Love Birds? (2 page)

Jazmine stepped forward before the humans started fighting
as badly as the birds. “Well, I think we will need to do a thorough history and
then discuss—”

“No need,” Wyatt announced. “I’ve got this covered.”

She turned on her heel. Wyatt seldom had anything “covered”
and this? They had barely walked into the house. Jazmine knew they had to keep
up appearances that Wyatt had “psychic” abilities, but she comforted herself in
doing their job properly. Figuring out all the environmental factors, making
sure the pets had been to a veterinarian to be certain there were no underlying
medical conditions, reviewing the pet’s diet, basically making sure that the
clients got their money’s worth.

“Wyatt, perhaps we should take a moment—”

“Nope,” Wyatt stated. “I am hearing those lovebirds loud and
clear.”

* * *

Wyatt, of course, had no real idea what he was going to say.
When did he? But those lovebirds were looking a little twitchy, flapping their
green wings and snapping open and closed their hooked beaks. Sure they might be
weighed in grams, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t take a chunk out of you.

Besides he’d seen a couple like this before. Not the birds,
but the humans. They looked just like his sister and brother-in-law. The way
the husband was turned away from the wife, and the wife’s arms were wrapped
around her waist. Add in this big rambling house, recently purchased as
evidenced by the smell of fresh paint plus the station wagon out front.

A couple didn’t buy all that without an expectation of the
pitter-patter of little feet.

“You see,” Wyatt started. “I think the lovebirds want to
start a family.” Jazmine backed away, shaking her head, but he ignored her
peculiarities and marched on. “They want to build a nest.”

Mr. and Mrs. Haufman frowned but not the scowl like Jazmine
more like a frown you get when somebody is talking turkey or in this case,
lovebird.

“And sometimes the guy—”

“Bird,” Jazmine interjected.

“Yeah, the guy
bird
feels like he’s got to build this
amazing nest. Since he can’t lay the eggs, building a tricked out nest, that’s
his job, ya know?”

Mr. Haufman nodded as one of the birds flittered down from
the curtain rod and landed on his shoulder.

“He’s worried he won’t be a good enough dad,” Wyatt hurried
over Jazmine, “
Bird
dad. That his kids, I mean, chicks, I mean
hatchling, I mean… Oh, you know what I mean, will need more than he can
provide.”

While Mr. Haufman’s head was bobbing up and down in
agreement, Mrs. Haufman had adopted Jazmine’s scowl. Wyatt turned to the wife.

“And while the dad, bird dad, of course,
bird
dad, is
off getting the nest ready the
mom
bird feels left out and lonely.” The
second little green and red monster swooped down landing on Mrs. Haufman’s
shoulder as Wyatt continued, “Then she starts to wonder if the dad bird even
wants little love birds anymore.”

Tears sprang to Mrs. Hauffman’s eyes. “I can see why the
birds have been so upset.”

“Yeah,” Mr. Haufman took his wife’s hand. “So the birds
really should be building the nest
together
.”

“Pretty much, yeah.” Wyatt said giving Jazmine a knowing
look, like “I know what I’m doing” look. Even if he did luck out a little on
this one. “They are lovebirds after all.”

Ragan leaned her head onto her husband’s shoulder as the two
birds took wing, flying together, swooping in and around one another.

“They just had to remember it,” Wyatt finished, looking to
his watch. Like he said, under five minutes. “All right then, I think we are
done here. Nice to meet you both.”

He put his hand out to shake but the lovebirds, the human
ones, had eyes only for each other. Just as well. It was Valentine’s Day.

“We will let ourselves out,” he said.

They didn’t really reply so much as start making out. Time
to exit stage left.

Once out the door, Jazmine elbowed him in the ribs.

“What?” Wyatt protested, rubbing his bruised side. “They’re
happy.”

“Um, did you
not
notice?” she asked.

“Notice?”

“Those two lovebirds?” Jazmine said, that eyebrow on the
move again. “They are both
girls
.”

Wyatt just smiled. Sometimes he even impressed himself. “So
they are very progressive lovebirds, what can I say? I’ve got the magic touch.”

His assistant rolled her eyes as they walked to their cars.
So what if he didn’t know a weevil from a weasel? He knew dysfunction when he
saw it. He lived it. Heck, he made it a viable lifestyle choice.

Which unfortunately meant he picked up on the droop in
Jazmine’s step. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Your older man not wanting to build
a nest?”

She stopped, eyes downcast. “Yeah, about that, I kind of
fibbed.”

Fibbed? That was Wyatt’s thing, not Jazmine’s. “About what?”

“I don’t have a date, per se.”

Ugh. Wyatt hated it when people used weird words. Was “per
se” Spanish? French? Seriously, speak English for goodness sake.

“You don’t?” he asked hoping that was vague yet prompting
enough to get Jazmine to say what she really meant.

“I…” she looked up and caught his gaze. “I was going to
visit your uncle in the hospital. I didn’t think he should be alone today.”

Wyatt could feel even his well-gelled hair wilt. His Uncle
Bodhi. After that stupid stroke he’d been in a coma. Wyatt had visited him
every single day. Mainly because Diablo, the demon Chihuahua insisted, but today,
today Wyatt had sworn off the hospital. He had three, count ‘em three dates.

