How Well Do You Know Your Husband?
"Can I see you for a moment, please?" the vet called as the woman escorted her puppy out. "Of course," she answered, her brows narrowed. Didn't he assure her everything was okay?
His eyes kept darting outside where her husband patiently waited. What he'd reveal would turn her world upside down.
Her Baby
But this was supposed to be a routine checkup for Cammy, Vanessa's two-year-old labradoodle pup. They'd always come in every first Monday of the month to get her checked.
The visits had become routine, and even Cammy, who hated seeing the vet in her earlier days, loved them. But this one would be different, showing Vanessa that her life had been a lie.
Going Into Town
Vanessa Hayes had hoped to knock one more task off her to-do list when she, Cammy, and her husband, Don, drove to the vet. Married for two months and loving it, she couldn't wait to be back at the house cuddled on the couch with a good movie playing in the background.
But as chores and errands go, letting them pile up is never a good idea. So with her family strapped into their seats, Vanessa gladly took the fastest route into town.
Coupeville, Washington
Trees blurred by, their dark leaves distorted in motion. The picturesque old buildings of Coupeville, Washington, came into view – a sight that always pulled at Vanessa's heartstrings.
She remembered the first time she came here. She'd been ten, and her dad, a navy man, had promised her this would be their last move. But he'd also said one thing that she should've taken seriously.
His Warning
"Coupeville is the perfect place for someone who wants to hide or start over," he'd said. "Towering trees, breathtaking, timeless buildings, and the Penn Cove. If I was running away from something or someone, this is where I'd come."
Vanessa's dad had always been a hopeless romantic, so she thought this was just that. But his words would ring true during that visit to the vet.
Moving Around
Vanessa had never been one to believe everything happens for a reason. Growing up as a navy child meant she'd visited and stayed across many towns and cities across America.
By age ten, she'd relocated more than six times. Although she always acted okay with constantly moving, she hated it. She never stopped to think that all these relocations were leading her to something.
Finding Their Home
Moving into Coupeville was unexpected. But her dad promised her this would be home, and true to his words, they never moved again.
Every day, he'd walk Vanessa through the town's beautiful streets, letting her soak in all the beauty such a breathtaking place offered. As she got older, she knew she'd raise her family here. If only she knew what a dark future awaited her.
A Perfect Place
Every day spent in Coupeville told Vanessa she was where she was meant to be. Her adult life had always been good. But everything got better when she met him.
Don was the charismatic barista from a newly established coffee cafe a few blocks from Vanessa's flower shop. She didn't think she'd end up marrying him when she visited the coffee shop for the first time. But as it turns out, everything happens for a reason.
Meeting Don
Don was charming and delightful to talk to. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a gothic tattoo sleeve on his right arm and a bionic left arm marked with army-themed stickers.
Although he looked dangerous from afar, like someone who'd seen things that would make most people shiver, he had a soothing baritone voice that made Vanessa's apprehensiveness ebb. But that was only half of it.
Talking To Him
He was a sweetheart. When he caught her gawking at the stickers on his bionic arm, he laughed and told her his three-year-old niece had pasted them there and insisted he never takes them off.
His smile never wavered as he spoke, and he handled his duties with finesse, leaving Vanessa speechless. By the end of their first encounter, Vanessa knew she'd be coming here every day.
Her Favorite Coffee
Vanessa started frequenting the coffee shop for her morning cup of Joe. It had been her dad's favorite coffee; he usually had the house caked in its aroma every morning.
After passing a year before Don opened his shop, Vanessa always brewed the same brand in the morning to feel like her dad was still around. So when Don asked her what her favorite coffee was, she only gave one answer.
Finding A Connection
"Cuppa Joe," said Vanessa with a smile. She watched with interest as Don made her a large cup, even throwing in a free muffin for his new favorite customer.
It wasn't long before he asked her out on a date, and given how smitten she was with him, she found it hard to say "No." If only she knew what she was stepping into.
Cammy
Two years before Vanessa and Don started going out, Vanessa had rescued a labradoodle from the local pet shelter. She named him Cammy after her and her dad's favorite video game character.
Cammy was usually well-behaved, loving every guest that visited Vanessa's house. She even sat at their feet or climbed on their lap, wagging her tail whenever someone called her name. But this wasn't the case when she met Don.
Something's Off
The loving pup snarled lowly when she saw Don, and Vanessa had to shush her up. But Cammy was only getting started.
He barked at Don, threatening to charge. "Someone doesn't like visitors," Don joked nervously, saying Cammy wanted to take his other arm. Vanessa laughed, loving how funny her friend was. She should've known her dog was trying to tell her something.
Going Out
Vanessa and Don went out for a few months before deciding to move their relationship to the next level. But throughout this time, Don rarely visited Vanessa's house unless he really needed to.
