Free Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George Page A

ever be enough because his was a torture visited upon me every year at the Sinclair’s Christmas party. Now I’m all confused. I always loved that party, but since Travis’s little joke, I look forward to it and dread it in equal measure.”
    Sam chewed on a slice of garlic bread. “Don’t worry. Gillian got him back for you. She made him propose to her so many times we started a pool. Everyone in town had a piece of the action.”
    Jade nodded. “And Sandy Johnson thought she’d won when Travis proposed at Reggie’s wedding. But Gillian put him in his place. Imagine proposing at someone else’s wedding. What was he thinking? No he deserves a harsher punishment. I have to come up with something that will repeat on him, like that garlic you’re eating right there.”
    Sam shook his head and looked hurt. “I’m not that old. I don’t have a list of foods that don’t agree with me…yet.”
    They spent the rest of dinner remembering Travis stories. They laughed so hard, Jade started to cough. Sam patted her firmly on the back. Finally, she sat back in her chair. Flushed and breathing heavily she stood up and in a ravaged, throaty voice asked Sam if he wanted coffee.
    He declined. Lifting his wrist, he glanced at his watch. When he put his arm back down on the table he tipped over an empty glass. Ruefully he smiled then passed her an accusing look, but didn’t refer to her ever present jinx on him. “I should be going actually. Your boss may not be impressed if you’re late tomorrow morning.”
    “Ogre.” She walked him to the door. Fleetingly, she considered kissing him goodnight. What would he do? She wondered. Last time he’d responded immediately until he realized it was her he’d been kissing. Would it be the same? She watched her opportunity fade away as he said a casual good night and walked out to his truck.
     
    * * * *
     
    The next morning Jade arrived at the clinic early. She hoped to visit with Billy for a bit. He wagged his tail politely, but Jade knew his heart wasn’t in it. He was still groggy from the pain killers and grieving the loss of his friend. Jade understood that some animals grieved so deeply they slipped into a depression, but she doubted Billy would be one of them. He had a family who loved him. He was anxious to get back to them and begin the healing process.
    Jade went in search of Sam. She didn’t really know what he wanted her to do for the generous salary he’d offered her. She found him in the stables talking to Petra. Eavesdropping only created an odd feeling in her chest. He was wonderful with all animals, but with Petra he was even better. She could feel how much he cared about her. Petra of course had spied Jade standing in the doorway and alerted Sam to her presence by nodding her head.
    He turned to look at Jade. His crooked smile creased his face. “Hey there, good morning.” He looked so happy to see her, the strange feeling in her chest grew, and she frowned in reaction.
    Sam frowned with concern. “What’s wrong?” He was at her side immediately. He almost tripped over a pail on his way there, but he made it.
    Jade blinked. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just wondering what you want me for.”
    Speechless, he looked at her blankly for a moment. They were a rather pathetic pair this morning she thought as she clarified her question. “What are my duties and responsibilities?
    “Ah. Well, I thought you could assist me with my patients. Tell me if I’m missing anything important. My abilities to heal them are hampered by my inability to communicate with them. That’s where you come in.”
    Jade nodded. “That’s where I come in. What happens if we disagree about the best treatment for a patient?”
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
    “Oh we’ll come to it, I imagine. Be prepared for my honesty. When it comes to animals, I can be very stubborn.” She was deadly serious. “I know people think I’m a mouse, and when I don’t care either