Saving lives is who they are

Risking his life for others is all in a day’s work for Coast Guard petty officer Jay Johnston. Until he comes to the rescue of Mia Frasier after her small plane goes down. Maybe it’s because the empathetic blue-eyed vet wants to save the world just as passionately as Jay wants to create a safe haven for his five younger siblings, but there’s no denying their bond. Despite his growing feelings for Mia, a romantic relationship isn’t on Jay’s radar. How can two people always on the move stay in one place long enough to create a family of their own?

“My life is very complicated, Mia.”

“Because of your family situation?”

Jay squeezed his eyes shut, but not before Mia saw the flash of pain. When he opened them again, she felt a hitch in her chest. There was so much raw emotion there—pain, regret and a sadness that made her own heart ache. He searched her face. “I can’t be what you need.”

“How do you know what I need?” she managed to say.

A sad smile played on his lips. “As much as I’d love to find out, I’m not the man to give it to you, to give you anything.”

“Jay, I’m not asking you for anything.”

He lowered his gaze to her lips. “This is such a bad idea,” he whispered.

“I know. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

“We’re going to anyway, though, aren’t we.”

It wasn’t a question, she realized, and knew he was right.

Dear Reader,

Like a lot of you out there, I’m an animal lover. I’ve always had pets: cats, dogs, bunnies, gerbils, hamsters, fish, goats. I spent a good portion of my childhood thinking I would be a veterinarian when I grew up. I held on to this dream until the day my cat “introduced” himself to my gerbil and I realized that I wouldn’t be able to save them all. Fortunately, there are those selfless and insightful people out there who understand that being a veterinarian isn’t all about them—it’s about saving or comforting an injured or ill critter in whatever way they can.

Heroine and veterinarian Mia Frasier is this kind of person. She sees the bigger picture and she wants to make a difference, to leave the world a better place. Maybe a little too much sometimes.

A chaotic upbringing combined with years of supplying financial support to his younger siblings have left Jay Johnston focused on his family and confident that he can provide. But when his teenage brother and sister come to live with him, he soon finds life spiraling out of his control. Jay needs help. Mia knows he needs help. It’s a tricky thing, though—help. It’s not easy to ask for, it’s difficult to admit that you need it, and offering it can often cause problems, too. Thankfully, an orphaned dog, a hellish tomcat and two troubled teens get Jay and Mia to finally learn to meet in the middle.

Thanks so much for reading!

Carol

Summer at the Shore

Carol Ross

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CAROL ROSS lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two dogs. She is a graduate of Washington State University. When not writing, or thinking about writing, she enjoys reading, running, hiking, skiing, traveling and making plans for the next adventure to subject her sometimes reluctant but always fun-loving family to. Carol can be contacted at www.carolrossauthor.com.

For Dr. Katie, to whom I owe a giant debt of gratitude. Not just for meeting with me and answering all of my crazy questions, but especially for taking such wonderful care of our precious fur-babies for all of these years. Your kindness, compassion and generosity are so inspiring. Thank you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

WHOEVER SAID THAT your life flashes before your eyes right before you die must not have gone down in a plane crash. Because all Mia Frasier could think about was the life she hadn’t yet lived. She glanced out the window at the brilliant blue sky and the sparkle of the sun reflecting off the Pacific Ocean below. It seemed wrong somehow to die when it was so gorgeous outside. The plane argued with a wild dip. She gritted her teeth as her stomach mimicked the action.

At this point she supposed some people might close their eyes and sit back, count their blessings, resign themselves to the inevitable, pray, make their peace, or whatever you call it when you give up and accept the inevitable end. Not Mia.

She had plans, things to accomplish before her time was up. Not huge news-making achievements; she didn’t need the Nobel Peace Prize or anything. But she did want to make a difference in this world before she left it. She wanted to save some cats. Lucky Cats, her stray and feral cat reduction program, hadn’t even gotten off the ground yet. And kids. She really wanted a family. A husband was right up there on the list, too. And a home. Not just a house either, but a home like she’d never had. One filled with that husband and kids, a couple dogs, and a bunch of rescued cats... Was this all too much to ask for? She didn’t think so, because as it was she’d barely had a chance to enjoy her life, the life she was finally building in Pacific Cove.

It had only been a few months since Dr. Anthony made her a partner in his already-established veterinary practice. Not only was the position the opportunity of a lifetime and a dream come true, Dr. Anthony needed her. His wife, Sara, and precious daughter, McKenzie, needed her. She couldn’t let him down by dying now. Not to mention all the animals who needed her help. Which reminded her of George. Her rescued bloodhound-mastiff mix could make the promo reel for the prevention of animal abuse. Sure, he was a bit of a handful. His massive size combined with his penchant for eating inedible non-food items made him more like two hands full. She’d only recently convinced him the furniture legs were off-limits. Who would take care of George with both her and her mom gone?

Mom. She loved her mom, Nora, so much. And finally, her mom was living the life she deserved, too. Doing all the things she hadn’t been able to do when Mia’s dad was alive. She glanced over at the seat next to her where her mom was gazing tranquilly out the side window as if they were on a sightseeing jaunt and not plummeting to their deaths. Even when Captain Shear had told them to make sure their seat belts were fastened good and tight, her mom had remained calm. Typical Nora Frasier: cheerful in the face of any adversity. Not even death scared her. Mia was pretty sure there wasn’t anything the woman was afraid of.

Her mom must have sensed her fear, though, because she turned her head at that moment. Reaching for Mia’s hand, she said, “I love you, honey.” She couldn’t really hear the words over the rumble and desperate sputtering of the plane’s engine, but as she’d heard them from her mother nearly every day of her life, she knew the words when she saw them crossing her lips. They were finally together and living in the same town with no plans to ever move again. She’d thought that would mean years and years of being happy and settled. Mia felt a fresh wave of panic; they needed more time.

“I love you, too, Mom,” she called out, managing a shaky smile as she proceeded to watch the final seconds of her paltry existence on this planet pass by the tiny airplane window.

She braced herself as the plane hit the surface of the ocean with a thunderous crash. Her body lurched forward, then back and sideways, her head smacking against the side window with a loud crack. Cool air rushed in around her. Not at all like the smooth-as-glass lakes she’d landed on in her previous floatplane experiences.

Of course, this wasn’t a floatplane or a lake. A fact she was immediately reminded of as the ocean proceeded to assault the little plane. Wave after wave rolled into them, some battering the cabin and leaving the windows covered with drips of seawater and bits of foam. The fuselage groaned in response. Water was seeping in through the cracked window beside her. Droplets ran down her forehead, which struck her as odd because there didn’t seem to be that much water getting inside. She reached up and swiped it away. Blood. A quick probing told her the wound was barely more than a scratch. No other injuries that she could feel or see.

And she was alive. Alive! As in not dead. Hope roared to life inside her.

“Mom!” she cried. “We’re alive.” She turned to find her mom slumped over in her seat. “Oh, please no...”

She shouted this time, “Mom?” No response. Terror flamed inside her again as she unbuckled her seat belt with shaking hands. Crouching between the seats, she felt her mom’s wrist for a pulse—weak, but there. She couldn’t see any visible signs of trauma, but as a doctor herself, she knew that often the worst injuries were the ones you couldn’t immediately recognize.

She realized then that she’d been expecting the pilot to turn and say something, give them some kind of instructions, until she realized there was no movement from the cockpit, either. Did you call it a cockpit in a plane this small? As the plane pitched and rolled violently in the waves, she stumbled her way to the pilot’s seat, praying he’d survived the impact. She reached over and searched for a pulse on his neck. Strong. Good. There was a lot of blood, though. She spotted a laceration on his forehead. Head wounds bleed a lot, so that could explain it. A soft moan escaped his lips when she touched the area to examine it. Even better.

Dropping to her hands and knees, she crawled toward the side of the plane to the emergency compartment. Even though he’d only carried two passengers this morning, Captain Shear hadn’t neglected to give them a preflight safety chat. Hard to believe it had only been a few short hours since they’d taken off from Pacific Cove that morning. They’d flown up the coast to tiny Windsor Island in Washington’s Puget Sound, where Mia had helped a pregnant mare in distress deliver a healthy foal. They’d only been a few miles from home when the plane’s engine stalled and then continued to falter. Within seconds, Captain Shear had placed the Mayday call that they were going down.

Along with the first-aid kit and life jackets, she was relieved to find an inflatable raft. Slipping a life jacket on, she set two others aside. As she gathered what supplies she needed, she tried to figure out how she was going to load two unconscious people into a life raft. Because surely the plane would begin sinking soon? It was already tilting to one side. There was no way she was going to be able to stabilize any spines; she’d have to take her chances. Using a gauze pad, she wiped at her head and slapped a large bandage on it. She wasn’t concerned about the wound, but she needed to keep the blood from dripping into her eyes so she could see and then somehow get them all out of here. No way was she going to survive a plane crash only to drown in this freezing cold ocean. Fate had given her this chance and she wasn’t going to waste it.

On her way back to the captain, she stopped to check her mom’s pulse again. No change. By the time she got back to Captain Shear he was coming around, mumbling incoherently.

“Captain Shear? Russell? Can you hear me?”

Holding a sterile pad to his head to slow the bleeding, she continued talking to him.

“We’re alive.” His voice was a hoarse whisper, but Mia was relieved by the sound.

“Yes! We are, thanks to your excellent piloting skills.”

“How’s Nora?”

“She’s alive but unconscious.” She had already liked what she knew of this man, but his questioning the condition of his passengers while in his current state solidified those feelings and then some.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine. Tiny cut on my head.” She managed a small smile as she wrapped his head wound and secured it with some tape.

“How am I?” He winced as he asked, and she could tell he was in serious pain.

“My earlier cursory exam suggested you have a broken clavicle and arm, and possibly a fractured leg.”

“That’s why I can’t move it. I was afraid I was paralyzed.”

“That’s right,” she said, although she had no idea if it was the truth. She didn’t know if he was talking about his arm or leg, and she didn’t ask. The fact was, he could be paralyzed, but she certainly wasn’t going to tell him that.

He tipped his chin up, eyes focused on the ceiling. “I hear them. Do you hear that?”

Oh no, she thought, was she losing him? “What do you hear, Captain?”

“It’s all good.” His lips curved up into a smile as his head lolled to one side. “We’ll be fine now. We’ll all be fine...” His lashes drooped to cover his eyes, but the remnants of his smile lingered.

Mia went still, holding her breath and concentrating on the sounds around her. She couldn’t hear anything but the incessant pounding of the ocean’s waves against the plane, the groaning and grinding sound of twisted metal. Terror made her heart race. Maybe he’d hit his head harder than she knew... She reached out to check his pulse again.

