Page 24

T hree days later, Lynda stood on the veranda of the second house she’d viewed that morning, watching her daughter walk around the garden.

The property was perched on a gentle slope overlooking Flathead Lake.

Pine trees framed a view that took Lynda’s breath away even after months of living in Sapphire Bay.

“What do you think of this one?” she called to Amy, who was examining an old apple tree in one corner of the yard.

Amy turned, shielding her eyes against the sun.

Her auburn hair caught the light, reminding Lynda of autumn leaves.

“Much better than the first one. The garden alone makes it worth considering.” She gestured toward the gnarled tree.

“This has to be at least fifty years old. Dylan and Eddie would love climbing it.”

Lynda smiled at the mention of her grandsons. “I was thinking the same thing. It reminds me of the tree you used to climb at your grandparents’ house.”

The real estate agent, Denise Smith, appeared in the doorway behind her. “The previous owners planted that tree when they first moved in. They raised three children here before downsizing to a condo in Bozeman.”

“It has good bones,” Amy said, rejoining them on the veranda. “The kitchen needs updating, and the bathroom wallpaper is a crime against humanity, but the layout is perfect.”

Lynda nodded in agreement. The house wasn’t as polished as her Denver home had been, but it had character and warmth that appealed to her far more than sleek modern finishes.

With three bedrooms, a spacious living area with a stone fireplace, and a wonderful veranda wrapping around two sides of the house, it felt like somewhere she could belong.

Amy looked down the sloping lawn toward the blue water visible between the trees. “The location is perfect. It’s close enough to walk to town but private enough to feel like a retreat.”

Denise smiled, clearly sensing a potential sale. “An electrician has checked all the wiring, and the roof is only three years old. The owners are motivated to sell—they’ve already purchased their new home.”

Amy walked to the railing. “It’s so different from your house in Denver,” she said to Lynda. “But it suits you better, somehow.”

Lynda joined her daughter, their arms touching as they both gazed at the view.

It was still remarkable to her how supportive Amy had been about this move.

After the initial shock of learning her mother was uprooting her entire life, she’d thrown herself into helping with the transition—organizing the Denver house sale, sorting through decades of accumulated belongings, and now flying to Montana to help Lynda choose her new home.

“I think this is the one,” Lynda said softly. “I can see myself here.”

Denise took a measuring tape out of her bag. “Would you like to take some measurements or see any part of the house again before we wrap up?”

Lynda ran her gaze along the old wooden siding. “I’d like to check the basement one more time, just to be sure about the potential for storage.” With the sale of her Denver home finalizing next week, she needed to know exactly how much of her remaining belongings would fit in the new space.

As they moved through the house again, Lynda mentally placed her furniture in each room.

She could read by the bay window in the living room before she went to work.

Evenings could be spent cooking in the kitchen while gazing out at the lake.

The house needed work, but nothing that couldn’t be done over time.

The essential elements were already there—light, space, and character.

“Are you sure you want to make an offer?” Amy asked as they finally returned to Denise’s car. “What about asking a builder to inspect the house?”

Lynda shook her head. “It’s an old house. There are bound to be things that need fixing. Besides, I won’t be offering the asking price. The kitchen and bathroom need updating, and I’ll allow a little more room in my offer for unexpected expenses.”

Amy looked back at the house. “I can see why you like it so much. If you need to save money on your remodel budget, Steven and I could do some painting. His parents could look after the boys while we helped you.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Lynda told her daughter.

Denise beamed. “I can have the paperwork ready this afternoon, if you’d like to come by the office around four.”

“Perfect,” Lynda agreed. She checked her watch. “That gives us time for lunch and to stop by the clinic afterward to see Matt.”

“The mysterious Matt I’ve heard so much about but still haven’t met,” Amy said, sliding into the passenger seat of Denise’s car. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Lynda felt a tinge of nervousness at the thought of Amy meeting Matt.

It was ridiculous, of course. They were both adults, not teenagers being introduced to each other’s parents.

But there was something significant about her daughter meeting the man who’d become such an important part of her new life.

“He’s looking forward to meeting you, too,” Lynda said, which was true. Matt was genuinely interested in getting to know her daughter. It was one of the many things she appreciated about him—his understanding of how important family was to her.

