Page 9 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Bear

Chapter Four

A Meeting of Two Vets

Back in Chicago, every morning before work, Melissa would take a long walk around her neighborhood, enjoying the peace and quiet of her surroundings before the neighbors awoke. Over the years, that habit hadn’t changed much.

And that was why she was outside now, promenading through the streets of Sylva at 6:30 in the morning. It was a great way to clear her mind before she started her day. And this morning, she had plenty to think about.

As she walked, she gazed around. The streets were mostly empty but for a few parked vehicles. A lone squirrel scampered across the road ten feet ahead of her, disappearing into a nearby alley. It wouldn’t be long before the first townspeople appeared, mostly to open their shops.

By 8, she should be at Dale’s. Her insides hummed with excitement. Sure, working for her neighbor hadn’t exactly been her plan when she moved to Sylva, but at least she’d be doing something. With any luck, she’d find a job better suited to her skills before long.

Overhead, the sun was still climbing high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the town. A gentle breeze brushed her cheek, causing her hair to flutter about her head. In the distance, beyond the buildings in her line of sight, Melissa could just make out a mountainous expanse of trees. Paradise Woods. She hadn’t gone near the area yet; the man she’d asked about it at the salon had cautioned her against it.

It's not safe these days, he’d said, shaking his head. Been hearing about animals dying left, right, and center. Somethin’ ain’t right.

She walked a couple of blocks in silence before she heard the sound of a car engine. She paused to let the vehicle roll past, then crossed the street. Rubicon Valley lay just ahead. The hand-painted sign on the door read: OPEN, and for the second time in two days, Melissa found herself contemplating walking in for a drink. She hadn’t entered the bar yet, but if it was anything like the typical town bar, there’d be a pool table, some poker players, and an old jukebox.

A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth at the thought. She and Cal went to a bar just like that once. The beer was too warm for his liking, but they danced to at least three Hozier singles before he decided it was time to leave.

She wiped the grin off her face, biting her lip as she continued walking. That had been a long time ago. She and Cal wouldn’t be dancing to Jackie and Wilson or It Will Come Back anytime soon. The relationship they’d shared no longer existed.

He probably hates my guts now, she thought. And I can’t even blame him for it. If someone abandoned me at my own wedding, I’d never forgive them.

There is no vacancy, he’d told her. Not for you. The way he’d looked at her had shaken her to the core, like he couldn’t believe she’d had the audacity to show up in the same town as him. She’d never seen him so upset. Certainly not with her. Just what had he gone through in her ten-year absence?

Melissa breathed a sigh. Getting the thought of him out of her mind seemed impossible after she’d laid eyes on him yesterday. She still missed him, even though the sensible part of her knew she shouldn’t. She’d taken off for a reason. He was a shifter, something she couldn’t quite understand, something that could be dangerous. For her safety and sanity, she’d needed to put space between them. Had that changed?

No. He was still the same person, wasn’t he?

If anything, he’d done her a favor by turning her away yesterday. She’d left him for a reason. If she threw that all away and ran back to him, then the past ten years would have been for nothing.

Melissa paused in her tracks and gazed up. It was getting brighter. Cars rolled past, pausing for a red light. In the distance, she spotted a lone woman rounding the corner.

Time to head back home.

***

By the time she emerged from her house an hour later, the town had come alive. Pedestrians smiled in her direction as they headed down the sidewalk, and a dog barked at a van down the street. Shielding her face from the sun’s glare, Melissa crossed the street to Dale’s and knocked on the door, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

When there was no response, she knocked again, then considered ringing the doorbell. Before she could, however, the door was pulled open a crack. Dale poked his head out, frowning until his gaze landed on her.

“Good morning, Mr. McClinton!” she chirped.

“Just call me Dale.” The corner of his mouth turned upward. “It’s 7:50. You’re ten minutes early.”

She shrugged. “I like to keep ahead of things.”

He opened the door wider, stepping aside to admit her. He was dressed in a gray robe over blue-striped pajama bottoms. Melissa noticed a small stain on the front of his t-shirt. He must’ve been making coffee when she showed up.

She stepped into the house, half expecting an interior that felt as old as its owner, with a stale smell coming from the furniture, but the house looked fairly modern. Pictures hung on the walls, and the couches in the living room looked like they’d been recently purchased. Had he just moved in?

“Lovely place,” she commented. “Where’s the animal? I’m guessing it’s a dog.”

“You’re right about that.” He put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. “C’mere, Leto!”

Right on cue, there was a loud bark, and a large dog bounded into view. Melissa stumbled backward with a cry. The dog was almost as large as she was, with short golden fur and perky ears. It stopped before her, black eyes gazing curiously up at her.

“There’s no need to be afraid,” Dale said with a chuckle. “Leto isn’t going to harm you. She’s a good dog—obedient, loyal.”