His broad shoulders strained the limits of his flannel shirt.

And his loose jeans outlined his muscular thighs as he donned protective gloves and hunkered down in front of the cage.

Everything about him was big, including his hands, and yet Emily knew he performed surgery. Strong, yet precise, firm, yet tender … There was no telling what those capable hands would feel like on her bare skin. A shiver of desire passed through her.

She gave herself a mental eye roll and bawled herself out. Now? She was lusting over Seth when the German shepherd was suffering from who knew what? The animals here depended on her to keep them healthy and safe, and find them new homes. They came first. Always.

Seth Pettit was a gorgeous man. He’d also given up his night’s rest to help this dog. She’d best get her mind on the matters at hand.

Montana Vet

Ann Roth

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To animal lovers everywhere

ANN ROTH lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband. After earning an MBA she worked as a banker and corporate trainer. She gave up the corporate life to write, and if they awarded PhDs in writing happily-ever-after stories, she’d surely have one.

Ann loves to hear from readers. You can write her at PO Box 25003, Seattle, WA 98165-1903, USA, or e-mail her at ann@annroth.net.

Recipe

Because dogs are an important part of this book, this recipe is for them.

Homemade Dog Treats

Ingredients

2½ cups rolled oats

Scant 1 tsp. salt (or less)

1 egg

1 tsp. beef or chicken bouillon granules dissolved in ½ cup hot water

Shredded cheese to your dog’s taste

Bacon bits (optional)

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 Mix bouillon/broth with remaining ingredients

3 Knead dough until it forms a ball (approximately 3 minutes)

4 Roll dough to ½ inch thick

5 Cut into slices or bone shapes

6 Place dough pieces on lightly greased cookie sheet

7 Cook for 30 minutes

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

Dedication

About the Author

Recipe

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

So far, this had been a day of surprises—and not the good kind. Sitting at the front office desk, Emily Miles massaged her temples and thought back to eight o’clock, on what she’d assumed would be a normal Tuesday. She’d assumed wrong.

First Rich Addison, the seventy-something veterinarian who had volunteered at The Wagging Tail since Emily had opened the shelter four years ago, had shared the unwelcome news that he was retiring.

Retiring! The poor man’s wife had given him an ultimatum—either leave his career behind and start traveling with her, or live out the rest of his days as a divorced man. His last day was Friday. Emily had no idea where she’d find his replacement, and Rich hadn’t come up with any names, either.

On this warm, sunny day in the second week of September—normal weather for Prosperity, Montana—she’d opened all the windows. She easily heard the collective howls and barks coming from the dog runs in the backyard, where the six abandoned and/or abused animals she was sheltering until she found them good homes were enjoying the day as best as they could. At least they had been. The unhappy sounds made her wonder if they somehow understood this dire news and what it meant.

Because without an on-call veterinarian to come in when necessary, she would have no way of knowing if the animals she took in suffered from a contagious disease, or how to treat those in need of medical attention. She would be forced to close down.

Then where would these abandoned, innocent creatures go? To the pound, where they would probably be euthanized. Emily couldn’t bear the thought.

An annual fund-raiser brought in enough to keep The Wagging Tail afloat, and Emily counted every penny. As yet, the only two people on the payroll were herself, and she took only enough to cover the rent and supplies, and Mrs. Oakes, the part-time office manager.

As busy as Emily was with the shelter, she also ran a website design and management business from home. The work took up considerable time, but was interesting and covered her personal bills, and sometimes subsidized shortages that fund-raising didn’t cover.

But neither her earnings nor the shelter’s budget was enough to pay a veterinarian. Someday. For now, she needed a volunteer, preferably long-term. The trouble was, most of the animal doctors in town worked full-time and then some, devoting any spare time to other, larger facilities. Finding someone willing to come to her little shelter without compensation was difficult.

If that wasn’t enough, Emily needed him or her by the end of the week—just three days from now.

Could the day get any worse?

It could and had. While she was still reeling from Rich’s stunning news, Mrs. Oakes, who worked Tuesday through Friday, had called in sick with a case of stomach flu. Edgar, the senior citizen volunteer who answered the phones on Mondays, had been busy with other commitments, leaving Emily to man the front desk. Then the Tates, the couple scheduled to foster and, fingers crossed, adopt the high-strung red setter that had been at the shelter for nearly a week, had postponed until Friday. With the kennel filled to capacity, Emily had counted on freeing up the dog’s cage for another animal in need.

Instead she’d had to turn away two dogs. She’d spent several hours calling everyone she knew, pleading for someone to take in one or both animals. With a lot of begging, she’d finally found them temporary homes. They needed to be seen by a vet, and someone needed to pay for those services.

Her head was pounding now, and her empty stomach was demanding food. With a sigh, she stood and carried her half-empty mug of tepid coffee through the archway off the front office, which had once been a living room. A short walk down the hall led to her small office, formerly a den. There she retrieved her purse from under the desk and dug through it for aspirin. She downed the pills with a healthy slug of the coffee—a combination guaranteed to give her stomach fits if she didn’t eat posthaste.

Until now, she hadn’t had the time. “I need lunch,” she said.

Susannah, the three-legged whippet Emily had taken in and adopted when she’d first opened the shelter, had been napping on the doggy bed in the corner. Now she trotted over—if you could call her odd, limping gait a trot.

Although Emily lived in the apartment upstairs, every morning she stowed a sack lunch in the kitchen on the main floor. Susannah accompanied her there, licking her chops and wagging her tail.

“You already had your meal,” Emily said, but the dog knew she was a soft touch.

Moments later, she returned to Mrs. Oakes’s desk with the sack lunch and a fresh cup of coffee. Susannah was excited now, yipping and grinning as only she could. “Oh, all right,” Emily said. “But first, sit!”

She quickly obeyed. Emily always marveled over that. After all, Susannah had only one front leg. When she’d arrived at the shelter at the age of about one year, she hadn’t even been house-trained.

“Good girl,” Emily cooed. Reaching into the lunch bag, she pulled out the dog treat Susannah had known was there. Seconds later, content, the dog settled down on the braided rug nearby.

Emily was munching on her sandwich when the two-way radio buzzed. Caroline, one of the regular volunteers, was out back with the dogs.

“I have to leave soon,” she said. “Do you want me to put everyone back in the kennel?”

“They’ve been out for a while now, and I cleaned their cages and filled their food and water dishes, so yes. Thanks, Caroline—you’re the best.” Emily meant that. The volunteers who gave so much of their time and effort kept the shelter going.

She finished her lunch, sipping her coffee and culling through applications from the high school kids who wanted to volunteer this semester. Doing so would earn them community-service credit, an annual requirement for students at all four of Prosperity’s high schools.

Suddenly Susannah woofed, moved awkwardly to her feet and loped toward the door with her tail wagging. It had taken almost two years of patience and TLC, but she’d finally learned to trust people. The bell over the door jingled.

“Come here.” Emily snapped her fingers. The dog obeyed, but wasn’t happy about it.

An instant later, a girl entered the office. She looked to be fourteen or so, and was tall and gangly, just as Emily had been at that age. Her shoulder-length, light brown hair had bright red streaks in it, and bangs that same red all but obscured her large eyes. She moved hesitantly toward Emily, her obvious self-consciousness at odds with the sullen look on her face.

It was that contrast that reminded Emily of her own painful adolescent years, as a lonely teen whose mother worked long hours to put a roof over their heads, after Emily’s father had left.

“Hi.” She smiled. “I’m Emily Miles, the founder of The Wagging Tail.”

“Hi.” Not even a semblance of a smile.

Susannah jumped up and raced forward with her tail waving. Smiling now, which did wonders for her face, the girl petted the happy canine. “Cool dog. What happened to his leg?”

“Actually, she’s female. Her name is Susannah. When she arrived at the shelter, she had a bad infection in her foreleg. We had to amputate.”

The girl looked horrified. As if knowing they were talking about her, Susannah woofed softly and retreated to the rug.

“Some of the dogs we take in are in pretty bad shape,” Emily said. “But with love, patience and a good home, miracles can happen. I’ll bet you’re here because you want to do a semester of community service at The Wagging Tail.”

The girl’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?”

“It’s that time of year. I didn’t catch your name.”

“Taylor.”

“Nice to meet you. Which school do you attend?”

“Trenton High.”

The school was less than a mile from the shelter. Emily nodded. “Are you a freshman?”

“Sophomore.”

“Okay. Do you have any experience with dogs?”

Taylor looked at her as if she were crazy. “I like them.”

“Have you ever owned or taken care of one?”

The girl shook her head and crossed her arms. “Why are you asking so many questions? I said I liked them.” As in, Isn’t that enough?

Not exactly the warm and friendly personality Emily wanted at the shelter. Although Taylor had been both with Susannah. As a teen, Emily had never been this sullen, certainly not when she wanted a job.

“I’ve had a lot of interest from high school kids this semester, and I may be full,” she said. Most of them had left any attitude behind and put on their best faces. “But if you’d like to fill out an application, I’ll look it over and get back to you.”

“You don’t want me.”

For one telling moment, Taylor’s shoulders slumped. Then the surly look reappeared and she raised her head.

