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I strolled into the back where all the supplies were stored to make a list of what I needed to order. Then I unpacked the boxes of pet food that had been delivered that morning and put them on the display rack near the reception desk.

I had scheduled a meeting for tomorrow with Alexander’s veterinary technician and receptionist. I had talked to them over Skype a couple of times already but felt it was crucial to meet them before I opened up shop again. I went over the list of things I wanted to discuss with them one last time before calling it a night.

It was dark by the time Archie and I closed up and jogged home. The streets were mostly deserted, but the lights of the community center were still on.

As Archie and I jogged past, I spotted the barista I’d met at the town’s coffee shop. She was dressed in yoga pants with her chestnut hair pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head. I looked a little longer than I needed to, but was too busy chatting with some guy to notice me.

Seeing her reminded me of the flyer I’d slipped into my pocket when she was preparing my coffee earlier. I had been reluctant to call the number, as this person not only offered dog walking services but also did something called tarot card readings for dogs.

The thought made me chuckle again. Part of me wanted to sign Archie up for one of those sessions, just to see how ridiculous it would be.

Still, I couldn’t imagine the tarot card lady would be weirder than Melissa. It couldn’t hurt to see if she sounded at least normal enough to trust her with my dog. If she didn’t, I suppose Archie would have to deal with glitter poop bags, which wasn’t the worst thing in the world either.

I fingered the flyer in my pocket and made a mental note to call the number later, hoping for the best.

Chapter Four

Olive

Iarrived at the community center ten minutes before my yoga class was due to start. Alex, our teacher, used to offer private sessions in his home, but ever since getting a chef’s job at the Old Pine Cove Inn, he’d stopped doing those. He now taught group yoga classes twice a week, and the turnout was always huge. Not because everyone in town was so set on keeping fit, but because Alex looked incredible, especially when he settled into downward dog or balanced his entire weight on one foot when in tree pose. The fact that he was married didn’t stop some women from trying to chat him up after class, but Alex only had eyes for his wife, Suzie.

I went into the changing room and pulled my yoga pants out of my bag. After getting changed and tying my hair into a knot, I grabbed a yoga mat from the pile near the door.

There was one empty spot next to Helen, Milly, and Leanne. I unrolled my mat and sat myself down. Stretching my legs and rolling my wrists felt amazing. Since I was on my feet all day every day, sitting down was a true gift. Too bad I had no one to massage my feet at night.

I shook my head to clear that pathetic thought. Feeling sorry for myself wouldn’t change things for the better.

Around me, everyone was chatting in excited tones. In all likelihood, a big sale had been announced inOld Pine Cove Weekly, or Dave’s Diner was hosting another “buy one, get one free” breakfast deal. It didn’t take much to get people buzzing with enthusiasm in this town.

Helen put her hand on my arm. “Did you see him? Did he stop at the coffee shop perhaps?”

“Erm, have I seen who?” I asked as I tried to touch my toes with my fingertips.

Leanne leaned closer. “The new vet. Apparently, he arrived today.”

I let go of my toes and got into a crossed-leg position. “Yeah, I’ve seen him.”

“What’s he like?” Leanne asked.

“I have no clue. All I did was serve him coffee.”

Helen gave me a look. “Come on, Olive, there must be something you know about him. Anything.”

Man, these women were hungry for intel.

I shrugged. “His name is Lewis, and he’s British. That’s all I know.”

“He’s British?” Milly yelled.

Twenty heads turned in our direction.

“He is,” I said. “But that’s all I know, sorry.”

The last thing I wanted was these women bombarding me with questions about Lewis. Besides, what would I tell them? That he looked smoking hot and loved coffee, and that I couldn’t stop thinking about his gorgeous smile even though he had insulted my side business?

“You know, my parrot has been singing slightly off-key these days,” Helen said. “I should probably take him in for an appointment.”

Milly nodded. “Now that you mention it, I think my turtle is getting too sedentary. I should make an appointment as well, to see if he needs to be put on an exercise schedule.”