Page 25

The examination room door opened, and Matt appeared, escorting an elderly woman and her orange tabby cat. “Remember, Mrs. Peterson, one pill twice a day with food, and call me if his appetite doesn’t improve by Thursday,” he was saying.

“Thank you, Dr. Reynolds,” the woman replied, clutching her cat carrier. “I don’t know what Rusty and I would do without you.”

Matt’s eyes found Lynda’s over Mrs. Peterson’s head, and the warmth in his smile sent a warmth through her chest.

After the older woman left, he crossed the reception area toward them. “This is a nice surprise,” he said, his gaze moving from Lynda to Amy. “You must be Amy. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

Lynda watched her daughter study Matt as they shook hands.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, too,” Amy replied. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Mom.”

“All good things, I hope,” Matt said with a smile.

“Mostly,” Amy replied with a hint of mischief that made Lynda roll her eyes.

“We’ve just come from looking at houses,” Lynda explained. “I’m making an offer on the Simmons place this afternoon.”

“The blue one with the wrap-around veranda?” Matt asked, his expression brightening. “It’s a beautiful property. My daughter would say it’s got great bones.”

Amy laughed. “That’s exactly what I said. Mom told me you’re the person to talk to about the wolfdog puppies. I’ve seen the photos, but I’d love to hear more about them.”

Matt’s face lit up at the mention of the puppies. “They’re doing remarkably well. Even Star—the smallest one—has thrived with your mom’s care and attention. Did Lynda tell you about the permanent habitat we’re building for them?”

“Only a little,” Amy said, shooting Lynda a teasing look.

“It’ll be remarkable,” Matt said proudly. “The wildlife rehabilitation center will be the first of its kind around Flathead Lake. We’ll focus on everything from orphaned bear cubs to injured squirrels.” He glanced at Lynda. “Did you tell Amy about the grant we found out about yesterday?”

Lynda shook her head. “Not yet. The Wildcare Foundation is considering our proposal for funding the raptor recovery area,” she explained to Amy. “It would cover the last of our startup costs.”

“Mom, that’s amazing!” Amy exclaimed. “Why didn’t you say something during lunch?”

“I told you I don’t want to jinx it,” Lynda replied with a small smile. “We won’t know for sure for another few weeks.”

“Well, I think it calls for a celebration regardless,” Matt said. “Are you two free for dinner tonight? The Lakeside Grill has a new chef from Seattle—his trout with huckleberry glaze is incredible.”

Amy nodded enthusiastically. “We’d love to. Maybe we’ll have a house offer to celebrate by then, too.”

“Perfect,” Matt replied, his eyes meeting Lynda’s. “I’ll make a reservation for six-thirty. I don’t know if my daughter can join us, but would you mind if I asked her?”

Lynda looked at Amy and then smiled at Matt. “We’d love to meet Stephanie. I think our daughters will have a lot in common.”

A buzzer sounded from one of the examination rooms, and Matt glanced apologetically toward the back of the clinic. “That’s my signal that Brenda has my next patient ready. I should get back to work, but I’ll see you both tonight.”

He touched Lynda’s arm briefly, a simple gesture that conveyed a world of affection, before heading back toward the exam rooms.

As they left the clinic and walked toward the car, Amy was suspiciously quiet.

“Well?” Lynda finally asked, unable to stand the silence. “What do you think?”

Amy’s expression softened into a genuine smile. “I think he’s wonderful, Mom. Warm, kind, clearly intelligent, and completely smitten with you.”

“Smitten is a strong word,” Lynda protested, though she couldn’t help the pleased flush that rose to her cheeks.

“It’s the right word,” Amy insisted. “You should have seen his face when you were talking about the funding for the raptor center. He looked at you as if you’d personally hung the moon and stars.”

“He’s a good man,” Lynda said. “The best I’ve known since your father... well, since the early days with your father.”

Amy linked her arm through Lynda’s as they walked. “I’m happy for you, Mom. You deserve to find happiness after everything Dad did.”

As they drove toward the shelter to see the wolfdog puppies, Lynda thought about what Amy had said. Ray had made a conscious decision to sleep with Melissa. For more years than she wanted to admit, Lynda had let his decision suffocate her. She wouldn’t do that anymore.

The house on Lakeview Road, with its expansive veranda and ancient apple tree, would become her home.

The shelter would become Paws of Hope, a place where injured wildlife and abandoned pets could find healing and second chances.

And Matt... well, that relationship was still unfolding, one careful step at a time, but with a promise that grew stronger with each passing day.

Lynda glanced at her daughter in the passenger seat, grateful beyond words for her support and understanding. Then she turned her eyes back to the road and drove toward the shelter where five wolfdog puppies were waiting.