Emily guessed that she’d been rejected by someone, somewhere. Having been there herself, when her father had walked out of her life, she sympathized. “I didn’t say that,” she replied with a smile. “School started in late August, and here we are a few weeks later. Most of the kids who want to work here applied last week.” She patted the stack of applications on the desk. “I’m in the process of selecting volunteers now.”

“We only moved here a few days before school started. I would’ve come in sooner, but I just found out about this place.”

While it seemed a plausible excuse, Emily wondered if Taylor’s attitude had cost her opportunities at other organizations. Wanting to help the girl, she opened a desk drawer and pulled out a blank application. “There’s still time to apply.” She handed the form over. “Why don’t you fill this out?”

“Whatever.” The girl stuffed the paper into her backpack. “Where are the other dogs?”

“They spent most of the afternoon out back. Now they’re in the kennel—that building over there.” Emily pointed at what had once been a large, detached garage. “Would you like to meet them?”

“Uh, yeah.” Taylor’s snarky tone indicated that this was obvious.

Shaking her head at the girl’s hostility, Emily leashed Susannah, then led Taylor down the concrete walkway. The afternoon sun had barely begun its descent toward the horizon, but already the air was noticeably cooler and felt like autumn. In central Montana, the weather was known to change quickly, and in a matter of hours, the temperature could vary by as much as twenty degrees.

Leaving Susannah tethered outside the kennel, Emily opened the door and gestured for Taylor to enter. Harvey, the architect Emily had met when he’d adopted a mixed-breed female from the shelter, and who she’d started dating soon after, had reconfigured the garage into a perfect space to house the dogs. Six large cages were spread across the clean cement floor, each equipped with a dog bed, and food and water bowls. A sink and tub for bathing the animals filled one corner, and a stainless steel exam table took up another, along with shelves and cabinets laden with towels and supplies. One large, airy window flooded the space with light, and good insulation and a heating and cooling system kept the temperature comfortable no matter what the weather.

“As you can see, we’re currently filled up,” Emily said.

Taylor looked puzzled. “But there are only six dogs here.”

“Unfortunately, right now, this is all I have room for. We also have two quarantine huts for when new dogs come in.”

Another of Harvey’s contributions to the shelter. Emily could actually think about him now without a twinge of the heartbreak she’d suffered when he’d left some fifteen months earlier.

Taylor angled her head and frowned. “Why do you quarantine new dogs?”

“Because they might carry infectious diseases, and we don’t want to expose the other animals.”

A brown-and-white spaniel-terrier mix whined, and Taylor headed forward.

“Wait,” Emily cautioned in a low voice. “He’s been abused and could bite you out of fear. To keep him from feeling threatened, lower your eyes and put your knuckles close to the bars so that he can smell you.”

Taylor looked taken aback, but complied. After much sniffing and studying her, the dog at last licked her hand through the bars.

“He likes me.” She looked pleased. “What’s his name?”

“We don’t usually name them,” Emily explained. “We let the families who adopt them do that.”

She checked her watch. The front office had been empty for some minutes now. “I need to get back to the office, in case the phone rings or someone else comes in.”

Taylor nodded, and they headed back. As they sauntered down the walkway, the girl’s cell phone trilled out bars from some rock song. “If you wanna stick around you gotta cut me some slack,” a male voice twanged.

She glanced at the screen and frowned before answering. “Hey, Seth,” she said in a bored voice. She listened a moment. “No, I ditched the bus. I’m at The Wagging Tail. The. Wagging. Tail,” she repeated, with exaggerated impatience. “It’s a dog shelter?” Another silence. “It’s for community service. I’m supposed to volunteer, remember? Can you pick me up here?” She listened again. “Yeah, I know I was supposed to call.” The irritated breath she blew was loud enough for the person on the other end to hear. “I forgot, okay? Bye.” She disconnected.

Talk about unfriendly. She’d been okay with the dogs, but Emily couldn’t picture her working at the shelter. Not when Emily had the pick of kids she assumed would be easier to work with. Still, it was only fair to look at her application—provided she turned one in.

“Seth will be here in a little while,” Taylor muttered.

“Is he your boyfriend?” If so, the poor boy was a glutton for punishment.

“Boyfriend? Eww.” The girl pantomimed sticking her finger down her throat. “Seth is an adult—he’s why we moved here.”

Ah, so he was Taylor’s father. Emily couldn’t believe she called him by his first name. This girl was a handful, and Emily felt for the parents. She imagined that if she’d ever called her dad by his first name, she’d have been in major trouble. That is, if he’d stuck around until she hit her teenage years. Since he’d taken off when she was nine, she could only guess.

“Where are you from?” she asked as they entered the front office.

“San Diego.”

“That’s a big city. Even at the height of tourist season, we only have about seventy thousand residents in Prosperity.” Most of the locals were either ranchers or made their living from the tourists, who flocked to the area in late spring and summer for hiking and fishing. And also to visit Prosperity Falls, which was famous for its beauty and a popular place for marriage proposals and weddings. “When the tourists leave, we drop down to sixty thousand,” she added. “Is Seth a rancher? Is that why you decided to move here?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” Taylor said. “I didn’t get a say in whether I moved or not. Otherwise, I would’ve stayed in San Diego. Seth isn’t a rancher, but he used to live here. His brother has a ranch on the other side of town.”

Interesting. “What’s his profession?”

“He’s a veterinarian.”

“Is he?” Emily didn’t hide her interest. “And his specialty?”

“Large animals.”

“You mean livestock?”

Taylor nodded.

“Does he ever treat dogs?”

“Sometimes. When he was at a ranch the other day, he treated a border collie with worms.” Taylor shrugged. “While I’m waiting for him, I may as well fill out the application.”

Emily handed her a pen. The girl sat down on the old couch that had belonged to Emily’s mother before she’d married Bill, around the time Emily had opened The Wagging Tail.

Taylor pulled earbuds and an iPod from a pocket in her backpack and listened to music while she worked on the application.

While Emily sat at the desk, her thoughts whirled. The girl’s father was a veterinarian. Maybe he’d be interested in volunteering at The Wagging Tail. Of course, if he did agree to help out, Emily would have to let Taylor do her community service here.

She wasn’t thrilled about that, but to bring in a new veterinarian, she could definitely put up with a little attitude.

* * *

SOME FIFTEEN MINUTES after Seth Pettit ended the irritating phone call with Taylor, he parked his pickup in the driveway of The Wagging Tail. She tried his patience in every way, but he was determined to bring her around.

The building, a small two-story structure that looked more like a home than an animal shelter, had a big fenced yard and a couple large dog runs.

Seth didn’t remember a shelter on this side of town. But then, he hadn’t been in Prosperity since just before his eighteenth birthday, some seventeen years ago, when the town had been smaller and less developed.

Back then, he’d been a kid with a huge chip on his shoulder and a penchant for getting into trouble. He’d resented Sly, his big brother, for trying to rein him in, and had all but ignored Dani, their baby sister. One semester short of graduating high school, he’d dropped out instead. Vowing to never return, he’d left Sly and Dani in his dust.

Funny how things changed. Karma was a bitch with sharp claws.

In the almost three weeks since Sly and Taylor had moved here, he’d seen Dani twice and Sly once. The first time the three of them had met after all these years, Seth had dragged Taylor along, Dani had come with her husband, and Sly had brought his wife and two kids. It had been an uncomfortable reunion. Especially with Sly. Dani had quickly forgiven him for staying out of touch all those years. But Sly? Not so much.

Seth’s fault, and he meant to fix the rift he’d caused. With barely enough money to tide him and Taylor over for a few months, he also needed to get his business up and running pretty quick. Otherwise they’d have to move out of the two-story house he rented. He wasn’t about to let that happen. Taylor had been through a lot and had moved enough, and Seth meant to put down roots right here. The house, a run-down three-bedroom, wasn’t exactly top of the line, but it had the potential. Come spring, the landlord planned to sell it. He’d offered Seth first option to purchase, and Seth wanted badly to take him up on it. For Taylor and him, but also to prove to Sly that his screw-up kid brother hadn’t turned out so bad, and could be responsible for someone else. He had about six months to save up the down payment.

Last but not least, he had to figure out how to get Taylor to stop hating him. Piece of cake—and the moon was made of sterling silver.

He headed up the cement walkway to the front door, past a black-and-white The Wagging Tail sign decorated with paw prints. The porch, nothing more than a concrete slab, held a welcome mat, and a hand-lettered sign tacked to the door invited him to come inside.

Seth wiped his feet and did just that.

Taylor was sitting on a sagging couch, with a pen in her hand and her head bent over some papers. Surely not homework. Getting her to do that was harder than pulling a decayed tooth from a bad-tempered bull’s mouth.

She looked up at him and frowned. “I’m not ready to go yet. I need to fill out this application.”

“Hello to you, too,” he said. “You’re too young to apply for a job.”

A look of pure resentment darkened her face. “I told you—it’s for community service.”

There was no point in reminding her that she’d already visited a food bank and a used-clothing collection center and had turned up her nose at both.

But then, she turned up her nose at everything. For some reason, apparently this place was different.

The woman sitting behind the front desk was studying him curiously. She was a real knockout—big eyes, an intriguing mouth and wavy, collar-length blond hair that was tucked behind her ears.

