“Patrick, I can’t remember if you’ve met Yun or Ava. Ava is Olivia’s sister, and I went to vet school with Yun. I gave her a tour a few months ago.”

Patrick glanced from Yun to Ava, then stared at the asphalt as he nodded. “Yes. To both.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Patrick.” Ava spoke first, and Yun chimed in in agreement.

“You as well.” After a swift nod, he added, “Good evening,” and got in his truck without another word.

“Think it’ll be weird if the owner sees us walking over?” Yun asked as they took off across the parking lot.

“A little, but he might assume we street parked,” Ava said.

They headed across the parking lot and fell into twos at the sidewalk, Ava and Olivia in front. They were of equal height, except that Ava was in two-inch heels. Olivia was in jeans and a pair of unassuming Top-Sider shoes. Ava’s walk was not without a touch of swagger, while Olivia’s reminded him of someone who was just stepping into her confidence—tall, straight, and purposeful—which he realized was one more thing about her that moved him.

By the time they were halfway across the jewelry-store parking lot, Gabe spotted an older man staring out a wide bay window. Like the shelter, the jewelry store was a brick, single-story building, but this one had a steeper peak in the roof and more windows along the front.

Yun’s right, he realized, a rush of excitement surging through his veins. He’d helped at a few big shelter events this winter that had drawn crowds that spilled off shelter property. And whenever customers had realized he was the shelter’s primary vet, they’d asked for his contact information. He could only imagine how much new business he and Yun could get if they were right next door.

They stepped through polished double-glass doors into the main showroom, which was lined with cases of jewelry.

“Olivia and Gabe, this is Mr. Bouchard,” Ava said. “Thanks for letting everyone have a second look around today. Lots to think about, as I’m sure you know.”

At best guess, Mr. Bouchard was nearing seventy, though there was a cloudiness in his gaze and an ashiness to his skin tone and that didn’t do him any favors. He was lean, had once been tall but was now stooped across the upper back and shoulders, and had a thick magnifying headband resting atop his head.

Gabe shook his hand.

Ava clapped her hands against her thighs. “So, if you don’t mind, we’ll leave you to your work, and we’ll have a look around.”

“As you wish. I have security cameras in every room.”