His eyelids popped open. “I’m not losing my marbles, Dr. Frasier.” He added a chuckle. “Coast Guard helicopter. Go check on your mom. We’ll be out of here before you know it.”

* * *

PETTY OFFICER JAY JOHNSTON of Coast Guard Air Station Astoria was elbow-deep in a pile of chopped onions when the emergency call came in. Making chili wasn’t part of a flight mechanic’s normal duties, but it had sort of become one of his. His upbringing had ensured that he knew how to cook for a crowd and on a budget, which is how he often ended up here in the kitchen. An earlier transmission from an airplane en route to Pacific Cove had reported engine trouble. The second and last communication had just confirmed that the plane was going down.

Abandoning the chili pot, he hurried into his flight suit, grabbed his gear and ran to the Jayhawk helicopter. He was the first one there, but his teammate and friend Aubrey Wynn, the rescue swimmer on duty, was close behind him. Seconds later they were joined by Lieutenant Commander Holmes, the pilot, and Lieutenant Reeves, the copilot.

Within minutes the team was taking off, heading toward the last known coordinates for the plane. They discussed the possible locations of the fuselage.

“I know Captain Shear,” Jay said when he learned who was piloting the small fixed-wing aircraft. “Great guy. He was in the Air Force. Flew small planes and floatplanes for years in the Alaskan bush. He has skills. There’s a very strong chance he managed to land it in one piece. I think the plane could be floating down there.”

Lieutenant Commander Holmes was unsure. “There was so little time from the Mayday to the loss of communication. The chances of him managing a water landing are slim...”

On it went.

Jay glanced over at Aubrey, who was staring straight ahead. Her lips were moving, but no sound emerged, and he knew she was silently singing the words to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” over and over again. It was part of her ritual and hey, who was he to question the methods of the best rescue swimmer he’d ever had the pleasure of working beside? Jay felt confident that if there were survivors in the ocean, this crew would bring them safely on board.

As the flight mechanic, operating the hoist to lower the rescue swimmer into the water was part of his job. After locating the accident site, the RS would be attached to a cable whereupon he, along with the precision flying skills of the pilot, would lower the RS into the water or onto a ship as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sometimes the target could be as small as a few square feet. Barely enough room for a person meant there was no room for error. Jay knew he was good at his job, but that didn’t stop the rush of adrenaline before every rescue. Lives were on the line—literally.

The voice of the copilot, Reeves, broke into his thoughts. “There it is!”

His gaze locked onto the location. The plane was floating on the surface like he’d hoped. Jay smiled. If anyone was alive inside, and he felt the possibility was strong, this could make the rescue go much more smoothly.

“Jay, what do you think?” Aubrey asked. “As close as you can on the starboard side?”

“Yes.” They went over the maneuver while he prepared the cable. Aubrey removed her ICS, or onboard communications, while he slid open the door of the helo. At this point, they would rely on hand signals until she’d boarded the aircraft below. She positioned herself on the edge and within seconds he signaled to her with a tap on the chest.

Indicating she was good to go, he released the cable, hoisting her down into the ocean. He never took his eyes off her as she unhooked the cable from her harness and flashed the “swimmer away” signal. He retrieved the cable as she swam the short distance to the plane. She climbed inside while he and the rest of the crew waited for her assessment.

A short time later the communication line crackled and her voice came through: “Three survivors. One is in good shape, the other two are injured and incapacitated. I’m sending up the survivor without injury first.”

A voice sounded in the background, loud and agitated. Jay was always amazed at both the bravery and cowardice that emerged from people in the midst of life-and-death situations. He’d seen the burliest, toughest-looking men cry like babies and demand to go first, while the most fragile of women refused to be taken until everyone else was gone. He’d seen men insist that their dogs be rescued before them, while he’d witnessed others charge forward ahead of their own children.

He wondered which case they were dealing with now.

* * *

MIA APPRECIATED THE rescue swimmer’s confidence and take-charge demeanor. After climbing into the plane, she introduced herself, assessed the condition of each of them, talking to both her and Captain Shear the entire time. “Once the water reaches a certain level, the plane is going to start sinking faster. I’m calling my crew now to let them know how we’re going to proceed.” She clicked on the radio and outlined her plan, which Mia was fine with until she heard her say she was sending Mia up first.

“No!” Mia shouted. “I can’t go first. Take my mom and Captain Shear. They need medical attention. My mom is unconscious and—”

“Mia!” Aubrey interrupted firmly. “I understand your opinion. I am aware of her condition. However, if the plane starts to sink then I’ll essentially have to do three difficult rescues. Right now I have one simple rescue and two that are more challenging. We will save you all, but please don’t make my job any more difficult.”

“Oh... Right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I know you’re worried,” Aubrey assured her as she checked and tightened the straps on Mia’s life jacket. “Your mom will go up right after you.” She made her way to the door as Mia followed.

“The water is going to be really cold. Don’t worry about swimming. Relax and float. I’ll get us into position and then I’ll signal to the helicopter. They will lower a basket, I’ll help you get in and you’ll be up in the helo in a couple minutes.”

“Okay,” she said. She wasn’t worried about the water. Her dad had been an officer in the Navy and made sure she and her brother were strong swimmers. Aubrey jumped into the water and motioned for her to do the same. Mia followed, but despite her confidence and Aubrey’s warning, the cold hit her like an electric shock. Because of the life jacket, she surfaced quickly but found that she was unable to inhale a breath. She felt as if she’d been flash-frozen and her lungs shrink-wrapped in the process.

She could hear Aubrey but all she could think about was air. Gasping and croaking, it seemed an eternity before the tension in her chest finally loosened enough to inhale. Unfortunately, the feeling didn’t last; she sucked in a deep breath at the exact moment a wave rolled over her. Water invaded her lungs. Panic took hold as she thrashed around trying to figure out which way was up until finally, she realized she was floating. I’d be dead without this flotation device, she thought, coughing violently as she tried to calm down. This was so much more difficult than she’d anticipated. She thought about her brother, Kyle, who was a Navy SEAL. How did people do this? Why would they want to? But then suddenly, thankfully, Aubrey was right next to her.

“Lie back,” she instructed. She did as she was told while Aubrey took a hold of her and propelled them away from the plane.

A large metal basket hit the water in front of them.

“Let’s get you inside,” Aubrey shouted in order to be heard above the scream of the helicopter, which had moved closer and was now hovering much lower in the sky above them. The powerful force of the rotor wash took her breath away. Again.

As Aubrey helped her into the basket, she wondered how in the world this woman was going to manage to get her unconscious mother and a seriously injured Captain Shear into it? She didn’t have time to ask. Huddling into a ball as instructed, she closed her eyes as the basket lifted. Fear surged through her as cold air rushed in around her.

Next thing she knew, she was being pulled inside the helicopter. A man in an orange flight suit helped her out of the basket and told her his name was Jay. As he got her seated and dried her with a towel, he asked her name and how she was doing. He pointed at her head. Then warm fingers peeled away the bandage she’d applied.

His voice was calm and deep as he asked, “Any other injuries besides this one? That you’re aware of?”

She shook her head, trying to answer through the shivers racking her body, but was pretty sure she was incomprehensible.

He looked her over thoroughly. “This should do for now,” he said, smoothing a fresh dressing into place. He wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. Keeping one edge in each hand, he held it tight around her. “Hey,” he said, shaking it gently until she looked up. His face only inches away now, earnest hazel-green eyes locked onto hers. “We got this, okay?”

For a few seconds, she stared back, frozen with fear. The sob she’d been keeping at bay welled up, taking her by surprise. “My mom...” was all she could manage to mutter.

“Your mom is down there?”

She nodded, hot tears burning the cold flesh of her cheeks.

“Not for long. Aubrey is the best rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard. And I’m the best hoist operator. We’ve also got the best pilot and copilot working with us today. Which makes us the dream team of Coast Guard rescue.” He reached out and squeezed her cold fingers. “Mia, look at me.” She did. How could anyone refuse that gentle yet commanding voice? He seemed to ooze confidence. “I promise we will get your mom out of that airplane and we will do everything we can.” A warm feeling she recognized as hope bubbled inside her. He added an encouraging smile. She gave him another nod and he moved back toward the open door of the helicopter.

Oddly enough, his words helped. Mia noticed and appreciated that he didn’t promise that her mom would be fine. It was the same strategy she used with her patients’ families. You could never guarantee that a patient would be okay, but you could promise that you would do everything in your power to try to make it so.

He arranged the basket in the doorway, studying the scene below, his lips moving again. Even though she couldn’t hear what he was saying over the noise of the helicopter’s motor, both the concentration and competence he displayed managed to keep her calm.

After positioning the basket, he slid it out the open door. It disappeared, but within minutes it appeared again, her mom tucked safely inside. Please, please let her be alive. He easily lifted her mom’s petite form, arranging her on the litter he’d already prepared and covering her with a blanket. Looking up as Mia started to move forward, he gave her a quick thumbs-up before discouraging further movement from her with a palm up and out. Mia nodded, expelling a breath of relief as she sank back in her seat. She wanted to see for herself, but she also didn’t want to get in the way.

It wasn’t long before Captain Shear and the rescue swimmer Aubrey were on board as well. Aubrey examined the captain while Jay inserted an IV into her mom’s arm. He checked her vitals again and then Mia watched, transfixed as he sat beside her unconscious mom, holding her hand and smoothing the hair away from her face. Within minutes they were safely on the landing pad of the hospital’s roof. Mia was positive that she’d never been so grateful for another human being’s kindness in her entire life.

CHAPTER TWO

UNLIKE HIS FRIEND AUBREY, Jay wasn’t comfortable visiting survivors or their family members. He was always afraid that he was imposing. Or that the people would think he had shown up in order for them to express their gratitude. But he knew Captain Shear and, as it turned out, Aubrey knew Nora Frasier.

Nora taught yoga classes at the studio Aubrey frequented and she also worked part-time at the health food store in town where Aubrey shopped. When Aubrey said she was going to the hospital to visit both Nora and Captain Shear, it didn’t seem odd for Jay to volunteer to tag along. Visiting a friend was different. Although it would be nice to see for himself that Nora Frasier was going to be okay. For some reason, Mia Frasier’s terror-filled eyes full of concern for her mom kept flashing through his mind.

After arriving, they had a nice visit with Captain Shear, who was in high spirits after learning he was set to be released in a couple days. They spent some time talking about their Coast Guard service while he reminisced about his twenty years in the Air Force. They swapped stories until his daughter and grandkids showed up to visit.

On their way out, Aubrey asked the captain if he wanted anything. He requested ice cream. Before Jay could offer to go get it, Aubrey sent him to Nora Frasier’s room while she ran down to the cafeteria to fetch his butterscotch sundae.