“Hi.” She smiled and stood, tall and long-limbed, and rounded the desk. A hot-pink, feminine blouse framed smallish breasts and hips, and faded jeans showcased long, slender legs. She could’ve been a model.

A three-legged whippet joined her, tail wagging.

“I’m Emily Miles, founder of The Wagging Tail. And this is Susannah.” The woman extended her arm.

“Seth Pettit.”

They shook hands. Except for a few cursory hugs from Dani, it had been a while since Seth had touched a woman, even in this casual way. Emily had delicate bones and soft, warm skin, and he held on a moment longer than necessary. Blushing, she extracted her hand.

He turned his attention to the dog, letting her sniff his knuckles in greeting. “Hey, there, Susannah.”

“Why don’t you come into my office and we’ll talk while Taylor completes her application,” Emily said. “It’s right down the hall.”

Wondering at that, he shrugged. “Okay. I’ll be back shortly,” he told Taylor.

She didn’t bother to look up from the application. “Whatever.” The word seemed to be her mantra.

He followed Emily down a hall, a short distance, but enough for him to check out her fine backside.

She led him to a windowed room just big enough for a desk, two kitchen-style chairs, a bookcase and filing cabinet and a doggy bed. Papers cluttered the desk, along with the usual computer, printer and phone, and a framed photo of an older woman with the same flirty mouth, smiling up at a man with a thick beard and silvery hair, who looked vaguely familiar. Although Seth had no idea why. Emily’s parents, he guessed. A clock and a dog calendar adorned one wall, and dark red curtains framed the window. That was about it.

She gestured at the chairs, which were both across from the desk. “Please, sit down.”

They took seats, Emily nudging a pile of folders to one side, to make room for a lined yellow pad.

“Taylor tells me that you’re a veterinarian and that you’re new in town,” she said.

“That’s right. I’m looking to build my business. If you know of a rancher looking for a vet who makes house calls, I’m your man.”

“If you make house calls, then in no time, you’ll have more business than you can handle,” she said. “How long have you been practicing?”

“Four years now.”

Twin lines marred the smooth space between her eyebrows as she moved the pad to her lap and jotted something down. Seth couldn’t see what.

“And you specialize in large animals?” she asked.

“Mostly cattle and horses.”

“Taylor mentioned dogs.”

“Now and then, but I don’t have a clinic or an office.” At the moment, he couldn’t afford either. But someday...

More scribbling.

“What happens if you need a clinic?” she asked.

“I have an agreement with Prosperity Animal Hospital, on the north side of town.”

“I know that place.” She jotted that down, too.

Weird. It almost felt as if she was interviewing him.

“How does your wife like Prosperity?”

“I’m not married.” A couple times he’d come close, but nothing had worked out.

“Oh.” Emily brought her hand to her hair and fiddled with it. “I assumed— Never mind. I didn’t realize there were any ranches in San Diego.”

The comment puzzled him. “I’m sure there are, but I wouldn’t know. I’ve only been there once or twice, and not for long.”

Her turn to look confused. “I’m pretty sure Taylor said she was from San Diego.”

He nodded. “She is.”

“I don’t understand. Aren’t you her father?”

No one ever understood until he explained. Dani, Sly and their families knew the facts, as did the teachers and counselors at Taylor’s school. Now Emily would, too.

“It’s complicated,” he began, giving her an out if she didn’t want to know. She nodded, and he went on. “Taylor’s mother and I were involved. We moved in together when Taylor was about five. Four years later, Annabelle broke things off and kicked me out.”

She’d stuck with him while he finished college, assuming that eventually they’d marry. Then immediately after earning his undergrad degree, he’d started vet school. Annabelle had continually pushed him to propose, but between school and a part-time job, he’d been too busy to think about much else. That was his excuse, anyway. The truth was he hadn’t been ready for marriage. Hell, he’d never even told her he loved her. He’d liked her fine, but hadn’t been capable of taking the next step. Tired of waiting for that ring on her finger, Annabelle had ended the relationship.

Story of his life.

“I see.” Emily frowned. “If you don’t mind my asking, why is Taylor living with you now?”

“I’m getting to that. In the years we lived under the same roof, she and I grew close. Annabelle never knew who Taylor’s father was. Although it wasn’t me, Taylor considered me to be her father, and I loved her like a daughter.

“At the time, we lived in Sacramento,” he went on. “I moved out, and a few days after the breakup, Annabelle packed up and left. She didn’t tell me about that or say where she was going, just cut me out of Taylor’s life.” Not all that different from what Seth had done with Dani and Sly, he’d come to realize a few years later. Standing on the other side of the fence had sucked, big time. “I tried to find them, but never did,” he finished.

He’d missed the girl terribly and knew she was likely missing him, too. “Fast-forward six years. I was still in Sacramento, with my own veterinary practice.” A few months earlier, his mentor from his undergrad days, Professor Greenfield, had died of cancer. Like Seth, the professor had been estranged from his family. Filled with regret, he’d begged Seth to make up with Sly and Dani before it was too late.

Seth had been mulling that over, assuring himself that he had plenty of time to make amends with his siblings, when the bomb that had radically altered his life had dropped. “Annabelle’s attorney contacted me with the news that she’d been in an accident and had passed away,” he said. “There was no other family, and in her will, she’d named me to assume guardianship of Taylor.”

Annabelle’s passing at the young age of thirty-five, the same age Seth was, had added a sense of urgency to make up with Sly and Dani sooner, rather than later. You never knew when your time was up.

“What a shock that must have been for both you and Taylor,” Emily said. “Poor girl. It must be hard to lose your mother at such an early age.”

Seth knew way too much about that. He’d lost his own mother when he was ten. Less than a year later, his father had followed her. “I think her death knocked us both to our knees,” he said.

As bad as he’d felt for Taylor, at first he’d balked at the idea of assuming responsibility for the girl he hadn’t seen in six years. But if he didn’t step up, she would go into foster care. Seth couldn’t let that happen, couldn’t let her go through that.

After both his parents died, Dani had been shuffled into foster care. She’d lucked out, though, when Big Mama, her foster mom, had adopted her. Meanwhile, Seth and Sly had been shipped off to Iowa to live with an uncle who never tired of reminding them that he hated kids. No child deserved to live with a man like that.

“No wonder,” Emily murmured.

“Pardon me?”

“Taylor seems to have a bit of an attitude.”

And then some. Seth nodded. “The adjustment has been rough on her. On both of us.”

He was at his wits’ end. In the weeks since they’d moved here, no matter what he did, Taylor had shown nothing but contempt and loathing for both him and Prosperity. She hadn’t made a single friend or become involved in any school activities.

This dog shelter was the first thing she’d expressed an interest in. Seth needed Emily to give her a chance. “Be honest with me,” he said. “Are you going to let Taylor work here?”

Emily caught her full lower lip between her teeth. “Before we talk about that, I’d like to show you around. It’ll only take a few minutes. We’ll go out through the front door, so you can let Taylor know. She can stay here and keep Susannah company.”

Curious to see the place that had finally piqued Taylor’s interest, Seth readily agreed. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Two

“Tell me about the dogs,” Seth said, as Emily led him toward the kennel.

At five feet ten in her bare feet and even taller in boots, she didn’t have to look up at people all that often. But Seth was several inches taller, and she had to do just that to meet his eyes. They were an unusual shade of silvery blue, and looked especially striking against the afternoon sky.

“I take in animals that have been abandoned and sometimes abused,” she said. “My job is to find them permanent homes with loving families.”

He absorbed her words with a somber expression. “You haven’t chosen easy work.”

“No, but it can be so rewarding.”

Seth listened thoughtfully. “Is that how you got Susannah?”

Emily nodded. “She was one of the first dogs to come here when I opened my doors.” The whippet, with her injured leg, malnourished body and trembling fear, had quickly wormed her way into Emily’s heart.

“How did you get into this work?” Seth asked.

“My very first job was with a woman who groomed and boarded dogs while their owners were out of town,” Emily said. She’d taken the job so that she could help her struggling mother make ends meet. “She had a soft place in her heart for abused dogs, and fostered and adopted a few while I worked for her. Like all living creatures, they need love and affection, along with a strong dose of patience. Give them those things, and they’re loyal friends for life.” Unlike people, who could walk away at any time and break your heart. “I’ve been in love with dogs ever since.”

“Running this place can’t be cheap. How do you fund it?”

“Through private donations, most of which I raise at an annual fund-raiser the first Saturday in November,” she said. “But I couldn’t do it without my volunteers.” Mentally, she crossed her fingers that she could persuade Seth to sign on as one of them. “The dog groomer I just told you about? She comes in a couple times a month to bathe and groom the dogs. The rest of the time, I get to do the job.” Emily wrinkled her nose.

“I’ll bet that gets messy.”

He flashed a smile she felt clear to her toes. It had been over a year since she’d even noticed a man, and Seth Pettit was a seriously attractive male, tall and solid, with a broad forehead and a strong jaw. She smiled back. “Even when I wear protective clothing, I usually end up a dripping mess. You don’t want to see me when I finish that job.”

He chuckled at that, and so did she.

“You do this full-time?” he asked.

She shook her head. “There isn’t enough money for that, so I double as a web designer—I create and maintain websites. I enjoy the work, plus I get to set my own hours.”

