Hidden Jewel

By Olivia Marie

Ryan had lost everything and was giving up on life. He decides to move to a state where nobody knows him.
After settling in and finding a job, he still feels misplaced. That is, until he finds Jewels, a fawn French Bulldog. Emaciated and scared of the world, Ryan can't help but see himself in the little dog.

Stacy was too busy to have a life outside of work. Owning her own veterinarian clinic and volunteering at the shelter took up all of her time.
With a special needs Labrador to care for too, it is all the companionship she thought she needed after losing her husband.

When Ryan brings Jewels to Stacy's clinic, it is clear that Ryan needs her as much as she him. But can he let his guard down long enough to let someone else in?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crazy Ink
• Release date: Apr 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386934509

Book preview

Dedications

To my husband. This love story is for you but ours is still my favorite. Thank you for being the man you are and for loving our family the way you do.

CHAPTER ONE  Stacy

Are you ready to go to work, Roman? Before the words even left my lips, he was up and racing me to the door. All I could do was laugh. Rome, one of these days you will want to stay home, if you ever run out of energy.

Roman was doing his dance of alternating each front foot off the floor, waiting for me to grab his leash. It was the same dance he did every morning.

Alright, buddy. Let’s go help some animals today, shall we? To him, it didn’t matter what job we were going to. He loved the clinic as much as he loved the shelter. My big black lab was born to be a helper.

Pulling up to my vet clinic, I saw two cars in the parking lot. The little blue four door was my receptionist’s; the other, a little red SUV with the ‘I Love My Havanese’ bone shaped sticker on the bumper, I recognized as one of my clients.

Good morning, Stacy. Your first patient is waiting for you in exam 2, my receptionist, Heather said as soon as I walked in the door. Roman ran right up to the petite brunette for his morning treat. Good morning, handsome! she said smiling at him and holding out her hand.

He grabbed it from her after giving her hand a kiss than walked over to his bed in the corner to eat it.

I swear he gets cuter every day, she said while laughing at him.

I think so too.

I loved that dog more than anything else. For the last two years he has never left my side. They say dogs are the loyal, but my boy has to be the most faithful one I have ever met.

Giving him one more pat on the cheek, I walked over to the exam room.

Hi Riley! How are you today, boy?

The little white and tan Havanese puppy was wiggling so hard I was afraid he would fall off the table. Being only four months old, he never sat still and had no fear.

Good morning, Paula. What is going on with this wiggle worm today? I asked, walking over to the table for a round of kisses complete with the sweet smell of puppy breath.

Thank you for getting us in this morning, she started, out of breath. We were playing right after breakfast with his favorite stuffed toy. I went to go throw it and he grabbed on when I was already pulling my arm back. I saw one of his baby teeth fall on the floor and before I could get to it, he had swallowed it. What do we have to do? Will he need surgery? How will I ever afford that? Talking franticly, she reached for her little ball of cotton soft fur and held him close. The corners of her eyes were moist and the pink in her cheeks told me she was fighting back her fears.

Paula, it will be alright. Just breathe. Puppies swallow their teeth all the time. It will soon ‘pass’ on its own. I was fighting back the laugh that was threatening to make its way out of my mouth. Her distress was evident, and I was not going to add to it by making her feel bad.

Are you sure? she asked, her voice going up a few octaves. When my nephew swallowed a coin, they had to go in with a scope to get it out.

I am positive. He will be fine. Just watch for him when you get ready to throw a toy. They are quick. This was her first dog and she was in here weekly for one reason or another.

Yes, they are. Thank you, Stacy. Sorry if I wasted your time. Eyes to the floor, she hooked the leash to the excited puppy.

Not at all! I love starting my day out with Riley. Putting my hand on hers to reassure her, she looked up and gave a small smile.

I walked her out and Riley ran over to Roman, pulling the leash from Paula’s hand. They started to play as I stopped by the desk.

No charge today for Paula, I said to Heather.

Are you sure? You did take the time to look at him. Paula said, looking at Riley playing with my dog that outweighed him by at least 60 pounds. I could see it in her eyes that she was worried he would get hurt and had to stifle a laugh.

I’m sure. It was my morning treat. You two have a great day and we will talk soon.

She grabbed her little dog and said goodbye to Roman before leaving.

That was nice of you not to charge her. Was Riley alright?

Happy as could be. He swallowed a puppy tooth playing today. She needed to know he was going to be okay. Easy appointment. Besides, she will be in here again in a few weeks for more shots.

This is true. At least Riley is a great dog.

He is. I have a dental to do on a senior dog in about an hour. I am going to get that ready. If you need me, give a yell.

No problem. I will hang out with this big guy.

Knowing Heather was talking about him, Roman jumped up to bring her his toy to play with. It was his favorite and the last one Josh bought him. A brown and white cow with a squeaker in each hoof, tail, and nose.

It was hours later when it was finally time to go home. Exhausted, but thankful for another good day, we started to close down for the night.

See you tomorrow, Heather.

See you tomorrow, she said reaching for the door handle to her car.

Ready to go home, boy? Rome raced me to my truck and won just like he always did. You beat me again. In my defense, I did work all day while you played and slept.

He turned his head to the side, closed his mouth, and gave me the side stare like he was telling me that was hard work too. All I could do was laugh and give him the last biscuit I was hiding in my jean pocket.

Let’s go. We have to make dinner, and you need your pill. Can’t be late on that.

I thought his tail was going to fall off when I said dinner. I swear that is all Labradors think about. When is breakfast? When is dinner? Can I have a snack? Then I sit there and envy him because he doesn’t have a care in the world.

I wish I could say the same, but we as people are not that lucky. I guess he does have one thing to worry about. He has been different with me ever since I lost my husband. He has changed from his dog to mine, and he takes his new job as protector very seriously.

I guess you could say that our bond has only strengthened since the one person we both loved was taken from us so abruptly a few years ago. We have managed though, and we even have our own way of dealing with what comes at us together. We stay busy caring for others in order to pass the time and enjoying our once a week popcorn and movie party for two, and he really is the best friend I have ever had. I can tell him anything and I know he won’t go telling it to anyone else. I can sing off-key, not get out of my pajamas, forget to brush my hair, or even forget to get out of bed on the bad days. No matter what, there he is.

I guess after I lost my husband and he lost his best friend, it bonded us together when before, even though I loved him, we were more roommates than anything. Roman had Josh, and I was the other person in the house that took care of him.

It’s funny how things work out. Not that I was against having a dog, but I wasn’t ready the same time Josh was, and when he brought Roman home, I can say now, I wasn’t thrilled. A friend at his work had a litter and nobody wanted this one because of a health condition. Josh thought with me being a vet, our house would be perfect for him. He has seizures, but they are contained with one little pill twice a day. Hardly a reason to not give him a chance at life. Once the medications were regulated, he stopped having the seizures. He is a very happy and otherwise healthy boy, and Josh was his world.

The one small choice to go get our favorite takeout on his way home from another late night at work changed our lives forever. If only he would have driven straight home, he wouldn’t have been sitting at the red light when the driver playing on their phone plowed into him from the