Sawyer (Alluring Indulgence #7)(68)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“Yep. Brendon said he’s doin’ great.”

“Why didn’t he come?” Kennedy questioned, just trying to make small talk. “Not that I’m not happy to see you.”

Jessie laughed. “He had a job early this mornin’. He mentioned it, I offered. You know how it goes.”

“Well, Scrap’s lucky to have you,” Kennedy said, not meeting the other woman’s gaze as she gave Scrap a quick once-over.

Five minutes later, Scrap was ready to go. Kennedy had administered his vaccinations, bringing him current. Since there weren’t any issues, not much conversation took place and Kennedy followed Jessie out through the front door of the exam room and into the waiting area. Olivia was sitting at the desk looking flustered already.

The phone was ringing, but Olivia was on one of the lines, so Kennedy stepped over to the extra phone on the wall after excusing herself from Jessie. She placed the caller on hold and returned to the front, watching as Olivia slipped toward the back, mumbling that she’d be back in just a second.

When the phone rang again, Kennedy was just about to slide around the counter to get it, but surprisingly, Jessie beat her to it.

“Hometown Animal Center,” Jessie greeted the caller in an overly cheery voice. “Absolutely. Give me just a sec and I’ll pull up the schedule. I’m gonna put you on hold for a minute, so don’t disappear on me.”

Kennedy stared back at the other woman, her mouth hanging open.

“Sorry,” Jessie said quickly, grabbing one of the notepads on the counter and jotting down something quickly.

“I don’t suppose you’re lookin’ for a job, are you?” Kennedy blurted.

Jessie’s eyes slid up to hers. “Actually . . .”

Kennedy’s eyebrows shot up into her hair as she waited for Jessie to continue.

Jessie cleared her throat and continued, “Actually, I am. Kylie’s cut back to only part-time work, which means we don’t have much to do. Her attention is mostly on Kate, as it should be. While she focuses on Cheyenne’s place, I’ve forwarded the calls to my cell phone, but really, I don’t have much else to do.”

“Are you serious? Please tell me you’re serious,” Kennedy found herself saying.

Jessie smiled, a motion that lit up her entire face. “I’d be happy to help out,” Jessie said, glancing around. “Are you lookin’ for someone?”

“I’m lookin’ for two someones actually,” Kennedy told her truthfully. “My other technician left, and our receptionist just informed me she was going back to school, and never came back. So Olivia and I are scramblin’ to cover it all ourselves.”

“Well, I’ve got some mad telephone skills,” Jessie said, glancing down at the phone. “But I’ll probably need a little training. Speaking of telephone skills. Line two is Mr. Sampson. He needs to bring in his dog. Something about missing a few coins from his beloved coin collection. What should I tell him?”

Kennedy still couldn’t believe her luck, but rather than stand around like an idiot, she moved behind the desk where Jessie was still standing, shook the mouse to bring the computer monitor to life. “See if he can come in at three.”

Jessie grabbed the phone, smiling at Kennedy. “Mr. Sampson? You still hangin’ out?” Pause. “Sorry for the delay, you know how Monday mornings are. I’m happy to say that we can slip you in at three. Does that work for you?” A lengthier pause. “Perfect. Then we’ll see you and Snowball at three.”

When Jessie hung up the phone, Kennedy noticed that Olivia was standing beside her, the other woman’s expression similar to the one Kennedy was wearing. They were both staring at Jessie as though they’d never seen anyone who could answer a telephone.

“Please tell me she’s hired,” Olivia whispered loudly.

Kennedy stepped forward, jotted down a number on a piece of paper, and then slipped it over to Jessie. The other woman’s eyes widened and a huge grin formed.

“Looks like I’m hired. Do you mind if Scrap hangs out with me for a while?”

“Not at all,” Olivia and Kennedy said at the exact same time.

SAWYER SPENT THE morning at the Walker Demo office, with Buster in tow, handling Jared’s duties and calling his cousin to check in. Jared had been required to make another trip to El Paso to finalize the papers for the adoption, although Derrick had been living with Jared for the past month. Sawyer knew when his cousin headed out that morning that he feared Sable was going to go back on her word. Hell, he had thought the same thing. The woman wasn’t stable, there was no question about that. But, based on the brief phone call he’d had with Jared, there were no surprises and he and Derrick would be back the following day.