NELLY SKIDDED INTO Erik’s shop and politely pushed the two guys standing in front of the counter out of the way. The Hispanic men sipping their beers gave her an appreciative look, but she ignored them and slammed her fist against the Formica tabletop.
“Erik! Max got into a car accident!”
Erik gasped, his fingers clutching the edges of the counter. He looked about ready to vault over and tear the burglar bars apart to get to her. “What? Is he alright? Where is he now? Did you get the jerk that did it?”
“No,” she said. “I mean, yes—Max has a sprained leg, but he’s fine. He’s at the animal clinic. The jerk who knocked into him ran away.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m okay.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “But Erik, I met this guy…” Her voice trailed when Nelly realized that they had an audienc
