The Color Of Courage. Patricia Davids

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      Lee grinned. “I’d never ridden a horse before then, so I still have a lot to learn.”

      Dr. Cutter managed a thin smile. “I see. All right, the animal has a fracture in one of the bones in the pastern joint between his ankle and his hoof.”

      If Lindsey hadn’t been so upset herself, the look of horror on Lee’s face might have been comical when he said, “They shoot horses for that, don’t they?”

      Dr. Cutter frowned sharply. “We are long past the days of shooting horses here. If an animal does have to be euthanized, we use humane methods.”

      Lindsey sank onto the chair’s edge before her legs gave out and tried to gather her scattered thoughts. “What can be done for him?”

      “You have several options but the best one is surgical arthrodesis. That means we fuse the joint using special pins and a bone graft from his hip. His recovery should take about four months.”

      Lindsey bit her lower lip. Dakota wasn’t going to Washington, D.C. It was so unfair. Why had God given her a chance to do something special for her brother only to snatch it away?

      Dr. Cutter raked a hand through his hair, giving Lindsey a clue as to why it looked unkempt. “Actually, I am hoping to begin trials of a new procedure using an experimental gene therapy that will speed healing, and this type of fracture is exactly the type I’m looking to study. Unfortunately, I haven’t received grant approval yet.”

      The captain asked, “Will Dakota be able to return to duty?”

      “A horse can lead a normal life after a fusion. Some horses have even returned to being successful athletes. There are, of course, risks involved, as with any surgery.”

      Lindsey studied his face, hoping to see some encouragement, but there wasn’t any. “What are our other options?”

      “We can try and cast the injury. You will need to keep him confined to a stall to rest the leg and hope for the best. He’s a calm fellow, so he may do well, but the recovery time will be much longer. The only other choice is to have him put down.”

      Captain Watson crossed his arms over his chest. “What will the surgery cost?”

      Dr. Cutter’s scowl turned into a look of sorrow. He said gently, “Around fifteen thousand dollars, depending on how well he does. Complications can raise the cost considerably. The clinic typically asks for half of the payment up front.”

      “That much?”

      “Or more.”

      Lindsey’s heart sank at the expression on her captain’s face. She knew even before he spoke what he was going to say.

      “I’m afraid the unit doesn’t have a budget to cover a medical bill like that. We are just scraping by as it is.”

      “The costs for the cast and follow-up will be much less than the surgery. Is that the treatment you want us to use?”

      Quickly, she said, “Couldn’t we at least try to requisition the money?”

      “Of course I will, but with the budget cuts we’ve had, I doubt command is going to give up that kind of money for a horse. I’m sorry, Sergeant, I know how much he means to you. Can he be transported back to the base, Doctor?”

      “I’ll need to keep him here for several weeks to make sure the cast doesn’t need any adjustments and monitor his condition. After that, I’m sure the base vet can manage his care. We’ll need follow up X-rays to make sure the leg is healing, but those can be done at your stable.”

      Captain Watson held out his hand. “Thank you, Dr. Cutter. We’ll leave Dakota here until you think it’s safe to move him.”

      Brian shook the offered hand. “Our equine services here at the Veterinarian Medical Teaching Hospital are among the finest in the world.”

      It was his standard line when clients were worried about leaving their animals, but this time he was the one who was worried. The young woman was so pale he thought she might pass out at any moment. The horse must mean a great deal to her if she came straight from the hospital in her condition to check on him. Brian knew how much pain a broken bone caused.

      She looked up. “Can I see him?”

      “I’m not sure. You look like you need to lie down.”

      Rising, she faced him with determination blazing in her eyes. “I’m not leaving until I see him.”

      He looked to her captain, but all the man did was shrug and try to hold back a grin. Brian could tell he wasn’t going to get any help from that direction. He shoved one hand into his lab coat pocket and nodded toward the door. “All right, but if you pass out, you’ll just lie on the floor. I don’t do humans.”

      “What a blessing for us,” she shot back.

      He turned away without voicing the comment on the tip of his tongue and led the way to the door beside the reception desk. She was stubborn, irritating and yet pathetic at the same time. So, why did he find her so attractive?

      It made no sense. The sooner she saw her horse, the sooner she would leave. Then maybe he could forget those beautiful eyes and the effect they seemed to have on his common sense.

      He held open the door, but she stopped so close beside him that he could smell a subtle scent like peaches in her hair. He was tempted to lean closer to make sure. He didn’t, when he realized how unprofessional it would appear.

      “What do you think his chances are without surgery?” she asked in a low voice as she stared at him intently.

      Such beautiful, sad, green eyes. How could he add to her sorrow? This was the part of his job he dreaded most. He glanced back at the other unit members. They were watching him intently. The words he needed to say stuck in his throat. He sought to give her some hope. “Every patient is different. Only time will tell.”

      “If he were your horse, what would you do?”

      “If he were my horse and surgery wasn’t an option?”

      “Yes.”

      “I wouldn’t let him suffer. I’d spend as much time as I needed saying goodbye, then I’d have him put down.”

      “No! I couldn’t stand that.” The last bit of color leeched from her face. She turned away, and the sudden movement caused her to lose her balance. His cane clattered to the floor as he caught hold of her.

      Chapter Three

      “Easy, I’ve got you.” Brian held the slender form of the woman against his chest and struggled to keep upright for both their sakes.

      Her hair did smell like peaches. Funny, he hadn’t pictured her as the type of woman to use a scented shampoo. She struck him as a soldier through and through. It was intriguing to know she had a feminine side. He steadied himself by leaning back against the wall.

      “I’m fine. It’s just a dizzy spell,” she СКАЧАТЬ