Jay found Nora’s room at the end of the hall. He recognized Mia sitting in a chair beside the bed. Tapping lightly on the door frame, he felt a buzz of nerves. He hoped this wasn’t a bad time.

“Hey, Mia? Hi. Do you remember me?”

When she looked up and smiled, he was struck with the thought that if it wasn’t a bad time, then it was definitely a bad idea. Something about her, the earnest expression or the intensity in those striking blue eyes, made him want to both leave and stay at the same time. There was so much...emotion there. Outside of his family, he didn’t do emotion, especially not with women he was attracted to.

“How could I forget? Hi. Officer Johnston, right?”

“Yes, but let’s go with Jay, okay?”

“Sure. Come on in, Jay.”

“Aubrey is here with me,” he said as that awkwardness he was concerned about reared its ugly head. “She, uh, she went down to the cafeteria to get Captain Shear some ice cream.” He pointed down the hall to where he kind of wanted to go. “She’ll be here...soon.”

“Please.” She motioned with one hand. “Come in. It’s so nice of you to stop by.”

“Yeah, it’s, uh,” he muttered as he walked into the room, “it’s a thing Aubrey likes to do, visiting survivors.”

“Survivors,” she repeated with a grin. “I really like that word.”

He’d noticed she was pretty on the helicopter, but she’d also been freezing, soaking wet and terrified. Now, her black hair was dry and silky and settled around her shoulders. Her skin wasn’t nearly as pale, either. She looked tired and very beautiful.

He lowered himself onto the chair next to hers. The space was small, and it took a conscious effort not to allow his long leg to brush against hers. He had no choice but to breathe in the scent of her, which made him think of wildflowers and soft music. Soft music? Clearly, he was tired, too.

Spreading his fingers, he splayed his clammy palms over his knees and reminded himself he was a member of the United States military and a grown man. “How is your mom?”

“She’s going to be fine. No permanent damage. And she’s awake.”

His mood lightened as he looked at the peacefully sleeping woman lying on the bed next to them. Nora had her head turned toward the wall and Jay could hear the comforting sound of her soft snore. For some reason, he couldn’t resist teasing her. With a tip of his head toward the bed, he said drily, “I can see that.”

Mia looked surprised for a second and then let out a chuckle. “Well, not now... Obviously. But she woke up. Finally. This morning her eyes popped open and she asked for a green tea smoothie and a vitamin B12 shot.”

Jay grinned. “That’s so great.” He liked the way her cheeks blushed with color. Her unease somehow made his a little more bearable.

Nora stirred and murmured in her sleep, drawing both of their gazes.

He flipped a thumb toward the doorway. “Should I...? Are we going to wake her up?”

“I really don’t think so. The meds are making her really sleepy. Even though she only wants turmeric, fish oil and cannabis tincture, the doctors insist on giving her actual medication.”

He chuckled. “Aubrey knows your mom. She sounds like a character.”

“You have no idea.” She sighed and then added in a voice choked with emotion, “She’s actually really amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her...” She sniffled. “I’m so sorry. I keep doing this.” She pointed at her eyes, which were brimming with tears. “Having these little episodes. It’s embarrassing.”

“Don’t be sorry. Trauma like you lived through can be really emotional, even when it has a positive outcome.”

Tears glistened on her cheeks. She swiped them away. “I thought I had a pretty good handle on death. I’m a vet and I deal with animal deaths all the time. But when it’s your own you’re facing or someone that you love...” Her words trailed off and she exhaled a shaky breath. “I’m so grateful we’re all alive.” She surprised him by belting out a laugh. “I’m suddenly grateful for everything.” She gestured around the room. “And not the obvious stuff like hospitals and doctors and antibiotics. But like everything—paper cups, liquid soap, dry-roasted peanuts, plastic wrap, tennis shoes and... And this is kind of a weird topic, huh? I think I might be over-sharing.”

“No, it’s perfectly fine,” he said. “I understand.”

“Do you?” she asked, her expression turning earnest. She went on before he could answer, “You must. Because I’ve been thinking about you a lot. I mean...” Another blush, and Jay found himself trying not to laugh and at the same time wanting to reach out and touch her, calm her down, comfort her. That wasn’t his job at this point, he reminded himself. Under certain circumstances that might be okay, but something told him he might enjoy being close to her a little too much.

She added, “You and the rest of your crew, I mean. I’m embarrassed to admit this... My own brother is a Navy SEAL and I’ve never thought of it in this way before. I can’t believe you guys do what you do. Risking your lives all the time. On purpose. For other people. It’s so selfless and generous and brave.”

Jay shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with her gratitude, reminding him of why he didn’t like to visit survivors. “So others may live,” he said.

“What?” Her brow scrunched.

“It’s the motto for Coast Guard rescue swimmers—so others may live.”

“Oh...right. Well, that’s perfect.”

He lifted a shoulder. “It’s an honor, actually. It’s the best feeling in the world to play a part in saving someone’s life. Human life is the most precious thing on this planet.” Who was over-sharing now? he asked himself, startled by his admission. He wasn’t normally one to share anything with anyone outside of his family.

She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “I think I get that.”

“Sure, yeah, saving animals must be rewarding, too.” Her lips parted like she was going to comment, but then they stayed that way. Her eyes traveled over his face. He watched, riveted because he could almost feel the intensity radiating from her.

“It is,” she finally agreed with a little nod.

He suspected that wasn’t what she’d been about to say as her gaze flickered to his and then to her mom and back to him again. “Thank you,” she added. “For saving me—us—especially my mom.”

“You are welcome.” His gaze traveled up to her left temple. He remembered how she’d had a bloody bandage stuck there when he’d pulled her into the helo, how she’d insisted it was nothing, how scared she’d been about her mom. A rush of tenderness coursed through him and he found himself reaching toward it. “How’s your noggin?” He traced a thumb around the edge of the dressing. Yep, exactly as he’d expected, he liked the feel of her skin a little too much.

The quick intake of breath and the widening of her eyes confirmed his belief that she was feeling the chemistry between them, too. He reminded himself that on her part, some of that could be gratitude manifesting as attraction toward him. Which also meant he shouldn’t be thinking about what a striking shade of blue her eyes were and how sweet she seemed. This woman with her compassion that already had him saying more than he liked to say could only mean trouble for him.

Removing his hand, he attempted to make light of his actions. “Do I need to take a look at it? Do these doctors know what they’re doing around here?”

She laughed. “They seem competent.”

He grinned. “It’s difficult to set the job aside sometimes.”

“I understand. I offered to stitch this up myself so the doctor could go help my mom. I, um, sort of demanded it, actually. She was already being treated at the time. It’s possible I may have been a little, um, overly distraught?”

Aubrey had told him that she’d insisted her mom be taken up into the helicopter first. That was the commotion they’d heard on the radio. It was obvious this woman loved her mother. He wished he could relate. It wasn’t that he didn’t love his mom, it was just that circumstances didn’t allow him to love her in this way.

“What does your mom do?”

“She’s a retired teacher. A retired schoolteacher, that is. She still teaches, though. These days it’s yoga at Vela Studio and nutritional workshops at Clean and Green, the health food store here in town?”

“Aubrey told me that she knows your mom from yoga. She’s also been to a couple of her health workshops. I think there’s one about how bad sugar is for you?”

“Ah.” Mia nodded. “The Sweet Life, Short Life classes? All about the dangers of sugar and how to break your addiction.”

“That sounds right.” He glanced toward the door and lowered his voice. “Aubrey seriously believes sugar is toxic.”

“Mom, too. She tells me my addiction is ‘out of control.’ She’s always making these sugar-free creations. The other day it was banana muffins with this natural alternative sweetener. I tried to eat them. I did. But I just...” She shuddered. “Thankfully, my dog, George, will literally eat anything and I was able to slip a couple to him. I had to stop at Bakery-by-the-Sea on my way to work and get a maple bar to get that taste out of my mouth.”

He laughed and they discussed the glories of the bakery’s treats for a moment.

“I know what you mean about those muffins. Aubrey makes these disgusting...” He watched Mia’s lips curl into a smile that seemed to be on the verge of laughter. Then she flickered her eyes up and to the left. “Peanut butter–oatmeal–date blobs that—”

He jumped as Aubrey’s voice sounded next to his ear. “They’re called energy bites, Jay.”

Mia let out a laugh. “I tried to warn you.”

“Jeez, Wynn. I swear you’re part cat. They give me energy all right—the energy to get as far away from them as possible. Did you deliver Captain Shear his poison?”

Aubrey chuckled. “I did. Along with a gentle lecture about the healthy protein-packed benefits of a Greek yogurt and fruit parfait versus an ice cream sundae.”

“Eww,” Mia drawled. “That stuff is the texture of wallpaper paste. Sorry, but who suddenly decided gummy, dried-out yogurt was a delicious treat? What’s wrong with regular smooth and creamy yogurt?”

Aubrey peered at Mia. “Did he tell you to say that?” She glared at Jay. “Did you tell her to say that?”

Chuckling, he held his hands up, palms out. “No, I swear.” He explained to Mia, “Aubrey and I had a conversation about this very topic yesterday morning. I told her that her plain Greek yogurt tastes like glue.”

Aubrey shook her head. “You’re hopeless. Should I be concerned about the fact that you just admitted you know what glue tastes like?” Turning a sweet smile on Mia, she asked, “How’s your mom, Dr. Frasier?”

“Please, call me Mia. And she’s doing great. The doctor says she might get to come home in a day or two. Nothing broken. They’re still not sure why she was unconscious for so long.” She shrugged. “The MRI didn’t show any subdural hematoma or significant swelling. But she’s had this headache, so I don’t know...”

They visited for a while until Aubrey glanced down at her phone. “I have to get going, but I’ll stop by to see your mom again. I’m surprised we haven’t met before. Do you ever do yoga with your mom?”

“Um, occasionally. I don’t share my mom’s passion, or ability level, but I know it’s good for me so I try.”

“I love it,” Aubrey said. “Your mom is an awesome teacher. I’ve been trying for like a year to get Jay to try a class. My boyfriend has been going with me for a while now and he can’t believe how much it has enhanced his overall fitness level.”

Jay scoffed. Because the idea of Aubrey’s boyfriend, big, strong, tough guy Eli Pelletier doing yoga was funny. “Did he say that? ‘Enhancing his overall fitness level’? You know I have to give him a hard time now, right? Besides, now that he’s going with you, I figured I was off the hook.”

“Why would Eli getting into better shape preclude you from wanting to do the same?”

“See what I’m dealing with?” He shot Mia a desperate look. “This woman is relentless.”

“Well, she is right about the yoga,” Mia said, standing. “It does amazing things for your body.”

