Fur and Phobia

By Julia Talbot

Abby with a terrible fear of dogs, one she can't shake, even though she knows it's illogical. Aaron thinks he might just be the one to cure her, but he and his lover, Lee, have a secret that may send Abby running for the hills. Can they work together to ease Abby’s fears?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives
• Release date: Feb 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9780991558995

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Fur and Phobia

© 2009 by Julia Talbot

All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Turtlehat Creatives, 1380 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Box 1319, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-0-9915589-9-5

Previously published by Torquere Press electronic edition / 2009

Turtlehat Creatives electronic edition / February 2015

Fur and Phobia

Julia Talbot

Deb searched through her Rolodex, looking for a particular number, her long, painted nails clacking on the plastic as she flipped. The cards were all neat, organized, little labels pasted on the cards. It wasn’t an issue of organization, really. It was an issue of memory.

Under A for ‘Aaron’?

W for ‘Weiler’?

T for ‘Trainer’?

M for ‘Man’s Best’...

Bingo!

She grinned, plucked the car out and dialed, pencil tapping impatiently on her desk as the phone rang. And rang. And rang.

Oh, for the love of... Oh! Aaron, darling! It’s Dr. Ballard. How are you, dear?

Hey, Doc. Deb could hear dogs barking in the background as Aaron answered, the phone clunking against something and Aaron grunting. How’s it hanging, lady?

She chuckled, pushing her curls off her shoulder. Oh, dearest. Life is delicious, as always. It sounds wonderfully busy for you. The kennel full? She did adore Aaron, from top to bottom. Such an interesting man, so good with dumb animals.

Uh-huh. And the living room, the backyard and the run... A low chuckle came across the line, masculine and happy. So what can I do for you, Doc?

I have a client, lovely. A sweet, smart lady with a bit of a problem that I think you’re the perfect cure for.

Yeah? Darn it, Mop, you big hairy freak. Get down. Sorry. What sort of a problem?

Deb tugged Abby’s file over, flipped it open. She’s a horticulturist. Researches plants. Quite clever at it, too. Just finished grad. school. Unfortunately, she has an unreasonable cynophobia that’s preventing her from doing her job.

Well, that’s not good. Lots of dogs out in people’s yards. He laughed again, and she could hear the crunch of large teeth on a bone. There, you monstrous beast. I can take the referral, sure. How do you want me to play it? Tough love or slow introduction?

Mmm... Now there was a fun question. I can see benefits to either method. She’s not a shrinking violet, but she’s definitely a girl.

Well, Doc, you’re the shrink. I don’t want to damage her psyche forever doing it the wrong way.

Now, now. Are you suggesting you might do it the wrong way? She chuckled, chewing on the end of her pen. I’d start easy, darling. Let her relax. You can always be hard after.

That got a bark of laughter that had her grinning right along. Really, he had the best disposition. Okay. Set it up for me to meet her somewhere else to begin with, then. Lunch, or something.

How about Fellini’s? They’ve got a little of everything. How does tomorrow sound? Say noon-ish?

That sounds fine. I’ll leave Lee in charge of the kennel. Thanks for the job, Doc.

Anytime, darling. Stop by sometime for coffee. We’ll chat.

Well, she’d ogle. He could chat.

You got it, Deb. Oh, by the way, tell your cousin that she can pick up the poodle anytime. He doesn’t chew his fur out anymore.

Sweet, sweet boy.

Thank you, honey. I’ll let Abby know. Oh! Her name’s Abigail Mann. Blonde, green eyes, sweet little thing - she’ll be looking for you.

A low growl came through, but not an unhappy one. Oh. That sounds nice. I’ll be looking for her too. See you, Doc.

Goodbye, darling. Enjoy her and do keep me informed.

She chuckled to herself as she hung up the phone. That was, after all, the very best part.

Being informed.

***

Lee! Got a referral from Deb. You’re gonna have to watch the place for a bit! Aaron unwrapped Woofer from the umbrella stand, trying to get the big sheepdog to work on a leash.

Lee walked out of the kennel area, wiping his hands on a big rag, smile lines crinkling around his green eyes. You look happy about it, lover. Is she pretty?

His long-time partner knew him too damned well. Deb says she’s all girl. She’s got fuzzy-phobia.

Well, that could be inconvenient at a certain time of the month, baby.

***

If she could, Abby would just beat herself.

Honestly.

Four years as an undergrad. Three years in grad school. The perfect internship. The job offer of a lifetime and the first client she goes to see? The first yard she goes into to take samples?

She ended up in the back of an ambulance, hyperventilating, shaking so bad she couldn’t stand.

It was stupid. Everybody loved dogs.

Everybody.

People bought calendars of the awful things, even.

She rolled her eyes, tightened her ponytail and pushed the restaurant doors open. Well, Dr. Ballard said this man was the finest dog trainer in the state, that he’d helped tons of people overcome their phobias.

That he could help her keep her