Chapter 6 M.

Everly glanced at her schedule for the day, her pen tapping absently against the desk. She'd had a Healthy Paws Veterinary Clinic for only a couple of weeks now, but it already felt like home. Her staff was amazing, and she loved the work—even on the messy days. Everly's office is a cozy yet professional space, reflecting both her love for animals and her attention to detail. A large oak desk sits against the back wall, neatly organized with patient files, a laptop, and a framed photo of her childhood dog. Shelves line one side of the room, filled with veterinary textbooks, small potted plants, and a few decorative figurines of dogs and cats.

The stainless-steel exam table sits in the middle of the room against the wall, perfect for her on one side and the patient's owner on the other side to comfort their pet. A plush armchair in the corner offers a comfortable spot for consultations, while a window lets in plenty of natural light, giving the space a warm, welcoming feel. The soft scent of lavender from a small diffuser blends with the faint, familiar scent of antiseptic, creating a balance between comfort and cleanliness. Her first appointment arrived right on time: a tabby cat named Whiskers, whose owner was nearly in tears over his sudden bout of diarrhea. It didn't take long for Everly to solve the problem.

"What have you been feeding him?" she asked gently as she examined the squirming feline.

"Well, we switched him to a new organic fish formula two days ago," the owner admitted.

Everly smiled reassuringly. "That'll do it. Cats have sensitive stomachs, and a sudden change in food can upset their digestion. Try mixing the new food with the old one gradually over a week, and it should help."

The owner sighed with relief, and after a few more instructions, Everly sent them on their way. Her second patient, a golden retriever named Benny, had a tick embedded right in the middle of his forehead. Everly carefully removed it, ensuring she got the whole thing out, then cleaned the spot and reassured Benny's owner that he'd be just fine. As she washed her hands, one of her vet techs, Morgan, walked in with a cup of coffee.

"Figured you could use this."

Everly grinned, "You're a lifesaver."

She took a sip just as the door opened for her next patient. She looked up—and nearly forgot how to swallow. Alexander. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing blue jeans and a navy sweater that made his hazel eyes stand out. In his arms, he carried his Australian shepherd, Ceaser, who had an obvious gash on his nose.

"What happened here?" Everly asked, setting down her coffee and motioning for Alexander to place Ceaser on the exam table.

"He got it in his head that he should try herding the neighbor's cats," Alexander said with a half-smile.

"They didn't take kindly to the idea." Everly chuckled, shaking her head as she gently examined the wound.

"Well, I can't blame them. Herding is in his nature, but I think the cats had other plans." Ceaser wagged his tail, seemingly unfazed by his injury. Everly cleaned and treated the gash, all the while acutely aware of Alexander watching her.

"You do good work," he said when she finished. Everly felt warmth rise in her cheeks but kept her voice even. "It's what I do."

Alexander gave her a lopsided grin as he scratched Ceaser behind the ears. "Well, I appreciate it."

She watched him go, shaking her head at herself. He was cute—no doubt about it—but this was her clinic, and she needed to stay focused. Still, as she reached for her coffee again, she found herself smiling just a little.