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L ynda swayed gently on the dance floor, holding both of Tommy’s hands as he carefully tried not to step on her toes. The eight-year-old’s face was a picture of concentration, his tongue poking out slightly as he focused on remembering the steps Frank had taught him earlier.

“You’re doing wonderfully, Tommy,” Lynda encouraged him, smiling as he executed a careful turn.

“Grandpa says knowing how to dance is important,” Tommy informed her seriously. “He says ladies like a man who knows how to dance.”

Lynda bit back a laugh. “Your grandpa is a very wise man.”

“I know,” Tommy agreed, looking up at her with earnest blue eyes. “I saw you dancing with Dr. Matt earlier. Was he good at the Sapphire Bay Stomp?”

“He was wonderful,” Lynda replied. “I didn’t think I’d remember the steps, but he was a good teacher.”

Tommy grinned. “He taught me how to listen to animal heartbeats with his stethoscope. He says I could be a vet when I grow up if I want to.”

“I think you’d make a great vet,” Lynda told him. “You’re very gentle with animals.”

The song began to wind down, and Tommy looked relieved that he’d made it through without any major missteps. As the final notes played, he gave a formal little bow that made Lynda’s heart melt.

“Thank you for the dance, Dr. Morth,” he said with childish formality.

“The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Tommy,” she replied, matching his serious tone.

Tommy grinned, then his eyes focused on something over her shoulder. “Dr. Matt’s coming,” he announced. “I think he wants to dance with you.”

Before Lynda could respond, Tommy darted away through the crowd, leaving her alone on the edge of the dance floor. She turned to see Matt approaching. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he looked a little nervous.

“Has Tommy abandoned you?” Matt said, coming to stand beside her.

“He was a perfect gentleman,” Lynda replied with a smile. “He even bowed at the end of the dance.”

“Frank said he was teaching him how to dance.” Matt glanced at the couples around them as the band started to play the next song. “Would you like to dance again? This one’s a bit slower than the Stomp.”

Lynda smiled. “I know how to waltz, so I’d love to.” Her heart beat a little faster as Matt placed one hand lightly on her waist while taking her hand with the other. She placed her free hand on his shoulder, feeling the solid warmth of him beneath his dress shirt.

“The auction seemed to go well,” she said as they began to sway to the music. “Everyone looked excited with their winnings.”

Matt nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “We raised more than ever before. Carol’s over the moon. Did you see Mayor Wilson’s face when he won the fishing trip with Frank? You’d think he’d won the lottery.”

“I did,” Lynda chuckled. “And Mrs. Pemberton was practically in tears when she got Isabel’s rare book collection about cats.”

“She loves her cats more than most people love their children,” Matt said with a fond smile. “She’s already planning to build them a library corner in her sunroom.”

They moved together easily, finding a natural rhythm as they swayed across the floor. Lynda was surprised at how comfortable it felt to be in Matt’s arms, how right it seemed.

“I haven’t danced like this in years,” she admitted softly.

“Neither have I,” Matt replied. His hand was warm and steady against her waist. “Not since Maria got sick.”

The mention of his late wife didn’t feel like a barrier between them as it once might have. Instead, it felt like Matt was sharing a part of himself, opening a door.

“What was she like?” Lynda asked gently.

Matt’s expression softened. “Vibrant. Full of life. She loved this town more than anywhere else in the world. She knew everyone’s name, remembered their birthdays, and brought soup when people were sick.” He paused. “She was a fourth-grade teacher. The kids adored her.”

“She sounds wonderful,” Lynda said sincerely.

“She was.” Matt’s eyes met hers. “What about you? Was your marriage good before everything ended?”

“I thought it was,” Lynda said. “But then Ray left me for his twenty-nine-year-old receptionist. That was the hardest part—realizing that what I thought we had wasn’t real.

” She shook her head slightly. “Ray always wanted more—more money, more prestige, a bigger house, fancier vacations. When we were young, it seemed exciting. As we got older, it was exhausting.”

Matt nodded, understanding in his eyes. “What do you want now?” he asked quietly. “From life, I mean.”

The question caught Lynda by surprise. She’d been so focused on rebuilding everything after the divorce that she hadn’t spent much time thinking about what she wanted for her future.

“I want peace,” she said finally. “Connection. Work that matters. And I want to stop being afraid of getting hurt again.” She looked up at him. “What about you?”

“For years, all I wanted was to raise Stephanie well, to make Maria proud,” Matt said. “And to be a good vet, to help the animals in this community.” He hesitated. “But lately, I’ve been thinking there might be more.”

“More?” Lynda prompted.

“Companionship,” he said quietly. “Someone to share coffee with in the mornings. Someone to tell about the interesting cases I see at the clinic.” His blue eyes held hers. “I didn’t think I’d want that again, but I miss it.”

The music swelled around them, and Lynda felt something shift between them—a recognition, a possibility. For years, she’d guarded her heart, convinced that opening it again would only lead to pain. But as they moved slowly to the music, she wanted to believe there was another path she could follow.

“I’ve been thinking about moving permanently to Sapphire Bay,” she admitted, the words surprising her even as she spoke them.

Matt’s hand tightened slightly on her waist. “What about your practice in Denver?”

“I could sell it to Robert,” she said, ideas forming as she spoke. “He’s been helping me to run it for years anyway. And I’ve been thinking about specializing in wildlife rehabilitation—something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for.”

“The shelter could certainly use someone with your expertise,” Matt said, a careful hope in his voice.

“I was worried about my house,” Lynda continued. “But I have to keep reminding myself it’s only four walls and a roof. Apart from my daughter and grandsons, there’s nothing really keeping me in Denver.”

“And here?” Matt asked softly. “What would keep you here?”

Lynda looked into his eyes, feeling brave in a way she hadn’t in years. “Possibilities,” she answered truthfully. “New beginnings.”

As the song drew to a close, neither of them seemed eager to part. When the final notes faded, they remained for a moment, still holding each other in the middle of the dance floor.

“Lynda,” Matt began, then hesitated. “I’d like to?—”

“There you are!” Carol’s voice broke through their moment as she hurried over. “Sorry to interrupt, but the shelter just got a call from one of the park rangers. Someone saw a litter of puppies near Wolf Creek Pass. The mother was alive, but was injured. They think they might be wolfdog hybrids.”

Matt frowned. “When did they see them?”

“About an hour ago. They weren’t prepared to get closer to the den, but from what they saw, the pups are really young.”

Lynda looked at Matt. “If their mom can’t look after them, they’ll be cold and hungry.”

Carol handed Matt a piece of paper. “Ben Davis is the ranger who called. He said he’d meet you outside your clinic in twenty minutes and take you to the den.”

Matt nodded. “I’ll head there now.”

“I’ll come too,” Lynda said without hesitation. “If the mother’s injured, you’ll need two sets of hands.”

Matt nodded. “I’ve got a change of clothes at the clinic. We could stop at Kathleen’s house if you want to change into something warmer.”

“That’d be great,” Lynda said before turning to Carol. “Could you let Kathleen and Isabel know where I’m going?”

“I will. Take care on the road.”

As they hurried out of the barn, Lynda thought of all the things they’d need to transport the animals back to Sapphire Bay. Hopefully, between the ranger and Matt, they’d have everything they needed—especially if the mother’s injuries were serious.