to see how Dame is responding. In the meantime, I’ll let you know if there are any problems with the blood tests,” Sam said.
“OK, Doc. See you Thursday. Fingers crossed!” she said holding up her hand to display them.
* * *
Ah, to be twenty-one again, Sam thought, as he saluted her and drove away, heading to his next call. He checked in with Casey to be sure there weren’t any new emergencies to deal with.
“Hey, how’s my little brother?” Casey asked. “You’ve been making yourself pretty scarce lately. What’s going on with the beautiful Darcy Morgan?” she inquired.
“Oh, you know, the usual,” he said, teasing her.
“Sam, do I have to call her to find out?” Casey said, calling his bluff.
“Why don’t you have me over for dinner tonight and we can talk about it? I’m on call tonight, so even if I have to go out, at least I’ll have a good meal under my belt,” Sam said.