Love From a Book

Chapter Four - Dean

She’s lying about not being hungry, I don’t understand why. She’s blushing because he stomach growling just betrayed her. Being hungry isn’t anything to be embarrassed about, though. Does she not like the food? I tried to order a variety of different things, so she had enough choice. “Do you not like the food?” She shifts uncomfortably in her seat, damn now I’ve made her feel worse. “No it’s not that, the food is lovely, I really appreciate how much effort you’ve gone to, I... I’m just worried about Casper that’s all”. Oh well, that makes sense. Of course she’s worried about Casper. However I’m not completely convinced she’s telling me the whole truth, but I let it slide. “Of course you are. I’ll give the vets a call now and ask for an update” I step into the lounge to call the vet, and I see her finishing the one pastry she took. So she’ll eat when she thinks I’m not watching. What’s that about?

The receptionist at the vets tells me they are still operating. It’s been touch and go. Casper’s injuries are serious, and if they get him through the surgery, then the next forty-eight hours after that will be crucial. I send a quick message to Tate after I’m done on the phone to the vets and inform him to extend the hotel booking for a few days and to bring my work laptop and some clothes. I’ll stay at the hotel in case Elsie needs anything. It’s closer than my place. I’m about to head back into the dining area when I see her walking towards me. “Oh are you finished? The receptionist said they are still operating, but she’s assured me they’ll call as soon as they are finished.” She looks as if she’s about to cry again, and i can’t stand it. I pull her towards me and wrap my arms around her. Her hair smells like lavender and its divine, she fits in my arms perfectly, like when was made to be there.

She sobs silently into my chest, but I can feel her tears dampening my shirt, not that I care about that, but I hate to see her cry. I gently rub her back in soothing strokes, and after a few moments, she pulls away embarrassed. “I’m sorry, thank you for all you have done, but I’d better leave now.” She turns to walk away, but I grab her hand “Elsie, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s been a very traumatic morning, and I’m glad I could be here for you. Please don’t leave. Let me take care of you while you're going through this.” She hesitates a moment before a stubborn look appears on her face.

God damn it. Her car is still at the pet store. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine” she turns and goes to pick up her bag from the bedroom. “Please, at least let Tate drive you to get your car.” She shouldn’t be driving at all in the state she’s in, but I know I won’t win that one. But I can have Tate watch her and make sure she’s alright. “Okay, thank you” she agrees. “Thank you, he’s waiting in the hall for you” she extends her hand to me presumably to shake it. I grasp it in my own hand and run my thumb across it before bringing it up to my mouth to kiss it. “My card is your bag. Call me if you need anything. Goodbye Elsie, and please let me know how Casper gets on.” And just like that she’s gone, leaving the hotel room feeling very empty without her presence.

Mitchell from my security team brings me my laptop and clothes as I’ve assigned Tate to Elsie, and i spend the afternoon working from the hotel. I’m restless, though. I can’t stop thinking about her. As the day goes on, my patience gets shorter. I need to know how she is. I hate to think of her alone and upset. I dial Tate’s number “Sir?” His response is fast. “How is she?” He pauses for a moment before replying, “She’s at the vets office. Sir, she came here immediately after I dropped her at her car and she hasn’t left since.” I check my watch it’s 6pm she barely ate any lunch, and now it looks like she’s not going to leave anytime soon so she won’t eat dinner. She needs looking after I don’t care what she says. She’s not fine. “Come pick me up, and let the hotel know it’s two people for dinner this evening.” I’m giddy at the thought of seeing her again. I just wish it wad under better circumstances. “Yes Sir” Tate replies. I hang up, grab my jacket, and head down, ready to meet him when he arrives.

We pull up at the vets. Good, her car is still here. She hasn’t left yet. However she’s not in the waiting area. “Mr Thomas, Hello, how can I help you” the vets receptionist recognises me. I’m not sure Elsie has clocked who I am yet, but this receptionist fluttering her eyelashes at me clearly has. Well I’m not interested, sweetheart. “Yes I’m looking for Miss Stuart. Her dog Casper was brought in today.” I smile at her, knowing that she’ll give me the information I need. “Oh... err... yes she’s just using the bathroom. She’ll be out in a moment. Can i get you anything?” She asks while fluttering her eyelashes at me again. “No, thank you, I’ll wait.” Just as I’m turning to head to a seat, Elsie steps out of the bathroom and spots me immediately.

“Oh, Hi” I can tell she’s been crying. Her eyes are red and slightly puffy. “Hello Elsie, any news?” She shakes her head, and then we both turn as we hear the doors behind rather reception desk open. “Casper’s people?” The vet asks. “Yes” she replies. He comes around the desk to lead us into a little room. “Okay so Casper came through the surgery well. However, I must stress the next forty-eight hours are crucial. There were extensive internal injuries, which we managed to fix as well as several breaks, including his leg, pelvis, and ribs. We’ve pinned in place what we can and attached a frame on his pelvis to keep things in place. Recovery will be long, lots of physio and hydrotherapy. But for now, our main focus is on infection. The risk of infection is extremely high and so we’ll be keeping him in at least for the next four days, and then we will reassess.”

Elsie let’s out a little sob, followed by a loud sigh of relief. “But he’s alive?” She asks as if she can’t believe it. “Yes he’s alive, but like I said, the next forty-eight hours are critical. Would you like to see him? And her face lights up. “Yes! Yes, please!” Tears are pouring down her face, and the vet is eyeing her up. I put my arm around her to comfort her but also as a f**k you to the vet. She slips her arm back around me and lucks up at me with a teary smile. “Will you come with me?” I’m stunned by the the question as after her stubborn reaction at the hotel earlier I wasn’t expecting her to ask anything of me. “Of course darling” and I kiss her forehead without thinking, it was just a natural reaction and she squeezes me tighter in response.

The vet leads us into the back but before we get to Casper he stops “Just to warn you, he’s probably still going to be very groggy from the anaesthetic and he has all the frame work around him so just prepare yourself.” He leads us round the corner and Casper spots her and let’s out a whine. She’s on her knees immediately lavishing little kisses all over his face. He tries his best to wag his tail at her but he can hardly move it. Tears are rolling down her face again as she comforts Casper as gently as she can. We stay for well over an hour until the vet eventually tells us he needs to give him some more medication and we should come back tomorrow. He promises to call if anything happens and after she gives Casper one more kiss I usher her back out into reception.