Puppy love

When Holly unexpectedly keeps running into Jake at the vet’s office, the duo decide it must be fate—and soon, romance begins

- Kimberly Kirkland Absher

The first time Holly saw him, she had a squirming Maltese puppy under one arm and a purse full of puppy wipes under the other.

“Daisy, please,” she whispered, trying to keep her overexcited pup from darting across the veterinary clinic’s waiting room.

That’s when he stepped in.

“Need a hand?” His voice was warm, and when she looked up, Holly nearly dropped her purse. Tall, with kind eyes and a smile that made her stomach flip, he bent down and gently rubbed Daisy’s ears. “Looks like someone’s ready to explore.”

Holly smiled, breathless. “She’s a handful, but I sure do love her.”

He extended a hand. “I’m Jake. And this is Max.”

At his feet sat a terrier puppy with a shiny coat and a serious expression—except for the way his tail thumped happily as Daisy sniffed him. “Looks like they’re already friends,” Jake said, laughing.

“Puppy playdate fate,” Holly joked. “It’s nice to meet you. I'm Holly, by the way.”

They both chuckled, but just then the tech called her name. She gathered Daisy into her arms, gave Jake a small wave and disappeared into the exam room, already kicking herself for not saying more.

She figured she’d blown it and that would be the end of it. But the following week, there he was again—in the same waiting room, at the same time, this time with Max wrapped in a slightly chewed leash. Jake grinned. “This is getting suspicious.”