Christie told him what she had observed, and it was obvious from Tosha’s malaise that she was sick.
After examining the cat, the vet said, “I’m going to draw blood and we’ll see what’s going on. Her temperature is somewhat elevated, and she’s probably dehydrated. She’ll need fluids. We can keep her overnight and give her an IV or we can inject water under her skin and you can take her home when we’re finished. Unless her tests show something critical.”
Christie could not bear the thought of Tosha being in a cage overnight. And what if…? “I’d like to take her home. She’ll be more comfortable.”
“I understand,” Dr. Jacobs said. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable in the waiting room until we’re finished.”
Christie nodded, unable to speak. She knew that if she said another word she would start blubbering. Out in the waiting room, Cash put an arm around her. She leaned against him, burrowing her face against his chest. “Thank you for coming,” she said.
“I know how much Tosha means to you.”
Christie dabbed at the tears that spilled from her eyes. She had lived alone for a long time, and Tosha had been her best friend. She had hugged her close when she was happy, and she had hugged her close when she was sad. What would she do without her?
“She’s got to be all right,” she said.
They sat and waited. Christie was thankful for the strength Cash’s presence imparted. When she had lived at home, her mother was her rock, but ever since she moved to San Francisco she had faced life’s foibles alone. It was a change to have someone to lean on.
“It’s taking so long, that must mean bad news.”
“The doctor said he was going to hydrate Tosha. That takes time.”
“He should have let me go in the back with her. She isn’t accustomed to being with strangers. She’ll be scared.”
“I know this is hard for you, but you have to trust the doctor.”
“Oh, Cash, what if…” Her voice trailed off.
He put his fingers to her lips. “No what ifs.”
It was only twenty minutes until Dr. Jacobs returned to the waiting room with Tosha. Christie felt as if it had been a lifetime. She anxiously reached for the cat.
“I hydrated Tosha, and I gave her a shot of antibiotics. Her blood and urine indicate an infection, but I’m sure we’ve caught it in time. Rachael will give you antibiotic tablets. I want Tosha to have one three times a day for three days, then twice a day until they are gone. If she doesn’t start taking food or water after twenty-four hours, call me. If there is a change for the worse, which I don’t anticipate, call me. Our kitties usually respond well to this antibiotic.”
“Thank you, Dr. Jacobs.” Christie snuggled her face into Tosha’s thick fur.
“Come on, Christie,” Cash said softly, picking up the carrier and holding it so that she could lower the cat into it. “Everything is going to be all right. You heard what the doctor said.”
She nodded, too emotionally drained to say or do anything else.
“I’ll follow you home.”
“Will you come in for a cup of coffee? Or tea?”
“Sure.”
She did not want to be alone. Part of her was reassured by the vet’s prognosis, but another part was fearful that she would lose her cat. Cash would be comforting, and that, she was convinced, was the prescription she needed.
It was still light out when she arrived at her apartment. She was thankful for daylight savings time. Driving San Francisco’s busy streets and jockeying for a parking space in the dark would have taken more skill than her jangled nerves could muster. A few minutes after she got Tosha settled on the bed, Cash was at the door. She was quick to let him in; his presence provided a semblance of calm.
“How’s the patient?” he asked.
“She’s sleeping. I’ve never seen her so lifeless; it’s pitiful.”
“The vet said she’d sleep more than usual until the infection recedes.”
“I know, and cats normally sleep most of the time anyway, but it is so unlike her not to respond to me. When I got home this afternoon and she didn’t meet me at the door, didn’t come when I called…it scared me.”
“Of course, it’s only natural to be concerned.” She heard the sympathy in his voice.
“I was more than concerned, I was near panic. And I felt guilty. I had enjoyed a weekend away, completely unaware that my cat was ill. I was too busy to notice the signs. She could have died.”
“Don’t blame yourself. The cat would have been sick whether or not you were home. You acted as soon as you recognized there was a problem. Now where’s the coffee you promised me?”
“I’ll make it, just let me check on Tosha first.”
Cash shook his head and smiled at her, knowing that she had probably looked in on the cat only minutes before he arrived.
The following day, Christie quit work early to go home and give Tosha her midday antibiotic. Fortunately, she could work at home almost as easily as at the office. A couple of short days wouldn’t make any difference.
She had called Cash to thank him for his help last night. He had made light of it, but she had appreciated his strength and empathy. She would not have expected him to understand the depth of her attachment to Tosha, especially since he did not have a pet. She was grateful for his presence and could not imagine what it would have been like if she’d had to wait alone for the results of Tosha’s tests and treatment.
There was so much about him that was not visible from the outside. His tough facade was necessary for a successful trial lawyer, but his underlying character was soft when it came to the people he cared about. And, she realized, he cared about her. Last night proved that. Their relationship encompassed more than moonlight trysts—it had depth.
She had thought she might never open her heart again. She had struggled with keeping it closed to invitations to love. Even with Cash, she had not dared to think of the future; only the here and now. But last night the shield she had erected, and so carefully tended, had shattered. There was no need to fight her heart. Her reactions to his kiss, his embrace, were thrilling, but she had questioned their future. Enjoy the moment, don’t get hurt had been her motto. She would not fool herself any longer. This was real, at least on her part, and she was willing to risk her heart. This time, she believed it was right.
Christie tended to Tosha, then tried to catch up on a portfolio of work that she had brought home from the office. She sat at her desk and pulled a sheaf of papers from a folder. She tapped her pen on the desk; she could not focus on her work. Her thoughts were on Cash and scenes swirled through her mind: once again she was in his strong arms. Without conscious thought, she hugged herself tightly.
“I’m in love,” she said out loud. Tosha’s ear twitched. “Yes, I’m in love.” She left her desk and walked to the couch. She picked Tosha up and placed the cat on her lap. As she stroked the cat’s soft fur, contentment wrapped Christie like a warm blanket.
At six o’clock, a knock at the door startled her out of a comfortable nap. When she gently moved Tosha off her lap, the cat issued a protesting meow. Christie opened the door and was surprised to see Cash. He handed her a paper bag.
“To the rescue,” Christie said, as she held the deli bag.
Cash bowed his head in mock acceptance of her words. “I thought you might need some nourishment. I’m sure Tosha has been well cared for and that you might have forgotten about yourself. I picked up half a roast chicken and scalloped potatoes at the hot food counter at the market.”
“You are a sweetheart,” she said.
“Your sweetheart, I hope,” Cash said. He took her free hand in his for a moment and she felt intimacy in the simple gesture. She looked up at him, and their gazes locked. Familiar ripples passed through her body.