“I’m completely serious,” Matt said defensively. “She could be working in a calm, peaceful practice in Denver. Regular hours, no midnight emergencies, no buildings burning down around her. Why would she choose this chaos instead?”
Stephanie stood up and walked to the office window that overlooked the clinic parking lot. “Dad, come here. I want to show you something.”
“Stephanie, I’m supposed to be resting?—”
“You’re already not resting by being here instead of at home,” she pointed out. “Just come look.”
Matt reluctantly got up from behind his desk and immediately felt lightheaded. Stephanie steadied him as they moved to the window. When they were there, she dropped her gaze to the parking lot below.
“What do you see?” she asked.
Matt looked down and saw Lynda’s car. Beside it were several other vehicles he recognized—Carol’s truck, Kathleen’s SUV, and what looked like Mayor Wilson’s sedan.
“I see vehicles,” he said, confused.
“You see commitment,” Stephanie corrected. “Dad, Lynda hasn’t left. She hasn’t packed up and run back to Denver. Instead, she’s taken over your practice, organized the animal rescue efforts, and from what I’ve heard, she’s been sleeping on your couch to be closer to the animals that need round-the-clock care.”
Matt felt something tight in his chest begin to loosen. “She’s been sleeping at the clinic?”
“Sarah told me she found Lynda here at five o’clock yesterday morning, hand-feeding one of the kittens that wasn’t eating.” Stephanie guided him back to his chair, making sure he sat down before continuing. “Does that sound like someone who’s looking for an excuse to leave?”
“But the fire changed everything,” Matt protested weakly. “Our plans, the rehabilitation center, the expansion?—”
“No,” Stephanie interrupted, settling into the chair across from him again. “The fire changed the timeline. It didn’t change the dream, and it certainly didn’t change how Lynda feels about you.” She leaned forward in her chair, her expression earnest. “Dad, I’ve watched you and Lynda together. I’ve seen how she looks at you, how you look at her. That’s not the kind of connection that disappears because of one crisis.”
Matt was quiet for a long moment, processing his daughter’s words. “I just don’t want her to feel trapped here because of obligations or guilt about the animals.”
“Then ask her,” Stephanie said. “But Dad, I think you’re projecting your fears onto her. You’re scared because you’ve finally found someone who makes you happy again, and you’re terrified of losing that happiness.”
Matt sighed. “You should have been a psychologist.”
Stephanie smiled. “I learned everything about relationships from watching you and Mom. You two weathered plenty of storms together. There were financial struggles when you were starting the practice, Mom’s health issues, and her cancer diagnosis. You never gave up on each other, even when things looked impossible.”
“That was different,” Matt said softly. “We were married. We’d made vows.”
“Love doesn’t need a marriage certificate to be real,” Stephanie replied. “And from what I’ve seen, you and Lynda are already committed to each other in all the ways that matter. She’s not going anywhere, Dad. She bought a house here, remember? She’s planning to stay.”
Matt felt tears prick his eyes. “I love her, Stephanie. More than I thought I could love anyone again.”
“I know,” Stephanie said gently. “And she loves you, too. Anyone can see that. The question is, are you going to let fear rule your life, or are you going to trust in what you’ve built together?”
A soft knock at the office door interrupted them. Lynda appeared in the doorway, still wearing scrubs and with her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. She looked tired but radiant, like someone who’d found her purpose.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, “but I wanted to check on Matt before my next appointment. Brenda said you’ve been here for two hours. Aren’t you supposed to be at home resting?”
Matt met her eyes and saw nothing but warmth, concern, and the kind of deep affection that couldn’t be faked or forced. Stephanie was right—this wasn’t the face of someone looking for an escape route.
“I’m much better,” he said, meaning it for the first time since the fire.
Lynda smiled, and the last of Matt’s fears began to dissolve. “That’s great because we have a rehabilitation center to plan, and I’ll need my partner back on his feet soon.” She walked toward him and kissed him gently on the lips. “Just don’t overdo anything. You can be incredibly stubborn sometimes.”
“Don’t worry,” Stephanie told Lynda. “Dad and I have just been discussing his workload.”
Lynda grinned. “It sounds like you’ve got everything under control. In case you’re interested, Mrs. Peterson brought in some chocolate-covered donuts from Kathleen’s café. They’d make a delicious snack.”
Stephanie looked at her dad’s hopeful expression. “Okay, but only one. I’ll get it for you.”
“Take your time,” Matt told her. “I’d like to read a few reports before I leave.”