“Ha.” Aubrey slapped him on the shoulder. “See?”

Without thinking it through he said, “Since your mom teaches, maybe I’ll have to give it a try.”

Mia’s eyes sparkled. “She would love that.”

Aubrey chimed in, “I’m holding you to that.”

“I didn’t mean it, Aubrey,” he quipped. “It’s just a polite thing you say in these kinds of situations.”

Mia laughed and the sound seeped into him, further improving his mood. She had the kind of laugh that made you want to laugh, too, even if you didn’t know what was funny.

“Thank you guys so much for stopping by. Mom will be thrilled when I tell her you were here.”

Aubrey hugged her. Not for the first time, Jay marveled at Aubrey’s ability to befriend people and make them feel comfortable.

Jay managed to articulate what he thought was a suitable goodbye, and as they walked down the hall toward the elevators he wondered how big of a fool he would make of himself at yoga class. Would the humiliation be worth seeing Mia Frasier again? There had to be another way... She was a vet. Maybe he could borrow a cat? Or a dog? Aubrey’s sister, Nina, had a dog. He could offer to dog-sit and then pretend the animal wasn’t feeling well. Pointless fantasies, he reminded himself. Especially where a woman like Mia Frasier was concerned. He’d really enjoy getting to know her, which meant he needed to keep her at arm’s length.

Aubrey interrupted his musing. “Are you going to ask her out?”

Jay wasn’t surprised by the question. Now that she and Eli were together, Aubrey was on a quest to find him a partner. “I already did. We’re going to Lincoln City for the weekend. We’re going to practice yoga on the beach and watch the sunset.”

She stopped, opened her mouth, snapped it shut, chuckled, smacked him on the shoulder and took off marching again. “Funny.”

He kept walking, but let out a laugh of his own as she called him a name under her breath. “Well, seriously, Aubrey. No, I didn’t ask her out. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“You’re defensive.” With a smug look, she pulled open the door leading to the stairwell. “I know what that means.” She motioned him through. “You better be careful.”

“Careful?”

“Yes, careful. Because, despite your best efforts, one of these days a woman is going to come along and sweep you off your stubborn bachelor feet. You do know that, right? And it’s going to be someone like Mia Frasier—smart, funny, kind, beautiful, compassionate. You know she’s a vet, right? I’m talking about an animal doctor here and not a military veteran.”

“Yes, I know what she does for a living. What does that have to do with anything?”

Aubrey gave him that look she often did just before she called him dense. “She’s one of us, Jay. She’s a rescuer, a saver. It’s going to be someone like her that manages to get to you. And I, for one, cannot wait to see it happen. I know the reason you don’t get involved with women.”

He responded with his blankest stare as he wondered what she knew.

“You’re scared.”

And for a brief moment, he was. He was afraid that she’d somehow found out. Not that he was ashamed of his family necessarily. It was just...a lot to explain. And Jay didn’t like to explain. For his entire life, explanations had been met with judgments or pity or advice. This often led to “help” in some well-meaning form, most of which was usually not helpful. At all. A neglectful single mother made for a complicated and difficult childhood for him and his five younger siblings on the best of days. Add in the challenges of her mental illness and, well, it was more than most people could truly comprehend.

She went on, “I get that. I was scared, too. People like us, all type A and independent and stubborn, aren’t the best relationship material. Before Eli, I couldn’t imagine ever settling down. You don’t have me fooled, though. You don’t even give women a chance—one or two dates and you’re done. Down deep, I think you’re lonely. You need someone, and I want that for you.”

His answer was a long, slow blink. “That is so sweet,” he drawled in a syrupy tone. “So I can be like you and Eli, right? Long walks on the beach, holding hands, late-night talks. And eventually, when the time is right, some nest-building. You know, I want that, too.” He placed one hand on his chest. “So much. And I’m truly touched, Aubrey. The fact that you care about me this much—”

She punched him in the shoulder again, hard this time. “Shut up.”

“Ouch.”

“I’m telling you, I have a feeling about her.”

“Mmm-hmm,” he answered in his best unconcerned tone that didn’t at all match how he felt. Because he had some feelings, too. Aubrey was wrong about him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want a nest. He did. He just couldn’t have one. Not now, and not for a very long time to come. But Aubrey’s assessment of Mia Frasier had only confirmed his own. That’s why he could never ask her out.

* * *

“HEY, MOM,” MIA said a couple days later as she bent and kissed her mom’s cheek. Nora was propped up in her hospital bed, her sky-blue eyes twinkling, her short black hair stylishly mussed. Bright pink slippers on feet crossed at the ankles stuck out from the blanket draped across her legs. “You look fantastic.”

“Hi, honey. Thank you, I’m feeling it. Those must be my discharge papers. Doc says I get to blow this Popsicle stand today.”

“Blow this Popsicle stand?” Even though her mom had kept improving, the doctors had opted to keep her for a couple extra days for observation. They were still unsure about the cause of her prolonged unconsciousness.

“Isn’t that right, Ty?” Nora looked over at the bed beside hers. It was occupied by a teenage girl with short, spiked blue hair. A cast stretched from just below her shoulder all the way down her arm and around her hand. The pastel purple cast bore evidence of visitors via an array of scribbled signatures covering its surface.

“That’s it, Mrs. K. You’re way live now. And this Instagram pic of your brain scan is lit. I wonder if I can get a copy of my X-ray?”

“Sure you can, this is America. Freedom of information and all that.” She looked back at Mia. “Ty’s been helping me with my street lingo. We’re homes.”

“Yeah,” she drawled. “I picked up on that. That’ll come in handy with your pinochle group in Pacific Cove. But I’m not sure the Freedom of Information Act really applies to medical records.”

“Are you even kidding me? That’s messed up.”

Mia rolled her eyes. Ty giggled.

A smiling young nurse with deep dimples, a long ponytail and colorful butterflies decorating her top came in pushing a wheelchair. Her name tag read Betsy. She stopped between the two beds and swiveled her head from one patient to the other.

“Hey, Bets,” Nora asked, “wha’s up?”

The nurse gave a breezy wave. “You know—same old, same old.”

“I hear that.”

Nurse Betsy chuckled. “We sure are going to miss you around here, Nora.” To Mia, she said, “It’s rare to get patients as entertaining as your mom. And these two together—” she gestured between the roommates “—could take their act on the road.” She asked Nora, “You ready to get out of here?”

“You know it.”

Betsy helped Nora get settled in the wheelchair while Mia gathered her mom’s belongings. When they were ready, Betsy began pushing her toward the door.

“Don’t forget to give me your John Hancock on the way out.” Ty waved a purple marker. To Mia she said, “That lingo thing is working both ways. I’m going to take some vintage vocab home to my squad.”

Betsy situated the chair so Nora could comply. Ty and Betsy both stared transfixed as her mom worked her magic with an assortment of colors. Mia understood their fascination. She had seen her mom draw a million times, yet she never seemed to get enough.

“Get. Out!” the girl exclaimed as she examined Nora’s handiwork, a blue-haired girl flying through the air on a skateboard. Her arms were outstretched, an apple in one hand and a book in the other. A slice of the skate park stretched out before her.

Nora pointed to the apple and then the book. “Health and knowledge. Notice how this gal keeps her body leaning forward so she doesn’t have an epic wipeout in the bottom of the skate bowl?” Nora winked at her.

“Duly noted.” Ty grinned. “You’ve got mad skills.” She looked at Mia. “Your mom is like a real artist.”

Mia nodded, pride welling inside her. “I know.” She loved seeing her mom using her skills. Since they’d moved to Pacific Cove, she’d been doing so more and more. It filled Nora with joy and Mia knew that her mom could have done extraordinary things with her gift. Her dad, however, had never wanted her to pursue it, believing that art was a “hobby,” not a profession. According to Bill Frasier, if it wasn’t military, it was neither interesting nor worth pursuing. Mia’s love for animals and her choice of veterinary medicine as a career also fell into this category.

Nora squeezed Ty’s hand. “Come by the shop to see me when you get sprung. I’ll be competing in the Sandcastle Expo next month with my squad, the Sand Bandits. I’m serious about teaching you some sculpting if you’re up for it. And you’ve got my Instagram.”

“Sounds perfect. I love you, Mrs. Frasier,” Ty said without a trace of the hip that had been previously lacing her tone.

“Love you, too, kiddo.”

Yes, Mia thought with satisfaction and a bit of wonder as they made their way through the hospital, my mom is back. And we’re both alive.

No more wasting time.

She’d already parked her SUV near the curb in the loading area. Mia wasn’t surprised to see her mom had plenty of strength after her hospital stint. That, and the fact that her mom didn’t weigh much over a hundred pounds, made it an easy job getting her settled in the passenger seat.

“If I never see the inside of that place again it will be too soon.”

“I hear that, girlfriend,” Mia said.

“That’s the spirit,” her mom answered with a laugh. “One quick stop on the way home?”

“Definitely,” Mia said, figuring she was going to ask for a carton of her favorite organic frozen soy cream “treat” or a take-out garden burger.

“Great. You know how to get to the Coast Guard Air Station, right? I’ve got some thanking to do.”

Mia felt a surge of nervous tension at the thought of seeing Officer Johnston again. She hadn’t exactly been in the best state of mind when she’d seen him last, babbling about who-knows-what and gushing with gratitude. Not that he didn’t deserve the gratitude part, but she could have done a better job of maintaining her composure. As much as she appreciated his kindness, and the rest of him for that matter, because they’d had fun and he was pretty cute, she’d kind of been hoping she’d never see him again.

CHAPTER THREE

“JAY? HERE YOU ARE.”

Jay glanced over his shoulder to see Aubrey walking through the door. He was sitting in a chair in a storage room off the main hangar at the base trying to decide what to do with the fur-covered bundle in his arms. It had finally quit shivering but didn’t seem inclined to move from his lap.

“We have visitors and—” She’d been talking as she moved but now stopped in midsentence to gasp. “Is that a dog? It’s adorable! Where did it come from?” She continued toward him and the animal cuddled in a fuzzy pink baby blanket on his lap.

“We rescued her early this morning. A sailboat went down trying to cross the bar. Her owner didn’t make it. Can’t locate any family.” As if sensing she was the topic of conversation, the dog lifted her brown-and-white head. Wide brown eyes lit with curiosity as she sniffed Aubrey’s fingers.

Aubrey caressed one of her silky ears. “That is a heartbreaker. And you have her why? Did you call Holly?” Holly ran Paws for a Second Chance, the local no-kill shelter. She was their go-to person in the surprisingly often occurrences when they rescued animals.

