The urgency she heard in his voice spurred her to move on unsteady legs. Her heart beat too fast, and her hands shook as she flew out of the house and into the truck.

Luke followed right behind her, carrying Buddy. He deposited the dog gently onto the bench seat, his head resting on Syd’s lap. “There you go, boy,” Luke said as he got in and started the truck. “Probably just something you ate that you shouldn’t have.”

“You really think that’s all it is?” Syd asked, blinking back tears as she cradled Buddy’s head. This could not be happening. “I don’t know what I’ll do if—”

Luke’s hand covered hers. “Don’t go there. He’s going to be fine.”

While Sydney hung on to his reassurances, the speed with which he maneuvered the winding roads where she’d been so frightened the night before told her he was worried, too.

Janey chugged a steaming cup of coffee in the vet clinic break room while Joe massaged her shoulders. She’d been tense from the moment Luke called Joe looking for her.

“What’re you thinking?” Joe asked. He’d insisted on coming with her to the clinic.

“That I wish Doc’s niece hadn’t chosen this week to get married.”

“There’s nothing he could do for Buddy that you can’t do, too.”

“What if he needs surgery? Oh my God.” She shuddered and fought back the need to puke and hyperventilate at the same time. “I’ve certainly never done that on my own.”

“But you could. If you had to, you could.”

“Keep reminding me of that, will you?”

“I’ll be right here, baby. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

She leaned into his strong embrace. “Thanks.”

He turned her to face him. “You’ve been training for this your whole life, Janey. Whatever Buddy needs, you’ve seen Doc do it a million times.”

“I know.” Janey took another deep breath and released it. “You’re right. I can do this.” She rolled the tension from her shoulders and mentally prepared to fly solo.

“Luke said he’s a young golden retriever, so it’s probably nothing serious.”

“Let’s hope not. Otherwise, he’s got a second-year vet student on his case.”

Before Joe could reply, they heard the clinic’s main door push open.

“Janey!” Luke called out.

“Showtime,” she whispered to Joe, who squeezed her hand and released it.

“Right in here.” She ushered Luke, who was carrying Buddy, and Sydney into an exam room. Janey took one look at the dog, who was clearly suffering, and could tell right away this was no simple case of an upset belly. Figures. The dog cried out in distress when she examined his rigid abdomen.