They could all hang out together... But then what happened at the end of the evening? Would Cassie be pissed if she spent the nights having sleepovers with her brother? Now that she’d broken her foot, she could probably use Erika’s help a little more—walking Diva, helping her get up and down the stairs...

Securing Diva’s leash, she zipped her coat higher as they headed right on Main Street.

Despite her exhaustion, the cool early morning air felt refreshing. She forced several deep breaths, replaying the events of the day before in her mind. Most of the rescue was a blur. She knew she’d done the right thing and she was glad she’d been there, but looking back on her actions, they surprised her. Not her emergency actions on the mountain as much as how she’d reacted at the hospital. For the first time, accepting thanks from a family member and checking on her patient hadn’t made her feel uncomfortable. Giving them the reassurance that he was going to be okay had made her feel almost as good as saving his life had. The doctors had all congratulated her and thanked her for her quick thinking and clean work and she’d been there when they’d taken Tom in for spinal surgery that morning.

Dr. Smyth had said he was going to be okay. His recovery might take a while but he was alive and would be home with his family for Christmas.

She’d still requested a call from Dr. Smyth once Tom was out and in recovery. Leaving the hospital that morning had been tough. Getting close to a patient and his family was new to her. But she’d seen the value in it the night before. Her ability to comfort his wife had seemed to make all the difference for the woman.

Late morning cast a warm glow over the quiet village. The stores weren’t open yet and the lights from the streetlamps flickered off one by one as she walked along the street. Diva stopped to pee once and seemed eager to return to Cassie’s, tugging the leash back in that direction after only a few blocks.

“You missed her, huh?” she asked the dog.

Diva wagged her tail in response.

“Fine. We will go back...but if we interrupt something, it’s your fault,” she told the dog.

Great. Now even she was talking to the animal. A cute, adorable animal that she’d actually started to get used to. Liked, even.

Maybe she should get a dog. Something to keep her company. Someone to look forward to seeing after a long day...

She sighed, knowing she could never do it.

It wouldn’t be fair to the dog.