“She kind of latched onto me for some reason. Maybe because I took care of her in the helo? I don’t know, but yeah, I called Holly. No answer. Left a message.” He sighed, feeling the weight of both the man’s death and the uncertain fate of the poor dog on his shoulders. “She’s going to need a trip to the vet first anyway. I haven’t had the heart to move her yet. Poor thing is exhausted and traumatized.”

He waited for Aubrey to rib him about calling a vet they knew when a different woman’s voice chimed in, “Well, it’s your lucky day, isn’t it? I literally brought you a vet.” A chuckle followed and then, “You must be Petty Officer Johnston? The young man the doctors credit with saving my life.”

He looked toward the doorway again, this time to find Nora Frasier standing there smiling. His pulse stuttered when he saw Mia by her side. Nora moved his way.

He returned her smile. “Yes, I am—the first part of that, anyway. Please, call me Jay. I’m glad to see you looking so well.” He started to stand, but she waved him off.

“No, no. Sit. You’ve got some precious cargo there. I’m feeling great, thanks to you.” She walked closer and reached out a hand.

He shook her hand and settled back into his seat because she had that kind of bossiness about her. “I don’t deserve the credit you’re giving me for saving your life, though. That was a team effort.”

“I already thanked Aubrey when she came by the hospital for a second visit. I was awake that time. My daughter tells me you stopped by and I slept through it?” At his nod, she went on, “We met the pilot and the copilot out there in the hangar. But they all say they couldn’t have done it without you.”

Jay grinned. He could see where Mia got her sparkle and vitality. He also remembered that she was a teacher, and he could see that about her as well. “That’s the way we work, ma’am. We’re a team. I couldn’t have done my job without them, either.”

“What’s wrong with the dog?” Mia asked, stepping around her mom and into his line of sight.

Their eyes met and Jay felt that same pull of attraction, even stronger this time if that was possible. Had she had enough time to get over the gratitude-attraction thing?

“Laceration on her back,” he answered.

“Oh, I see it.” She knelt beside the chair and crooned, “Hi, pretty lady. Rough day, huh?” She kept talking in the same soothing tone as she caressed the dog behind her ears. The dog let out a whimper, but not like she was in pain. More like she was in heaven.

“I’m gonna give her a second to trust me.”

“Yeah,” Jay commented drily as the dog licked her chin. “I’m thinking mission accomplished.”

Her low chuckle made him smile. Slowly, she worked her hands around to the wound. Jay liked the way she moved, gentle yet confident and practiced. It was cute the way her brow furrowed as she examined the injury. When her hands brushed against his, a current of awareness coursed through him. Funny that he’d had this thought a few days ago, of using a dog to get close to her again. He felt guilty about that now, because this poor pup’s life had just been upended in the worst possible way.

“It’s not too deep, but she could use a few stitches. You did an excellent job of cleaning it up.” Dipping down, she kissed the dog’s forehead. “Poor baby. I can only imagine what you’ve been through. That helicopter ride was probably bad enough, but losing your person is beyond tragic.”

She then pinned that warm look of concern on Jay. He felt his insides start to go soft and realized he was no better than the dog. This woman oozed compassion and obviously knew animals.

“Who did you say you were going to leave her with?” she asked.

He cleared his throat. “Holly Camp. She runs Paws for a Second Chance. It’s an animal adoption place.”

“Yes, I know Holly. She’s great.” She kept one hand on the dog as she talked. Small hands with slim fingers and trimmed nails, he noticed. Delicate-looking, like the rest of her. But he already knew from the rescue she was anything but. No one who demanded that their fellow airplane-wrecked passengers be rescued first was “delicate.” He’d watched her plunge into the ocean after Aubrey without even pausing, seen her concern for her mom and Captain Shear during the helicopter ride. Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine that anyone who chose veterinary medicine as a career would be considered delicate.

“Do we know her name?” Mia asked.

“Holly?” he asked, thinking that her eyes were like the blue of the ocean on a calm, sunny day.

“I think she means the dog,” Aubrey said with a chuckle. “You need some shut-eye there, big guy?”

He felt his lips twitch with a grin. No, what I need is for this blue-eyed woman who smells like flowers and makes me forget my own name to back off so I can think. “Yeah. Maybe. I’m beat,” he said. “No, no collar. She was wearing a bandanna. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like this dog is... It’s a miracle she even survived. We spotted the guy because the dog was swimming right next to him, or rather, swimming circles around him. She was in that choppy water for a long time and she’s so small, I can’t believe she didn’t drown.”

“Dogs have the most incredible will to live. You know how you hear that dogs are the most loyal creatures on the planet?”

Jay found himself nodding.

“We hear it and say it so much that I think it’s become a cliché. But last year I was finishing my residency in Colorado when this border collie was brought in. Half-starved, dehydrated—turns out, her sheepherding owner had suffered an aneurysm and died. From the condition the dog was in, my colleague and I determined that she had been waiting by his side for at least a week. Just sitting there and waiting for help to come along.”

He had no idea how to respond to that. He couldn’t relate; he’d never had a dog or a pet of any kind. He’d always been too focused on his own survival, and more to the point, his family’s survival.

She smoothed a hand over the dog’s cheek again, adding, “The dog lived through it. And the sheepherder’s daughter adopted her.” She added a grin, and Jay could tell the incident would stick with her forever. He knew what that felt like. He would never forget a single rescue, but there were certain ones, and sometimes certain people, that just grabbed your heart and never let go. He couldn’t help but think that Nora Frasier and her daughter were quickly earning a top spot on that list.

“Tell you what? How ’bout I take the dog to our vet practice and fix her up? She’ll need a checkup and a blood panel anyway before Holly can adopt her out. You can pick her up later?”

“Uh, sure, that would be great. Thank you.” He noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring. Of course, that wasn’t a sure sign in this day and age that she was single. Not that it mattered, he told himself; a relationship was not in the cards for him. Not until Josie finished nursing school and the kids were older, much older. Between his financial obligations, his time and the mental energy he expended trying to pseudo-parent from a distance, he simply couldn’t do it.

“You can stop by Pacific Cove Vet Clinic any time after about three. I should have her test results by then.”

“Oh, I have a meeting this afternoon. I wouldn’t be able to get there until this evening.”

“How about I bring her home with me after work then? You can pick her up at my house.”

“Any time is fine,” Nora chimed in. “It’s just Mia and me. She usually gets home from work about six or seven, depending on the day.”

“That sounds great. In the meantime, maybe we’ll be able to get a hold of some family.”

* * *

AT THE END of his shift, Jay stowed his gear, feeling the stress of the last twenty-four-hour shift working its way into him. It was always like this for him. He didn’t let himself feel tired until he had the time to be tired. That’s when the exhaustion slammed into him like a tidal wave.

“Hey, Johnston, congratulations! I hear you got yourself a new puppy.”

Removing his backpack from his locker, he shut the door and turned to find a smiling Lieutenant Commander Eli Pelletier standing behind him. Eli was a pilot and Aubrey’s fiancé. He’d also become a friend in the months since he’d been stationed here, as much of a friend as Jay allowed himself to have, anyway.

“Funny, Pelletier.” Jay took a moment to look him up and down before saying, “Wow, you look like you’ve reached a whole new level of fitness these days. Almost like you’ve been doing yoga.”

“That obvious, huh?” Eli chuckled. “Aubrey’s been talking, I see. Seriously, though, how’s the dog doing? Are you going to keep it?”

They’d had no luck tracking down any of the dog owner’s family. Holly had returned his call only to tell him that there was no room at the shelter right now, especially for an injured dog. Could Jay keep the dog or find someone who could until space was available? He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. “I want a dog about as badly as I do a root canal.”

“Uh, I don’t think veterinarians do root canals. At least not on people.”

Aubrey walked up to join her fiancé. “Besides, it would be much less painful to just ask her to dinner.”

Jay rolled his eyes. “Has anyone ever told you how pushy and annoying you can be?”

Eli laughed and raised his hand. “I do. I tell her.”

“Yes, of course. He does. As do my sisters. All the time. And I’m sorry,” she said, tipping her head one way and then the other. “Sort of. ’Cause isn’t this kinda like a sign? Holly not having room right now? You should seriously consider keeping that sweet dog. I think it would be good for you to have someone to think about, something to take care of, someone...”

Jay grinned. “Other than myself, you mean?” Not even Aubrey knew that his reputation for being carefree and perpetually unattached was contrived. His life was anything but carefree, and his responsibilities were daunting, to say the least.

She pushed one shoulder up into a shrug. “I’m just saying.”

He fished his phone out of his backpack and, speaking of responsibility, saw that he’d received a text from Levi. He’d read it after he got out of here. Stuffing the phone into his pocket, he asked, “What do you suggest I do with the dog when I’m on duty?”

“There are dog-walking services you could hire that help with that. Or doggy day care. Sheila Roarke has one. She calls it a doggy spa. It’s nicer than my house.”

“I really don’t have time for a dog.” Either option would be an expense he could in no way afford. Not to mention the food, supplies, vet care and medicine. All funds that could go toward items the kids needed. Although the thought of those pet-related things filled him with a nice combination of anticipation and anxiety. He was looking forward to seeing Mia again, even if looking and talking was as far as it could go. “Besides, I’m sure this guy’s family is going to want his dog.”

“Davis said he doesn’t have any family. He tracked down someone at the marina who kind of knew him. Said the guy was a loner.”

“Even loners have family.” Look at me for example, he thought. To change the subject, he asked Aubrey, “Do you have the paperwork for the meeting?”

“Yep.” She held up a clipboard. Nothing like a clipboard and a meeting about volunteer work to steer Aubrey in a new direction. The woman was all about the organizing, not to mention her passion for community service.

They headed to the parking lot and climbed into their cars. The meeting was across the Columbia River in Washington, at the Coast Guard boat station, Cape Disappointment. The trip would take about a half hour, so he removed his phone and read the text from Levi: Mom is gone again. Josie told me to tell you. She needs to talk to you. She wants to know if you have time tomorrow?

A mix of irritation and concern settled over him. As if he needed another reminder as to why he couldn’t let himself get attached to a dog, much less its pretty doctor.

He tapped out a response: Hang in there, buddy. Tell her yes. I’m off duty tomorrow.

* * *

JAY WASN’T SURPRISED, but he was incredibly pleased that so many of their colleagues, including a huge number of Cape Disappointment personnel, had shown up for this Coast Guard community outreach meeting. Most people who signed up for military service were all about helping others. Their goal was to make it a little easier for them. He kept his remarks brief, letting the list of charities that he, Aubrey and two of their colleagues had compiled speak for him.

