"That wasn't going to happen." He repeated, "I have to see you. Can you meet me at your clinic in town?"

"No, I have work to do there."

"It's eight now. I'm in St. Louis waiting to change planes. I'll be there as soon as I can. Don't leave Ned. Take him to your office."

"Don't give me orders, Marrok."

"Do what I say. I'm doing what's best for you."

He hung up before she could answer.

Damn him. Marrok had been as curt and cool as he had been on the island. She still wasn't sure she should turn the Lab over to him. And she certainly wouldn't rush to be at her office to clear her calendar by the time he got there.

She took a leisurely shower, washed and dried her hair, and entered the kitchen a few minutes before nine. "Good morning, Janet. How did you sleep?"

"You know I always sleep good." Janet was turning the bacon. "No tossing and turning for me. You just have to set your mind to it."

Gracie got up from her place beside Ned and bounded toward Devon.

"It's about time you paid some attention to me," Devon murmured. She rubbed the greyhound's ears. "How's your friend?"

"That Lab's been begging me for bacon," Janet said. "Sitting there all pretty and expecting me to throw him a bite. He's teaching Gracie bad habits."

Devon stifled a smile. "And you didn't give in, of course."

"I threw him a few pieces. I wouldn't have done it, but protein is good to heal wounds. Right?"

"Absolutely." She knelt beside the Lab and examined the wound. She gave a low whistle. "But he may not need any help. This wound is doing incredibly well." Marrok had said that Ned healed well, but she hadn't expected the mending to have progressed to this degree. She patted Ned's head. "You're doing good, fella. Keep it up."

"If you're done with that coddling, you might sit down and eat your breakfast while it's hot, so I haven't wasted my time." Janet placed the eggs and bacon on the china plate. "Wash your hands first."