He returned the unused supplies to the bin but didn’t stand. He offered her a sheepish grin and drew in a deep breath. “I know this is odd timing,” he said, sounding uncharacteristically unsure of himself. “But would you—”

“Tater Tot is ready to go home,” a voice announced from the doorway.

Sam straightened in one fluid motion, and Bella turned to the doctor staring at the two of them.

“Is he okay?” she asked, tightening the sash on her robe as she stood.

“He’ll be groggy for a bit, but puppies are resilient. He’ll be full of his usual energy before you know it.” Dr. Kaminski, who was new to the practice and Magnolia, smiled. “He’s a cute pup. A real sweetie.” As her attention moved from Bella to Sam, she smoothed a hand over her shiny blond hair. “Hi, Sam. I haven’t seen you around for a while. We still need to catch that movie you promised me.”

“Sure,” Sam muttered noncommittally. “Thanks for taking care of Tater, Deedra.”

Bella sighed and took a step forward. Of course the female veterinarian would know Sam. She was young and pretty and human, after all. It was as if the universe had sent Bella a reminder of why he wasn’t for her.

“Thank you, Doctor,” she said to the woman, turning away from Sam. “I’m ready to take my best boy home now.”

CHAPTER TWO

TWO DAYS LATER, at seven in the morning, Sam turned the corner onto the block where he lived, his pace even and his breath coming out in rhythmic puffs. The sky was just starting to lighten, but he’d gone for an early run when sleep had been elusive.

Before he’d joined the fire department a year and a half ago, Sam had never had trouble falling asleep. It didn’t matter if he was at home or on a buddy’s couch or in a woman’s bed—and that last was the location he preferred the most.

Something had changed since coming to Magnolia. He’d changed. His work had shown him a side of humanity that made him grow up fast. He’d first pursued the job because he liked the fast pace, the risk and the flexibility of shift work. But it was the service aspect that now meant the most to him.

Helping people in times of need humbled him, and the things he’d witnessed as part of his work deepened his commitment to the job. He wanted to earn the respect of his captains and coworkers, at least while he was on the clock. As much as he might want to some days, he couldn’t go back to the stupid lug of a happy-go-lucky guy he’d been.

Yet he also couldn’t quite let go of that persona, and keeping up appearances was a crap-ton of work.

His heart leaped in his chest as he noticed Bella in the front yard with Tater.

Just thinking about those frantic moments when he wasn’t sure his Toyota would stop before slamming into her was enough to make him break out in a cold sweat that had nothing to do with physical exertion.