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him.
    “All of this,” she whispered. She tipped her face back to look at him, and all he could think about was tasting those sweet lips of hers, right here in the middle of the vet’s office. “Meeting you, yesterday, seeing you at the river, now this. It’s like…”
    He knew what she was going to say, but he wasn’t going to finish her sentence, and neither was she. He wasn’t overly sure he believed in that four letter word, but if he ever had, it might be right now.
    “I’m sorry if I overstepped, yesterday and now. I can’t take seeing a beautiful woman upset.”
    She smiled, a breathtaking, oxygen-sucking smile, her hand still on his forearm. “Thank you. This is the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a really long time. And this looks just like Max. He has quite a personality on him.”
    “He’s awake?” Just like that, the tension in the room lifted. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or upset.
    “He had a good night, and was looking for some food this morning when I got here. He didn’t attempt to get up, which is good, but he did put his big head on my arm and look up at me with those big, brown puppy dog eyes.”
    Brant laughed. “That’s Max! I told you he knew a beautiful woman when he saw one.”
    A blush crept over her cheeks and she looked away. “Would you like to see him?” Brant nodded, and she put the stuffed animal and box back on the counter, leading him to the rear of the office.
    As they approached Max’s kennel, Max lifted his head and saw Brant. His eyes roved back and forth between Brant and Lacey, settling on her. I don’t blame you, man , Brant thought. I’d stare at her over me, too . Lacey opened the door and Max licked her hand, making her giggle.
    “Max, you dirty dog, licking the girls,” Brant teased. He leaned over and ruffled the dog’s fur on his head. “I see you aren’t going to let a broken leg keep you down. I’m so glad you’re okay, man. You sure scared the shit out of me.”
    Max nuzzled him, and Brant fought the emotions that had been swirling in him since yesterday. “You’re a good boy, Max. You have to rest up and then we can go home.” He turned to Lacey. “Is he in pain?”
    “We’re keeping him on a pain killer and an antibiotic,” she said, indicating his IV. “He’s being a really good boy, not messing with his leg or his IV. As long as it stays that way, he gets a lot better pain management through IV. Once he goes home, he will take pills.”
    “No sign of infection?”
    She shook her head, making the scent of her shampoo waft into his nostrils. “Not yet, but that’s why we will keep monitoring him.”
    “He was lucky,” Dr. Jenkins appeared behind them. “He’ll be good as new in a few weeks.” He leaned down and stroked Max’s head, glancing over him as he did. “You just have to stay out of the road, fella. That’s not a good place for you.”
    “Can I stay and visit with him for a bit?” Brant asked.
    Lacey looked at Dr. Jenkins. “Sure,” he answered. “We have a slow day today. I have a few patients right now, so as long as you sit here, you can stay as long as you would like.”
    Brant nodded, looking out of the corner of his eye at Lacey. He wondered if he could push his luck and ask her out to lunch. He’d wait until Dr. Jenkins walked away. “Thank you, doctor.”
    Lacey moved a few steps away but didn’t leave altogether. He watched her check on a few other dogs, cats, and even a rabbit that were also recovering in the kennels. Even Max was watching her, and that made Brant chuckle out loud before he realized it.
    She turned back to both of them. “What’s funny?”
    “If Max could talk, he’d so be asking you out right now,” Brant teased, indicating the big dog’s eyes following her everywhere.
    Lacey laughed, moving closer again and petting Max’s head, running her hands along his jowls like he liked. “Is that so?”
    Brant nodded. “But, since he can’t, maybe his owner can get