At the sound of her voice, Star lifted her head, ears perked forward. With a yip of what Lynda could only interpret as recognition, the puppy bounded across the enclosure, tail wagging furiously.
“She remembers you,” Carol said softly as Star stood on her hind legs and leaned against the wall of the enclosure, looking up at Lynda with excited eyes.
“Hello, little girl,” Lynda murmured as she rubbed the back of Star’s head. Though still the smallest of the litter, she’d grown into a healthy young animal, her once-frail body now solid with muscle and vibrant energy.
The other puppies soon noticed the newcomer and raced over, creating a chaotic swirl of fur and excitement in front of Lynda. Only Rainier held back, watching with the cautious nature that had marked him since their rescue.
“They’ve missed you,” said a voice from the doorway.
Lynda looked up, her heart skipping a beat as she met Matt’s gaze. He stood at the entrance to the play area, a medical bag in one hand, his blue eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and something deeper she couldn’t quite name.
“Matt,” she said, her voice softer than she’d intended. “I was going to call you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” he replied, setting down his bag and crossing to where she knelt in front of the puppies. “This is a much better surprise.”
Carol cleared her throat. “I’ll be at the reception desk if you need me.”
Lynda nodded and made room for Matt as he kneeled beside her.
“You came back early,” he said. “Is everything okay in Denver?”
“Better than okay,” Lynda told him with a smile. “Robert’s buying the practice. It officially belongs to him next Friday, and my house will be on the market by next week.”
Matt’s hands stilled where he’d been scratching Rainier’s ears. “You’re selling everything? Are you sure?”
Lynda met his gaze. “I’m sure. I’ve given it a lot of thought and talked it through with Amy. This is where I want to be.”
Something in Matt’s expression changed into quiet joy. “That sounds great to me. I’m halfway through giving the puppies their weekly health check. Do you want to help?”
Lynda nodded. “I’d love to. Which pup are you up to?”
Matt pointed to Rainier. “This little man’s up next.”
As they checked the last three puppies, they fell into a familiar routine, examining each puppy for weight gain, proper development, and any health concerns.
Matt typed Star’s weight into his spreadsheet. “Star’s gained another pound.”
Lynda felt a surge of pride as she checked the puppy’s heartbeat. “She’s still the smallest, but her proportions are perfect for her size.”
“Like someone else I know,” Matt said with a grin.
Their eyes met over the examination table. Two weeks had felt like an eternity, Lynda realized. The daily photos and messages had been a lifeline, but nothing compared to beinghere, working alongside Matt, seeing the subtle crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled.
“I missed this,” she said, gesturing to encompass the puppies, the shelter, and him.
“I missed you,” Matt replied. He hesitated, then added more softly. “More than I expected to.”
The admission touched Lynda’s heart. In a world where her ex-husband had found it so easy to discard three decades of marriage, Matt’s straightforward acknowledgment of his feelings felt like a precious gift.
“I missed you, too,” she confessed. “Denver didn’t feel like home anymore. Nothing felt right.”
Matt’s smile deepened, and he reached across the table to briefly touch her hand. “I had the same feeling, only here in Sapphire Bay.” One of the pups barked, and Matt sighed. “I need your advice,” he said, gesturing to the wolfdog puppies. “While you were gone, I talked with wildlife experts, and I’m concerned about the pups. I was hoping you’d get back in time to help me figure out the best way to give them a great future.”
“What are you worried about?” Lynda asked.
“They’re not ordinary dogs,” Matt explained, sitting on a nearby stool while Star investigated his boots. “Their high wolf content means they’ll never be suitable as typical pets. I’ve contacted sanctuaries and specialized facilities that might be able to take them, but most are already at capacity.”
Lynda considered the five energetic puppies. “What about keeping them here? They could be part of an educational program instead of being adopted. With the right environment, they could serve as ambassadors, teaching people about wolfdog hybrids and why they shouldn’t be bred as pets.”
