Nick escorted her and the dog to the garage, where he entered the five-digit access code. The cab of his pickup truck had two rows, so he guided Raven into the back instead of next to Alexis. He pointed in the direction of the trail. “It would’ve taken you a good half hour to get back to the parking lot if you had walked.”
“Theresa said the dog needed a forty-five minute walk. I rounded up.” She flashed a sheepish grin, and they both got situated in the truck. “I hadn’t reached my daily step goal yet, and I needed some time to clear my head.”
He started the ignition and pulled out onto the county highway. “It seems common knowledge that you have a love for dogs.” He hoped his teasing tone would get her to open up.
She groaned. “Why is it that when people say they don’t like cats, it’s okay, but disliking dogs is equivalent to hating babies?” Her eyes widened. “Which I don’t!”
“Good to know.” He smiled in the rearview mirror at Raven, who seemed to be enjoying the conversation. “Dogs make it pretty easy to love them.”
“You mean aside from the presents they leave in the yard, the smell, the drool and the nice things they eat?”
He laughed. “Bad experience?” If she was a lawyer, maybe a dog ate a pair of her expensive shoes.
She stiffened and watched him for a moment, as if considering whether to talk or not. She looked forward. “A rabid dog attacked me when I was little. The scar doesn’t hurt, but when I think about the rabies shots...” She let her voice trail off.
The smile fell off his face at the thought. “That should’ve never happened,” he said softly. “I’m sorry.” It frustrated him to no end that some pet owners neglected treatment of their animals. A simple vaccine would’ve prevented the dog’s disease and Alexis’s pain.
“Not your fault. I’m not scared anymore. I got over it.” She nodded with each phrase, as if reciting a script. “They just aren’t my favorite.”
She pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin. She might have told herself she wasn’t scared anymore, but the way she’d flinched when Raven tried to snuggle proved otherwise. It wasn’t that she disliked dogs, like she tried to infer, but that she was scared.
The mountains served as a backdrop to the rows of trees on either side of the road. If he kept going, the trees on the right side would be replaced by a rock wall. Just before town, all the trees disappeared and a sharp curve provided a gorgeous viewing point for the valley. An unbidden image of having a picnic there with Alexis while enjoying the scenery popped into his head. He’d been so focused on school and career the past several years that he’d saved relationships for later. He never wanted to start one that would only end up in the pain of a long-distance relationship. He’d done that once in college and vowed never to do it again.
“Later” had finally arrived, but he’d yet to find someone in the small town who he could imagine as more than a friend.
She pointed at the black medical bag in between their seats. “So you’re really a vet?”
The question made him laugh. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
She smiled. “I guess it’s not. I just didn’t think our small town could support more than one.”
He made the final turn toward the trailhead. “That’s because it can’t. I bought the practice from Doc Finn so he could retire. He moved to the Oregon coast when I came here.”
Her mouth dropped. “He did? But his office is practically across the street from where I live.”
“My office,” he corrected her.
She pulled her head back in surprise. “But the logo hasn’t changed! Your name isn’t on the building.”
He held back a laugh. She must have prided herself on keeping up to date with all new residents if this bothered her so much. “Barings Animal Hospital had a nicer ring to it than Dr. Nick Kendrick’s Animal Hospital, so I kept it the same.”
She shook her head. “I guess I’ve had tunnel vision.”
“Your law practice staying busy?”
She squinted in confusion. “My what?” Her eyebrows rose and she leaned back. “No. I don’t practice law anymore. I came back to spend some time with my parents. I’ve been working for Theresa’s temp agency until I figure out my next step.”
“Are they ill?”
“Who? My parents? No, they’re doing great. They actually retired to Arizona last month. I’m sticking around until I sell their house. After that...” She looked down at her clasped hands. “Well, I guess time will tell.”
In other words, she wouldn’t be around much longer, so it’d probably be smart to forget the dinner invitation he wanted to extend to her. Now, if she was willing to open up a practice in town that would be another story. He was tempted to ask why she no longer practiced law, but it seemed too soon for what could be a personal question.
The box of Junior Mints he kept in the cup console rattled when he drove over a rock. He spotted her interest. “You want some? I like to have some after work, before I go on a run. It gives me a little extra burst of energy.”
She smiled and almost seemed to be fighting a laugh. “What brought you to Barings? Are you from Idaho?”
“No. I was a city boy, but I wanted my practice to be more than just domestic pets. I like variety and enjoy making house calls for cattle and horses. Barings is a long way from Seattle, but I can make the trip home in one day.”
It could’ve been his imagination, but it seemed she paled. “Seattle, huh?” She pointed to the left. “Turn here.”
The small, dusty lot sat next to a brown outhouse and a bulletin board covered in trail maps. A beat-up, rusted, baby-blue Honda Accord that had to be circa 1980 sat by its lonesome. He gaped. “I see why your cop friend was surprised.”
“Not you, too. The whole town gives me a hard time.” She sighed. “No one sees what I see. This beauty has been faithful to me ever since I bought it cheap in high school. It helped me graduate from law school debt-free.” She eyed him. “Not an easy feat.”
“If it’s anything like veterinary school, I agree.” His current debt load wasn’t as high as that of most members of his graduating class, but it would’ve taken a ridiculous amount of discipline, planning and an overloaded work schedule to graduate without a bill. Her debt-free status only served to intrigue him more. He wondered if she’d be willing to have dinner together, just as friends. Though he’d have to make it clear he wasn’t interested in a relationship. So it’d be wise to let the idea go, especially since she was moving on soon. Besides, she seemed like the type that took a long time to lower her guard.
He pulled to a stop and stared at the bucket of bolts. “Unfortunately your faithful beauty doesn’t look like it’s going to last much longer. Is it safe?”
“Absolutely!” Her grin faded. “Probably more than we are, if I understood what you said back there. I hate that it takes a court order to get full-time police protection.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you, but I believe a healthy dose of caution is necessary.” He almost offered to give her one of his rifles but stopped short. She’d made it clear she wasn’t comfortable with guns. “Keep your eyes open and don’t go places alone.”
“That’s good advice for any woman on any day.” She stepped out of the truck. “I guess I need to get the dog back home.” She tugged on the leash, and Raven followed her out of the truck.
The dog turned her head around and flashed Nick a look so pathetic he almost laughed. “Let me know if you need any help with her.”
“I think I’ve asked enough of you today.” She gave him an awkward wave. “Sorry I got you into