Gabe’s phone started buzzing again. Hands finally free, he pulled it from his back pocket. It was Yun, his study partner from vet school. They’d graduated last year and were still close. She’d called six times; a few must have blended together. “I’ve got to take this.” He started to add that Patrick should go on ahead without him, but saw that Patrick was already lifting Tater Tot to the floor.

Gabe answered the call and stepped out into the hall. “Where’s the fire, Yun?”

“You know I hate it when you ignore my calls.”

“I was taking a cast off a basset hound.”

“It’s quarter to one. I thought your office closed almost an hour ago.”

“It did. I swung by High Grove.”

“Oh…that basset hound. How’s she doing?”

“Leg’s healing nicely. But you didn’t call me six times for that. What’s up?”

“Last week at lunch…you had that look. The one you get when it’s been too long between adrenaline rushes. And those ants in your pants are only going to get worse if you ignore them.”

Gabe dragged a hand through his hair. “What’re you getting at, Yun? Even if you’re right, life’s entirely too busy of late to heed the call of an adrenaline rush.”

“Didn’t you say you’re not on call this weekend? What’re you doing this afternoon that’s got you so busy on your half day off?”

“I’ve got Samson with me. He’s been moping around all week with all the hours I’ve put in. I was going to take him fishing, but the rain’s not letting up.”

“Fishing in the rain isn’t fun for human or dog. I’ve got something way better for both of you. Remember that closed Facebook group I asked you to join? The one that lists emergency cases needing veterinary assistance?”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Down south near the Bootheel—New Madrid, actually—they’ve got a warehouse full of animals that’ve been caught in the floods, and they’re seeking volunteer vet services for several different dogs. And you love triage work. I’d ride down with you, but I’m on call.”

Gabe suppressed a groan. He could feel the yes rising in his throat but held it back. “Yun, I don’t know. It’s been a long week…twelve-hour days and a string of tough surgeries.”

“Samson would want you to say yes. He loves riding in the car.”

Gabe closed his eyes, thinking of all the things he could be doing this afternoon, some tasks that needed to be done, others guilty pleasures—like fishing—that he’d put off far too long.

“One of the dogs is a golden retriever like Samson,” she added into his silence.

“Yun, you’re killing me.”