.

      As if he had time for that. Building his business, making amends with his brother and dealing with Taylor took up every minute—and then some.

      She probably had a boyfriend, anyway. A beautiful woman like her would.

      But if she didn’t?

      Seth didn’t exactly have a good track record with women. With relationships, period. He wasn’t about to wreck Taylor’s community-service experience by getting involved with the woman who’d hired her. Because if he and Emily did get involved, it wouldn’t last. It never did.

      He was almost at The Wagging Tail. Pushing his wayward thoughts aside, he signaled, slowed and turned into the driveway.

      * * *

      STANDING AT HER kitchen window Friday morning, which was directly above the shelter and faced the front door, Emily peered anxiously through the curtains. The dog that had arrived last night was skin and bones, with what looked like a bad case of mange, and she was anxious for Seth to check her out and put her on the road to a clean bill of health. He was due at eight, a few minutes from now.

      Emily didn’t usually start the coffee downstairs until closer to nine, but today she went down and started it early, in case Seth wanted a cup. Then she returned to her apartment to make her lunch.

      She was sliding her sandwich into a plastic bag when she heard a truck trundle up the driveway. Right on time. When she peered out the window, Seth’s dark green pickup was braking to a stop. He didn’t glance up, giving her the opportunity to study him openly. In loose, slightly faded jeans, cowboy boots and a long-sleeved blue twill shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders, he looked good. Really good.

      Her heart lifted, and not just because she needed his veterinary skills. He pulled a medical bag and a lab coat from the truck.

      For the second time in thirty minutes, she hurried down the stairs, answering the door before he knocked.

      Seth looked surprised, his startling, silvery-blue eyes widening. “Am I late?”

      Emily’s cheeks warmed. She wasn’t sure why she was blushing. Maybe it was the intensity of his expression. “You’re right on time,” she said. “It’s just...I’m anxious about this dog. Thanks for making us your first appointment of the day.”

      “This time fits easiest with my schedule.”

      “Would you like some coffee?”

      “No, thanks. Let’s take a look at the new arrival.”

      Leaving the door unlocked for Mrs. Oakes, Emily headed with Seth for the quarantine hut.

      “Tell me about her,” he said on the way.

      “She’s a mixed breed, about the size of a retriever, with thick fur. She has mange.”

      He nodded. “Where did she come from? Did you check for a microchip?”

      “Two of my volunteers found her wandering along Ames River. She’s pretty scared and full of fight, but working together, they were able to get her into their truck and bring her here. We didn’t find a tag or microchip, but just in case, we’re posting Lost Dog signs all over the area.” Emily didn’t expect a response. “I’m pretty sure she’s been abandoned, and by the looks of her, she’s been on her own for a while.”

      “Has she had any water or eaten anything since you took her in?” Seth asked.

      “Water and a little food last night, and again about an hour ago.” Emily had slipped a long-handled spatula through the food gate to deliver this morning’s nourishment. “Her belly is distended, and I know that feeding her too much, too quickly, could cause her intestines to twist.”

      “Right.” Seth looked impressed. “Is your friend who bathes the dogs coming in this week?”

      Emily shook her head. “I’ll be doing the job myself, after you check her over.”

      In the small quarantine hut, Seth looked even bigger. He donned the lab coat, probably to protect his clothing. As they approached the animal, she scrambled to the back corner of the cage, growling and baring her teeth. Emily hated that the dog was afraid. No, she wasn’t just afraid, she was terrified. Her thick coat was matted, with an ugly bald patch on one side. It hurt to look at her.

      “Stay back here,” Seth ordered under his breath.

      Emily nodded and he slowly neared the cage, with his eyes lowered and his body turned sideways to minimize any perceived threat to the animal.

      “Hey, there, girl,” he murmured in a deep, friendly voice that flowed over Emily and took all her worries away. The man could make a fortune using that voice as a relaxation specialist.

      When the dog continued to growl and bare her teeth, Seth froze, but continued to speak softly and without any trace of fear. Long minutes later, the growling stopped and the dog dropped her threatening stance. Seth carefully extended his arm so that his hand almost touched the cage, with his knuckles facing the canine. All the while, he continued to talk to her. After a long time, she inched closer and sniffed him through the wire.

      When that seemed to go well, Seth calmly extracted a dog biscuit from his lab coat pocket and dropped it through the bars. The hungry female snatched the treat and inhaled it.

      “Good girl,” he crooned.

      Oh, that voice. As seductive and rich as dark chocolate, it washed over Emily. The dog wasn’t nearly as enamored, but she did seem less wary.

      “You’re really good with her,” Emily said in a low voice that wouldn’t upset the animal. “Do you want to muzzle her during the exam?”

      “I think I’d better.”

      Emily pulled the device from a shelf against the wall and handed it to Seth. After donning protective gloves, he unlatched the cage door. Before the canine knew what he was up to, he’d slipped the muzzle over her mouth and fastened the straps. She didn’t like that at all, but Seth continued to speak in a reassuring voice. When she calmed a little, he brought her out.

      Emily was impressed. She slipped into the smock she kept on a hook, and pulled on rubber gloves. While Seth examined the dog and administered the needed vaccines, she cleaned the cage, replaced the dirty bedding and filled the bowl with fresh water.

      Then she joined Seth at the exam table.

      “She’s malnourished, but seems to be in reasonably good health, considering. It’s obvious that she’s had pups, but I’m not sure if she’s been spayed. Can you hold her while I shave her belly and check for a scar?”

      Emily nodded. She held tightly to the dog while Seth did what he needed to. The poor thing was shivering with fear.

      All the while, Seth spoke reassuringly. “You’ve been spayed and that’s real good. Emily, keep hold of her while I can check her teeth and gums.”

      While Emily continued to restrain the animal, Seth removed the muzzle. “We won’t get the test results until Monday or Tuesday,” he said as he worked. “Meanwhile, I want you to give her an antiparasitic medication for the mange. I have enough for two doses with me, and a sample vial of a flea shampoo that will help with her secondary skin infection. You’ll need more of both. When we finish here, tell me which pharmacy you use and I’ll phone in the prescriptions.”

      “How long should I keep her in quarantine?” Emily asked.

      “Mange can be contagious, so keep her away from the others until it clears up. That could take a while. Hold tight to her a little longer.”

      He rifled through his medical bag until he found what he was looking for. “Hide this pill in some wet dog food, and it should go down easy. Let’s get her bathed.”

      “That’s not part of your job description,” Emily said. “Besides, I’m a pro. I’ve been bathing dogs for ages.”

      “I don’t doubt