Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay

that she found endearing.
    “Ms. Norris,” the young woman called her. “We’re ready for you.”
    Lindsey rose from her spot on the couch and Sully scooped the puppy up from the floor and followed her into the exam room.
    Tom, Dr. Rubinski, was already there, and he took in the sight of the two of them with the dog with a large grin.
    “Lindsey, we meet again,” he said. He held out his hand and they shook. “At least I’m wearing clothes this time.”
    Sully raised his brows and looked in between them. Lindsey felt her face grow hot and she said, “He was in his pajamas the last time we met.”
    “Oh, really?” Sully asked.
    “As was his wife,” she added. “It was the night of the Batty incident.”
    “Oh.” Sully smiled and shook hands with his friend. “I hope it wasn’t those embarrassing SpongeBob ones that you own.”
    Tom laughed. “You’ll never forget those.”
    “They’re burned on my retinas,” Sully agreed. He turned to Lindsey to explain. “We were on an overnight fishing trip on my boat, and when we decided to do some night fishing, he showed up on deck in these neon yellow pajamas. I’m pretty sure he scared all of the fish away.”
    They both chuckled and Lindsey smiled. She could see there was a strong friendship between them. They looked to be about the same age, but where Tom’s blond hair was thinning at the top and his middle was developing a decided paunch, Sully’sthick chestnut curls barely showed any gray and he had the build of a man much younger than he was. She supposed that working outside kept him trim. Not that she thought about him or where he worked or his physique…much.
    Thankfully, the puppy was not to be ignored, however, and he wriggled out of Sully’s arms to check out the newcomer.
    Tom crouched down on the floor so as to be level with the puppy and held out his hand. The dog sniffed and licked and wriggled closer to the good doctor.
    Tom ran his hands over him and listened to his heart and lungs with his stethoscope. He took the puppy’s temperature, apologizing for having to be so rude. The puppy had a hard time staying still, but Tom talked to him in a soothing voice, and Lindsey could swear the puppy was trying his hardest to be good.
    When he finished the exam, the dog stood up on his hind legs and licked Tom’s face, and he simply said, “Oh, thank you, buddy. You’re a good dog, aren’t you?”
    The puppy wagged and barked in agreement. Tom’s way with animals was amazing, and Lindsey knew if she were a dog, she’d probably try to get him to adopt her.
    “You’re not looking for a dog by any chance, are you?” she asked.
    “Thanks but, no,” he said with a grin. “With that litter of nine we just delivered, I doubt we’ll be taking in any strays any time soon. Gina and I are pretty sure having a baby will be a snap after this.”
    “Oh?” Sully asked.
    “Not that we’rehaving a baby just yet,” Tom said. He looked embarrassed and both Sully and Lindsey grinned at him.
    “So, I heard this guy was dumped at the library?” Tom asked, obviously hoping to change the subject.
    “Shoved in the book drop,” Lindsey confirmed. “How did you hear?”
    “News travels pretty fast in Briar Creek,” he said. “Well, that and Mrs. Holcomb was in the library when he made his appearance and she brought her dachshund in this afternoon.”
    “Tinkerbelle?” Sully asked.
    “That’s the one,” Tom said. “I keep telling her that she can’t dress her up in a pink tutu or Tinkerbelle’s going to get depressed, but she doesn’t listen.”
    “Really, she would be so much happier in purple,” Sully joked.
    “I keep saying that,” Tom returned. Then he turned to Lindsey and asked, “So, what are you going to name him?”
    “I’m not naming him,” she said. “That will be up to his new owners.”
    “Any takers yet?” Tom asked.
    “No, but there will be.” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.
    Tom gave her a dubious