Page 7 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Bear

As she walked, she looked down at the ruby ring gleaming on her ring finger. It was the ring Cal had given her when he proposed to her. Why she’d kept it over the years—and still wore it—she wasn’t entirely sure. But it had kept most men at bay. She hadn’t dated anyone in the last ten years, in part because she’d dreaded the possibility of ending up with another shifter.

Maybe it was for the best that she didn’t work at the sanctuary. The last thing she needed was a furious ex breathing down her neck. Working with Cal would be awkward, among other things, and she certainly wasn’t looking forward to bumping into him in empty corridors or dark rooms.

If she weren’t still attracted to him, maybe that wouldn’t be a problem. But, if anything, Cal had gotten even more attractive. If she closed her eyes, she could still remember his thick arms, that broad chest...not to mention how tight his jeans had been around his—

Yeah, it was definitely for the best. If she ended up working with him, she’d have ended up jumping his bones.

Even so...thinking about him now, she felt a pang of emotion in her chest. Until today, she hadn’t realized how terribly she’d missed him.

With some difficulty, she managed to push the thought of Cal out of her mind. Right now, she needed to figure out a plan. If she was going to remain in Sylva, she needed to find some other job. But where to start l? A diner? She’d worked as a waitress before, but she doubted there were any vacancies. Besides, she’d be earning much less than she was used to.

Maybe you should’ve secured a job here before buying a house, said a voice in her head.

She dismissed it and continued to walk home, slowing down only once she’d reached her block. She was nearing her house when she heard a repeated banging. Just across the street, a man stood hammering a sign onto his front lawn.

Is he selling his house? she wondered.

He wasn’t. The sign read: ANIMAL CARETAKER NEEDED.

“Today just might be your lucky day, Melissa,” she muttered, her stomach fluttering with excitement.

Without a second’s hesitation, she crossed the street. The man straightened as she approached, his graying brows knitting together in a slight frown. He was only slightly taller than she was, with a thin, wiry frame. Impressive for a man that looked to be in his fifties at least. He was balding, his thick beard more gray than black. Deep brown eyes appraised Melissa as she stepped onto the sidewalk.

“Hi,” she said politely, brushing her bangs out of her face. “You’re looking for an animal caretaker?”

“That’s what the sign says,” the man replied, though not unkindly. He gave her another once-over. “You think you’re a good fit for this job? Could be a lot of work.”

“I’m a vet,” Melissa explained.

The man’s eyebrows rose almost to where his hairline should have been. “You bullshittin’ me? Where’d you serve? Iraq? Nam?”

She almost burst out laughing at his response. “No, I mean I’m a veterinarian. I treat animals. I’m sure I can take care of yours.” Hopefully it’s for a decent wage, she neglected to add. “I’m good at looking after animals.”

He regarded her for what felt longer than a minute. Then he extended a hand. “You’re hired. Come by tomorrow morning, and I’ll show you the ropes, Miss...?”

“Doctor.” She shook his hand, noting his strong grip. “I’m Dr. Melissa Kinley.”

He nodded. “Name’s Dale McClinton. Guess I’ll have to start removing this sign. Almost broke my damn back trying to set it up.”

Judging from his appearance and the way he talked, Melissa guessed he was ex-military. She noticed a jagged scar running down the side of his face. Was that from a fight or an accident? It didn’t look very recent.

Not that it was her business anyway. She just got a job. Things were already looking up.

Chapter Three

“Maybe You’re a Magnet for Waitresses”

“Are you out of your damn mind?”

Cal ignored Bryon, staring in the direction Melissa had headed. She’d left minutes ago, but he could still feel her presence, as though she was standing right before him. He sucked in a breath, his heart thumping as he inhaled her lingering scent.

He hadn’t imagined any of it. She really had been here. Melissa had stood on this porch just minutes ago.

Bryon tapped him on the shoulder, glaring at him. “Hey, want to tell us why you just sent our vet away?”

Right. Cal let out a sigh, turning to face his friends. Maybe he’d overreacted a bit. Then again, had he? At the time, sending her away had seemed like an appropriate reaction to seeing the woman who’d abandoned him on the day of his wedding.

You know everything about me, and you still chose me. His wedding vows from ten years ago were still vivid in his memory. Thinking about them now, he felt foolish. She hadn’t chosen him. The second she found out everything about him, the second he’d revealed himself to her as a shifter, she’d discarded him like the four years of their relationship had meant nothing.