Page 2 of Maggie’s Match

He glanced at her as he pulled out of the school’s parking lot.

“Like, she and her family just moved to Fairplay from California. She doesn’t even know how to ride a horse.” He rolled his eyes again.

“Who doesn’t know how to ride a horse?”

“Exactly.” He chuckled. “She can’t stand dogs.”

“Who doesn’t like dogs?” she asked, adding strain to her voice for good measure.

“Exactly,” he said a little louder. He chuckled, and then they grew quiet as he drove. “How long have we known one another?” he asked suddenly.

She thought about it for a second. “Since we were born, I guess.”

“Right,” he said softly. Then he glanced over at her. “I plan on being a vet, like my dad and grandad.”

She nodded. “I know.”

“Do you still want to open your own bakery?”

She nodded. For as long as she could remember, she’d loved baking and had dreamed of owning her own place in Fairplay.

In middle school she’d started baking goods for all the bake sales. She’d even taken a few special orders for birthday parties or events. Her sugar-cookie decorating skills were the best for at least a hundred miles. Or so everyone always told her.

Every penny she’d earned from orders she’d saved so she could open up her own bakery after graduation.

“I don’t plan on sticking around town,” he added as he pulled into her driveway. She remained silent. “I have less than a year left in school before I head out to college.” He surprised her by shutting off the truck and turning towards her. “Are you going away to school?”

“I planned on taking online business classes,” she admitted. She didn’t like the faces some of her friends gave her when she mentioned that she planned on sticking around town after school. Most of her friends planned to travel or move to the city.

It was then that his eyes moved down to her lips, and her heart stopped.

“Maggie, I…” He shook his head and then totally shocked her by leaning in and kissing her.

Chapter One

Ten years later…

Rick stood in front of the clinic and sighed. He was back. Home.

This time, for good.

That sinking feeling he normally got in his gut when he returned was no longer there. Instead, the only thing he felt was guilt for having left his father to fend for himself for so long.

Luckily, his dad had been wise enough to hire Rick’s college friend Clay Dawson to help out around the veterinary clinic. But when his father had been seriously injured a few months back, he had finally retired. Partially, at any rate.

Rick doubted anything would slow Chase Graham down for too long. He’d even tried going back to work with his injuries. His mother had finally talked his dad into stepping down from the clinic in town and focusing more on the animals on Saddleback Ranch, his family’s home. And his mother had also convinced Rick to return home and take over the clinic.

Rick didn’t think the small town needed two vets, but he was thankful to get away from the city and his last employer, who had treated him like he didn’t know what he was doing. It was the first time he’d ever been treated like he was ignorant due to his age. But he was a third generation veterinarian and had started learning how to tend to animals even before he learned how to multiply.

There had been little doubt in his mind what he’d grow up to be, though he’d taken a few detours along the way. He’d briefly dreamed of being a football star, but that dream had been cut short when he tore his ACL during one of his last games in high school.

But deep down in his gut, he’d always know that he’d follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.

The only other steady thing in his life had been his feelings for Maggie.

“Don’t just stand there collecting dust,” his grandfather said, slapping his shoulder and almost knocking him over. Even though he was as old as the hills, the man was still stronger than an ox. “Head on in. It’s about time you took the reins.”

Rick smiled over at John Graham. The man had built the clinic with his bare hands back when he was Rick’s age, if you believed his stories.