Heartbreaker(7)

“I’m the new vet.” The stranger smiles, extending a steady hand to shake. He’s definitely an upgrade on the old one. Tall and broad-shouldered, he can’t be older than thirty, with sandy blond hair and a clean-cut jawline. “Sawyer Green. Are you sure you’re OK?”

I nod. “It was just a bump.”

He frowns. “Well, if you start feeling dizzy or nauseated, let me know.”

“And what, you’ll check my heart-rate?” I ask, nodding to the tiny animal-sized stethoscope in his hand.

Sawyer smiles. “Either that, or try some de-worming.”

“Eww.” I laugh. “I think I’ll pass.”

“Good call.” His eyes go to poor Chester, still slumped there under the desk. “May I…?”

“Please.” I stand aside. Sawyer gets to his knees, and slowly approaches the old dog, holding out his hand for Chester to sniff. “He’s usually running around with the rest of them. I’m wondering if it’s something he ate.”

“Could be.” Sawyer carefully runs his hands over Chester’s body, pausing to press and feel. “But with dogs this age, it’s more likely to be something internal.”

“You mean like cancer?” My voice is stricken. Sawyer looks up at me.

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions. Can you help me lift him out? Then I can take some blood, run some tests.”

I quickly clear space on the table, and together we gently lift the old dog. Chester’s usually full of life, but he barely even makes a sound. “Don’t worry,” Sawyer catches my expression. “He’d be whimpering if he was in any pain.”

“Still.” I stroke him, “I don’t know what we’d do without him. He’s been here for years.”

“What about you?” Sawyer asks, checking Chester’s temperature, and making a note in a file.

“Me too, I’ve got a kennel out back.”

Sawyer laughs.

“No, I’m just a volunteer,” I say. “I help Edith out around the place.”

“It’s a lot to manage.”

“And getting bigger all the time,” I sigh. “But we just can’t turn anyone away. Every time Edith says we’re full, someone will show up with a box of kittens, or a dog they found out by the highway and, well…”

“Who can say no to that?” Sawyer finishes. He gives me an understanding look. “I’m the same. Somehow the neighborhood cats figured out I’m a soft touch. Now they just show up in my yard mewling for food.”

“So you’re a cat lady.” I grin.

“And proud of it.” Sawyer finishes taking blood, so smooth I barely even noticed, and neither did Chester. Sawyer tucks the vial in his bag, and gives the dog another pat. “Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

I walk him out front, where Edith is sat feeding some of the newborn kittens from a bottle. “What’s the verdict?” she asks from the rocker.

“I’ll put a rush on the blood work, see if I can give you a call tomorrow,” Sawyer says.

Edith nods approvingly. “I like this guy already.”

“Did you just move to the area?” I ask. I haven’t seen him around. Sawyer nods.

“I did my residency training up in Chicago, but I couldn’t stand the cold. Below freezing every other day.” He shudders at the mention.

“Well, welcome to town.” I smile. “I promise, the weather’s better here. Until it gets to August, and you’ll be dreaming about the cold again.”

“I’ll take your word for it. Say, you wouldn’t happen to know a good place to get a bite?” Sawyer asks. “Nothing fancy, just a burger and beer.”

“You’ll want Dixie’s.” I suggest. “A few blocks past the harbor. It’s a casual crowd, but they’ve got a great selection on tap, and there’s always Springsteen on the jukebox.”

“Well in that case, I’ll have to check it out. Want to join me there later?” he asks casually. “I have to go check on some horses out in PLACE, but I could meet you after.”

“Sure,” I agree, surprised. “I could use some of her chili fries.”

“Great.” He smiles. “I’ll see you there at eight. It’s a date.”

Wait, what?

I don’t have time to react before he shakes hands with Edith and heads back to his truck. As the wheels crunch on gravel, I stare after him. “Date?” I repeat, blinking. Edith snorts with laughter.

“Girl, you wouldn’t know a pass if he put it in writing first.”

“He didn’t mean it like that.” I shake my head. “He’s new in town, probably just looking to make friends.”

Edith smirks. “Whatever you think.”

I look back at the driveway, feeling a rush of guilt. I shouldn’t have given him the wrong impression, not with memories Finn still whirling in my mind – and my heart.

Except that Finn is ancient history. He’s spent the past five years doing whatever he wants – with whoever he wants. I’m allowed to go on a date if I want, especially with a handsome, sweet, funny guy like Sawyer. Finn waltzing back shouldn’t change that, so why am I letting it get to me?