Whenever he and Cammy met, the pup would bark at him, growling and baring her fangs. As always, Vanessa would ask her to calm down, sometimes even taking her out of the room.
Thinking It Over
She couldn't understand why such a sweet dog would seemingly lose her cool whenever Don was around. Cammy was rarely hostile, even to strangers on the road, which made everything more bizarre.
Vanessa, who had been taking her to the vet every two months, decided to ramp up the frequency of their visits. She needed to know what was wrong with Cammy.
At The Vet's
Each visit Vanessa and Cammy had to the vet yielded no promising fruits. The vet couldn't explain why Cammy was so hostile toward Don.
But that was because he'd never met the man in person. He told Vanessa that dogs are usually territorial, which might be Cammy being watchful of his owner. His assessment soon would change.
Keeping Secrets
The months rolled by, and Don proposed to Vanessa. By now, Vanessa knew all she needed to know about him. He was an only child like her, raised in New York's Brooklyn.
He'd even served in the military like her dad and even knew the company his dad had run in. To him, Vanessa's dad was an immortal hero. But there were parts of his story that he conveniently omitted.
A Misstep
Vanessa agreed to marry Don. She moved in with him, taking Cammy with her. She knew her dog disapproved of who she'd decided to build a life with.
But she prayed that Cammy would at least give Don a chance. Vanessa truly wanted them to bond. If only she knew how this would end.
Long Nights
The first few weeks at Don's place were hell for Cammy, who would wake Vanessa and Don up at night with her barks.
Vanessa would tend to her, leaving Don in bed. But soon, Don decided he'd not allow her to cut her sleep because of the dog. He promised Vanessa he could handle whatever Cammy threw at him and stepped out of their room.
A Quiet Night
Vanessa sat in bed, listening to her dog bark and growl at Don. But all of a sudden, Cammy calmed down. She whined for a second as if in pain before the dead silence of the night returned.
Vanessa's brows furrowed. What could Don have done that Cammy gave one last yelp before quieting down?
Going After Him
She hurried out of bed to investigate, only to meet Don at the door. His attention was still on the dark corridor behind him, so he didn't notice Vanessa approaching.
His hands were wet, indicating he'd just washed them. He was also trying the drawstrings on his pajamas. Vanessa tapped a finger on his chest, and he almost fell back.
What Was Wrong With Her?
"Don't do that again," he cried out mid-laughter. "What was wrong with her?" asked Vanessa, trying to sneak a peek past Don's shoulder. She didn't think Don could get Cammy to calm down.
"I think she might have been scared," said Don before turning Vanessa around and leading her back to bed. "But she's okay now, honey. Go back to bed."
It Continues Happening
The next few nights were a repeat of what had happened that night. Vanessa and Don would be dead asleep before Cammy woke them up with her barking.
Like clockwork, Don insisted he takes care of the issue, leaving Vanessa in bed. He'd spend a little over five minutes downstairs as Cammy barked, snarled, and growled at him. It wouldn't be long before Vanessa needed answers to what was happening.
Being Objective
Vanessa tried to put one and one together. Cammy never liked Don before. Although she tolerated him now, she was still hostile whenever he stepped into the room.
At night, she'd bark louder when Don went to tend to her. Afterward, she'd fall asleep till morning, barely making any sound through the night. What was going on?
A Few Months Of The Same
The habit continued for months. Vanessa and Don had gotten married when she decided to follow Don and see how he was making Cammy sleep at night.
She waited until he stepped out of the room and eased after him, hoping to finally understand what was happening. The truth would be laid bare
A Quiet Step At A Time
A worried Vanessa followed Don through the darkened corridor, going down the staircase a quiet step at a time. She hoped nothing malicious was happening.
But she was halfway down the stairs when Don yelped in agony. He cursed out, and Cammy started barking and growling. The grating sound of a drawer being yanked open took the room. Vanessa couldn't get to the kitchen fast enough.
A Mess
She found Don on the kitchen counter with a bleeding knick on his palm. He'd wiped the blood and was running tap water on it.
"What's wrong," Vanessa cried, and Don pointed at Cammy. She was still growling near her court, snapping her fangs at Don. Vanessa tried to calm her down, and all hell broke loose.
Unbelievable
Cammy tore off, wending behind Don and finding Vanessa's foot. But instead of biting her or growling at Don, she started whining as if scared. Vanessa looked at the display with her mouth wide open.
"What's going on?" she asked Don before going down to pet and pick up Cammy. "I have no idea," her husband answered. "She just bit me."
It Doesn't Make Any Sense
Vanessa, Don, and Cammy drove to the vet early the next day. Something in Vanessa told her Don didn't tell her the whole truth about what had happened the previous night.
The vet took Cammy into the checkup room. After a few minutes, he assured Vanessa everything was okay. But after a look at a second batch of results, he called Vanessa back. "This doesn't make any sense," he said. "Cammy's pregnant. But that isn't the baffling part."
Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.