Terrible First Impressions

Chapter Three

Daykan really loved his car so when seventy-eight year old Bella Bloom backed up and crashed into the bumper as she was trying to the exit the gym parking lot; he resisted the urge to curse and throw a fit.

By the time he rushed out, Mrs. Bloom was stepping out of her twenty year old car and it was obvious that she was badly shaken.

“Mrs. Bloom are you okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine. I’m usually a really careful driver.”

“I know,” Daykan said reassuringly.

She really was a careful driver and word around town was that she had never gotten so much as a speeding ticket.

“I’m so sorry.” She looked up at him with guilt filled eyes.

“My insurance will cover the damages so you don’t need to worry. You should come inside and sit for a little bit. You look a little jittery.” Daykan suggested gently.

“Okay.” She carefully made her way back to the entrance. Daykan walked a few steps behind her, ready to catch her in case she fell.

He escorted her out thirty minutes later when she was calm enough to leave. It was only after she had driven off that he summoned the courage to take a look at the damage.

The left side of the front bumper had been badly dented and he was going to need to take it to the body shop.

Asides from that, everything seemed fine with his baby. He trusted that black Land Rover more than most people because it hadn’t let him down yet.

“How could a little old car driven by even older woman do this to you girl?” Dakyan murmured as he poked the dent.

Daykan left the gym by about 10:00pm. He was careful as he drove because it was common to see animals dashing out of the woods and into the road; his car had been through enough today.

As he cruised along the highway, he met the kind of scene he had been trying to avoid.

From what he could tell, the accident had been about an hour ago and he could smell the blood without having to get close. The victim of the hit and run was a deer and she was badly wounded in her side.

He could hear her labored breathing and was surprised that she had survived that long.

Daykan considered just driving off because her heartbeat was so weak and it wasn’t likely she was going to last much longer. But what held his attention was a fawn lying by the side of the victim; gently nuzzling its mother’s neck.

The baby deer only looked a few weeks old and it was going to face this harsh world alone if its mother died.

“Get a hold of yourself. You literally eat deer for crying out loud,” He groaned as he punched the steering wheel in frustration.

But he couldn’t help but think of how that fawn was so much like him. It didn’t seem fair to allow it grow up without a parent and that was what pushed him to step out of the car. As he drew near, the animals instantly became agitated because they could sense he was a predator.

“Now, now, I need you guys to calm down. I’ve already had dinner and I’m just here to help.” He said softly as he approached them.

He crouched close to them and gently rubbed the mother’s head.

He picked her up as gently as possible and carried her to the car. The fawn quickly followed as he laid its mother on some gym towels in the backseat. He picked up the baby, placed it beside its mother, entered the driver’s seat and quickly started the engine.

“Hang in there girl, the clinic is only minutes away,” Daykan said as he met her eyes in the rearview mirror.

************************

Naomi had been working at the clinic for a week now and everything had been going on smoothly. Things were not too busy and she had two great nurses to assist her. It was a slow night so she had let them go early and was getting ready to lock up.

She tidied up a few things and checked on the animals.

“How are you doing guys? I can see that you’re already getting better Cookie. I’m sure you’ll be hopping away in no time.” She said with a smile to a bunny with a sprained ankle.

By the time she was done with her rounds, it was already to 11. She was about to lock the front door when she heard a car speeding down. She spun around and a black jeep parked a few feet away from her.

A huge man stepped out, opened the back door and carried out what looked like a wounded deer. She was surprised to see a fawn jump out as well.

“I need help. She got hit by a car!” The man said urgently.

Naomi immediately pushed the clinic door open, “Carry her inside quickly!”

Daykan froze as he heard the vet’s voice.

Her clear order seemed like a sound he had been waiting to hear all his life. He had been so preoccupied with the deer that he hadn’t noticed how delicious this vet smelled. He could pick up traces of her scent even with the animal covered in blood in his arms.

“Did you hear me? This is not the time to have a panic attack. I will try to carry her myself if you are too flustered to,” The vet said impatiently.

Panic attack?

He did not have panic attacks.