“I’ve been told I should put up a website, but I’m not sure I need one.”

“Can’t hurt,” Emily said. Wanting Seth to know more about the shelter, she gestured around. “Isn’t this a nice space? It used to be part of a ranch that was subdivided and sold off. I rent it from a couple who love animals. They even adopted one of our dogs. They didn’t mind when I turned the garage into a kennel. As long as I pay the rent on time, they’re happy.”

At the kennel, she opened the door and led Seth inside. He moved slowly and deliberately toward the cages, letting the dogs take him in.

“Hey, there,” he greeted them.

Each one took note of his low, soothing voice, and a few wagged their tails.

It was obvious that Seth Pettit had a way with animals. Probably with women, too, Emily guessed, with another flutter of interest.

But she wasn’t about to see him as anything but a potential volunteer veterinarian at the shelter. Her life was very full and a lot simpler without a man in it, and she liked it that way.

After a moment, they headed outside again. “I’m impressed with what you’re doing here, Emily.” He held the door open for her. “Now I understand why Taylor wants to work here.”

“About that,” Emily started, ready to work a deal. It was chilly now, and wishing she’d put on a sweater, she chafed her arms. “Our dogs need friendly, warm volunteers. And Taylor—”

“Hear me out.” Seth held his hand palm up, silencing her. “She’s not a bad kid. She just needs a little time to get used to all the changes in her life. I’m no therapist, but I know in my gut that doing her community service here would be really good for her. What can I do to convince you to let that happen?”

His eyes pleaded for understanding. He didn’t know that he’d provided the perfect segue to the subject Emily wanted to broach. “Funny you should ask,” she said. “The vet who has volunteered here since I opened the shelter just retired unexpectedly. I need a replacement.”

Seth eyed her. “You’re asking me to volunteer at The Wagging Tail.”

Crossing her fingers at her sides, she nodded. Only a few yards from the front office now, they stopped to finish the conversation before stepping inside.

“I have an awful lot on my plate right now,” he said.

“You’re building a practice and settling in. I understand. I’m not asking you for forty hours a week, or even twenty. I just need someone to perform routine health checkups on any new animals we take in, get them vaccinated, and whatever else they need. And of course, to give them the medical attention they might need if they get injured or sick while they’re here.”

“How much time are we talking?”

“You saw for yourself that I only have room for six animals. There are also two quarantine huts where new arrivals stay until they’re cleared to join the others. Probably one to two hours per week, barring unexpected emergencies.”

“So one day a week for two hours?” Seth asked.

“Or more, depending on when we take in a new animal and if someone gets sick. I’ll try not to bother you at night or on weekends.”

“You’ll give Taylor a job if I agree to this?”

Emily nodded.

“Throw in a free website consultation and design and I’ll do it. For one semester, while Taylor’s here. But understand that if you need me at the same time as someone in my practice, they come first.”

A semester was better than nothing. Who knew, maybe she’d convince him to stay on permanently. At the very least, she had a few months to search for someone else.

Relieved, she smiled. “Fair enough. Thank you, Dr. Pettit.”

“I go by Seth.”

“Okay, Seth. Please call me Emily. Community service begins on Monday.”

“Great. Do me a favor, and don’t tell Taylor about our arrangement. Let her think she got the job because you want her for herself.”

“I can do that,” Emily said. “I’ll call her tomorrow and let her know.”

He nodded. “We have a deal.”

They shook on that. Seth’s big hand almost engulfed hers. His grip was firm and strong and warm, and for some reason, Emily wanted to hold on for a while.

Way too attracted to this man, she quickly let go, pivoted away and hurried toward the front door.

* * *

“I DON’T SEE why you need to volunteer at The Wagging Tail while I volunteer there,” Taylor said as Seth drove home. “That is, if Emily chooses me.”

Taylor didn’t want him involved in anything she did. In her life at all, for that matter. He stifled a weary sigh. “The vet who was helping Emily retired, and she asked me to help out. I’m only going to do it until January, and my own business comes first. Trust me, I won’t get in your way.”

Taylor snickered. “You’re always in my way.”

Seth missed the days when she’d been little and carefree, and had simply taken him at his word. But those times were long gone, and a lot of baggage had filled the gap in between. “I’ll only come to The Wagging Tail when Emily calls, and if she hires you, to pick you up—that’s it,” he said, striving to sound patient. At Taylor’s stony look he added, “If she doesn’t have a vet to handle her dogs’ medical issues, she’ll be forced to shut down.”

Taylor’s eyes widened. “I guess it’s okay, then.”

One hurdle successfully crossed. Relieved, Seth rolled the truck up the cracked blacktop driveway of their house. He pulled into the carport. Before he even killed the engine, Taylor slipped out the passenger door. Without a thanks-for-the-ride or a backward glance, she pulled a house key from her jeans pocket and headed for the house.

Seth followed. As a kid, he’d always been ravenous when he got home from school. He was pretty sure she must be, too. But she went straight through the kitchen and toward the stairs.

Wafer thin, she was way too skinny. He couldn’t let her disappear into her room without something to eat. “Hold on,” he called out. “Want a snack?”

“No, thanks,” she said over her shoulder.

“It’s okay to eat in your room or anyplace in the house. It’s yours, too. You don’t have to hide upstairs.”

“I’m not hiding and I’m not hungry.”

She spent way too many hours texting and fooling around on FaceTime with her friends in San Diego. Time she should be spending making new friends and getting involved at Trenton High.

But as she continually reminded him, her home was in San Diego and there was nothing for her here. And he reminded her that she lived in Prosperity now. She didn’t like that at all.

At least she had her community service work lined up—a first step toward settling in. Seth hoped.

She was almost up the stairs now. “Do your homework before you talk with your friends,” he called out.

Muttering, she took the last few steps quickly. Seconds later her bedroom door closed. Loudly.

Seth muttered, too. For his own benefit, he’d talked with a couple specialists about the situation. He wanted Taylor to meet with the school counselor or see a social worker or therapist, but she refused. He knew that he couldn’t force her to get help.

He was in his “office,” for now a corner of the living room, tackling paperwork and thinking about ways to drum up business, when his cell phone rang.

“This is Zeke Jones,” a gravelly voice said. “I got your name from Barton Michaels.” Michaels owned a ranch where Seth had treated a sick heifer the previous week, and had gotten Seth’s name from an ad he’d placed in the Prosperity Daily News. “Got a cow with a bad case of pinkeye,” Zeke went on. “It’s in both eyes, and I’m worried about it spreading through the herd. She’s starting to lose weight, too.”

This was not good for Zeke, but Seth was pleased for the referral from Michaels. “Where are you?” he asked. He jotted down the address. Although it was nearly dinnertime, he said, “I’ll be over shortly.”

After disconnecting, he headed upstairs to tell Taylor. Maybe she’d come with him. Through the door he heard loud music from The Wanted, a band she listened to constantly. He knocked a couple times before she heard him.

“What do you want?” she asked through the closed door.

“Open up.”

Seconds later, the door opened a fraction, just enough for her to poke her head through.

“I have to go out and help a rancher with a cow who has pinkeye,” he said, raising his voice above the music.

“Whatever.” She started to close the door.

“Why don’t you come along?” he asked. “It’s bound to be interesting.” And might help them bond.

She looked as if she’d rather eat worms. “What’s interesting about pinkeye?”

“In a cow, it can be dangerous. It hurts a lot more than it does in humans. An infected animal often keeps her eyes closed because of the pain. She avoids sunlight, too, and stops foraging for food and water. If she doesn’t get well quickly, she could die.”

“That’s not interesting at all.”

The door shut rudely in his face. Patience fraying, he bit back a frustrated oath. When he was in vet school, she’d loved watching him work with sick or injured animals. Not anymore. Since he’d taken Taylor in and they’d moved here, he’d made sure to invite her along on any call he made when she wasn’t in school. So far, she’d always turned him down.

“I should be back in an hour or so, but I’ll phone when I know for sure,” he said through the door. No reply. “If you want dinner while I’m gone, there’s leftover lasagna in the fridge,” he added.

Nothing but hostile silence.

His fraying patience snapped. This time he opened the door without knocking. “Did you hear what I said?”

“I didn’t say you could come in here.” Arms crossed, Taylor shot daggers out of her eyes.

“Tough. Did you hear me or not?”

“I heard.”

Seth nodded. “See you later. Get that homework done before you start texting or using FaceTime.”

“Yes, sir.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.

When he was through the door, she slammed it.

Irritated at himself for losing his cool, he scrubbed his hand over his face and headed back down the stairs. Living in the same house with an angry teenage girl was a lot tougher than he’d ever imagined.

Would she ever give him a break?

* * *

AFTER LOCKING THE shelter doors late Thursday afternoon, Emily drove toward Prosperity Park. Her mother and Bill lived on the edge of the park, and were lucky enough to have an impressive view of Prosperity Falls from their living room window. A view that had cost a bundle, but Bill was a partner in a large insurance company and could afford it.

He gave Emily’s mother whatever she wanted, and she wanted to travel. In two days, they would leave for six whole weeks, touring Spain, Portugal and France.

Emily was jealous, but in a good way. If she didn’t have the time or money to travel, at least they did. Tonight they’d invited her over for dinner and to say goodbye.

