Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

We carefully lifted Comet into his truck, his whimpers tugging at my heartstrings. I settled in the passenger seat cradling Comet gently as Rosario pulled onto the main road into town. The drive to the emergency hospital was a blur of streetlights and quiet.

When we arrived, the ER team greeted us with immediately. I knew them well; they were some of the best in Evergrove. They had to be; they were the only animal ER in town.

“Sanova! What have we got here?” Dr. Maria Julez, the head vet, approached us with a beaming smile.

“Hey, Maria. This is Comet,” I began, as we transferred him onto a stretcher. “Rosario found him injured on the side of the road. We need to get him on antibiotics and keep him under observation.”

Rosario stood by, looking both grateful yet uncertain. “I'm not from around here,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Is there any way to work out a payment plan? I want to make sure Comet gets the best care, but at the same time funds are tight.”

Maria glanced at me, then nodded. “We do offer Care Credit, so we'll sort something out. Don't worry, we'll take good care of him in the meantime.”

As the team whisked Comet away for treatment, I could see the relief in Rosario's eyes. We settled in the lobby, the fall air mingling with the faint scent of antiseptic.

“How did you two meet?” Maria asked as she joined us briefly, her curiosity piqued.

“Rosario brought Comet into Evergrove yesterday,” I explained. “The poor dog was hit by a car. He's been taking care of Comet at the motel since then.”

Maria nodded thoughtfully. “Well, you're in good hands here, Rosario. We'll do everything we can.”

“Thank you,” we said in unison, sharing a knowing smile.

“Anytime. I owe you one after all those times you saved my ass,” Maria sauntered off with a wink, disappearing through the double doors.

After waiting for a while, I suggested that we grab a bite to eat. There was a cozy diner nearby, perfect for a quiet dinner. We settled into a booth, surrounded by the comforting hum of conversation.

Rosario leaned back, looking at me with those gorgeous green eyes, searching into my soul. My lips quivered slightly as my heart skipped a beat. “So, Dr. Park, what made you decide to become a veterinarian?”

I smiled, memories flooding back. “I grew up on a small farm here in Carolina. We had all sorts of animals—horses, chickens, goats. I always felt this deep connection to them. One winter, our old mare got sick. I stayed up all night with her, trying to nurse her back to health. That's when I realized I wanted to spend my life helping animals.”

Rosario leaned forward, his eyes softening. “It sounds like you were always meant to do this.” He shifted in his seat. “Please tell me she made it.”

I let out a trembling breath, feeling as if his world would shatter if I'd disappointed him. “It was touch and go for a while; however, by some divine miracle she managed to pull through and went on to live five more years.”

“Phew!” He chuckled softly, nursing his coffee. “The miracle was having you by her side, pulling her through the uncertain times.”

“Maybe you're right,” I said, warmth spreading through me as he studied me, as if committing my face to memory. “I've always believed the bond between humans and animals nourishes the soul. They trust and depend on us, and I take that responsibility seriously.” I cleared my throat. “What about you? Any life-changing animal stories?”

Rosario seemed to ponder my question for a moment, his eyes dulling a shade. “Well, my story isn't as heartwarming as yours, but it was life-changing all the same,” he began, his voice low. “I served in the military for a while. During one of my deployments, our unit found a stray German Shepherd near our base. Beautiful, beautiful dog. We named him Shadow because he used to follow us around everywhere. He became a sort of unofficial mascot, lifting everyone's spirits during the dark times.”

His eyes softened with bittersweet memories. “Our unit was ambushed. Shadow sensed the danger and distracted the enemy, buying us time to escape. We owe our lives to that dog. Shadow didn’t make it, though. That’s when I realized how profound the bond between humans and animals is—not just companionship, but loyalty, bravery, and unconditional love.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, tears welling in my eyes. I reached across the table to grip his hand in mine and Rosario didn't hesitate to take it. “Shadow sounds like he was an incredible dog," I said softly. “I'm so sorry that happened, how devastating.”

