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M att straightened the last of the information pamphlets on his makeshift examination table.

Even though it was raining, the red barn hummed with activity.

The local band was keeping everyone entertained, the silent auction tables were attracting clusters of people, and the aroma of barbecue filled the air.

Through the open barn doors, he could see more cars arriving as headlights swept across the dark sky.

So far, the fundraiser was shaping up to be their most successful yet. Carol had sold every ticket, and the auction items were generating lots of interest.

A woman in her seventies approached his booth with a small terrier cradled in her arms. “Is this where I can get my dog checked?”

“That’s right, Mrs. Hatcher,” Matt said, recognizing one of his longtime clients. “What brings Max in tonight?” He patted the examination table, and she gently placed the dog down.

“He’s been scratching his left ear something fierce,” she explained. “I’ve been meaning to bring him in, and when I heard you were doing free check-ups tonight, I had to come. Especially when I can support your fundraiser at the same time.”

“Let’s have a look.” As Matt examined Max’s ear, he was acutely aware of the activity at the booth next to his.

Lynda stood in a lavender-colored dress that made her eyes seem even bluer. She was speaking to a young couple about a tabby kitten in a small enclosure, her hands gesturing as she explained something about the cat’s personality.

“...and she’s already litter trained,” he heard Lynda saying. “She’d make a wonderful pet if you’re looking for one that’s affectionate but independent.”

Matt smiled to himself, returning his attention to Max’s ear. “Just as I suspected, Mrs. Hatcher. He’s got a mild ear infection. Nothing serious, but I’ll give you some drops to clear it up.”

As he wrote down instructions for the ear medication, Lynda glanced his way. When their eyes met, she smiled briefly before turning back to the couple, who were now filling out adoption paperwork.

After Mrs. Hatcher left with her prescription and a promise to bring Max in for a follow-up next week, Matt found himself with a momentary lull. He used the opportunity to lean toward Lynda’s booth.

“Looks like you’ve found a home for Mittens,” he said.

Lynda nodded, handing a clipboard to the couple. “It’s the fifth adoption of the night. We might break last year’s record at this rate.”

“Your dress suits you,” Matt said before he could stop himself.

A faint blush rose to Lynda’s cheeks. “Thank you. It was a bit of an impulse buy.”

“Well, it was a good impulse,” he replied with a grin.

Before Lynda could respond, Carol hurried over, clipboard in hand. “We’re ahead of schedule on the silent auction,” she reported excitedly. “And the barbecue dinner is ready to be served. They’ve set up a table for shelter volunteers in the corner—you should both grab food while it’s hot.”

“I’ll watch your booths,” Brenda offered, appearing with a plate of her own. “Go eat. You’ve both been working hard.”

Matt glanced at Lynda. “Shall we?”

“Lead the way,” she said, setting down her clipboard. “I realized I was starving the moment Carol mentioned food.”

They made their way through the crowded barn, stopping occasionally to greet friends and neighbors. Lynda chatted with everyone as if she’d been part of the community for years instead of months.

“You’ve made quite an impression,” Matt told her as they joined the line for food.

Lynda laughed. “Hardly. I’m just the stranger who helps out at the shelter and the bookstore.”

“You’re more than that,” Matt said quietly. “You’ve become part of Sapphire Bay.”

Something flickered in Lynda’s eyes—uncertainty, perhaps, or something deeper he couldn’t quite read. Before she could reply, they reached the food tables piled high with barbecue brisket, pulled pork, coleslaw, and all the fixings.

“Dr. Reynolds!” Tommy’s voice carried across the crowded area. The boy waved enthusiastically from a table where he sat with Frank, Isabel, and Kathleen. “We saved you and Dr. Morth seats!”

Matt waved to Tommy, then smiled at Lynda. “Are you happy to sit at Tommy’s table?”

“It’ll be good to hear what Tommy’s been doing,” Lynda replied. “Though I warn you, Kathleen will be watching us like a hawk. I told her I’d saved you a dance, and now she thinks we’re more than friends.”

Matt’s heart pounded. “I’ll make sure I’m on my best behavior then.”

With their plates full of delicious food, they joined everyone at the table. Matt was sandwiched between Tommy and Lynda, an arrangement he didn’t mind at all.

“The shelter area looks fantastic,” Isabel said as they began eating. “I’ve seen at least four people filling out adoption forms.”

“It is going well,” Lynda agreed. “Though I’m worried we might run out of applications at this rate.”

“I’ve got extras if we need them,” Carol said, stopping by their table. “This barbecue is amazing. Have you tried the brisket?”

“It’s so good,” Lynda enthused around a bite. “Who’s the chef?”

“Pete from the deli,” Matt explained. “He smokes the brisket for twenty-four hours. The recipe’s a favorite with everyone.”

Lynda closed her eyes briefly as she savored another bite. “I can see why. We didn’t have anything like this at our Denver fundraisers.”

“That’s because those were fancy hotel ballroom events,” Kathleen teased. “You can’t have a real barbecue when everyone’s in cocktail dresses.”

“I’ll take this over rubber chicken any day,” Lynda replied, spearing another piece of brisket.

