Frank leaned forward expectantly. That crazy dog was finally going to catch the rabbit that had been eluding him for months.

But to his surprise, Jasper slowed, then stopped about ten feet away from the rabbit. He just stood there, waiting.

A few moments later, the rabbit recovered and started running again. And Jasper raced after it, his tongue hanging out. He was having the time of his life.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Frank muttered.

The rabbit escaped into its burrow, and Jasper halted at the entrance, barking.

“That’s enough, Jasper,” Frank shouted. “You’ve scared that rabbit good. Let’s get home for lunch.”

Frank gave his horse a few quick squeezes with his legs and was soon moving at a slow trot.

Jasper came running back and fell in alongside Frank’s horse.

“I saw what you did,” Frank said. “You like playing with that rabbit, don’t you?”

The dog woofed and looked up with a huge doggy grin.

Frank laughed. “I swear, you’re one strange beast, but I sure am glad to have made your acquaintance.”

###

As Frank came through the front door with Jasper, Megan glowered at him from the dining room table.

Frank didn’t like that look.

“What did I do now?” he asked as he shut the door behind him.

Megan flicked an auburn lock from her face. “I finally reached the VA, and you know what they told me? They said the clinical trial got canceled or some such nonsense, and they were surprised we didn’t get a call.” She pointed at him accusatorily. “Did you know about that, Franklin O’Reilly? Is that why you kept delaying?”

Frank held up his hands. “Innocent, your honor. That’s news to me. Heck, woman, you know I hate talking on the phone. You think I’d have kept trying after getting that damned answering machine? Pfft.” He gave a dismissive shake of his head. “No chance.”

Megan frowned, then relaxed and gave him a twisted grin. “Well, then you’ll be happy to know I called Dr. Montgomery. He said he can see you this afternoon.”

Frank groaned. “Today? When?”

Megan stood, an odd smile on her face. She grabbed his elbow and started leading him back toward the bedroom. “We’ve got two hours before your appointment. So I was thinking… why don’t we both take a shower?”

Frank looked down at his wife and returned her smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

###

Frank tapped his feet nervously as he and Megan waited in the doctor’s office for the x-ray results.

Megan leaned her cheek against his shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. Doc Montgomery said you don’t have any swelling anymore, and all your vitals checked out.”

“Yup, but I’ve got a fever, so who knows what that means.”

She lightly slapped him on the thigh. “Oh, now you care about that? I’ve been telling you you’ve been running a fever for ages.”