Page 14 of A Love Like Candle Light

Damn, it’s a party here. And I’m about to throw my hands in the air and scream.

How the hell is there another hot guy?

He’s attractive, in a slightly nerdy way, but still. Sand-colored hair, light scruff, broad shoulders, and his eyes soften into the most adorable expression once they find Nic.

Oh, those two are in love. Good for them.

Bad for me because it sends a sting through my chest.

Memories I deem too painful to indulge in pop up in my head. Once upon a time, Zach used to look at me the way Henry does at Nic. As if I hung the moon. As if his world would stop turning without me in it and he’d do everything in his might to make me happy.

From the bottom of my heart, I hope these two never stop looking at each other this way.

“Henry, this is Kylie, our new neighbor,” Nic introduces me, and another handshake follows. I didn’t expect to meet half the town on my first day here, but at least I’ve got that over with.

“Hi, welcome to Wayward Hollow. I’m the vet here and—”

“Right,” Kieran jumps into the conversation. “Henry, could you be a darling and have a look at her dog?” He points to where Lauren and Abby are getting to know each other on the ground.

“Sure.” He shrugs. “What exactly am I looking for? You weren’t too forthcoming with details when you told me to, let me quote ‘get my ass over here’ and as you can see-” He motions at his mud-stained clothes. “I’m coming here from helping Michael retrieve his cows.”

“Oh no. Did they escape again?” The amused worry in Nic’s voice lets me think it’s not the first time he helped catch cows.

“They did. But we got them. Erik also helped out, though all hell broke loose again after he left. It doesn’t matter.” He shakes his head and turns to me. It’s crazy. Within the blink of an eye, his demeanor shifts from friendly neighbor to serious vet.

“Tell me what’s going on. I didn’t bring any equipment with me, but I have some in the car, or we can totally head to my practice if needed.”

Fuck, I could cry. Knowing there’s a vet in this tiny town who cares this much about animals, even when he’s covered in mud from head to toe, is reassuring enough to take the weight of a boulder off my chest.

“So my dog is kind of...” I gesture at the chaos happening only a few feet away from us. “The one who found the bones. And she might or might not have confused one of them with a chew-toy. I’m just wondering if that has any health implications.”

He blinks once, then twice. His jaw drops. Kieran unsuccessfully tries to hide a giggle with a cough and the corners of Nic’s mouth twitch.

“Oh wow, that’s a first.” He rubs the back of his neck, wheels turning in his head. “Let me go and talk to Erik.” He points somewhere away from us. “Because my answer depends on what the decomposition stage is. Give me a minute.”

“Fuck.” I stare at my dog, heart hurting and worry gnawing at me.

“She’ll be alright,” Kieran assures me and Nic puts a reassuring hand on my arm again.

“And even if not, Henry is a great vet.” She nods for emphasis and watches after him.

“You’re biased because he’s your boyfriend, aren’t you?” I glance at her and she bursts into giggles.

“Maybe.”

Lauren is still talking to Abby, the hazmat people are still digging and destroying my grass by walking all over it, when Henry returns.

“So, good news.” He comes to a stop in front of Abby and pulls up his sleeves. “There is no flesh left on the bones.”

“How is that good?” Lauren asks before I can, and even Nic draws her eyebrows together in confusion.

“It means I don’t have to check for bacterial infections she could have gotten from rotten meat,” he explains to her, then his eyes dart to me. “Is she behaving normally?”

I stare at my little fur baby. She’s sitting, tongue hanging out of her mouth which I could swear is smiling. “I haven’t noticed any unusual behavior.”

“Well, if she starts acting weird in any way, please come in or give me a call. You know your dog best. The most I can do right now without any symptoms is check if she’s got any splinters in her mouth.”

He pulls a flashlight out of his pocket and gets on his knees next to Lauren.