After Denise dropped them off at Kathleen’s house, Lynda drove her car into town, pointing out the landmarks to Amy as they went—Isabel’s bookstore, Casey’s jewelry store, Sweet Treats, and The Welcome Center, where they’d held events for the shelter.

“Sapphire Bay is gorgeous,” Amy said as they parked outside The Lakeside Café for lunch.

“It’s not perfect,” Lynda replied, thinking of some of the challenges of living in a small town. “But it’s real in a way Denver never felt to me, at least not in the later years.”

Over soup and sandwiches, they discussed the house in greater detail—the renovations it would need, the furniture from Denver that would work in each room, and the new pieces Lynda might want to purchase locally.

“So,” Amy said, stirring her iced tea with a deliberate casualness that put Lynda on alert. “When do I get to meet the wolfdog puppies I’ve been hearing so much about?”

“They’re at the shelter,” Lynda replied. “We can visit them after we see Matt if you’d like. Carol will still be there, and she can show you the plans for their new enclosure.”

“Perfect,” Amy said with a smile. “Tell me more about the wildlife rehabilitation center you’re planning. You’ve been suspiciously vague about the details.”

Lynda sighed, recognizing her daughter’s determined expression. “Because nothing is finalized yet. The shelter’s board approved the concept, and the community is excited about the plans. But we’re still working on funding and permits. I don’t want to jinx it by talking too much about it.”

Amy fixed her with a look that reminded Lynda uncannily of herself.

“You’ve always been the practical one, Mom, the person who plans everything meticulously.

But ever since you came to Sapphire Bay, you’ve been taking amazing leaps of faith, from buying a house to planning the rehabilitation center.

” She reached across the table to take Lynda’s hand.

“I’m proud of you. I want to hear about all of it, jinxed or not. ”

Warmth spread through Lynda’s chest at her daughter’s words. “Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot.”

As they finished their lunch, Lynda told Amy about the big and small donations they’d received for the rehabilitation center. Her daughter was suitably impressed and looking forward to seeing the project come to life.

After paying the bill, they walked to Matt’s clinic. The familiar building with its simple “Reynolds Veterinary Clinic” sign brought a smile to Lynda’s face. She’d spent so many hours here during those first weeks with the wolfdog puppies that it felt like her home away from home.

“So this is where the magic happened,” Amy smiled at Lynda. “The scene of the great puppy rescue that brought you and Matt together.”

“Don’t be dramatic,” Lynda chided, though she couldn’t entirely suppress her smile. “It was a veterinary emergency. And, just for the record, we’d worked together well before the pups were found.”

“Uh-huh,” Amy said, clearly unconvinced. “A veterinary emergency that led to midnight vigils, puppy bottle-feedings, and my mom uprooting her entire life to move to Montana.”

As they entered the clinic, Brenda looked up from the reception desk, her face lighting up at the sight of Lynda. “We weren’t expecting you today.”

“I’ve brought someone special in to meet Matt,” Lynda told her. “Brenda, this is Amy, my daughter. Amy, this is Brenda. She keeps the clinic running smoothly.”

Brenda held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Have you come for the weekend, or are you staying for longer?”

Amy smiled. “I’m only here for the weekend. Mom and I are searching for the perfect house for her.”

“Have you found anything good?” Brenda asked.

“Actually, yes,” Lynda replied. “The old Simmons place on Lakeview Road. I’m making an offer this afternoon.”

“That’s wonderful!” Brenda exclaimed. “It’s a beautiful property and just the right distance from town.” She picked up the phone. “Let me tell Matt you’re here. He’s just finishing another appointment.”

While they waited, Amy wandered around the reception area, looking at the educational posters and the community bulletin board. “This clinic is smaller than your one in Denver,” she said quietly. “But it feels warmer, somehow. More personal.”

Lynda nodded. “Matt knows every pet and owner by name. He still makes house calls, keeps his prices affordable, and works with people who can’t pay the full amount.

” She smiled, remembering how he’d helped a client who couldn’t afford her dog’s surgery by setting up a payment plan and bartering baking for some of the bill. “He’s a great veterinarian.”