CEO Stops His Car For An Injured Animal. He Had No Idea The Vet On Call Would Become His Future Wife
The Collision of Two Worlds
Sebastian Blake slammed the brakes of his black Aston Martin as a blur darted across the wet mountain road, followed by a sickening thud.
“Damn it,” he muttered, throwing the door open before the car had fully stopped.
Rain pelted his suit as he jogged to the front of the car, his heart pounding harder than it had during yesterday’s investor meeting.
A golden retriever laid on the shoulder whimpering softly, its back leg twisted unnaturally.
Sebastian dropped to his knees in the mud, ruining his trousers without a second thought.
He carefully ran his hand over the dog’s ribs.
“Hey buddy, I’m so sorry. You’re okay, all right? We’re going to get you help.”
He glanced around the empty road; no phone, no reception.
The nearest town was ten minutes back.
He scooped the dog into his arms, ignoring the blood seeping through its fur.
Fifteen minutes later, he burst into the small vet clinic just off the main road, the bell jingling violently above his head.
“I need help,” he shouted.
“He’s hurt bad.”
A woman in navy scrubs rushed into the lobby, her strawberry blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, a smear of something dark on her cheek.
“Come with me now.”
He followed her into the back room where she pulled on gloves without missing a step.
“What happened?” she asked, her blue eyes sharp and focused as she laid the dog on the table and checked its breathing.
“I hit him,” Sebastian said, guilt thick in his throat.
“He came out of nowhere.”
She didn’t look at him.
“You did the right thing bringing him here.”
“Most people wouldn’t have stopped.”
The dog whimpered and her expression softened as she gently examined the leg.
She suspected a fractured femur, probably internal bruising.
“I need to sedate him, set the leg, and stitch the gash on his side.”
“You staying or heading out?”
“I’m not leaving him,” Sebastian said, his voice low and firm.
That made her glance at him for the first time.
She gave a slight nod.
“Good. Name’s Delilah Vaughn, by the way. I’m the vet on call. Let’s save your friend.”
He didn’t remember sitting down, but he found himself in a corner chair watching her work.
She had steady hands, a calm voice, and precise movements.
She moved like someone who had done this a thousand times but still cared like it was the first.
Two hours later, the dog was asleep and bandaged, resting in a warm kennel in the back.
“Can I see him?” Sebastian asked.
Delilah opened the door.
“He’s stable. You can stay a few minutes.”
He crouched beside the kennel, watching the dog breathe.
“I don’t even know his name.”
“Looks like a Cooper to me,” she said, leaning on the door frame.
Sebastian gave a tired smile.
“Yeah, Cooper. Thanks, Dr. Vaughn.”
She looked at him with a curious tilt of her head.
“No offense, but you don’t seem like the kind of guy who normally stops for animals.”
He stood.
“I could have kept driving, but I didn’t. Maybe that says more about me than the car I drive.”
Her gaze dropped to his mud-splattered dress shoes and designer watch.
“That’s a $200,000 car out there.”
“I know it’s not worth more than a life.”
Her expression changed then just slightly, like she hadn’t expected that answer.
“He’ll need a few days here, maybe surgery later. I’ll keep you posted.”
“I’ll cover everything,” Sebastian said immediately.
“Whatever he needs.”
She nodded slowly.
“All right, Mister Blake.”
“Sebastian Blake.”
Her eyes narrowed just a little.
“As in Blake Enterprises?”
He gave her a sheepish grin.
“Guilty.”
Delilah arched a brow.
“So you’re the billionaire who bought out half the town last year.”
“I left the coffee shop alone. That should count for something.”
She shook her head, but she was smiling now.
“You’re full of surprises.”
He looked at her then, really looked at her.
“So are you.”
Their eyes held longer than they should have.
There was something about her calm toughness and the way she didn’t flinch when he said billionaire.
It made him feel more human than he had in a long time.
“All right,” she said, breaking the silence.
“Visiting hours are over. You need a ride back, or is your spaceship still parked outside?”
He laughed as they walked back to the lobby.
“You’re not like most people I meet.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
“It was.”
She held the door open, rain still falling outside.
“You’re welcome to check on Cooper tomorrow. I’ll be here.”
“I will,” he said, stepping into the storm.
“Thanks again, Delilah.”
As he pulled away, her name lingered in his mind like a melody he hadn’t heard in years.
He had no idea that the woman who just saved a dog’s life would soon steal his heart.
