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“Of course. How are things going with Graham, by the way?”

Now that was something I was happy to talk about. “Good. Really good.”

“That's wonderful.” Glenda tilted her head and looked me straight in the eye. “I’m so glad he's not like my ex-boyfriend. Rob was so possessive and controlling, always wanting to know where I was, who I was with.” She shuddered, and I watched her expression fill with pain, but then she shook her head, as if she were trying to shake off her melancholy mood. “Actually,” she started slowly, “men like Rob can be dangerous, you know?” she said in a soft and nervous voice.

My stomach twisted. “Thank God Graham's nothing like that. As for Rob, I say it was a good day when you two broke up.”

“You can say that again, sister.” Ava grinned. “Men like that are the worst.”

Glenda glanced around and gave a shaky smile to the three of us. “Well, thanks for the advice about her food. You three are the best.”

“Anytime,” Roxie replied.

Glenda headed for the door, then turned back with a brighter smile. “Don't forget about that girls' night, Joy. We have so much to catch up on.”

“I won’t,” I assured her. I watched her leave, then picked up my purse and headed toward the back. “I'm going to check on our overnight patients.”

The familiar sounds and smells of the kennel area wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Three dogs were recovering from routine surgeries, and two cats were being treated for upper respiratory infections. This was my favorite part of the job, the hands-on care that made me feel useful.

I started with the golden retriever mix who'd been spayed yesterday. She lifted her head when I approached her kennel, her tail giving a tentative wag.

“Hey there, beautiful.” I opened the kennel door and sat down beside her. “How are you feeling this morning?”

She nuzzled against my hand, and I carefully checked her incision site. Everything looked good. No signs of infection or excessive swelling.

“You're going to be just fine,” I murmured, scratching behind her ears. “Your family's going to be so happy to take you home tomorrow.”

My phone buzzed with an incoming call. Graham's name on the screen made my heart skip a beat.

“Hey,” I answered, unable to keep the smile out of my voice.

“Hey yourself. How's your first day on the day shift going?”

The warmth in his voice melted something inside me. “Good. Really good. The morning light makes everything feel different, more hopeful somehow.”

“I'm glad. Any word from our friend?”

The happiness drained out of me. “No. Nothing since the texts the day before yesterday.”

“That's good. Maybe he's moved on.”

I wanted to believe that, but something in my gut told me this wasn't over. “Maybe.”

“Hey.” Graham's voice gentled. “We're going to figure this out, okay? You're safe.”

“I know.” And I did know. With Graham, I felt safer than I had in years. “What time are you coming home tonight?”

“Around five. I've got a few people coming over when I meet with your dad and brothers.”

My stomach clenched. “Graham, you don't need backup for a meeting with my dad and brothers.”

“Trust me, Doll. I do.” He chuckled, but I could hear the underlying tension. “Your brother Seth sounded like he was ready to come over and beat my ass just for existing.”

“He's protective.”

“I can handle protective. It's the homicidal rage I'm concerned about.” I could see Graham’s grin in my mind’s eye.

Despite my nerves, I laughed. “They're going to love you once they get to know you.”