“Cedar Village has a population of less than twelve hundred. I’m halfway through a three-year commitment at a veterinary clinic there, and though I love my job, the town is so—”
“Small.”
“Tiny. I grew up on a farm, but there were towns and two universities nearby. I went to school at one of them.” Kat had no idea why she was telling him this, but the words kept coming out. “I thought after I graduated, I’d move to a bigger city, but I’m back where I’ve always been. A rural farm community smaller than the one where I grew up. This is my first time traveling out of the United States.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope. I’ve dreamed about going on grand adventures my entire life, but my first trip abroad, I’m missing home sweet home.”
“It’s familiar.”
“That must be it.”
Gill drove into town. “What other adventures do you have in mind?”
“Africa.”
“That would count as a grand adventure. Why do you want to go there?”
She imagined her mother and father. The picture in her mind was from a photograph she carried in her wallet. The last one they’d sent.
“That’s where my parents lived and worked.”
“Africa is a magical place.”
“That’s what I’ve heard.” Talking to Gill was easy. More so than she imagined when being around him left her feeling on edge. Maybe Sophie was right, and they were becoming friends. “I told you something about me. It’s your turn.”
“There’s not much to say.”
“It doesn’t have to be a deep, dark secret.”
Gill glanced her way. “I don’t have one of those. Do you?”
“No, but this is about you.”
He tapped his thumbs against the steering wheel. “My mother didn’t want me to get a dog. She actually forbade it.”
“Why?”
“The list of her reasons is long and boring and reads like a peerage registry.”
Sophie had showed Kat the tome that listed all the royalty. “But you have Max.”
“Yes.”
She waited for him to say more. He didn’t, but Kat wanted to know more. “You didn’t listen to your mother.”
“The more I thought about her reasons, the more I didn’t care.”
“Sophie says you’re a rule follower.”
“I am, but as soon as I saw Maximillian…”
He fell in love.
The words were unspoken, but implied and tugged at Kat’s heart.
“The dog is my exception to following the rules,” he added. “Bringing Maximillian home was the best decision I’ve made. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
