All you need is (puppy) love…

Marie Franklin set up her veterinary practice in tiny Weaver’s Circle to hide her association to one of the biggest names in rock and roll. Helping Will Perkins with his rescue puppy is a great in and falling for him is better. But this puppy is one of the Bachelor Party Rescue Puppies and Marie’s cover is about to be blown.

Warning: Ill mannered puppies, lethal vegetables, and unwanted fame.

Excerpt:

Marie turned to him. She was close enough that he could see the flecks of color in her eyes. They were blue, but there were shades in the blue. There was more to her eyes than just one color, just like there was more to her than just being the town vet. “You were talking about me today?”

“Everybody who came into the garage wanted to know how you happened to have my puppy. Jenni posted it on Facebook that Zack found her and left her with you. I told them you were keeping her until I got the stuff I needed for her so she wouldn’t get out again.”

“I don’t want to see her get hurt.” She lowered her gaze, her lashes laying on her cheeks in perfect golden curves.

“Yeah, because her owner is a big buffoon.”

“I didn’t say that.” She looked up again, lips quirked into a half smile. “You are merely under prepared for the surprise of pet ownership. But you are kind of a hero among my friends.”

“Why?”

“We’re veterinarians. We love anybody who rescues an animal.”

“Then it’s not just me. It’s all the guys.”

“It might be a little more you for me.” She arched her neck.

Will leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. She drew in a little gasp so he let his hand slide down from her shoulder to her arm and pull her closer. She reached for him. She smelled like heaven and he had never expected heaven to smell so much like bleach. Her mouth was eager on his and her fingers sunk into his arm.

When he broke the kiss, he looked down at the wonder in her eyes. “Hi.”

She smiled. “Hi.”

“That was unexpected,” he said.

“But not unwelcome.” She still had a hand on his arm and was turned to him.

“I figured since you didn’t punch me.”

“That’s right. You were at the Circle Inn the night that out of town drunk kissed me while I was patching him up.”

“I was. It was an impressive left hook.”

Her cheeks tinge pink. “I didn’t take the Hippocratic Oath.”

“Is that so?”

“The Veterinary Oath requires me to use my skills and knowledge for the benefit of society and to relieve animal suffering. By knocking that man out, I benefitted society and relieved a lot of suffering.”

Will laughed.

The puppy barked and leaped onto their laps licking first her, and then him, on the face.

“Thanks,” Marie gave the puppy a pat as she wiped off her face.

“We should head back. Grandpa likes to have dinner on time and Grandma will want us to wash our hands.” Will stood. He’d have rather sat here with her for the rest of the night talking.