The Dire Reaction

The Dire Reaction M.A. Cobb Copyright Copyright © 2023 by M.A. Cobb All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Contents Dedication 1. DANI 2. SAM 3. DANI 4. SAM 5. DANI 6. SAM 7. DANI 8. SAM 9. DANI 10. SAM 11. DANI 12. SAM 13. ALEXANDER 14. SAM 15. DANI 16. ALEXANDER 17. SAM 18. DANI 19. SAM 20. ALEXANDER 21. DANI 22. SAM 23. DANI 24. ALEXANDER 25. SAM 26. ALEXANDER 27. DANI 28. SAM 29. DANI 30. ALEXANDER 31. SAM 32. DANI 33. SAM 34. ALEXANDER 35. SAM 36. ALEXANDER 37. DANI Afterword About M.A. Cobb Also By M.A. Cobb Dedication This is for anyone who is afraid to try something new. If it wasn't for the encouragement and acceptance of a special group of friends, I would have never been brave enough to write this. It's okay to try. Chapter one DANI“I’m sorry, I know this isn’t the prognosis you were hoping for. But, with diet, exercise, and some supplemental vitamins, he will still have a long and healthy life.” I can’t stop fidgeting with my stethoscope. I hate having to tell dog owners that their animals are going to undergo a lifetime of pain. “There isn’t a fix? Like a surgery or something?” The woman in front of me didn’t look like she was used to being told “no”. Her perfectly manicured hand pinches the rhinestone leash while her other smooths the silk blouse over her slacks.Her white labrador lays at her feet, panting. Even with the air conditioning turned up, the small office is overpoweringly hot from the August sun pouring in the window.I feel ya, buddy. I’m sweating like a racehorse in here, and the heated gaze from his cranky owner isn’t helping.“Hip dysplasia isn’t really an easy fix. Think of it like arthritis.” I have to stand on my tiptoes to reach the pamphlet regarding care. “But, there are a wide range of options to help him stay comfortable.”Her garishly red lips press in a thin line, but she flashes me a practiced smile when I hand her the flier.“The clerk will have your prescriptions ready, and she can go over the vitamin supplements if you’d like as well.”“Thank you, Doctor.”I can’t get out of the room fast enough. At least I know that dog will be spoiled rotten, and offered the finest options.“Jenny, room two is going to need hip dysplasia discharge paperwork,” I call out over my shoulder, dropping the chart on her desk.She’s barely out of high school, but knows exactly what to do. Chapter two SAM“Lie down. Lie down! Back! Away! Lie down!” My border collie minds every command. Working her way around the back of the protesting cattle, she pushes them and waits. There’s always one that doesn’t want to load out. This time it’s a two year old steer. He turns his broad head back at the dog. Dropping his snotting nose, foam dripping from his bellowing mouth, he tries to charge her.Misty dodges easily away. She’s a been-there-done-that dog. Hitting five years old, she’s at peak performance. That ornery angus won’t get the best of her.Shifting in the saddle, I stretch my legs, careful not to spur my horse accidentally.A few more quick movements from my dog, and the ranch hand is closing up the gate on the stock trailer.“Okay, Boss?” he asks, his Mexican accent thick.“Yep, thank you, Javier. You and Carlos have a safe trip. Call me when you get to the rail yard.”The small man tips his hat and climbs into the cab.We’ve been at this for three weeks, rounding up the cattle from the hills and loading them out to the stock yards at the rail center to be shipped back east.And my ass is tired.It’s nice to be making the last trip home for the season.“Whoa, Red, hold.” I pull the reins tight. I don’t really need to tell him. He’s done this a million times. “Misty, up!” She comes running, launching herself behind me onto the back of the horse. The blanket extends past the saddle so her claws don’t spook Red. She settles behind me, panting against me as we ride. She’s already worked her ass off; she deserves a little break, too.