And who could sit through another round of Where the Red
Fern Grows? Which by the way, someone might put a warning label on that sucker
because the ending? Dear goodness, they had kids reading that book? Then he
thought they’d be safe with Bambi and what do you know? The momma dear gets
shot. Again, this is kid’s fare? And don’t get him started on Marley & Me.

What was wrong with an animal story that was fun and
heartwarming all the way through? Seriously? He didn’t want his uncle waking up
to a blubber-fest.

“But you go have fun,” Jazmine said fighting with the rusted
lock of her beater-mobile.

“Nah,” Wyatt said jiggling the door’s handle, opening it.
“I’ll follow you there.”

Jazmine cocked her head. “But you’ve got three, count ‘em
three dates.”

“Um, hello?” Wyatt stated making sure he sounded plenty
exasperated. “Don’t you know what day this is?”

“Valentine’s Day?” Jazmine answered slowly.

“No. It is meatloaf day down in the cafeteria and who, I ask
who is going to miss out on that?”

“Not you, I take it,” his assistant said chuckling.

“And not you either,” Wyatt reassured her. “But since it is
Valentine’s Day, we are putting extra ketchup on that sucker to honor the occasion.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jazmine said as she hunched over to
get in her tiny speck of a car.

“You know it,” Wyatt responded walking back to his car, then
turned back to Jazmine. “So do you know how
Old Yeller
ends?”

“I think we might want to go with
Free Willy
.”

Wyatt stopped short. “That’s a animal movie?”

Jazmine’s dimples showed as she laughed. “Yes, Wyatt. Yes it
is.”

Huh. You learned something new everyday.

Thanks so much for reading about J.O.L.
Hopefully his amazing story has put a smile on your face!

If you enjoyed this Holiday Pet Miracle short
story, could I ask you a favor and have you go back to Amazon and write a
review? We indie authors live and die by our reviews!

If you'd like to find more sweet pet stories
just check out the next section!

If you loved the silly antics of the pups in
P
ups
in Tea Cups
, then you'll laugh out loud reading
Pet Whisperer…er…rrrrr
.

Wyatt and animals… don’t always see eye to eye.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t make a rip-snorting pet psychic, right? I mean,
seriously. What could possibly go wrong? Other than an elephant with a
wandering trunk and a ferret that likes to dance around
inside
his
pants, that is.

Oh, and the serial-killer Chihuahua.

Okay, so maybe a lot could go wrong.

Pet
Whisperer…er…rrr
:
A book where the animals talk back!

Praise for
The
Pet Whisperer…er…rrr
…

"This is such a cute book. I love how Ms.
McCray had me laughing out loud and at the same time, was able to touch my
heart with a softer side. When I first met Wyatt, I connected with his sense of
humor. I love the beginning scene where he and his uncle Bhodhi are talking
about 'chicks'. Too funny. The animals and their personalities make this book
special, but the development of the main character and his relationship with
family and friends touched my heart.

The Book Goddess

Amazon Reviewer

The Pet Whisper…er…rrr is a quick read that
elicits a full spectrum of emotions. I laughed out loud on the very first page…
Ms. McCray has a way of pulling you into her books and not letting go until the
final word. I recommend this five-star story to anyone that enjoys humor with
heart. If you love animals, you need this book."

Charlotte Abel

Author,
Enchantment

"The story is sweet, silly and sad by turns.
I also found it thoroughly engaging and look forward to more from these
authors."

Daphne

Amazon Reviewer

To purchase or sample
Pet Whisperer…er…rrr
simply click
here
!

* * *

Dr. Carolyn McCray has treated thousands of small
dogs over the years and seen some big heroic acts from tiny dogs. And lots and
lots of silliness. After years of simply telling her stories to friends and
colleagues she was finally convinced to put these tender and playful stories
into a collection.

Hence Pups in Tea Cups: Tales of
"Littleness" overcoming BIG odds was born.

Praise for
Pups
in Tea Cups
…

"This wonderful book had me roaring in
laughter, crying (at moments) and remembering all of the tiny babies our family
has owned over the years. If you enjoy dog stories, or if you own one of these
tiny miracles, you will enjoy this one."

Roberta Karchner

"Pups in Tea Cups" is another
laugh-out-loud-keep-the-tissue-box-handy book from best-seller Carolyn McCray.
After reading her other "animal" book, "Pet Whisper…er…rrr"
I couldn't wait to read this one. I occasionally dog-sit for three adorable maltese
pups, also known as "the girls." Not only was I highly entertained by
this collection of essays, I learned a lot about the condition of
"Littleness." I'll be an even better doggie-nannie next time.

If you love tiny breeds or know someone that does
you have to get this book! (And if you're considering adopting a tea cup pup,
this book should be mandatory!)"

Charlotte Abel

Author,
Enchantment

"As a veterinarian, I could completely
relate to all of Carolyn's stories. The joy and sometimes heart-wrenching
moments. She had me laughing and crying at the same time. I couldn't recommend
this book more to anyone who loves dogs, not just the Tea Cup variety!"

Ken Herman, DVM

To sample or purchase
Pups
In Teacups
, simply click
here
.

* * *

And, lastly, if you are a high fantasy fan, be
on the lookout for
7
Folds of Winter
, a warm fantasy for a cold winter’s night.