“What a lucky dog, getting a vet for a dad.” I paused. “Did you kennel him back in Salt Lake City for your visit here, or did he come with you?” I knew through Josh that Declan had been offered a great position with a large vet practice before he’d graduated.
“Oh, he’s definitely here. I’m not just in town for a visit. I’m hoping to move back permanently,” Declan said, walking his used glove to the trash can. “When I heard that Ruth was getting ready to retire and wanted to sell, I realized that coming back might be a perfect fit for me. There’s no place like home, you know?”
A furrow creased his brow for a moment, which led me to think that there was more to the story than he was letting on. But if Declan didn’t want to tell me, I wouldn’t push.
“So, it’s a done deal? You’re buying her practice?”
Declan shook his head. “I wish. But you know Ruth. If anything, she’s gotten more stubborn and crotchety in the last few years. She wants to make sure she sells to someone ‘worthy’ since everyone around here trusts her, so I’m doing a two-month trial, and then she’s going to check in with folks to make sure I’m the right fit to take over.”
“Well, that’s a no-brainer.”
He laughed. “You’d think that selling to a hometown guy would make sense to her, but she’s not taking any chances, or giving me any special treatment. She’s already cycled through three other doctors. I’m surprised you haven’t met with any of them.”
“Well, now that you mention it, she did come out with a young woman a little while ago, a brand-new vet. I thought she was just adding staff. Why didn’t Dr. Wilcox come with you today?”
He frowned. “She hurt herself a few days ago working with a goat. Pulled a muscle in her back, so I told her to rest up and I’d come out here. I guess she figured since we all know each other so well that it would be okay. But I’ve done a few other visits on my own; she’s not always looking over my shoulder.”
I considered how it would be if he took over the practice. We’d have to work with one another frequently. Would it matter that I had a hard time focusing on anything but him?
“I’m sure you’ll get it. You’re a natural.”
Declan narrowed his eyes at me and hid a grin. “Have youmetRuth? It’s her way or the highway. If I’m not perfect, I don’t stand a chance.”
“Yeah, but that’s why we all love her so much. She’s an incredible vet.”
“Well, I hope I can prove to you and the rest of Poplar Springs that I am too,” Declan said. “I know there are other vets around—couple weeks ago, I helped Dr. Lett out at Flying Aces with some breech deliveries—but this area is growing, and I’m excited at the idea of being a part of it.”
The way he was looking at me, so hopeful and earnest, sent a tremor through my heart. Declan had grown into the kind of man who was the very definition of responsibility.
“So far so good,” I said, hoping I sounded casual despite my galloping pulse.
I tried to figure out why I felt so unnerved being around him as Declan finished packing up his supplies. My feelings for him were ancient history. I’d moved on. Sure, he was even hotter than I’d remembered, but that was beside the point. He’dalwaysbeen good-looking, even when most of his peers were gawky and awkward. Hot Declan was nothing new. And though he used to tease me when we were younger, he was always kind at heart.
So what was it about seeing Declan Morris again that had me feeling off-kilter?
TWO
DECLAN
Back at the practice, I hunted and pecked my notes from Shannon’s appointment into my laptop. Ford snoozed beside me, patient as I finished up my work for the day.
Every time I typed Shannon’s name, my fingertips trembled.
Damn it, Istillwasn’t over seeing her again.
I’d tried to prepare myself as I headed down the long driveway at Lost Valley Ranch. History or not, Shannon and I were meeting for a veterinary appointment, not a social call. I had to be professional, but what I really wanted to do wastalkwith her. Find out about her life. Catch up on the breeding business. Casually figure out if she was dating anyone. Whenever Josh and I found time for a call during my years away, Josh would mention his sisters in passing, never picking up on the fact that I always seemed particularly interested in any news about Shannon.
The last time I’d seen her had been at her parents’ funeral. I’d held her while she cried against my shoulder. I couldn’t find the right words to console her, so I’d settled for just being there,holding her tight until Josh wandered over. I still don’t know why I’d pulled away from Shannon at Josh’s appearance. We were all adults mourning the loss of their family. I shouldn’t have felt guilty about offering comfort to a friend during a tough time. At the same time, she was my best friend’s younger sister and while he never warned me away from either of his sisters, there were still some lines that I was reluctant to cross.Namely, having wild fantasies about my best friend’s sister.
But the truth was, deep down I’d always wished that she was more than just a friend.
I’d kept my feelings buried, except for that one night so many years ago. Shannon probably didn’t even remember it, but it was a memory I returned to over and over again in my fantasies, wondering how things might have turned out differently for us if I’d been selfish for a change and surrendered to my passion.
I had been caught off guard when Shannon kissed me beneath the mistletoe, and had felt a little guilty that I’d been immediately turned on. Because of Josh, I’d always considered her off limits. Then there was the fact that I’d been in a relationship at the time. Two very good reasons why I shouldn’t have wrapped my arms around her and deepened the kiss, but that was exactly what I’d done. Shannon’s tentative lips turned passionate, and I felt myself coming dangerously close to the point of no return. Allowing the kiss to continue would have trashed my relationship with my college girlfriend Amanda, and do God knows what to my friendship with Josh. I fought off the passion, finally managing to gently push her away. The dejected look on her face nearly broke my heart.
“Why… why did you stop?” she’d whispered, her sad eyes searching my face. “What’s wrong?”
I sighed and tried to resist sweeping her back into my arms. She’d looked so confused that I’d ended what felt like the world’s best kiss. All I wanted to do was lean closer and kiss her again, but instead I managed to choke out the words that changed the temperature in the room. “Shannon, I have a girlfriend. Sorry, but I can’t do this. It’s not fair to her.”