He was tempted to drop the deer in this puny woman’s arms so she could eat her words and realize that if she thought she was strong enough to bear all that weight, she was in over her head. But this wasn’t the time to be petty.

Daykan quickly made his way past her and she followed closely.

“Door by your left, drop her on the operating table.” Naomi ordered as she washed her hands. “Go to the third room on your right and lock the fawn in a cage.

Make sure it has enough water and then you can have a seat in the waiting room.” Naomi ordered as she ushered Daykan out and shut the door before he had a chance to say a word.

Daykan blankly stared at the door and then looked down at the fawn. The fawn stared up at him with a similarly blank expression.

“Who the hell does she think she is? I have half a mind to leave you out so you can roam around and chew up all her papers.” Daykan said as he locked up the fawn after ensuring it had enough water.

He took a seat in the waiting room and Little Miss Orders popped out hours later. She was in scrubs and he couldn’t help noticing that a few strands had come loose from the messy bun on the top of her head.

“How is she?” Daykan stood up.

“She lost a lot of blood and some ribs are badly bruised; but I’m sure she’s going to make it because she’s a fighter."

Daykan heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you. How much will be needed to take care of her and the fawn? I can use my card right?"

"Before we talk about that, how far away did the accident occur?" Naomi asked flatly.

"About fifteen minutes away."

"So what made you turn back? Did guilt finally set in?" Naomi crossed her arms.

"I don't understand what you mean." Daykan crossed his arms as well because he felt defensive under her steely green gaze.

"She looked like she got her injuries at least an hour ago. She would have gone through less pain if you had brought her immediately it happened. Hitting her was an accident but leaving her there was a choice you made. Although I'm glad that you did eventually go back for her."

She thinks I was the one who hit the deer? Daykan finally understood what her attitude was all about.

"Wait, you're making a mistake. I wasn't the one who hit her. I was passing by and saw her injured on the road."

"Do you really think I'm stupid enough to believe that? I saw the damage to your car!"

Damage? Oh, the dent from Mrs. Bloom.

"That dent has nothing to do with that deer." Daykan bit out.

"So you're an animal hater and a liar?" Naomi laughed sarcastically. "I already commended you for having the conscience to go back for her, but to think that you still have the guts to deny it."

"I don’t give a damn about your commendation when I didn’t do what you’re accusing me of.”

“How does it feel to drive around in your big car and leave innocent animals bleeding to death on the road?”

“I noticed your big car in the parking lot and that jeep looks like it can crush bones.” Daykan replied with a stiff smile.

“Well at least my car has no animal-related dents!”

“Neither does mine!”

“These animals have no one to speak up for them. You deserve to be arrested for animal cruelty!” Naomi was getting red with anger.

“Oh really? A vet and an officer? I would like to see you try to arrest me.” Daykan held out his hands with a smirk and Naomi resisted the urge to tackle him.

“Just give me your card so you can leave. The sooner you’re out of here, the better I will feel.” She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

Daykan gave her his card.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t open an account for you so there’ll be money to take care of the next poor creature you leave to die by the side of the road?” Naomi asked in a singsong voice as she raised a brow.

Daykan chose not to say anything because she wouldn’t listen either way. He focused on controlling his temper instead. He was better than an average werewolf when it came to keeping his cool but this woman had gotten under his skin.

She handed over his card and he immediately turned around to leave.

“I hope I never have to see you again,” Naomi muttered.

“Ditto,” Daykan replied and slammed the door behind him.

*******************************************

Naomi was so upset that she hardly slept a wink that night. She kept having dreams of how much pain the deer had to endure when she had been fifteen minutes away. If the douchebag had immediately driven her over, she would have gotten some relief in no time.

By the time the sun rose, her mood hadn’t improved and she decided to go to the gym; because it seemed like a good idea to work off all that pent-up rage. She changed into gym clothes that she had never worn and drove to the gym.

She supposed some people jogged there instead of driving but she was sticking with baby steps. She was instantly impressed as she walked in. The place looked great and almost made her eager to sweat.

“Who do we have here? Changed your mind about arresting me?” She heard a familiar voice behind her and turned around as she came face to face with the douchebag.

Damn!