Matt enjoyed the easy banter around the table, the way everyone laughed and talked over each other. He’d lived in Sapphire Bay for a long time, but sometimes, he was still amazed at how the community had embraced him after Maria’s death. These people weren’t just neighbors—they were family.

When Tommy launched into a detailed account of his latest fishing adventure, Matt watched Lynda.

She listened attentively to Tommy, asking him questions and showing genuine interest in his story.

Her silver earrings caught the light when she laughed, and Matt realized he couldn’t remember the last time he’d noticed that kind of detail about anyone.

A sudden commotion near the entrance drew everyone’s attention. A large dog was backed against the wall, barking at the crowd around him. The dog’s owner, a teenager Matt recognized as Joey Williams, was trying to calm his canine buddy.

“That’s Luna,” Matt said, already rising from his seat. “She’s a rescue dog and still getting used to being around people.”

Lynda was on her feet just as quickly. “Poor thing looks overwhelmed.”

Without discussing it, they moved together through the crowd, approaching the nervous dog with careful, measured steps. Matt gestured for people to back away, creating space around the anxious animal.

“Hey, Joey,” Matt said calmly. “Luna seems a little stressed. What happened?”

The boy looked close to tears. “I thought she was ready for something like this. She’s been doing so well at home, but when she heard the band, she freaked out.”

“It’s okay,” Lynda said softly. “Let’s give Luna some space and see if we can help her calm down.”

Matt nodded as Lynda approached the dog from his left side while he took the right.

“Luna,” Matt called softly, keeping his body language relaxed and non-threatening. “It’s just me, honey.”

Lynda, meanwhile, was kneeling a few feet away, making herself smaller and less intimidating. “Hey there, gorgeous,” she murmured. “That’s a lot of noise, isn’t it? I don’t blame you for being worried.”

The dog’s barking subsided to a whine, her ears tilting at Lynda’s soothing tone.

“Joey, do you have treats with you?” Matt asked.

The boy nodded, fumbling in his pocket and producing a few small dog biscuits.

“Good,” Matt said. “Give one to Dr. Morth.”

Lynda accepted the treat but didn’t immediately offer it to Luna. Instead, she sat quietly on the floor, waiting.

Matt joined her, settling a respectful distance from the dog. “I think Luna might feel better in a quieter spot,” he suggested to Joey. “There’s a small office at the back of the barn where she can relax.”

“I didn’t mean to upset her,” Joey said miserably.

“You haven’t done anything wrong,” Lynda assured him. “Some dogs, especially rescues, get overwhelmed in noisy, crowded places. It’s part of their adjustment process.”

Luna had stopped barking entirely now. Her attention was fixed on Lynda. Cautiously, the dog took a step toward her, then another.

“That’s it,” she encouraged softly. “No one’s going to hurt you.”

Matt watched as Luna gradually approached Lynda, sniffing tentatively at her outstretched hand. When Luna seemed comfortable, Lynda offered the treat on her open palm. The dog took it, then pressed against her side, seeking comfort.

“There we go,” Lynda murmured as she stroked Luna’s head. “You’re okay.”

A small crowd had gathered to watch them work, including Carol, Brenda, and several of the shelter’s volunteers. Matt caught Joey’s eye. “Let’s walk Luna to the quiet room while she’s calm.”

Together, they escorted the dog through the barn, Lynda keeping a gentle hand on Luna’s back, Matt leading the way and making sure no one approached too suddenly. By the time they reached the small office, Luna had stopped trembling.

“That was amazing,” Joey said once they’d settled Luna on a blanket in the corner. “How did you know what to do?”

“Experience,” Matt and Lynda said simultaneously, then exchanged surprised glances.

Joey sat beside his dog. “I’ll stay with Luna. My brother said he’d take me home early if we want to leave.”

“That might be a good idea,” Lynda said. “The music might get a little noisy for Luna.”

Matt looked at Joey. “Do you want me to find your brother?”

“That’d be great, Dr. Reynolds.”

Lynda stood beside Matt. “I’ll help look for your brother, too. We won’t be long.”

As they stepped out of the office, Joey sat closer to Luna.

Matt stood beside Lynda in the narrow hallway. The sounds of the fundraiser seemed distant here, the music and chatter muffled.

“We make a good team,” he said quietly.

Lynda met his eyes, something unreadable in her expression. “We do, don’t we?”

For a moment, Matt thought about reaching for her hand, about giving voice to the thoughts that had been circling in his mind for weeks now. But before he could gather his courage, Carol appeared at the end of the hallway.

“There you are!” she called. “They’re about to announce the first round of silent auction winners, and they need Matt’s help.”

Matt sighed. “Duty calls. Remember to save me a dance.”

Lynda nodded, the silver earrings catching the light. “I will.”

As Matt followed Carol back into the bustling main area of the barn, he realized he was looking forward to that dance more than he cared to admit. Because working with Lynda to calm Luna had confirmed what he’d been suspecting for weeks—they weren’t just good colleagues or casual friends.

They were something else entirely, something with potential that both thrilled and terrified him. And for the first time in fifteen years, he was ready to find out exactly what that something might be.