Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 316: Caught In The Act

The next second, Simon’s voice came through the phone like a serrated blade. "I will be there in twenty minutes."

Before he cut the call, a final warning slammed into Barry’s ear.

"If you touch a hair on Nancy’s head before I get there, you better be ready for the consequences."

Barry stared at the dead screen, his face darkening.

He looked down at his arm. It was currently numb from being squeezed, and he felt a wave of pure helplessness. From start to finish, Nancy was the one doing all the touching.

Maybe his gaze was too intense, because Nancy’s lashes fluttered and she groggily opened her eyes.

As her vision cleared, the first thing she saw was Barry’s face. He was inches away and looked like a thundercloud was about to break.

"Barry?"

Her voice was raspy from sleep. She instinctively reached up to rub her aching temples, only to realize she was still deathly attached to his arm.

Barry pulled his arm back. His movements were stiff.

Images of her hands-on evaluation from moments ago flashed through Nancy's mind. Her face turned a deep, violent red that spread all the way to the tips of her ears.

In her feverish haze last night, she knew someone had been taking care of her. The movements had been gentle and patient. Five star service.

She had assumed it was Autumn, the assistant on duty at the park.

She never expected it to be Barry.

Barry shook out his numb arm. His voice did not betray any emotion. "You had a fever last night. Snowball came to find me."

He paused, his eyes locking onto Nancy's flushed face. He added slowly, "And then you grabbed my hand and would not let go."

Nancy wanted to vanish on the spot. She scrambled to pick up the sleeping Snowball and buried her burning face in his fur. "Snowball! Thank you for saving me!" she muffled into the stoat's back, trying desperately to change the subject.

Above her, Barry’s voice remained flat but carried a weight she could not ignore. "And what about me?"

Nancy’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up and met his dark eyes. Her face heated up even more.

She scrambled for a response. "I owe you a huge thanks too! I... I will buy you dinner!"

Barry watched her coolly. "Someone already owes me more than one meal."

"I will make it up to you! All of them!" Nancy held up three fingers like she was taking an oath. "This week. I promise to pay you back with interest. You pick the place."

"Take a breath and slow down." Barry glanced at her pale lips and handed her a glass of warm water.

His gaze flickered toward the door. "Your brother is probably sharpening his knife right about now. I doubt I will live long enough to eat that dinner."

Nancy blinked. "What?"

"Your brother called. I answered." Barry dropped the bombshell with zero expression. "Unfortunately, he heard every word of your commentary on my muscle tone. I think he got the wrong idea."

Nancy’s brain went blank as single thought looped through her head. I am dead.

There was no explaining her way out of this one.

Barry picked up the stethoscope and signaled for her to sit still for one last check. Nancy was so guilty and embarrassed that she became incredibly compliant. She sat perfectly still and followed every instruction.

He put on the headset and pressed the cold chestpiece to her heart.

The stethoscope amplified everything. His low voice sounded like it was vibrating directly against her eardrums. "How are you feeling now?"

Nancy held her breath, trying to ignore the cold metal and the deep, magnetic pull of his voice.

"My head still hurts a little... but it is much better than last night," she whispered.

Barry focused on the sound for a moment, then looked up at her. "Your heart rate is a little fast."

"Oh? Maybe... maybe it is just the lingering fever..."

Nancy looked away. Her excuses were weak as her cheeks betrayed her again. Was he doing this on purpose?

Right as the tension in the room began to peak, the door clicked open.

Simon stood in the doorway holding a thermal container. He looked like he had brought the winter air in with him. His sharp eyes scanned the room like a searchlight. They instantly locked onto the two of them sitting way too close on the bed.

Just as Simon looked ready to snap, Barry slowly took off the stethoscope.

He looked up at Simon’s murderous glare and gave a short, flat nod. "Simon."

Barry was perfectly calm, as if he had just finished a routine medical exam and nothing more.

In the corner, Star wagged his tail once and shifted into a more comfortable position. His eyes were wide open, clearly enjoying the show.