Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

The warm Carolina sun bathed my face as I stood in the doorway of Evergrove Animal Hospital. The familiar scents of disinfectant and coffee filled the air, with a hint of sweet honeysuckle drifting in from outside. Evergrove, my hometown, enveloped me with its gentle pace and familiar rhythms. I felt a sense of peace and belonging here, unlike anywhere else. My hospital buzzed with activity, a bustling hub of comfort and care for animals of all kinds. The sounds of gentle whimpers and excited barks created a symphony that only added to the warmth I felt.

Sunlight filled the room, highlighting the bustling reception area. I felt a deep sense of pride and purpose, knowing my work was a true calling. I was discharging my first appointment, a golden retriever with a persistent ear infection when the front door burst open.

A tall, dark-haired man rushed in, carrying an injured dog. His panicked eyes and trembling voice pleaded for help. Despite his rugged charm, a hidden darkness lingered beneath the surface. “Please, someone help! This dog was hit by a car!”

I quickly handed the retriever back to its owner and hurried to his aid. “Bring him back here,” I said, guiding the man to an open exam room. “We'll take care of him.”

The man followed me, his face etched with worry. “I found him on the side of the road as I was passing through town.”

“It's okay,” I reassured him, my professional demeanor taking over. “We'll do everything we can.”

I took the dog from the gentleman and placed him on the exam table. He had multiple lacerations, a broken leg, and signs of internal bleeding. I called for Anika, and we quickly got to work.

“What's your name?” I asked the man as my technician placed an intravenous catheter, prepping the dog for surgery; time was of the essence and we couldn't wait a moment longer.

“Rosario. Rosario Knight.”

“Nice to meet you, Rosario. I'm Dr. Sanova Park. We'll need to take him into surgery right away. Do you know if he has an owner?”

Rosario shook his head, running his fingers through his hair. “I don't know. Nobody was around…I couldn't just leave him there.”

I nodded, appreciating his compassion. “We'll take good care of him. You can wait in the lobby if you'd like.”

Rosario hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Park.”

As Anika and I worked, Rosario's presence lingered in my mind. His genuine concern was touching, but there was also a haunted look in his eyes as if he were running from something.

The surgery was long and complicated, but we managed to repair the dog's injuries. As I stitched up the final wound, I exhaled a breath. He had a long road to recovery, but he had a fighting chance.

After cleaning up, I found Rosario pacing in the lobby. His face lit up with hope when he saw me. “How is he?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“He's stable,” I said with a reassuring smile. “The surgery went well, but he'll need a lot of care and rest.”

Rosario let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for hours. “Thank you, Dr. Park. I can't tell you how much this means to me.”

“You're welcome. Do you have a place for him to recover? He needs a quiet, safe environment. We don't keep patients overnight; if not, we'll transport him to the animal ER across town.”

Rosario looked thoughtful for a moment. “I was just passing through town, but... I can extend my stay to take care of him.”

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. “That's very kind of you. We'll provide you with everything you need for his recovery.”

As Rosario finalized the bill and took the injured dog, which he had named Comet, out to his truck, he disappeared from my view. I couldn't help but feel that this encounter was the beginning of something significant. Little did I know then that the arrival of Rosario and his injured dog would change my life in ways I could never have imagined.

Later that evening, as Anika and the rest of the team were closing the hospital, my best friend, Lily Thompson, walked in. Lily and I had been inseparable since childhood, and she was the town's unofficial event planner. She had a knack for organizing everything from bake sales to charity galas.

“Hey, Nov! How was your day?” Lily asked, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I sighed, a mix of exhaustion and excitement. “You won't believe what happened today. A man named Rosario brought in a stray dog that had been hit by a car. We managed to save him, but there's something mysterious about Rosario. I can't quite put my finger on it.”

Lily raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like you've had quite the day, Nov. Maybe he's hiding a secret. You know how I love a good mystery.”

I laughed, grateful for her lightheartedness. “You and your mysteries. But seriously, there's something about him. And he's decided to stay in Evergrove to take care of Comet, isn't that something.”

“Well, that sounds like the beginning of an interesting story,” Lily said with a wink. “Speaking of stories, don't forget the Harvest Festival tomorrow. We need your input on the pet costume contest.”

I groaned playfully, shoving her out the front door. “How could I forget? I'll be there, don't worry.”