Rosario gave me a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Sanova. That's part of why I couldn't just leave Comet. I felt that same connection, that same sense of duty to protect him.”

“I truly understand that. And he's so lucky you stopped to help him.”

The food arrived, and as we ate, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. “You know, I think I could get used to this small-town life,” Rosario said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Especially if it means spending more time with a certain veterinarian.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Oh, so now you're a smooth talker too?”

He grinned. “Only when it comes to you.”

“You're too much,” I said even though I secretly wanted more of whatever he was willing to give me.

As we finished our meal and headed back to the ER, the easy camaraderie between us was a breath of fresh air. Maria informed us Comet was stable and resting comfortably. Rosario's eyes met mine, and in that moment, there was an unspoken understanding between us—a shared sense of relief and hope.

Walking back to his truck, he turned to me. “I appreciate everything you've done, Sanova. I couldn't have done this without you.”

I smiled, feeling my heartbeat strumming harder in my chest. “You're welcome, Rosario. I'm just glad I could help.”

He enveloped his muscular arms around me ever so tightly. And for a moment, the world seemed to fade away as I breathed him in. When we reluctantly pulled apart, he gave me a mischievous smile. “So, do you think there's a chance for another 'date' sometime?”

Those eyes are going to be the death of me. Inside I was screaming and a rush zipped through my body being the focus of his gaze. “We'll see, Mr. Knight. We'll see.”

“Oh, playing hard to get, huh?” He opened the door for me, chuckling, and as he drove me back to my car, the streets of Evergrove felt a little brighter, a little more hopeful.

At the festival grounds, he thanked me once again, and with one last longing look, he made his way back to his truck, and in true Rosario fashion, he high-tailed out of the parking lot.

As I watched him go, I heard a familiar voice behind me. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Lily's teasing tone broke the spell Rosario had over me, and I turned to see her grinning at me, her strawberry blonde hair pulled into a low ponytail. “Is that Dr. Park blushing?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Oh, stop it, Lily.”

She winked at me. “Looks like someone's had an interesting night with that sexy as hell out-of-towner. Spill, bitch!”

I sighed, a smile playing on my lips. “Alright, but only because you're my best friend.”

As we walked to the other end of the parking lot, I recounted the night's events to Lily. Her eyes widened and sparkled with every detail.

“Rosario just has this... presence. And the way he cares for Comet—it's like nothing I've seen before.”

Lily's grin grew wider. “And don't forget deliciously hot. So, when did you first realize you were into him?”

I chuckled, feeling my cheeks heat. “Honestly? It hit me tonight. The way he looked at me when we were at dinner, and the story he told about his dog, Shadow. It was like he let me peek into his soul for just a moment. I wish I knew more about his past.”

Lily practically bounced on her toes. “Sanova, this is huge! You've been so guarded since your ex. Six years is a long time to not let anyone in.”

I nodded, the weight of her words sinking into my core. “I know. It's just... I didn't expect this. Not here, not now.”

“That's how it happens. When you least expect it. And it sounds like Rosario might be exactly what you need right now. Just be careful, that man has ‘heartbreaker’ written all over his herculean bod–”

“Lily,” I slapped her on the arm.

“Sorry, I got a bit carried away. I'm excited for you to get laid soon, ha!”

“Oh, my God. Stop .”

“You know you want him, don't deny it.”

I responded with an eye roll, then giggled. Laughing, we reached Lily's car, and she turned to me, her red lips pursed into a thin line. "So, what are you going to do about it?”

I took a deep breath, the cool night air filling my lungs. “I don't know yet. But for the first time in a long time, I'm excited to find out.”

Lily wrapped me in a tight hug. “I'm so happy for you, Sanova. You deserve this.”

As I watched her drive away, I had a renewed sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, something new and beautiful was beginning to bloom.