The sun was about to set and vivid pink streaks colored the paling sky. The usual rush-hour traffic filled the highway, but Emily didn’t mind. With beauty all around her and dinner plans, she couldn’t help but be happy.

Too happy for a ho-hum night with her mom and Bill. She really needed to get out more.

She parked in the driveway of the house, which was a stunning mixture of cream-colored brick, river stone and tempered glass. The landscaped yard was nothing like the trampled grass around the shelter grounds. Carrying a bottle of Spanish wine she’d picked up, she followed the flagstone walkway to the raised brick stoop, then opened the front door and let herself in.

The place was quiet. Leaving her jacket and purse in the entry, Emily headed for the living room, on the opposite side of the house. The huge space was only marginally smaller than her entire apartment, and decorated with beautiful, expensive furnishings.

Where were her mother and Bill? After stopping to admire the falls from the picture window, Emily checked the state-of-the-art kitchen. No one there, either. She peered out the sliding glass door that opened onto the back yard and patio. The grill was out and ready for action, but she didn’t see her mother or stepfather.

She set the wine she’d brought on the granite counter and returned to the living room. “Hello?” she called. “Mom? Bill? I’m here!”

“We’ll be right out!” Her mother’s muffled reply came from the direction of the master bedroom.

A long few minutes later, the couple appeared, with their arms around each other’s waists. Her mother looked slightly disheveled and radiant, and Bill wore a big grin. Emily didn’t want to think of what had put the glow in their faces. Some things were too gross to contemplate. Four years of marriage and they still acted like newlyweds.

They were insanely happy, which was wonderful. After Emily’s father had walked out and left her mom struggling to pay the bills and keep a roof over their heads, she deserved a loving man. She liked to say that Bill’s wealth was the icing on her happiness cake.

Emily didn’t care about Bill’s money. He was a good guy who really cared about her mother. She wanted a man like Bill. She’d thought she’d found him in Harvey. They’d discussed marriage and children multiple times, and she’d assumed that they would be together forever.

Then a well-known architecture firm on the East Coast had offered him a plum job. Emily hadn’t wanted to give up her beloved shelter, but she’d been ready to find her replacement so that she could go with him. Things hadn’t worked out the way she’d imagined, however. Harvey had taken his dog with him, but not Emily. She’d been single ever since.

Her mother came over to exchange cheek kisses with her. Bill gave her a hug.

“How’s the packing coming along?” she asked.

“We were just working on that, only then we got a little distracted.” Her mother and Bill exchanged meaningful glances.

He chuckled. “We sure did.”

TMI—too much information, Emily thought. She cleared her throat. “I noticed you uncovered the grill out back.”

“We’re having steak tonight.” Bill licked his lips and patted his slight paunch. “Are you hungry, Em?”

“Starving.”

“Me, too. As soon as I fix the drinks, I’ll fix the steaks.”

In the kitchen, Emily’s mother and Bill kissed as if they were about to part for days before he stepped through the sliding glass door to the patio.

Her mother watched him go with a dreamy sigh. Emily shook her head. Sometimes the lovey-dovey stuff got old. “What can I do to help?” she asked.

“Set the table and open that bottle of wine so it can breathe. I’ll heat the rolls and empty the salad into a bowl.”

While they worked, they caught up on each other’s lives, just as they had when they’d lived in the one-bedroom apartment where Emily had grown up—on the rare occasions when her mother had been home in time to help with the evening meal. Usually, Emily had prepared it alone.

Before long, Bill returned with the sizzling steaks. They sat at the kitchen table and loaded their plates.

“Are you excited about your trip?” Emily asked as they ate.

“Just a little.” Bill’s lips twitched.

He and Emily’s suddenly gleeful mother exchanged brilliant grins, and then launched into a detailed itinerary of where they were going and when. Emily had already heard most of before, but didn’t mind hearing it again. In their excitement, the two finished each other’s sentences and occasionally interrupted one another. They were so involved in the back and forth that they seemed to forget she was there.

Emily felt like a third wheel. Melancholy crept in, and no longer hungry, she picked at her food. At times like this, she wished she was part of a couple.

But that would mean dating again, which she hadn’t done since Harvey. Emily’s wayward thoughts homed in on a certain sexy veterinarian. She quickly dismissed that idea. She’d had to resort to arm twisting to get Seth to take the volunteer job in the first place, and she wasn’t about to jeopardize that by going out with the man. If he was even interested. Because if they were to go out and then things between them soured... At any time, he could walk away from the shelter. Besides, between it and her website business, she was way too busy to date.

Which wasn’t exactly the full truth. The thing was, even though it had been more than fifteen months since Harvey had left, and even though Emily was totally over him, she wasn’t over what he’d done. Bad enough, breaking her heart. He wasn’t the first. But leaving her behind without a backward glance, the same as her father had? She wasn’t about to put herself in that position ever again, and she for sure wasn’t ready to start dating. Besides, the dogs at the shelter depended on her, and that was where her focus needed to be—on providing them with a temporary place to stay and finding them good homes.

Refusing to be ignored for one more minute, she changed the subject. “I had an unpleasant surprise this week.” That got her mother and Bill’s attention. “You remember Rich Addison, the veterinarian who’s volunteered at the shelter since I opened our doors? He decided to retire.”

Knowing what that meant, her mother frowned. “What are you going to do?”

“I think I’ve found a replacement.”

“Already? That’s great!” Bill looked pensive. “I’ve sold insurance policies to most of the animal docs in town. Who is it?”

“Actually, he’s new here, having recently moved back from California. His name is Seth Pettit and he works mostly with livestock.”

“I know Seth.” Bill nodded. “He phoned shortly after he arrived, and I set him up with the insurance he needs.”

Her mother frowned. “If Dr. Pettit works with livestock, why is he volunteering at the shelter?”

“He likes to be called by his first name,” Emily said. “His...” She paused. How to explain Taylor? “He’s guardian to a teenage girl who will be doing her community service at The Wagging Tail.”

“They’re volunteering together.” Bill gave a nod of approval. “I used to do that with Kara.” His daughter from his first marriage, now in her early forties. “It’s a good bonding experience.”

“They won’t exactly be doing their volunteer work at the same time,” Emily said.

“Still, it’s nice that they’ll both become familiar with the shelter. They’ll have something to talk about.”

She hadn’t thought of it that way, but Bill was right.

They were finishing their dessert when her “dog emergency” pager buzzed. The number of one of the volunteers who rescued abused animals showed on the screen. “I need to check this,” Emily said. “Excuse me.”

She stepped into the hallway and returned the call. Moments later, she reentered the kitchen. “Sorry to eat and run, but a new dog is coming in tonight, and I have to make some calls.”

First, to the couple who’d said they wanted the red setter, to make sure they picked him up in the morning, which would free up a slot for the new animal. Then, to Seth Pettit. Tonight she would quarantine the new arrival. Depending on what Seth found when he examined the dog, the animal would either move in with the others or stay in quarantine.

Chewing a bakery cupcake, her mother nodded.

“That’s okay, Em,” Bill said. “Between packing and other things, your mother and I have plenty to keep us busy.”

Once again, they exchanged a private, loving look. Brother.

Emily kissed and hugged them both. “I’ll miss you two,” she said. “Call and email when you can—and send pictures.”

“We will,” her mother said. “Good luck with the new vet. And the new dog.”

Before Emily even reached her car, she’d pulled out her phone.

Chapter Three

“Can I come with you to The Wagging Tail today?” Taylor asked Seth over breakfast Friday morning. They were sitting in the nook off the kitchen.

Since they’d moved here, this was a first. She’d never asked to go on a call, and for a moment, Seth wondered if she was finally accepting him and settling into her new life. Then his natural cynicism kicked in. Did she really want to watch him examine the shelter’s newest dog, or was this a ploy to get out of going to school? Likely the latter.

“If it wasn’t a school day, you could,” he said, “but I don’t want you missing any classes.”

His own words took him aback. Damned if he didn’t sound just like Sly had all those years ago, whenever Seth had tried to weasel his way out of going to school.

Would wonders never cease.

Taylor’s dirty look told him he’d guessed right. “I hate you and I hate Prosperity!”

Seth winced, but he’d heard it before, more times than he could count. You’d think he’d be used to that, but every time she used the H word, it stung. He’d be damned if he’d let on how badly. “Look,” he said. “You’ll probably see the dog Monday, when you go to the shelter for orientation.”

One skinny shoulder lifted, then dropped. She turned away from him and stared out the window that faced the raggedy backyard—who had time for yard work?—and the house behind them. The leaves on the trees scattered around the yard were starting to turn. Seth hadn’t lived through an autumn in Montana for a long time, but he remembered the intense reds and yellows that dressed up the landscape. He also remembered how quickly the weather could turn. Almost as quickly as Taylor’s moods.

In the tense silence he’d grown used to, he scraped the last of his Wheaties from his bowl and finished his coffee. After he and Taylor had been reunited, he’d tried hard to ease the transition by talking about his own life and asking questions about hers. When that had failed, he’d offered to take her to a movie or a concert of her choice here in Prosperity, or to drive her and any friends she made.

