Changeling Moon by Dani Harper Page B

Tyler.”
    â€œHe’s the one that did it, he kept trying.”
    â€œSo did you. And here’s two more for you.”
    In the end there were fifteen puppies nestled in a squirming mass under the heat lamp. Connor finished suturing the mother as he adjusted the gas, explaining that he had to wean Millie off the anesthetic. “She’s going to wake up pretty soon and we’ll see if we can talk her into nursing these pups a little. The first milk produced has all sorts of antibodies and such that the pups are going to need. But after that, we’re going to bottle feed them for a meal or two while she rests and recovers. Bring along a couple of the pups.”
    Zoey gathered up the two biggest puppies and followed as Connor carried Millie into his office and placed her on an enormous sheepskin pillow on the floor. It was surrounded by wide planks nailed together to form a box of sorts and positioned in front of the couch. Connor took the dog’s pulse, pushed open first one eyelid, then the other and looked in her eyes. The dog pulled her head back and shook it. “She’s waking up just fine. Put the pups with her and let’s go get the rest.”
    Zoey nestled them close to the mother, and was amazed at how they immediately flailed about in search of a nipple. One fastened on right away. “How do they know what to do?”
    â€œInstinct. All the instructions are hardwired into them, so they don’t have to know anything. They just do.”
    It took several trips, but finally, the pups were arranged two deep along the mother’s belly. Connor turned the lights off except for a small lamp. Zoey thought they were leaving but instead, he stretched out on the old couch. “I have to keep an eye on Millie for a while. She’s an experienced mom but she might be disoriented,” he explained and extended his arm in invitation. “Why don’t you scootch right in here and have a nap? You worked hard tonight.”
    She hesitated for a second, then realized she was far too tired to drive home. Besides, the idea of cuddling up to the tall vet was a temptation she really didn’t want to resist.
    The battered couch was surprisingly comfortable. It was long and wide, and although Connor filled the length of it, when he turned sideways there was just the right amount of room for her to spoon in front of him. He wrapped a powerful arm around her waist and pulled her snugly against him. God, it felt good. Heat seemed to flow from him, working its way into her tired body as if she had a campfire at her back. She watched as Millie lifted her head and began nosing her puppies, tentatively at first then licking them enthusiastically. “Look, she’s discovering her new family.”
    Connor’s voice rumbled pleasantly in her ear. “This is the best part, after it’s all over and you can just enjoy watching them bond.”
    â€œYou’re really good at what you do. And you like it a lot, don’t you?”
    â€œCan’t imagine doing anything else. But you were great tonight yourself.”
    â€œI don’t know about that.”
    â€œI do. You helped a helluva lot. I might have lost a couple of those pups, trying to do it all myself. Or I could have been a little too slow and lost Millie. So, thanks.”
    â€œThanks for asking me.”
    He planted a kiss on her cheek, hugged her tight. “Go to sleep now.”
    She did. She had fully intended to continue watching the puppies but instead fell headlong into dreamless slumber, secure in Connor’s arms.
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    Zoey awakened to the sound of squeaking puppies. She opened her eyes to find Connor kneeling by the box, bottlefeeding one of the pups. Millie didn’t appear to mind or perhaps she was just preoccupied. The mother dog seemed to be nosing the squirming mass of hungry pups into some sort of order.
    â€œMorning,” she managed.
    He looked up from his task and smiled.