Finally A Bride

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 for school tomorrow.”

Haley stared at the red-and-blue backpack then stole a glance at the two women, smiling and nodding at each other as though thrilled with this predicament. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say one of you left it there so I’d have to go see that bear of a man.”

“You are good with animals.” Aaliyah barely stifled her giggle.

Mae winked at her, charm bracelet clanging as she pointed a pink-tipped finger her way. “Oh, that was good.”

Haley did her best to ignore any additional remarks, because both ladies were obviously on a roll.

With a heavy sigh, she headed for the door.

* * *

“Eli is really taken with that dog, isn’t he?” Mark asked while he and Gavin rode in the front seats of the Willow’s Haven bus with some of the other cabin counselors. Most of the kids behind them chattered about this evening’s soccer practice. But Eli, who sat a couple of rows back and had a voice a little louder than the average seven-year-old, couldn’t stop talking about Buddy.

Gavin glanced over his shoulder at the boy. “Yeah, he is.”

“So, does the vet think the dog will be okay with treatment? Because I’m not sure how Eli will take it if he isn’t.”

Gavin wasn’t surprised the other man’s thoughts mirrored his own. “She said she would do her best.”

“She? You didn’t take him to Doc Sheridan?”

“From what I gather, he retired, and this was the new vet’s first day on the job.”

“Aw, man, that doesn’t sound good for Eli’s puppy.” Mark propped his arm on the back of the seat and ran his hand across his mouth in a that’s-too-bad move.

Gavin felt the same way. “Yeah. Well, according to Mrs. Martin, she’s been there for a while working as his assistant, so I’m praying she’ll be able to help.”

“Wait a minute. Doc Sheridan’s assistant? Haley? Haley Calhoun?” Mark asked, his tone livening with every syllable. “She’s the vet taking care of the puppy?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I didn’t realize you were talking about Haley. She’s awesome. I’m surprised you haven’t seen her around town already. She’ll be coming to Willow’s Haven on a regular basis soon, since she’s the one running the new Adopt-an-Animal program, where she’ll bring animals to Willow’s Haven.” He smiled broadly. “We’ll also be taking the kids out to the Cutter Ranch to spend time with the horses, hiking and all of that, and I’m sure she’ll be part of that, as well. It was Haley’s idea, actually, and she’s donating her time. Pretty cool.”

Gavin wasn’t certain how “cool” it’d be. He hadn’t liked that niggling attraction he’d felt when he’d seen the pretty lady, and he certainly didn’t want to experience it on a regular basis. Especially when he had no desire for any relationship again. He’d had the perfect relationship, with Selah, and he didn’t want—or need—another.

Maybe he wouldn’t have to see the good doctor when she worked with the kids.

Yeah, right. His cabin would undoubtedly be involved with the Adopt-an-Animal program, so he’d be interacting, in some manner, with Haley Calhoun. Even after they finished seeing each other because of Eli’s puppy.

Gavin swallowed past the grumble in his throat.

Thankfully, Mark didn’t seem to notice. “She’ll do her best with the puppy,” he said, nodding, “I feel certain of that.”