No luck with that, either. She’d turned him down and tuned him out. Out of sheer desperation, he’d asked her what did she want. She had a ready answer for that. She wanted him to take her back to San Diego, drop her off and let her live her life without him in it. Ouch.

If only she’d make friends at school. Even one would help. As far as Seth knew, it hadn’t happened. Taylor went to school downcast, and came home with the same dark cloud over her head. They’d been in Prosperity almost a month now, and he still had no idea how to help her adjust. Since she wouldn’t talk to a professional, he could only wait for her to settle in and accept that this was her new life.

The way things stood right now, he wondered if she ever would.

“It’s almost time for you to catch the bus,” he said. “I’m not sure when I’ll be home. After I leave The Wagging Tail, I have appointments at two ranches on opposite sides of town. One with a sick bull, and the other with a horse that won’t eat. Call me when you get home this afternoon.”

Taylor barely nodded.

Shortly after she trudged to the school bus and boarded—would she ever walk like a carefree teenage girl?—he grabbed his doctor bag, hopped into the pickup and headed for Emily’s.

The sun was already bright, with the Cascade Mountains in sharp relief against the clear blue sky. Today would be warm, more like summer than fall. That and a couple of paying appointments on the schedule boosted his spirits. Whistling softly, he cracked the window and slipped on his sunglasses.

He looked forward to seeing Emily this morning. He wouldn’t mind getting to know her...

As if he had time for that. Building his business, making amends with his brother and dealing with Taylor took up every minute—and then some.

She probably had a boyfriend, anyway. A beautiful woman like her would.

But if she didn’t?

Seth didn’t exactly have a good track record with women. With relationships, period. He wasn’t about to wreck Taylor’s community-service experience by getting involved with the woman who’d hired her. Because if he and Emily did get involved, it wouldn’t last. It never did.

He was almost at The Wagging Tail. Pushing his wayward thoughts aside, he signaled, slowed and turned into the driveway.

* * *

STANDING AT HER kitchen window Friday morning, which was directly above the shelter and faced the front door, Emily peered anxiously through the curtains. The dog that had arrived last night was skin and bones, with what looked like a bad case of mange, and she was anxious for Seth to check her out and put her on the road to a clean bill of health. He was due at eight, a few minutes from now.

Emily didn’t usually start the coffee downstairs until closer to nine, but today she went down and started it early, in case Seth wanted a cup. Then she returned to her apartment to make her lunch.

She was sliding her sandwich into a plastic bag when she heard a truck trundle up the driveway. Right on time. When she peered out the window, Seth’s dark green pickup was braking to a stop. He didn’t glance up, giving her the opportunity to study him openly. In loose, slightly faded jeans, cowboy boots and a long-sleeved blue twill shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders, he looked good. Really good.

Her heart lifted, and not just because she needed his veterinary skills. He pulled a medical bag and a lab coat from the truck.

For the second time in thirty minutes, she hurried down the stairs, answering the door before he knocked.

Seth looked surprised, his startling, silvery-blue eyes widening. “Am I late?”

Emily’s cheeks warmed. She wasn’t sure why she was blushing. Maybe it was the intensity of his expression. “You’re right on time,” she said. “It’s just...I’m anxious about this dog. Thanks for making us your first appointment of the day.”

“This time fits easiest with my schedule.”

“Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thanks. Let’s take a look at the new arrival.”

Leaving the door unlocked for Mrs. Oakes, Emily headed with Seth for the quarantine hut.

“Tell me about her,” he said on the way.

“She’s a mixed breed, about the size of a retriever, with thick fur. She has mange.”

He nodded. “Where did she come from? Did you check for a microchip?”

“Two of my volunteers found her wandering along Ames River. She’s pretty scared and full of fight, but working together, they were able to get her into their truck and bring her here. We didn’t find a tag or microchip, but just in case, we’re posting Lost Dog signs all over the area.” Emily didn’t expect a response. “I’m pretty sure she’s been abandoned, and by the looks of her, she’s been on her own for a while.”

“Has she had any water or eaten anything since you took her in?” Seth asked.

“Water and a little food last night, and again about an hour ago.” Emily had slipped a long-handled spatula through the food gate to deliver this morning’s nourishment. “Her belly is distended, and I know that feeding her too much, too quickly, could cause her intestines to twist.”

“Right.” Seth looked impressed. “Is your friend who bathes the dogs coming in this week?”

Emily shook her head. “I’ll be doing the job myself, after you check her over.”

In the small quarantine hut, Seth looked even bigger. He donned the lab coat, probably to protect his clothing. As they approached the animal, she scrambled to the back corner of the cage, growling and baring her teeth. Emily hated that the dog was afraid. No, she wasn’t just afraid, she was terrified. Her thick coat was matted, with an ugly bald patch on one side. It hurt to look at her.

“Stay back here,” Seth ordered under his breath.

Emily nodded and he slowly neared the cage, with his eyes lowered and his body turned sideways to minimize any perceived threat to the animal.

“Hey, there, girl,” he murmured in a deep, friendly voice that flowed over Emily and took all her worries away. The man could make a fortune using that voice as a relaxation specialist.

When the dog continued to growl and bare her teeth, Seth froze, but continued to speak softly and without any trace of fear. Long minutes later, the growling stopped and the dog dropped her threatening stance. Seth carefully extended his arm so that his hand almost touched the cage, with his knuckles facing the canine. All the while, he continued to talk to her. After a long time, she inched closer and sniffed him through the wire.

When that seemed to go well, Seth calmly extracted a dog biscuit from his lab coat pocket and dropped it through the bars. The hungry female snatched the treat and inhaled it.

“Good girl,” he crooned.

Oh, that voice. As seductive and rich as dark chocolate, it washed over Emily. The dog wasn’t nearly as enamored, but she did seem less wary.

“You’re really good with her,” Emily said in a low voice that wouldn’t upset the animal. “Do you want to muzzle her during the exam?”

“I think I’d better.”

Emily pulled the device from a shelf against the wall and handed it to Seth. After donning protective gloves, he unlatched the cage door. Before the canine knew what he was up to, he’d slipped the muzzle over her mouth and fastened the straps. She didn’t like that at all, but Seth continued to speak in a reassuring voice. When she calmed a little, he brought her out.

Emily was impressed. She slipped into the smock she kept on a hook, and pulled on rubber gloves. While Seth examined the dog and administered the needed vaccines, she cleaned the cage, replaced the dirty bedding and filled the bowl with fresh water.

Then she joined Seth at the exam table.

“She’s malnourished, but seems to be in reasonably good health, considering. It’s obvious that she’s had pups, but I’m not sure if she’s been spayed. Can you hold her while I shave her belly and check for a scar?”

Emily nodded. She held tightly to the dog while Seth did what he needed to. The poor thing was shivering with fear.

All the while, Seth spoke reassuringly. “You’ve been spayed and that’s real good. Emily, keep hold of her while I can check her teeth and gums.”

While Emily continued to restrain the animal, Seth removed the muzzle. “We won’t get the test results until Monday or Tuesday,” he said as he worked. “Meanwhile, I want you to give her an antiparasitic medication for the mange. I have enough for two doses with me, and a sample vial of a flea shampoo that will help with her secondary skin infection. You’ll need more of both. When we finish here, tell me which pharmacy you use and I’ll phone in the prescriptions.”

“How long should I keep her in quarantine?” Emily asked.

“Mange can be contagious, so keep her away from the others until it clears up. That could take a while. Hold tight to her a little longer.”

He rifled through his medical bag until he found what he was looking for. “Hide this pill in some wet dog food, and it should go down easy. Let’s get her bathed.”

“That’s not part of your job description,” Emily said. “Besides, I’m a pro. I’ve been bathing dogs for ages.”

“I don’t doubt that, but this one has a lot of fur and she’s frightened. I’ll give you a hand, just this once.”

Grateful for the help, Emily accepted the offer. “Are you sure you have time?”

Seth checked his watch. “I do if we get the job done in under twenty minutes. Where do you want to do this?”

“It’s nice today. How about outside.”

Seth nodded and glanced around the little hut. “Is that a dog tub in the corner?”

“It is.”

After adding shampoo, a sponge and several towels to the heavy tub, Emily dragged it toward the door. Seth refastened the muzzle on the dog, slipped a leash around her neck and followed.

This morning, autumn seemed months away. Birds chirped happily and the air was warm. Squinting against the light, Emily zipped up her smock.

The dog fought her bath with everything she had, and despite the protective smock, Emily was soon soaked through. Ten minutes later, the animal was shampooed and rinsed, toweled dry and back in her clean cage.

Emily removed the useless smock. Even her head was wet. Seth’s, too. His short, dark brown hair looked almost black, and drops of water glistened like crystals. When he removed his sodden lab coat, she saw that he was every bit as wet as she was.

“We both look like drowned rats,” she said, laughing.

Shaking his head and chuckling, he grabbed two towels from the dwindling stack on the shelf and tossed one to her.

Watching him towel off, even fully clothed, was mesmerizing. His wet shirt clung to his flat belly, and the muscles in his arms flexed while he rubbed the water from his hair. He caught her gaping at him. His eyes warmed and a smile hovered around his mouth.

Her face hot, Emily put the bath supplies away. Seth hunkered down in front of the dog’s cage, where the newcomer was devouring half a bowl of food with the pill embedded.

