Millie looked away, something sharp and unwelcome twisting in her chest.
She wasn’t jealous. At least, she wasn’t jealous of them specifically.
It was something deeper than that.
Watching them flirt reminded her that she was alone, that she wasn’t meant to be in a relationship.
She’d thought she’d found the one once. With Caleb.
And then again with Garrick.
Both times, she’d been wrong. When it came to relationships, she’d made a pattern of bad choices.
Her gaze drifted to Caleb. He’d moved to one of the kennels and was talking to a beagle who seemed eager for attention.
There was something about her, Millie thought bitterly. Something that attracted the wrong kind of men.
The ones who broke her heart.
Or the ones who broke her.
She wasn’t sure which was worse.
Maybe she just wasn’t meant to have that kind of happiness. Maybe some people were built for solitude, and she was one of them.
The thought settled heavy and cold in her chest.
The kennel door swung open, and Sheriff Sutherland stepped inside.
His expression was serious, his gaze sweeping the space before landing on Caleb. “Caleb, there’s something you’re going to want to see.”
Caleb straightened, his posture shifting into alertness. “What is it?”
The sheriff glanced briefly at Millie, then back to Caleb. “Outside. I’ll show you.”
Caleb nodded and turned toward Millie. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, her pulse kicking up again.
Caleb followed the sheriff out, the door swinging shut behind them.
As he disappeared from sight, Millie stood frozen, her mind racing.
There’s something you’re going to want to see.
What did that mean?
Had they found something? Evidence? Another body?
Her stomach twisted.
She glanced toward the door, then back at the kennels where Kendra and Max continued their work, oblivious to the tension coiling tighter around her.
Whatever the sheriff had found, it wasn’t good.
She could feel it in her bones.
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