“As the incident earlier this spring illuminated, we all know it’s important to show the community that the Coast Guard cares, that we’re invested here in these little towns. I know a lot of you already volunteer at your church or your kids’ schools or with their sports teams. Some of you are involved in Aubrey’s swim lesson program and others at the hospital in Astoria and so on. So don’t feel obligated, and please don’t overextend your personal resources. This outreach is all about bringing willing volunteers to programs that need them. But not at the expense of your own family’s needs.” He went on for a few more minutes.

Jay’s motivation in cochairing this initiative was twofold. There’d been an incident earlier in the spring involving two boaters. After an altercation between them, the Coast Guard intervened. One man had been ticketed for excessive speed and boating under the influence. He’d raised a fuss with the local media and in the process, he’d attempted to make the Coast Guard look like high-handed bullies. The Coast Guard personnel involved had been vindicated, but the unfortunate episode had left people talking. This had prompted command to amp up their efforts at spreading goodwill throughout the community.

In his youth, Jay and his siblings had often been recipients of these types of charities. He was passionate and resolute about giving back. And because he knew it wasn’t easy to ask for help, Jay had discussed it with his superior and suggested this hands-on approach. He and his colleagues had gone out into the community, seeking and identifying the organizations that needed assistance and in what form.

The resulting list they’d compiled was long and included a wide variety of options: a group that built homes for the needy, the food bank, a women’s shelter, two homeless shelters, the library literacy program, hospice care and delivering food to the homebound were among the many organizations seeking volunteers. Their only requirements were that the need be local and the recipients be in “true” need.

“Any questions?”

A hand went up in the crowd. “Um, I see there’s a short description here, but I’m not sure what some of these places do exactly...?”

Jay had anticipated this question. “Next to every organization, there should be the name of whoever signed it up. See my name by the food bank? I can tell you all about it—who’s in charge, where the food goes, what specific needs they have. Any questions, just ask whoever has their name next to it.”

Another hand raised. “Does it matter what we sign up for? Is there like a scale based on need? Are there some organizations that need help more than others?”

He and Aubrey had discussed this and decided it was too subjective to rate them based on need. “Nope. Between Aubrey, Vance Davis, Terrence Oliver and me, we’ve vetted all these places. If they’re on the list, they need help. Please feel free to pick anything that interests you.”

Jay felt a welling of pride as he watched his colleagues eagerly signing up for the available spots. He mingled and answered questions, and nearly an hour after the meeting started, people began to filter out.

“I think all of the places now have at least one Coast Guard volunteer,” Aubrey happily reported when everyone had departed. She frowned. “Except one.”

“Sign me up for that one. I was going to take whatever was left or whatever needed more bodies anyway.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yeah, really. I don’t care what it is. I’ll do it.”

“Jay, you are awesome. Have I told you that lately?” Her smile was blinding. At that point, he should have known something was up. She bent over the clipboard again as she filled in a blank spot on the chart. “Perfect. I’ll get these names sent to our various organizations and we’ll get our volunteers set up.”

CHAPTER FOUR

MIA DROVE HOME, where Nora’s friend Annie met them. She’d offered to come over and sit with Nora so Mia could go to the clinic. Mia made sure her mom was comfortable, loaded her dog George into the car along with the rescue dog, and headed to work. After arriving at the clinic, she stitched the dog’s wound and gave her a thorough exam. She took a blood sample and sent it to the lab with a rush order. Finally, she got the two dogs settled in her private office and headed out to treat patients and handle the backlog waiting for her.

Two days of being out of the office had left Mia with a ton of work to catch up on. Luckily, Dr. Anthony had been available to cover for her. He’d managed to squeeze in the critical patients, but her noncritical cases and some surgeries had been rescheduled. She treated a dog with a yeast infection in his ears, a cat she’d tragically diagnosed with a bleeding tumor, and an adorable boxer puppy who’d torn off his dewclaw. She admitted a lethargic turtle while waiting on some tests, vaccinated a batch of kittens, and stitched up a laceration on a golden retriever who’d been attacked by a neighbor’s dog. At the owner’s request, she’d forwarded that medical report to the police.

A few hours later, she headed back to her office to check on the dog. Tail wagging, George stepped off the huge dog bed that took up one corner of her office, made a show of stretching his gigantic frame, and then trotted over to greet her. The sight of her giant mastiff-bloodhound mix never failed to make her heart swell with love. Currently ninety-two pounds of clumsy sweetness covered in brindle fur, Mia estimated he had another ten pounds to gain before he would be at his prime weight.

Her boy had suffered too much in his young life. He’d come with her from Colorado, where his rescuer had found him tied to a post in the middle of a muddy yard and brought him to the clinic where she’d been working as a resident. The collar around his neck was so tight it was cutting into the skin around it. He had no shelter. A bowl of food sat beside him but he couldn’t eat it because his mouth had been duct-taped shut. Normally able to keep it together even in the worst of cases, Mia lost it with George, allowing her tears to fall as she removed first the collar and then those layers of tape from his muzzle. The dog had whined in pain but never snapped. When she finished, he’d licked her hands and her cheek, and stolen her heart. They’d been together ever since.

Mia sat. George followed suit, placing his head on her lap and slobbering on her pants.

Scratching behind his ears and caressing the scarred skin of his neck, she said, “I love you, Georgie. You’re the best dog ever. How was your nap?”

He yawned and smacked his jaws.

“That’s great news, buddy. Sleep is important. Scientists are telling us it’s almost as important as nutrition when it comes to health and longevity. You can thank Grandma Nora for that bit of helpful trivia. Speaking of nutrition.” She removed two “cookies” from the canister on her desk and handed one over. He flopped beside her on the floor and began chomping. The rescued dog, who had been napping on the sofa, was now watching Mia with alert brown eyes. Mia wheeled her chair closer and offered her a cookie. Not interested. Mia’s stomach did a nervous twist. The dog had been uninterested in pretty much everything since Mia had taken her out of Jay’s arms. She was worried, although her initial exam had revealed her to be in good health.

She opened her email to see if the dog’s blood test results had come back. She scrolled down the list until she located the one from the lab. Clicking on it, she felt a niggle of apprehension as she analyzed the numbers. Turning again, she smiled at the dog, who, as if sensing the gravity of the situation, lifted her head and let out a whine. Mia stood, walked over and scooped her up.

“Congratulations, cutie, you are as healthy as can be. Mr. Rennick might have been a loner, but clearly, he loved his girl, huh?” The dog answered by nudging Mia’s chin with her muzzle. “Now we just need to find you a new home. What are the chances that handsome Coast Guard flight mechanic will take you in? He definitely likes you. I think you’d be great together.”

She looked up as a knock sounded on her door, followed by a “Hey, Mia? You got a second?”

“Sure, Ted. Come in.”

Her partner, mentor, friend and fellow veterinarian, Dr. Ted Anthony, walked into her office. Medium height and lean-muscled, Dr. Anthony was in his fifties but looked at least a decade younger. His head of wavy brown hair didn’t have a speck of gray, and Mia thought that helped his ageless cause as well. George met him with a lazy woof and a wet sniff of his kneecap, his signature greeting.

Ted chuckled and patted the dog’s head. Nodding toward the bundle in her lap, he asked, “How’s our Coast Guard heroine doing?”

“Good. Wound is stitched, tests are clear, she’s good to go. She’s awfully droopy, though. I’m a little concerned.”

“That was quite an ordeal she went through. Probably still a bit traumatized.”

“Yeah, could be.” She carried the dog back over to the sofa, where she immediately settled in for a nap.

As she crossed the room, Mia noticed the fine lines around Ted’s reddish eyes. He looked tired, she thought, and immediately felt silly for thinking that. Of course he was tired; his daughter was fighting a serious, incurable disease where the only treatment currently available was one to alleviate her symptoms. He and his wife were driving back and forth to Portland for doctor appointments and therapy at regular intervals. They were all handling it better than Mia could ever imagine. Mia knew he and Sara would fight till the end, and Mia had vowed to do everything she could to help, including keeping the clinic running smoothly during his absences.

“Speaking of trauma, how are you doing, Mia? Have you recovered from the accident?”

“Yes, I’m fine, Ted. Thank you. Mom is good. Ready to get back to work.”

“Excellent.” He sighed. “Mia, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t agreed to join me here. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to keep this clinic open without you.”

Ted had invited Mia to join his practice with the agreement that he’d be gone for long stretches of indeterminate time periods. It was a part of the buy-in agreement, but she’d signed it happily. Ted was more than her mentor and friend; he was also her role model, a father figure. And definitely more like a father than her own had been.

Waving a dismissive hand through the air, she said, “I think it’s working out for both of us.” She made a constant conscious effort not to make him feel like he needed to continually thank her. Staying positive, she believed, was also key.

He nodded, absently massaging George’s neck. George could be shameless in his attempt to get a neck rub, lying his head in the lap of anyone he deemed trustworthy. Mia imagined him reveling in the feeling of being free of a collar so tight he would likely always bear the scars.

“As you know, McKenzie was approved for that experimental round of therapy we were hoping for.”

“Yes, Sara told me. It’s so exciting.” She added a warm smile. “She mentioned she starts next week? That’s sooner than you anticipated, right?”

“It is. We’re really hoping it will buy her time until the new drug is approved by the FDA.”

“That would be beyond amazing.” Mia didn’t voice her concern regarding that particular medication. He was placing so much hope on a drug that, as far as she could discern, was still too far from human clinical trials to be a viable cure. She was fairly sure it hadn’t even been approved for testing on animals yet. But she would never dampen whatever hope he could generate at this point.

“I’ve cut back on my patient load accordingly. I’ll be back and forth, but here at the clinic as much as I can. Any concerns about working on your own? Is there anything you need from me?”

“Thanks, Ted. I think I’ve got this. We’ve had a lot of applicants for the new kennel assistant position and we’ll be doing interviews as soon as Charlotte can sort through them.”

“I trust you ladies to hire whoever you decide on. I don’t need to do an interview or a final approval or anything.”

She appreciated that he had this much faith in her and Charlotte. Ted was a perfectionist and could be a bit of a control freak. She’d worried about his ability to share administrative tasks, but so far that hadn’t been an issue.

“We’ll get on it then. Also, I’m reserving Saturdays for Lucky Cats. Tiffany, Carla and Raeanne have all volunteered to rotate their Saturdays to help with medical procedures.”

Upon relocating to Pacific Cove, Mia had started Lucky Cats, a program to reduce the stray and feral cat problem in the town and surrounding area. Part of the “trap, neuter, return” program included free sterilization. People were encouraged to trap the cats and bring them to the office, where she would spay or neuter and vaccinate them for free. They could then keep the cats or release them back outside along with a promise to feed them. This last gesture was an effort to keep the cats healthy; reduce their predation of native bird populations, a serious and ever-growing problem in this country; as well as to decrease their presence as a nuisance to gardens and garbage cans. Alternatively, they could have Lucky Cats adopt the animals out.