“Feeling better, huh, girl?” he asked, when she finished the meal.

The dog angled her head at Seth, then, to Emily’s amazement, licked his hand.

After spending less than an hour with him, some of it in a bath, no less, she’d decided to trust him.

Emily was impressed, and if she were honest with herself, just as smitten. Clearly, Seth understood and liked dogs, which elevated him ten notches on her admiration scale. She could so develop a crush on this man—if she was in the market. Which she wasn’t.

“What kind of dog do you have, Seth?” she asked.

“None right now. A couple months before I moved back here, Rollie, my black lab, died of old age.”

“Why don’t you get another one?” she asked, stuffing her smock and the wet towels into a plastic bag to be laundered. “Would you like me to wash your lab coat?”

“No, thanks. I’ll get a new dog when life settles down and I have time.” He put the muzzle away. “At the moment, my hands are full—both with getting the business going and with Taylor.” A pained expression crossed his face.

“Is everything okay?” Emily asked.

“I wouldn’t know.” He balled up his wet lab coat. “She only speaks to me when she has to, and then it’s one or two words. This morning, she almost bit my head off. She wanted to come with me, but I made her go to school instead. Now I’m regretting that. This would’ve been just as educational.”

“You can bring her with you another time. I’m sorry she’s so difficult.”

“Hey, it’s not your problem.”

No, but Emily wished she could help. “When you and Taylor are ready for a new dog, don’t forget The Wagging Tail,” she said.

“I won’t.” He checked his watch. “I should go.”

She nodded and they left the quarantine hut.

* * *

AS EMILY SAUNTERED beside Seth toward his pickup, he tried hard to keep his eyes off her chest and on her face. Trouble was, her off-white blouse was wet and almost transparent. He could see the pink lace on her bra, and her rosy, perky nipples.

A certain part of him woke up and stirred. He willed his body to behave.

As his renegade eyes darted to her breasts again, she glanced down at herself. Blushing, she hugged the bag of wet towels to her chest.

They were a few yards from the truck when a silver Ford sedan pulled up. A plump, fifty-something woman exited the car.

“That’s Mrs. Oakes,” Emily said. “She manages the office.”

“Good morning, Emily,” the woman said with a curious look. “Who’s this?”

“Mrs. Oakes, meet Dr. Seth Pettit, our new vet.”

Seth flashed a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“And you, as well.” She fluttered lashes thick with mascara. “Welcome to our little corner of making the world a better place. By the look of you both, I can see that we’ve taken in a new dog who didn’t care for his bath.”

Seth glanced down at his wet shirt and realized he looked like he’d been hit with a water balloon. He was just as soaked as Emily, but on her, wet looked seriously good.

Emily nodded. “She has mange and God knows what else. For now, she’ll be staying in quarantine. Oh, and the Tatse should be here this morning to take the red setter.”

“It’s about time. I’ll keep an eye out for them.” Mrs. Oakes gave Seth a warm smile before aiming a sly look at Emily. “Emily could toss that shirt in the dryer for you, and give you a cup of coffee while you wait for it.”

Both sounded good, but he’d already been there longer than planned. “I appreciate the offer, but I need to go. Nice meeting you, Mrs. Oakes.”

“You, as well. I look forward to your next visit, and I’m sure Emily does, too.” With a flirty toss of her short brown hair, she sashayed toward the building and disappeared inside.

“Was she flirting with me, or trying to push you and me together?” he asked, shaking his head.

“Both. Her husband left her last year, and she’s hungry to meet a new one.”

Seth chuckled. “Besides the fact that I’m about twenty years too young for her, I have too much on my plate to date right now. Why would she want to push us together?”

“Because she thinks I should get married.” Emily rolled her eyes.

“You’re single, then?”

“Yes, and I like it that way.”

Seth absorbed this with interest. He wondered why she preferred to be alone. Not that her love life was any of his business. “I can’t believe a woman like you isn’t with someone,” he said.

“A woman like me?” She looked puzzled.

“You’re beautiful, smart and passionate about your work. Any man would be lucky to be with you.”

Another telltale blush colored her face. “I am dedicated,” she agreed, brushing off the compliments.

Making him wonder again. Did she not realize how extraordinary she was? He barely knew her, but he knew enough to appreciate her commitment and passion for the animals she cared for.

“So you’re not dating anyone?” he asked, because he wanted to know.

“Between running the shelter and managing my web business, I don’t have time.”

Her eyes were a pretty light blue, the same color as the early morning sky. A man could get lost in them. “Lack of time—something we have in common,” he said, and to his own ears his voice sounded a shade huskier than normal.

She hugged the bag of wet towels closer. “Tell Taylor that I look forward to seeing her on Monday.”

“Will do. I hope she behaves herself. By then, I should have the results of the dog’s blood work. Before I forget, I need your pharmacy information.”

Pulling her phone from her hip pocket, Emily found the number and gave it to him. “Thanks again for making this your first stop of the day,” she said.

“No problem.” With her helping, he’d actually enjoyed examining and bathing the squirmy, scrawny mutt. “I’ll phone in those prescriptions right away. You have your work cut out for you with that dog.”

“I’m used to it. Bye for now.” She extended her arm, all businesslike.

Touching her was every bit as electric as the other times they’d shaken hands. By the flush in her cheeks and the darkening of her pupils, Seth knew that she felt the same powerful awareness.

He glanced at her mouth again. The cleft in the center of her top lip begged him to taste it, and that plump lower lip... Suddenly he wanted to kiss her. Badly.

The responding desire in her eyes was irresistible.

He reached for her, but she shot a nervous glance at the big window of the front office. “Mrs. Oakes is probably watching us. She’s a big gossip.”

“Noted.” He pulled Emily around the side of the house, out of view. “Now we’re safe,” he murmured, caressing her soft, soft cheek.

She didn’t answer, but her eyelids lowered a fraction. When he leaned in for the kiss, she stopped him.

“No,” she said, stepping back out of reach. “Don’t.”

Despite the kiss me signals from her, she’d changed her mind. Feeling both disappointed and relieved, he gave a terse nod. “I’ll, uh, see you Monday.”

Seth climbed into his truck and drove away.

Chapter Four

By two o’clock Monday, Emily was ready to begin the orientation for the eight fifteen-and sixteen-year-old community-service volunteers.

They began to trickle in to the shelter. First a girl from Jupiter High, a school on the south side of town. Then a boy and girl from Merrybrook, the high school in the wealthiest part of Prosperity. The rest, a girl and three boys, hailed from Trenton, the school Taylor attended.

Except for Taylor, the Trenton kids entered the building together. Minutes later, she wandered in alone. She barely acknowledged the others from her school, and vice versa. Were they excluding her because they were juniors and she was a sophomore, or for some other reason?

Emily remembered her own teen years, wanting so badly to fit in and be liked. She hadn’t exactly been popular, but she’d known she could count on the few friends she’d had. She hoped Taylor would be as lucky.

She passed around the name tags she’d made. “Welcome to The Wagging Tail orientation,” she said. “Let’s start by introducing ourselves.”

After the introductions, Matt from Merrybrook posed a question. “This is a small shelter. How are you going to find enough for all of us to do?”

“Good question. To answer that, let’s take a tour of the place. You’ve all seen the kennel, and we’ll visit it again today, but there’s a lot more. While I show you around, I’ll explain what you’ll be doing.”

She led them through the main floor of the house, pointing out her office, the supply closets and the kitchen. Outside, they visited the dog runs, and finally, the quarantine hut that housed the dog Seth had examined. The other hut stood empty.

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Cat, the only student from Jupiter High.

“She’s a female,” Emily corrected. “She has mange and worms, but our veterinarian, Dr. Pettit—oops, he prefers to be addressed as Seth—assures me that she’ll be okay. Speaking of Seth, Taylor, would you mind if I mentioned your connection to him?”

The girl glanced down. “We don’t have a connection,” she muttered. “Except that I’m stuck living at his house.”

“This dog arrived Thursday night,” Emily went on. “After Seth examined her Friday morning, he sent her blood and stool samples to the lab.”

She hadn’t stopped thinking about his gentle ways with the dog, or the fact that she’d almost kissed him. Her strong desire and feelings for him had startled her. Why him, and why now?

Maybe it was time.

But did she really want a distraction she didn’t need in her life right now? No, she told herself. She didn’t.

“Earlier, Seth called with some good news,” Emily said. “Other than mange and worms, this dog is healthy. Considering that she was starving when she was picked up, and had probably been living on the streets for a while, that’s great news.”

“If she’s healthy, why does she have to stay here by herself?” Cat asked.

“Because both mange and worms are contagious. She’s on medicine, and I’m bathing her with a special shampoo. The worms will be gone quickly, but curing the mange will take longer. She’s still available for adoption, but until her skin is cleared up, I can’t move her into the kennel.”

“You mean these dogs get adopted?” Cat asked. “I’m adopted.”

“That’s interesting, Cat. I’m just as careful finding a stable home for our dogs as a human adoption agency is finding a good home for children. Anyone interested in adopting one of our dogs must fill in a detailed application and meet with me, both here at the shelter and in their home.”

All the teens seemed impressed.

