“But she’s a healthy dog.” Dr. Malcolm Jones stepped in next. The vet was as tall as I was, and his grin was wide. “Solo tonight, although thanks for inviting Gideon.” He offered me a soft smile.
I’m so glad he found someone.
“Hey, Dr. Jones.” Soren positioned himself next to the vet.
The contrast couldn’t have been more striking. Soren was as pale as a ghost this far away from summer, and Malcolm’s rich mahogany skin was just like Noah’s.
“Soren.” Malcolm glanced down. “Glad to see Tibby’s doing well.”
“Almost ready for her one-year checkup.” Soren arched an eyebrow at the vet. “I suppose here’s where we sayI told you soto our host.”
I blinked.
Soren and Malcolm both laughed. Soren pressed a hand to my arm. “If either you or Noah had found either of us—” He gestured between Malcolm and himself. “—attractive, then you and Noah wouldn’t have wound up married to each other.”
I flashed back to the disastrous double date with these two perfectly lovely men. He was right though—Noah, and I only had eyes for each other and, in the end, had married. “Yes, glad you two aren’t offended that we wound up together.”
Malcolm laughed. “I’m much happier with Gideon. No offense.”
“None taken.” My gaze shifted to Soren.He’s still single.I felt a pang of regret at not having been able to set him up with someone.
“Tibby and I are happy as clams.” He grinned. “All good here.”
On cue, Tibby woofed.
“You said something about coats?” Glynnis had several piled on her outstretched arms.
“I’ll help.” Malcolm grabbed them. “Since I don’t have a dog.”
Soren laughed. “That’s considerate of you.”
“I’ll take yours as well and head upstairs.” Malcolm met my gaze. “I’ll know which room?”
“Yep. The primary bedroom is fine. The one with the closed door belongs to Snowy and Jasmine.”
“Smart. The cats would probably not be happy with this crowd.”
Miss Esmeralda’s twinkling laugh carried over the general murmur of the gathered crowd.
I grinned. “You may be right. We’ve agreed that once Noah’s home with River and Sable that any well-behaved dogs can be let off their leashes. Needless to say, my favorite senior citizen is staying put—less likelihood of tripping.”
Soren poked his head into the living room. “I notice Stormy has taken her place beside said older, distinguished woman.”
I laughed. “She told me to call her a senior citizen. She takes that role seriously and, as you might suspect, takes great pleasure in ruling the roost at the nursing home.”
Malcolm smiled again. “She’s a darling woman, and we’re lucky to have her.”
My heart seized. I wouldn’t have her forever in my life. And she’d been more of a parental figure in my life than my parents had—even though she’d only been part of my world for eight months. She’d been the one to nudge me toward Noah. Well, I’d been in love with my best friend forever. Esmeralda told me tomake a move before Noah found someone else. Given how both Malcolm and Soren were attractive and super-nice men, I was lucky they hadn’t made a move on Noah.
The front door opened.
Penny burst in with her owner, Daphne, hard on her heels. “Sorry we’re late.”
“Not too late. Let me take your coat.”
Malcolm waited for me to add Daphne’s to the pile. He nodded and headed upstairs.
“Dr. Jones is such a lovely man. I’m happy he’ll be doing Penny’s spay when the time comes.” Daphne petted her dog. “Okay, I hear lots of noise. Oh, crap.” She shoved Penny’s leash in my hand and bolted back out the front door.
