“I figured you two hadn’t eaten a proper meal since yesterday,” she announced, setting the bags on the counter. “Blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, and some of my special scrambled eggs with cheese and herbs.”
Lynda’s stomach rumbled on cue. “Kathleen, you’re an angel.”
“I try,” Kathleen replied with a grin. She moved across to the incubator and smiled at the pups. “They’re so cute. Thewhole town’s talking about your midnight rescue of the wolfdog puppies.”
Matt looked surprised. “How did they hear about them?”
“Ben Davis posted about it on the community Facebook page,” Kathleen explained, unpacking containers of food. “Complete with a photo of you two carrying the puppies to your truck. He called you the ‘Wildlife Rescue Dream Team’ or something equally dramatic.”
A blush crept up Lynda’s neck. “Oh, good grief.”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Kathleen said, setting out paper plates and plastic forks. “People are inspired. You should see the comments. Everyone wants to help. I’ve had at least a dozen people ask how they can donate supplies or volunteer.” She moved across to Matt and held out her arms. “And talking about helping, how about I take that cutie out of your arms and feed him? The pancakes taste better when they’re hot.”
Brenda appeared in the doorway. “We have a situation in the reception area. Everyone’s arriving with supplies for the injured animals. Diana from the Lakeside Inn brought blankets and towels. The high school biology teacher delivered a box of syringes and medical supplies donated by the school. Even Mayor Wilson stopped by with bottled water and energy bars “for the heroes of the hour,” as he put it.”
As Matt handed the pup to Kathleen, Sarah, his vet tech, came into the room with a dozen hot water bottles. “Mrs. Pemberton thought these might come in handy. Would you like me to feed Star, Lynda, while you have something to eat?”
“That would be wonderful.” As Lynda handed Sarah the tiny pup, Matt’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket.
When he glanced at the screen, his expression softened. “It’s my daughter,” he said with warmth in his voice. “Do you mind if I take this?”
“Of course not,” Lynda replied, gesturing for him to answer.
Matt smiled and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hey, sweetheart. Yes, we’re okay.” He listened for a moment, his face creasing with concern. “The news is exaggerated as usual. The clinic’s fine, just busy with animals needing help after the storm.”
Lynda poured some syrup over two of Kathleen’s pancakes while Matt spoke to his daughter. She didn’t want to intrude on their conversation, but she couldn’t help noticing the gentle affection in his voice as he talked to Stephanie.
“No, don’t worry about driving out here,” he said. “The roads are still closed. I’ve got plenty of help.” His eyes met Lynda’s briefly, a smile crinkling the corners. “Yes, the puppies are doing well, especially the little one we almost lost.” He chuckled at something Stephanie said. “I’ll send pictures when I get a chance. Give the kids a hug from Grandpa, okay? Love you too.”
As Matt ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket, Lynda felt a warmth spread through her chest. The tender way he’d spoken to his daughter told her a lot about the man she admired more with each passing hour.
“It sounds like you have a great relationship with your daughter,” she said.
Matt’s expression was proud. “She worries about me too much, though. She saw the storm coverage on the news and was convinced half the town was underwater.”
“It’s nice that she cares.”
Matt smiled. “The blessing and curse of having a daughter who inherited her mother’s protective nature.” His smile was wistful but not sad. “She’s going on vacation with her family soon, but after they get back, you’ll have to meet them. Stephanie visits me at least once a month.”
“I’d like that,” Lynda replied, surprised by how much she meant it. She handed Matt a plate of food. “We’d better eat something before more people arrive.”
As they ate the pancakes, Kathleen and Sarah told them what had been happening in Sapphire Bay. The volunteer fire department had been busy clearing fallen trees and covering roofs that had been damaged in the storm. With the electricity supply still being unreliable, some families were staying in the local school to keep warm.
Lynda was just happy that Matt’s clinic had a generator. Without that, looking after the injured and abandoned animals would have been nearly impossible.
By early afternoon, the wolfdog puppies were still in the incubator, except during feedings when Matt and Lynda would carefully tend to them together. Despite the clinic’s increased activity, they managed to maintain the quiet, controlled environment the vulnerable orphans needed.
“We can’t take any more animals,” Matt told Brenda, Kathleen, and Sarah after a family arrived with yet another injured bird. “We’re at capacity. Direct any new cases to the emergency station the rangers have set up at the community center.”
Lynda nodded in agreement. The clinic was full to bursting, with every available cage and bed occupied. They’d even converted the break room into overflow housing for the less critical cases.
Matt sighed as he returned to one of the treatment rooms with Lynda. “We don’t often get overrun like this. I hope the storm hasn’t put you off staying in Sapphire Bay.”
Lynda shook her head. “If anything, it’s made me even more certain about living here. From what we’ve been told, the animal shelter will need every dollar the community raised to fix the building. I’d love to be part of that.”
“I’d love you to be part of it, too,” Matt said softly. And with a twinkle in his eyes, he picked up Mrs. Pemberton’s hot water bottles. “But for now, we have a family of raccoons, a litter ofkittens, and an elderly cat who needs their hot water bottles changed.”
“Lead the way, Dr. Reynolds,” Lynda said with a grin. “It might be the easiest job we’ve had all day.” And with a lightness in her heart, she followed Matt to the kitchenette.