The tour ended in the kitchen, which was the best place to gather a group. The teens crowded around the kitchen table. Emily stood in front of them. “There are a couple more things to discuss,” she said. “First, keeping this shelter open costs money. Besides rent, dog food and supplies, I pay a part-time office manager. You’ll meet her next time.”

“Don’t forget Seth,” commented Birch, one of the boys from Taylor’s school.

“Actually, we’re fortunate that he’s volunteering his services. People always want to know where I get the funds to keep this place running. The money comes mostly from private donations. Every year, in early November, I host a fund-raiser. This year, you and your families are all invited. You’re also going to play a big part in the event. Which brings me to the brainstorming party I’m hosting for our fund-raiser, two weeks from Friday, in my apartment, which is upstairs in this building.” Emily gestured in the direction of the staircase.

“I’d like you all to come, so please write down the date or put it in your phone. We’ll have pizza from Harper’s Pizza, and I’ll be asking for your ideas.”

They gave her blank looks, so she explained. “For example, last year, we hosted a dinner and raffle at the Bitter & Sweet downtown. People bought raffle tickets for a chance to win various prizes. They also donated money. That night, we took in enough to stay open one more year.”

“Cool,” Cat said.

“It’s very cool,” Emily agreed. “So be thinking about ideas for that.”

“What if we have to work or there’s a football game?” Shayna from Merrybrook asked. “I’m on the cheer squad and I can’t miss the game. Same with Matt—he’s on the football team.”

“Come for an hour, then, but if you can’t, you can’t,” Emily said. “Now it’s time to figure out who you want to do your community service with, and which day you would like to volunteer. Since there are eight of you, and community service days are Monday through Thursday, you’ll work in teams of two.”

Matt exchanged confused looks with Shayna. “You aren’t going to assign us?”

Emily shook her head. “I’m leaving that up to you. Keep in mind that it’s always good to make a new friend from a different school. Feel free to get up and walk around and get to know each other. I’ll give you a few minutes.”

Standing out of the way, she watched the teens pair up. Most of them stuck with kids from their own school. But there were five from Trenton, and Taylor ended up the odd person out. Cat was also alone.

From across the kitchen, the two girls eyed each other. Appearance-wise, they were polar opposites. Cat was petite and curvy. About five feet two, she wore dark eye makeup and her dyed-black hair was boyishly short. A crop top hugged her torso, and under a flouncy, tie-dyed skirt she wore blue tights and black ankle boosts. Taylor was about Emily’s height, and willowy, her long red bangs all but hiding eyes with far less makeup. She was dressed in a sleeveless, hooded knit tank top that covered her boyish hips, tight jeans and TOMS flats.

Cat moved first, heading toward her. “It looks like we’re the only two left,” she said. “Do you want to work together?”

Her expression impassive, Taylor shrugged. “Guess so.”

Emily moved to the white board attached to the wall and clapped her hands for attention. “Now that everyone has a partner, let’s figure out who comes on what days. Then you can go home, and those who choose Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday can come back later this week.”

What should have been a simple process took almost thirty minutes, but at last everyone was satisfied.

Taylor and Cat had chosen Thursdays. They parted without saying much to each other. Emily hoped they would become friends. She didn’t know about Cat, but Taylor could use one.

* * *

WHEN SETH PARKED in front of The Wagging Tail after orientation, Taylor was outside, waiting for him. He didn’t see Emily or any of the other kids.

“Hey,” he said, sliding out to greet her.

Wearing her trademark earbuds, her head moving to the beat of whatever song she was listening to, she barely glanced up from her phone to acknowledge him. She moved toward the truck.

“Where’s everyone else?” he asked.

She didn’t seem to hear him, so he pulled the buds out of her ears.

“I’m trying to listen to a song,” she said, shooting him a dirty look.

“How about listening to me instead. Where are the other kids?” he repeated.

“Already gone.”

“What about Emily?”

“She’s inside, I guess.”

“I need her to let me into quarantine to check on that new dog,” he said. “You want to come with?”

“I already saw her. She’s skinny and gross looking.” Taylor bit her lip. “How long before her fur grows back?”

“First we have to get rid of the mange. Once she’s healthy, she should have all her hair back in about two months. By then, she’ll have put on a lot of weight, too.”

“Emily can’t keep her that long. She might need the space for another dog.”

“Then let’s hope she finds a good home for this one and the others.”

Taylor nodded. “I’ll wait in the truck.”

“If that’s what you want. There’s a granola bar and a can of the pop you like on the passenger seat for you.”

A look of pure scorn darkened her face. “I’m not a little kid, Seth.”

No, but sometimes she sure acted like one. “You’re welcome,” he said. “Everybody gets hungry after school.”

She didn’t reply. The earbuds were back in place, and she was texting away.

“Be right back,” he said, not expecting a reply.

A heavyset, gray-haired man who looked to be in his seventies sat at Mrs. Oakes’s desk. Seth nodded. “I’m Seth Pettit, the shelter’s vet this semester.”

The older man’s face lit up. “Nice to meet you. I’m Edgar Bell. I volunteer here on Mondays.” They shook hands. “Too bad you’re here for such a short time—we could use a long-term vet. We appreciate your service, though.”

“Thanks. Is Emily around?”

“Check her office.”

Although her door was open, Seth knocked before entering.

Emily was sorting through papers, and looked pleasantly surprised to see him. “Hi,” she said.

Every time he saw that smile, he liked it more. She sure was pretty, especially in the silky blouse that fluttered when she moved. “I like that blue top.”

The flush he’d come to anticipate colored her cheeks. “I dressed up a little today for orientation. Where’s Taylor?”

“Waiting in the pickup. How’d she do this afternoon?”

“Pretty well. This year, I have eight kids, five from Taylor’s school. I asked them to pair up and choose which day of the week to come. Taylor picked Thursdays. She’ll be working with Cat, a girl from Jupiter High.”

Not one of the Trenton kids. That was disappointing—she could use a friend at her school. Still, she’d found someone to work with, which was good news. He grinned. “So she finally she made a friend.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call them friends just yet, but they definitely could be.”

Seth hoped. “Since I’m here, I may as well check on the quarantined dog.”

“Of course. Would you mind going alone? I need to return phone calls from a couple of prospective adopters. The door to the quarantine hut is unlocked.”

Seth left. The female mutt appeared perkier than she had a few days earlier, and her eyes were brighter. “Lookin’ good,” Seth told her before he returned to the pickup.

When he climbed in, he noted that the snack he’d brought Taylor were gone and the can of soda was empty. He wisely refrained from mentioning it. “How was orientation?” he asked as the pickup rolled down the driveway.

“Fine.” She gave him a pained look. “I know Emily needs a veterinarian to volunteer at The Wagging Tail, but why does it have to be you?”

“We’ve already discussed this,” he said. “What’s going on?”

“Everyone knows that I live at your house.”

Her unhappy expression made no secret of how she felt about that. “It’s your house, too,” he reminded her.

No comment. Seth shook his head. “If my volunteering here bothers you that much, I could tell Emily I changed my mind and quit,” he said. “But I’d rather not leave her in the lurch.”

Taylor mumbled something that sounded like, “You’ll probably just leave, anyway,” but Seth wasn’t sure. He wondered what that was about.

She made a face. “Just don’t show up when I’m there.”

* * *

JUST BEFORE ELEVEN O’CLOCK that night, Emily called Seth.

“Hello?” He sounded groggy.

She hated that she’d awakened him, hated bothering him in the evening, period. “It’s Emily,” she said, stepping outside to escape the awful barking in the kennel. “There’s a German shepherd mix who’s been here for almost a week, and I think he just had a seizure.” She shivered in the brisk night air. “Now he’s acting weird, and the other dogs are freaking out. Dr. Addison, the veterinarian before you, didn’t uncover anything wrong with him, but obviously, something is very wrong.”

She hoped that whatever it was could be fixed. Otherwise, no one would ever want to adopt him. “I need to get him out of the kennel and take him to the animal hospital, where they have a twenty-four-hour emergency clinic, only I...” Admitting this next part was unnerving. “I’m a little scared of him. I don’t think I can get him into the car without help.”

There were other volunteers she could call, but she wanted Seth’s calm manner to soothe both the dog and herself. Because right now, she was a nervous wreck.

“From your place, that’s a twenty-minute–plus drive,” Seth said. “Let me scribble a note for Taylor and throw on some clothes, and I’ll be there.”

Thank goodness. Emily let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I’ll be in the kennel,” she said.

As wide-awake as she was, and right now she was crazy and wide-eyed, she was also weary. Having put in a long day that continued for hours after orientation, and had included setting up appointments with prospective dog adopters as well as several hours of work on the websites she maintained, she longed to climb into bed and sleep. Tonight that didn’t seem likely.

But she was used to that. Over the last four years, she often spent a night or two a month dealing with some animal crisis or another.

Now that Seth was coming over, she thought about dashing upstairs to her apartment, trading the ratty sweats she’d changed into hours ago for jeans and a top, and pulling a comb through her hair. But she refused to leave the German shepherd for that long.

Seth would just have to take her as she was, sweats and all.

After what seemed like forever, but was actually no more than ten minutes, he was knocking at the door of the kennel.

At last. Emily let him in.

Chapter Five

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