Chapter Two

      Even though her office would close in five minutes, Haley still sat at the computer behind the front counter entering notes from her last patient.

      She couldn’t focus. Instead of thinking about the details pertaining to Abi Cutter’s accident-prone chocolate Lab, Roscoe, who’d pried the lid off a bin of horse feed and eaten more than his share, she continued dwelling on her earlier interaction with Gavin Thomason.

      She hadn’t missed the fact that he’d been talking to Savvy Evans, who ran Willow’s Haven with her husband. That, coupled with Eli’s statement that his parents were in Heaven, told her this little boy would be one of the children she could help with her new program.

      Did it also mean she’d be dealing with Mr. Gavin, too?

      She cringed at the thought.

      “Roscoe seems to be doing better now,” Aaliyah told her, returning from checking on their “overnighters.” Today they had four animals currently in their long-term care: Buddy; two golden retrievers, Honey and Sugar, currently boarded while their owners were on vacation in Tennessee; and Roscoe.

      “I’m glad to hear that.” Haley clicked a few keys on the computer. “We probably would’ve been fine letting Roscoe go home with the Cutters, but I’d like to watch him overnight.” She was also glad Aaliyah’s presence helped her to focus on the task at hand—documenting their most frequent customer—instead of dwelling on the man who had gotten under her skin like a burr beneath a saddle blanket.

      “Honestly, Roscoe probably sees this place as his home away from home.” Aaliyah smirked. “Isn’t this his third time in the past month?”

      Haley scrolled through Roscoe’s file. “Fourth, if you count when I treated him on-site.”

      “Oh, yeah, when he got his head stuck in that fence rail. I forgot all about that.” Aaliyah sprayed the counter with disinfectant and began wiping it down. “You should start using the bigger office now that Doc Sheridan is gone.”

      “I’m comfortable here.” Haley liked being visible to clients as much as possible. Plus, Aaliyah only worked two days per week so, most of the time, Haley would be the only one to greet customers, maintain files and treat patients. Before, she’d had Doc Sheridan to share in that burden. But she didn’t mind staying busy. Beyond talking to her mother and grandfather on an almost-daily basis, the animals provided her primary semblance of family now.

      And she was okay with that. Really.

      She completed the notes on Roscoe and closed his file, which brought Buddy’s to the forefront of her computer. “How did Buddy handle that bit of liquids?”

      “Kept everything down so far. He’s sleeping again.”

      “Poor little thing.” He’d been covered in almost as much dirt as Eli when he’d arrived and was just as cute. She looked forward to seeing the boy again tomorrow when he came to visit the puppy and anticipated Buddy might be a little more responsive after twenty-four hours of hydration.

      The alarm went off on Aaliyah’s cell. “Closing time. Ready to call it a day?” She lifted her brow. “Until you come back to check on the animals before bed, that is. Why don’t you come to the ladies’ Bible study tonight at Mandy Brantley’s house? You seemed to enjoy it that one time you came.”

      “Did I?” Haley kept her eyes on the computer screen while silently willing her assistant to drop the subject. But after waiting a couple of beats, she glanced up to see Aaliyah’s frown.

      “Okay, so you didn’t. But we enjoyed having you there. Have you had a chance to look at the new study we’re doing on forgiveness?” She tapped the thin blue book she’d given Haley last week, still sitting on the desk where Haley had put it that day.

      “No, not yet. And I think I’ll pass, but thanks for the invitation.” She saved Buddy’s file and shut down the computer.

      Before Aaliyah could plead her case further, like she did each week, the office door burst open. Mae Martin entered, bracelets jangling as she waved off her apologies.

      “I’m so sorry, Haley. I know you’re about to close up shop for the day, but I realized after I started getting Snowflake’s dinner ready that I left those supplements here. I’m beginning to believe I’d lose my head if it weren’t attached.” She laughed and crossed the lobby to where Aaliyah had already reached beneath the counter and pulled out the white bottle.

      “You must have placed them behind the computer when you were writing your check,” Aaliyah said. “I found them after you left.” She placed the bottle in a brown paper bag this time, probably so Mrs. Martin would have a better chance of keeping up with it.

      Mae leaned over the counter toward Haley. “Tell me, how’s that little puppy doing? I could tell Gavin was concerned about him.”

      “He’s doing better,” Haley said, frustrated that Gavin’s lack of confidence had been so easily visible.

      “Good. That little boy has been through so much already.” She looked knowingly toward Haley. “I’m sure that’s why Gavin was intent on making sure the little pup would be okay.”

      “He isn’t always so full of sunshine?” Haley didn’t disguise her sarcasm.

      Mae put a hand to her chest, laughing deeply. “Oh, my, you’ve got his number already, don’t you? Actually he’s always like that around adults. But when you see him around those kids at Willow’s Haven, especially Eli, you get a glimpse of the heart hiding beneath the surface. Both Brodie and Savvy will tell you that he’s one of the best cabin counselors they have.” She tilted her head and lifted one corner of her mouth in a smile. “Gavin’s a good guy. He’s just a pro at hiding it.”

      Haley wondered why that was. And why, if he was so good with kids, he didn’t have an equal affinity toward adults.

      Then she shook those questions away. She didn’t need to be wondering anything about the devastatingly handsome and undeniably annoying man. Plus, they were already fifteen minutes past closing and she had no desire to prolong this discussion.

      Mae started toward the door, then stopped and pointed beneath one of the lobby chairs. “Oh, dear. That’s Eli’s backpack. I’m sure he’ll need it for school tomorrow. I hope he isn’t upset at leaving it. He’s already had such a bad day, being worried about the puppy and all.” She turned and frowned. “I’d take it to him, but I need to get back and feed Snowflake.”

      “And I need to get home to see Cierrah,” Aaliyah said, referring to her adorable four-year-old daughter.

      Mae’s smile widened. “Looks like you’ll probably need to take this out to the children’s home, hmm? You wouldn’t want Eli to be sad about leaving it, and you’ll definitely want to make sure he has it