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or we couldn’t have managed on our own.”
    After parking the SUV once again near the cottage, the lithe Caroline handed several empty plastic buckets to Izzie. “Would you be so kind as to fill these for me, Izz?”
    He folded his arms across his T-shirt. “And you’re welcome.”
    She tilted her head. “For what?”
    He propped his hip against the open tailgate and nudged his chin at the turtle in the pool.
    â€œOh...” She shrugged. “I’m sure I would’ve somehow managed without you, but—”
    â€œIs that your idea of a thank you?” He grinned. “Not really a people person, are you?”
    She blushed a lovely shade of rose. “I’m better with animals. I spend most of my time with them. People are too...”
    â€œComplicated?”
    Her gaze shot to his. “More entangling than a fisherman’s net.”
    Message sent and received. Like a warning shot fired across the bow. This woman wasn’t looking for relationships.
    Good thing he wasn’t either. In his case, the burned child dreaded the fire. He found himself—against his better judgment—curious about what lay behind the beautiful vet’s aversion to relationships, though.
    Not any of my business.
    Izzie hurried from the house. One bucket clasped in both hands, she sloshed water over the rim and onto her bare toes.
    The turtle lady might not be his business, but Izzie was. He’d never seen Izzie attach herself to anyone like this female veterinarian. And frankly, the idea of Izzie forming an attachment to the prickly vet disturbed Weston.
    On a profound level, to a degree, Weston wasn’t sure he wanted to explore. He had Izzie’s well-being to consider. It was her fragile heart he was thinking about.
    Wasn’t it?
    Proud as if she’d single-handedly saved the free world, Izzie transferred the now half-empty bucket to the vet.
    She smiled at his daughter. “Thank you, Izzie. You’re such a big help.”
    Izzie took off at a run. “I’ll bring the other bucket, Caroline,” she called over her shoulder.
    He straightened. “Let me—”
    â€œI got it, Daddy. I’m not a baby.” His daughter never broke her stride.
    Caroline poured the contents over the turtle’s carapace and into the pool.
    â€œWill you take the turtle to the aquarium across the bay to Virginia Beach or up to Ocean City in Maryland?”
    â€œNeither.” Caroline gave the turtle’s shell a small pat. “Fortunately for this injured lady, we’re headed to the new aquatic rehab center I’m establishing in Wachapreague for the summer.”
    Izzie sloshed forward in time to hear Caroline’s last remarks. “Yay! You’ll be here the whole summer?” Bucket clutched at chest level, she bounced on her toes.
    He and Caroline stepped back. But not soon enough. Water doused the tailgate and puddled at his and Caroline’s feet.
    Weston seized the bucket before further damage ensued. “Izzie... Be careful.”
    Izzie’s lower lip quivered. “I’m sorry. I was trying to help.”
    â€œYou are the best helper I’ve had in ages.” Caroline placed her palm on Izzie’s head for a millisecond before taking the bucket from him. “A little water never hurt anyone. Kind of refreshing in this early heat wave.”
    Izzie danced on the tips of her toes again. “So you’ll be here the whole summer?”
    Caroline concentrated on filling the kiddy pool. “Most of it.”
    Weston’s stomach did a curious, roiling dive. A sliver of stupid anticipation coupled with a whole lot of fear. Not his business, he reminded himself.
    â€œHow’s Turtle Mama?” Izzie scrambled onto the bed of the truck. The truck rocked. Caroline wobbled.
    â€œCareful, Monkey Girl...” His hand cupped Caroline’s elbow to steady her.
    The lady vet’s eyes cut from his hand