I laugh, my breath puffing out in a cloud in the chilly air. “It’s actually pretty amazing to be home. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it at first. I had a good job with Sylvaris Innovations as a lab assistant in Missoula. My focus was ecological restoration through plant science.”
“Sounds intriguing.” He angles his head toward me, his dark brown eyes catching the faint glow of a nearby porch light as he slows his pace to match mine.
“It was,” I explain, warming to the topic I still feel so connected to. “And I miss my colleagues, and all my friends. But West Palomino is only a two-hour drive from the city, so I’ll be able to keep in touch with everyone. And now I don’t have the stress of worrying about Mom all the time.” I peer up at the sky, my eyes tracing a few stars peeking through the thinning clouds. “Looks like the weather’s clearing.”
Bo nods, his gaze following mine upward to the sky before settling back on me. He shifts the Count again, and he lets out a perturbed meow. “So you were worried about your mom?”
“Yes.” I take a deep breath. “She’s having memory issues, so it’s better that I’m around.” I glance at him, catching the way his brow furrows slightly with concern.
“Just you?”
“Yep. Only child. My father passed when I was young.” My lips press into a wistful smile as I tuck my hands into my pockets. The soft patter of lingering raindrops on the leaves above fills the quiet, and I scuff my sneaker against the damp sidewalk, sending a tiny spray of water. “Okay, enough about me. How did you wind up in this cozy little town?”
“It seems like so long ago. I was living in Los Angeles, seriously considering starting my own practice, when my college roommate, from U.C. Davis, got in touch.” He pauses, brushing a stray raindrop from his jaw with the back of his hand. “Said he was selling his business here in Montana and wanted to give me the first crack at it. He thought I’d be happy here.”
“Are you?” I ask playfully. “I’ll bet West Palomino is pretty dull compared to LA.”
“Depends on what you mean by boring.” He grins, his voice warm as he steps a little closer, his shoulder brushing mine for a fleeting moment. “I love it here. Sure don’t miss the sirens and traffic. And there’s more opportunity to come in contact with wildlife.”
I raise a brow, leaning in just a touch. “I thought I heard you were starring in some kind of wildlife program or something?”
He chuckles, a low, rumbling sound that vibrates through the cool night air. “You meanWild Vet?” He glances at me, and I nod, biting my lip. “Too funny. The show doesn’t actually exist yet, and might never come to fruition. One of my LA clients, connected to Hollywood, thought the idea of a small-town vet who rehabilitates wild animals might be entertaining, but it’s only a concept.” He shrugs, but his gaze lingers on me, warm and searching. “The chance of the show being picked up is slim to none.”
“Well, I’d watch it, if you were in it,” slips from my mouth before I can think twice. My cheeks flare with heat, and I try to avoid eye contact. But Bo makes it impossible. He pivots to face me, his grin widening into something dangerously charming. His free hand brushes against his chin, like he’s trying to hide how pleased he is.
“This is me,” I blurt, pointing to our white two-story clapboard house. Its peeling paint glimmers faintly under the moonlight, and the overgrown rosebushes along the path sway in the breeze, their petals scattered on the ground. The place desperately needs a fresh coat, but it looks charming in this light. When I move my focus from the house, I’m suddenly aware of how close Bo’s standing.
“Bet your mom will be relieved we found her cat,” he says casually, but his eyes flicker over my face, lingering on my lips for a heartbeat before he looks away. We walk up the path side by side, our footsteps syncing in a soft rhythm against the wet stone.
“And I get to live another day.” I flash him a quick grin and hop over a puddle.
The front door swings open with a creak, and Mom races down the porch steps, her slippers slapping against the wood. Her hairis frazzled, and her eyes are wide with relief—she must’ve been waiting by the window the entire time I was gone. “You found him! Thank God!” she cries, rushing to Bo as though I’m not standing right here.
Bo passes the Count to her gently, his fingers brushing hers as the cat melts into Mom’s arms. She cradles him, covering his damp fur with kisses, her voice muffled as she murmurs, “Thank you, Dr. Jordain. Thank you. What would this town do without you? How will I ever repay you?”
“Don’t be silly.” Bo waves a hand dismissively. His dark eyes dart to me, and I detect a spark of mischief. “Old Count here just wanted to stop by for a visit. It was Riley who found him.”
“But it was Dr. Jordain who coaxed him out of the bush he was hiding in.” I nudge Bo’s arm lightly with my elbow, my heart skipping at the brief contact.
“With a can of tuna,” Bo adds, his voice laced with mock pride. He winks at me, and I can’t help laughing. Geez. I like this guy.
“You know all the tricks, don’t you, doctor?” Mom’s eyes brighten, oblivious to the current between us. “Why don’t you come in for a bit?” She gestures toward the house, the porchlight casting a warm glow over her shoulder.
Bo hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck, his damp hair curling slightly at the ends. “No, I don’t want to intrude.”
I quickly jump in, not ready for the night to end. “I promise it wouldn’t be an intrusion.”
“Well, please stay if you’d like.” Mom turns, already halfway up the steps with the Count nestled in her arms. “I’m going to dry off this poor baby.” The door thuds softly behind her, leaving me alone with Bo and the suddenly thickening air around us.
He eyes me silently, his hands slipping into his pockets as he rocks back on the heels of his cowboy boots. Then, with a slow, deliberate step closer, he says, “I know a way you could repay me.” His voice drops, low and teasing, as he leans in just enoughfor me to catch the faint cedarwood scent of his cologne. “Come to the Spring Fling with me next Saturday. The clinic has a booth, but I don’t need to work it, and I’d love the company.” His gaze locks onto mine with a mix of hope and challenge, and the corner of his mouth lifts in a way that makes my pulse race.
Chapter five
Bo
A cool morning breeze carries the smell of sharp pine and the fried doughnuts Julie’s cooking up in the tent next to ours. We’re set up at the end of the aisle, where we have enough room to park our air-conditioned van to keep the animals comfortable and safe in their kennels.
There’s a staff of three from the clinic working the booth, and an army of volunteers from the high school who are getting extra credit for community service.