“It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, Mia. I only wish I could help more.”

“Allowing me use of the clinic is more than enough, Ted. You need to spend your spare time at home. Sara and McKenzie are more important right now, and I’m getting some volunteers lined up.” She didn’t mention that so far said volunteers included her, Charlotte and Minnie Mason. Minnie was a woman from her mom’s pinochle club who was more concerned with the stray cats “wreaking havoc” in her garden than their safety in the community at large. Charlotte was working on community outreach and hopefully, they’d get those numbers up soon. No matter the disappointingly small number of volunteers, Mia was determined to get the operation up and running.

“Speaking of stray cats,” Ted said with a grin.

Ember the office cat strolled into the room, announcing her presence with a loud meow. Leaping gracefully onto Mia’s desk, she then sauntered back and forth along the edge as if to show off her kitty sleekness from every angle. It didn’t seem to faze the cat that she was partially bald, had only one eye and was missing most of her tail.

“She gives new meaning to the term catwalk, doesn’t she?” Mia quipped.

Dr. Anthony chuckled as the cat perched on the corner of the desk closest to him. She let out a soft mewl. He reached out a hand to scratch her cheek. “She’s out of control. She thinks she owns this office.”

George waited patiently, watching Ember with love-struck eyes. Dog and cat were tight. Mia liked to imagine them bonding over their abusive pasts as they napped together on George’s massive therapeutic bed. George lifted his head and Ember stepped onto Ted’s lap. She rubbed her cheek against George’s giant forehead before daintily licking his eyebrow.

Everyone knew the story of how the cat had changed Dr. Anthony’s life. He’d only been in town a few weeks when the severely burned kitten had been dropped off on the newly opened clinic’s doorstep. She’d been “nothing but a charred little ember,” Ted had later been quoted in the newspaper as saying. He and his staff had done everything they could. Dr. Anthony had stayed with her for four days and nights until she was out of the woods. Word had raced through tiny Pacific Cove about what the new vet in town would do for animals. That had been nearly two years ago. Needless to say, his practice had been flourishing ever since. People brought their pets to Dr. Anthony from miles around.

“She’s earned it. Cats are such wonderful, giving, useful creatures.”

Ember concurred with a loud purr.

Mia smiled. “Yes, they sure are.” Ted had an interesting way of looking at life. She’d learned more from him about life than she ever had from her father. She’d certainly learned more about love and how to treat people as well as animals.

Keeping the cat nestled in his arms, he stood and said, “I’m going to go finish up some paperwork, then I’m heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As he departed, a buzzing sound from her phone alerted her that she’d received a text from her mom:

Our new Coast Guard friend has arrived. I’ll keep him entertained until you get here.

Mia checked the time. How had it gotten to be six thirty already? She sent back a text: Sounds good. Thanks, Mom.

Because her Coast Guard charge was unfamiliar with the office, Mia clipped a leash to her new hot-pink collar and led both dogs out into the hall. Charlotte, their office manager and the best friend Mia had ever had, was busy closing things up for the night.

“Thank you again for getting this girl all set up.” Charlotte had walked down to Sandy Paws Pet Shop on her lunch break and picked up some supplies for the dog.

“You are very welcome,” Charlotte answered with a grin. “Did you look at her tag?”

Mia hadn’t noticed the tag attached to the collar, twisted as it was into the fluffy fur of the dog’s neck. She crouched to examine it and read the name aloud. “Coastie?”

The dog let out a little bark and Charlotte added a surprised chuckle. “See? She likes it. In honor of the Coast Guard hottie who saved her. What do you think?” Charlotte had something of an obsession with the military, especially the men who served.

“How do you even know he’s hot?”

“Isn’t he?”

“Well, there’s a lot more to a person than how they look and—”

“Come on, Mia,” she interrupted. “He saved you, he saved the dog, he’s in the Coast Guard.”

Mia shook her head. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

“I’m right, though, aren’t I?”

“I don’t...” Mia tilted her head, trying to decide how to answer without answering.

“I knew it!” Charlotte gave George a quick neck rub and then moved on to Coastie. “Good night, Coastie. Be sure and cuddle all up next to your Coast Guard hottie, okay?” Catching Mia’s gaze, she gave her a wink. “That last bit of advice goes for you, too.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not on the table. Unlike you, I am not enamored with all things Coast Guard.” Just the opposite, in fact, she added silently.

“And one of these days you’re going to tell me why that is. Let me take this stuff out to the car for you.”

Mia couldn’t help but laugh as they headed for the door, dogs and all. If she were being completely honest, the cuddling part sounded nice. Too bad he was the wrong cuddle partner. In spite of Petty Officer Jay Johnston’s hotness and other attractive attributes, he was military. And that simple yet extraordinarily complicated fact made cuddling with him, or anything else for that matter, off-limits for her.

* * *

ROUGHLY FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, Mia and her canine companions headed up the steps leading to the beachfront home she’d recently purchased and shared with her mom. The house was way too large for her, but since she knew she was in Pacific Cove to stay, she’d gone ahead and opted for her dream home. Ever since she was young, she’d fantasized about living in a house where she’d never have to move again—a home she could fill with special moments and memories, a place to grow old in. As soon as she’d seen the three-thousand-square-foot beachfront bungalow she knew she’d found that place.

Gambling on her future income from the vet practice, she’d only been able to purchase it by borrowing a portion of the down payment from her mom. In exchange, her mom lived with her rent-free. For now, she planned to fill the space with pets, a cat and a dog so far, but it would be the perfect place to raise a family someday.

As she opened the back door and entered the kitchen, she could hear her mom and Jay chatting in the adjoining living room. It was her favorite room in the house. Looking out the windows all you could see was sand and ocean. To Mia, it almost felt like the house was floating. She headed toward the sound with the dogs close behind. Suddenly, Coastie let out a bark and darted around her in a full-on sprint toward the sofa. The dog launched herself into Jay’s arms in a pile of joyous whines and tail-wagging. George followed at a trot, looking around as if trying to identify the source of the all-you-can-eat bacon bar, because nothing short of that would incite such a level of excitement in him.

“Wow,” Mia said, gaping at scene. “That’s unbelievable. This dog has been downright depressed since I took her with me this morning. I thought she might be suffering from PTSD. I’m not exaggerating when I say that she’s barely lifted her head off the sofa in my office all day. She wouldn’t even eat a cookie.”

At the word cookie George sniffed the air, looking for a treat.

Nora beamed at Jay. “I know how she feels. She knows you rescued her and she’s not going to forget it.” She added a wink while Ruby the cat let out a meow from where she was watching the silly dog display from her perch on Nora’s lap. Giving her paw a lick of disgust, she then tucked it beneath her.

“I don’t know about that.” Jay chuckled while Coastie nibbled enthusiastically on his head. “I think she might be smelling the cheeseburger I had on the way here.”

Fine. Charlotte was right; the guy was hot. Not that she’d done much to dispute that point when Charlotte had mentioned it.

Coastie continued her frenzied welcome while he bargained with her. “If you settle down a little bit I will rub your beautiful soft cheeks. Look at your fancy new collar,” he gushed. “Pink is your color, sweetheart.” Sweetheart? No wonder the dog was a goner. To heck with Charlotte’s assessment of him being hot. He was nice. She added brave, funny and nice to the list. Had she ever dated anyone who possessed all of these qualities in such an attractive package? Ignoring the tingle of disappointment, she reminded herself that dating him was not an option.

Examining the tag, he repeated the name with a chuckle. “Coastie?”

“Charlotte, our office manager, went out and got her some supplies today—a leash, toys, bowls, dog food and a collar with that tag. She named her Coastie in your honor. I hope you don’t mind?”

His lips curled up at the corners as he shrugged. “That sounds fine for now. I’m sure whoever adopts her will want to choose their own name anyway, right? How long until this heals and she can get a new home?”

“The wound looks really good. It was a little deeper than I thought, but we’ll take those stitches out in a week or two and she’ll be good as new. She’ll need to be brought into the office for that. So it might be a good idea to wait at least that long before putting her up for adoption.”

Nora chimed in, “My daughter knows her stuff, Jay. Like I was telling you earlier, she graduated at the top of her class from vet school. You know she did that program where you get your associate degree before you’re even out of high school? She had a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in animal science by the time she was twenty-one. She’s won so many awards. The—”

“Mom,” Mia interrupted with an awkward laugh. “I’m sure Jay’s not interested in my educational background. I think all he needs to know is that I’m a qualified vet. Right, Jay?”

All these years later and her mom still didn’t see that her daughter’s burying herself in her studies had been her way of coping with her nomadic existence, her innate shyness, and her dad’s blatant lack of attention to her. Three years of therapy had helped her nail down and deal with her issues, or at least understand them. As she’d aged, she’d shifted that focus and determination to helping animals. That felt healthy and productive, even if it did feed into her desire for “positive affirmation” as her therapist called it.

Unfortunately, Jay was looking eagerly toward her mom. She did not trust the expression of exaggerated interest on his face as he glanced at her and then back to Nora.

“Dr. Anthony was one of her professors. He recruited her to join his practice. Out of all the students he’s had throughout the years, he picked Mia. Don’t worry, Coastie will be fit as a fiddle when she gets through with her.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Jay said.

The teakettle began to whistle in the background. Nora shot to her feet. “Who wants a cup of tea?” Without waiting for answers, she hustled toward the kitchen. Mia grinned weakly as her gaze met Jay’s. Twirling a finger after her mom, she asked, “Has she been...?”

“Talking about you the whole time?” Jay offered. “Yes. She mentioned that she has a collection of your trophies. Any chance we could take a peek at those later?”

Mia groaned softly and gripped the bridge of her nose. “Sorry about that. She’s...”

“She’s really proud of you. It sounds like she has good reason to be.”

“Um, thanks, but—” Mia didn’t say that her mother was clearly trying to sell her attributes to someone she’d identified as a potential suitor.

“I didn’t even make it into the spelling bee when I was in grade school. And there you were, a three-time champ.”

She pressed a finger onto her eyebrow in an effort to stop the throbbing behind her eye. “Mortified, M-O-R-T-I-F-I-E-D, mortified. Yep, that’s me.”

He laughed again as Nora sailed back into the room with a tray containing three steaming mugs and a plate heaped with cookies. She set it down on the table in front of them. “You’re in luck. I made some cookies today. Coconut oil instead of butter. Sweetened with agave nectar and stevia. Wait till you try them. Not a drop of sugar and you’d never know.”

Terror flickered briefly across Jay’s face before morphing into what Mia might describe as pained enthusiasm. “Sounds great, Nora. Thank you.”

Mia brushed a hand over her face to hide a snicker.

