“It’s not like they really understand what you say,” came a chiding voice from over his shoulder.

Doc turned to see Sarah’s grinning as she wiped her hands on a rag, all youthful mirth and self amusement.

“You’re entitled to your opinion, missy, but…”

She cut him off with a wink, “But you’re the vet, and I’m the assistant, young and unseasoned in the ways of animalia.” Her tone was mocking but playful, as was her nature, something she could get away with, cute as she was.

Doc Williams shook off consideration of her cuteness, “Magistrate Deacon call back yet?”

“Nah,” she answered, not bothering to hide the sneer, “but Mrs. Hibbins did, something about her compsognathus flock acting funny.”

“Funny how?”

Sarah shrugged and reworked her thick, dark curls into a neater ponytail, “Mrs. Hibbins type funny, I guess. You know how she is.”

“Well there goes my afternoon, eh. Care to tag along, assistant?”

“Not really.”

Doc chuckled and shuffled back towards the company jeep, knowing she’d follow.