“Oops, forgot the soy milk.” Nora dashed away again.

“Don’t worry,” Mia whispered as her mom disappeared into the kitchen for her “creamer.”

“George is always hungry.” She patted the dog who, at again hearing the word cookie, had pushed himself up into a sitting position from where he’d been lying on Mia’s feet. She took two from the tray, handed them to the dog, broke another in half and spread a few crumbs around so it would look like they’d been enjoying the treats.

“What kind of dog do you think she is?” He rubbed his chin on the top of Coastie’s head, which Mia found incredibly endearing. She couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t just keep the dog.

“She looks Australian shepherd, but her silky coat and coloring says Brittany or springer spaniel. There might be some border collie in there, too.”

He nodded, studying the fur-ball now sprawled contentedly across his lap. Mia noticed that Coastie’s cinnamon-brown spots closely matched the shade of his hair. They looked good together.

“It’s so great of you to take care of her. I wish...” He trailed off as Ruby came closer to investigate the new canine invading her couch space. They both watched as she stuck her neck out and executed a pretentious sniff. Coastie didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by the intrusion.

“What do you wish?” Mia asked. She found herself holding a breath.

“She was healthy,” he finally said. “I wish she was healthy so we could find her a new home. I hate to drag this out.”

“You could keep her—you know? If no family is found.”

Mia watched his entire body stiffen with discomfort.

“Oh... No, I can’t. I’m really not a dog person.”

From her spot on his lap, Coastie looked up and gave his chin a lick.

“Really?” she answered doubtfully.

He winced. “I know, I’m not sure what the deal is with this dog in particular. But I can’t keep her. I don’t do pets.”

“Huh.” Mia felt her smile dim. Disappointment settled into her as she realized how much she’d been hoping he’d decide to keep the dog. It was probably better this way, she told herself. Regardless of her own rule, she was already liking the guy; if she had to add animal lover to the list it would only make him that much more difficult to resist. “Must love animals” was another deal-breaker. Jay Johnston was now in violation of her top two dating criteria.

“Hey, guess what, Mia?” Nora said, coming back into the room. “Jay has offered to take a look at our sticky back door.”

Living on the beach meant constantly battling issues that could arise from the humidity. The previous homeowner had installed a custom-made back door constructed from wood. It was incredibly lovely, but unfortunately, when wood absorbs moisture it swells, which was the case with the door.

“Oh, that’s really nice, but you don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t mind. I like to fix things.”

“Is that a skill you learned from your father?” Nora asked as she settled back down on the sofa. Mia gave her head a little shake at her mom’s obvious attempt to vet their guest.

“No,” Jay answered. “Self-taught for the most part. I worked for a carpenter for a while when I was younger. He taught me the basics. I learned on my own from there.” Mia silently added “good sport” to the list as she watched him swallow a large bite of cookie-blob.

“Do your parents live here in the Northwest?”

“My mother lives in Portland.”

“Oh, that’s not far. You two must be close. Probably requested Air Station Astoria to be near her?”

“Uh... Not exactly. But I did request Astoria to be closer to...other family.”

Other family? Mia’s curiosity was piqued. What did that mean?

“Are you married?” her mom asked, taking care of the question at the top of Mia’s list.

“No. These are really good, Nora,” he lied, shoving another cookie into his mouth.

Not married, but obviously uncomfortable talking about himself. Mia hoped her mom wouldn’t go too far. And yet she found herself irrationally disappointed when Nora changed the subject.

“Mia may have mentioned it but my husband was military, too. Navy,” she said proudly. “Thirty-two years. I’m sure he still would be if he hadn’t up and died on me. We saw some amazing places, didn’t we, Mia?”

Mia answered with a flat, “Yep.” Because they had seen plenty of the world, but as far as Mia was concerned it had not been worth it.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Frasier. Did he die in combat?”

“What happened to calling me Nora? And no, he didn’t. Heart attack. I miss him every day, but I’m determined not to go out that way.” She gestured at the cookies. Jay dutifully took another bite.

Nora went on, “My son, Mia’s brother, is in the Navy, too. Kyle is a SEAL. He’s overseas right now...”

Mia listened silently, painful memories battering away at her, as they began chatting about the military. This was good, she told herself. It reminded her of all the things she’d disliked about military life while growing up: moving almost constantly, having to make new friends, attending new schools, learning new languages, a dad who was more devoted to his job than his family. She’d never understood her mom’s enthusiasm or Kyle’s infatuation. Mia didn’t share their devotion. But then, she’d essentially been invisible to her father. As a child, there’d been times Mia was convinced she’d been adopted or dropped here from another planet. In middle school, she’d gone through a phase of Googling terms like “switched at birth” and “mistaken babies” trying to calculate the odds. She wasn’t about to go down that road again as a grown woman. Her path was now hers to choose.

“I think I better head home,” Jay said a while later. “I’m beat.” He stood, Coastie still snuggled in his arms. He thanked her mom for the tea and cookies, promised to check out the door as soon as he could, and vaguely added that he’d look into that yoga class.

Mia said, “I’ll walk you out.”

He followed her to the entryway and stopped. Glancing around, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Finally, he held Coastie out for Mia to take. “Can you hold her for a minute while I get her stuff? I don’t want to trip over her while I pack all this stuff up and put it in the car.” He pointed at the round fleece snuggle bed Charlotte had purchased. “Is this dog bed for her, too?” At her confirmation, he let out a chuckle. “It’s going to take up half my living room.”

Mia took the dog, who let out a whine as she stared longingly at Jay.

Mia laughed. “Tell you what, I’ll carry her stuff. You carry the dog.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Jay chuckled as he gently removed the dog from her arms. “What am I going to do with you?” he asked as he looked down at Coastie. She gave his cheek an enthusiastic dog kiss.

In spite of his comments, the gentle way he treated the dog spoke volumes. She wouldn’t let him out of here with Coastie if she didn’t think he’d treat her well. A thought occurred to her then. “Never had a dog before, I’m guessing?”

“Nope.”

“Don’t worry. I’m here for you. Anything you need.” She kissed one of Coastie’s velvety soft doggy cheeks. “Both of you.”

CHAPTER FIVE

JAY DROVE HOME, Coastie happily riding shotgun beside him, wondering how in the world he’d managed to get himself so...involved. He barely knew these people yet he’d offered to fix their sticky door, agreed to consider trying a yoga class (thanks again, Aubrey) choked down three cookies he was pretty sure were made out of sawdust and fostered a dog. What next? he wondered.

He pulled into his driveway and realized that if he walked down to the beach from his cabin, hung a right, and stuck to the shoreline, it would be less than a mile to Mia’s house. Geography might mean they were close, but he and Dr. Mia Frasier were otherwise worlds apart. He thought about her gorgeous home as he studied his weathered gray rental cabin, a fraction of the size with two small bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, and an open kitchen-dining-living area. It did have a cool loft with giant windows looking out onto the beach. Well, it would be cool as soon as he repaired the narrow, deteriorated stairs leading up to it, his current project.

Even with his Coast Guard housing stipend, the only way he’d been able to afford a place on the beach at all was because it was a rat hole. The elderly man who owned it, Mr. Faraday, didn’t want to expend the funds or the energy to make it habitable. In exchange for a huge break in rent, Jay had agreed to fix the place up. So far, he’d caulked and weatherproofed the exterior, replaced the roof shingles, installed some new wiring and light fixtures, repaired the dry rot in the floor, and evacuated the rats. Most of the rats; he was pretty sure they were all gone, although a couple days ago he’d heard a suspicious clawing sound coming from beneath the floor in the bathroom. The plumbing still needed some work, but overall he was satisfied with the progress he’d made. He felt confident by the time his assignment at Air Station Astoria was up, Mr. Faraday would be happy with what he’d accomplished, too.

Beside him Coastie stirred, seeming to sense they’d reached their destination. That’s when Jay saw the curtain move. He’d been so distracted he hadn’t noticed that the lights were on inside the cabin. Lights were expensive, and he never left them on when he wasn’t home.

He looked at Coastie. “Will you be okay if I leave you here for a minute while I check this out?”

Her response was a soft sigh as she curled into a ball on the seat.

Jay patted her, got out of the car, and headed around the back of the house. He considered calling the police but held back, because what burglar would be stupid enough to turn the lights on? Reaching the back door, the top half of which was glass and currently had no curtain, he peered inside. Not a thief. Raking a hand through his hair, he let out a sigh of equal parts relief, frustration and happiness. Nope, this was much more complicated than a simple burglary. He headed back to his car.

He opened the door and gave Coastie a scratch under her chin. “Okay, girl, we’re home. Do you want to check out your temporary digs? I hope you like it. The inside isn’t much, but I think you’ll find the beachfront setting more than makes up for it.”

Coastie jumped out and trotted in a large circle, getting a feel for her new “yard,” which was essentially sand with a few patches of reedy scrub grass here and there with an occasional rock poking through. Jay gathered his pack and the large shopping bag containing the dog’s necessities. After she’d sniffed around and done her duty, she trotted over to him and stared up like “what’s next?”

“Ready to go inside and meet my family?”

She let out a yap and then raced toward the front door. Jay shook his head and followed. He supposed he was lucky in a sense, because if he was going to accidentally foster a dog, at least he’d gotten a smart one.

With Coastie trotting beside him, they headed inside, where Jay was enveloped by the heavenly aroma of garlic, onions and spices that made up the unmistakable scent of Gran’s Bolognese sauce. The smell made his heart ache with love and longing for his deceased grandmother even as it made his stomach yearn for pasta. He dropped his bags. He’d seen his little brother Levi through the window, but he hadn’t been expecting Josie. She was the only person in his life, outside of Gran, who could make this sauce.

Josie’s presence meant he wasn’t surprised to see his little sister Laney, too, who was now throwing herself into his arms.

“Jay, hi! I’ve missed you so much.”

“Hey there, little one. I miss you, too. So much.” He hugged her close, a mix of love and affection tightening his chest. “Not so little, though, huh? You’ve grown since I saw you last.”

“You think?” Stepping away, she beamed at him. His fifteen-year-old sister had dreams of hitting the six-foot mark, a goal she felt she needed to attain in order to get to college on a volleyball scholarship. As it was, she was only a couple inches shy.

Levi was next. “Hey, buddy,” he said, pulling him in for a hug. At sixteen, Levi had recently hit the six-foot mark and Jay suspected he would eventually surpass his own six foot four inches.

And finally, his sister Josie. “Hi.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. Jay felt his heart squeeze with a special kind of love, a love he knew that only a brother and sister who’d been through a hell like theirs could know. Aside from the surprise, and the speculation as to the reason for this unannounced visit, he was filled with utter joy to see his siblings.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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