Puppy Love In Thunder Canyon

“I’m so sorry!”

Annabel quickly wound the dog’s lead around her palm. “Here, let me help you!”

Dropping to her knees, she started grabbing the loose pages and the manila folders, but the man in front of her mirrored her actions. Their heads collided with a resounding crack.

Annabel swore and fell backward, landing on her butt. She rubbed hard at the stinging at her temple, hoping to erase the pain.

Suddenly, the warmth and strength of male hands, one capturing her rubbing fingers and the other cupping her jaw, caused a shiver to dance over her skin.

“Look at me. Are you all right?”

Annabel blinked hard as her world tilted. She could swear she saw a dizzying array of stars.

Forcing her gaze upward, she found icy blue eyes, serious and probing and perfectly matching his shirt, staring intently back at her.

Forget the stars.

This was a full-blown meteor shower.

Dear Reader,

Have you ever met someone who seemed to show up in your life just when you needed them? Well, Dr Thomas North might not realize it, but he’s been waiting for Annabel Cates, and her beloved golden retriever, Smiley, all his life. What he’s going to do with this vivacious blonde spitfire, her pup and the upheaval they cause to his well-ordered days is another question!

From the moment Annabel literally runs into the sexy and serious doctor, she knows what this man needs is a strong dose of love, both the human and puppy variety. Finding ways for these two very different, but perfectly matched people to fall in love is what made this story so much fun to write!

Being a fan of the Montana Mavericks for years, it was an honor to be asked to be a part of this amazing series that pays great tribute to the heart-and-home creed of Mills & Boon® Cherish™ with the wonderful families of Thunder Canyon, Montana.

I hope you enjoy their journey to happily-ever-after and please visit me at www.christynebutler.com or e-mail me at [e-mail]!

Christyne

About the Author

CHRISTYNE BUTLER fell in love with romance novels while serving in the United States Navy and started writing her own stories six years ago. She considers selling to Mills & Boon® Cherish™ a dream come true and enjoys writing contemporary romances full of life, love, a hint of laughter and perhaps a dash of danger, too. And there has to be a happily-ever-after or she’s just not satisfied.

She lives with her family in central Massachusetts and loves to hear from her readers at [e-mail]. Or visit her website, www.christynebutler.com.

Puppy Love

in Thunder

Canyon

Christyne Butler

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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To the ladies at WriteRomance, the best critique partners in the world: don’t know what I would do without you!

And to Susan, Charles and Jennifer … you all know why

Chapter One

“Do you understand everything we talked about during the drive here?”

Annabel Cates pulled into an empty spot in the Thunder Canyon General Hospital parking lot. “I know these visits are routine by now, but it’s important we cover the dos and don’ts every time.”

She cut the engine, turned to the backseat of her practically new lime-green VW Bug and was rewarded with a sloppy kiss.

“Smiley!” Annabel pushed at the wet nose of her three-year-old golden retriever, her constant companion since she’d brought him home from the local shelter when he was just a pup. “You could’ve just nodded!”

An excited bark was her pet’s answer.

“Yes, I love you, too.” Releasing her seat belt, Annabel grabbed her purse and Smiley’s leash and got out of her car, pausing to hold the driver’s seat up to allow her dog to exit.

Kneeling, she latched the leash on to his collar then straightened the bright blue bandana around his neck, her fingers lingering over the black lettering on the material. “Just think, buddy, a dozen more sessions and we can switch this In Training bandana for one that reads Certified.”

Smiley did the exact thing that earned him his name: he smiled. Many told her it was the natural curve of his mouth, a trait common in golden retrievers, but Annabel could tell when her fur baby was happy.

Which was just about all the time.

Smiley’s outgoing, friendly personality, to both humans and other animals, made him a great therapy dog. The two of them had completed the required training, registration and certification over the past few months, but the American Kennel Club required fifty visits before being awarded the title of AKC Therapy Dog.

And Annabel wanted that title for Smiley, which didn’t explain this particular visit.

“But this one is special, isn’t it, boy?” Annabel gave Smiley a quick scratch to the ears then rose, and they walked across the hospital’s parking lot.

Once inside, she stopped at the directory near the elevators. The geriatrics and children’s areas were the most familiar to her and Smiley, but today they were headed for a specific doctor’s office.

Smiley padded along beside her, staying right at her knee, despite the comments, grins and hellos that greeted them. Then a little boy sitting alone on a bench came into view and Annabel felt the familiar tug on the leash.

Almost by instinct, Smiley was drawn to those who were injured and hurting, but not all injuries were visible. A low whimper and the quickening of his wagging tail made the little boy look up. The beginnings of a smile crossed his face. Annabel slowed and allowed Smiley to work his magic.

After a few minutes visiting, Annabel continued on her way, energized by the boy’s improved mood and excited chatter to his mother. They stopped outside the elevators and she eyed the hospital directory on the wall.

“Can I help you?”

Annabel turned and found a pretty nurse standing beside her dressed in scrubs, a short-sleeve shirt and loose cotton pants featuring a dizzying pattern of colorful flip-flops. Perfect for a warm August morning in Montana. “Yes, I’m looking for Dr. North’s office.”

The woman’s eyebrows rose, disappearing into her perfect straight bangs. “Dr. Thomas North?”

“If he’s an orthopedic surgeon, then yes, he’s the one.”

“Is Dr. North expecting you?” Her gaze shifted to Smiley for a moment. “Both of you?”

Living by the motto “it’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission,” Annabel smiled. “We’re here to visit with one of his patients.”

“Oh. Well, his office suite is on the second floor, far left corner. I could show you if you’d like.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

The elevator dinged and seconds later the door opened. Annabel and Smiley waited for everyone to depart before they followed the nurse inside. Once on the second floor, they turned a few corners and moved into an office area. At the end of the long hallway Annabel finally spotted the nameplate for Dr. Thomas North.

“Hey, Marge. I’ve got a visitor for you.”

The older woman sitting behind the desk was obviously Dr. North’s secretary. Annabel smiled, not missing the glances between her and the nurse or the way her eyebrows rose in matching high arches, as well.

It was okay. She and Smiley were used to it.

“Can I help you, miss?” Marge asked as a beeping noise filled the air.

“Oh, shoot. I’ve got to go.” The nurse checked her pager and smiled. “I so wanted to stick around and see this. Let me know what happens, okay?”

Marge gave her a quick wink and nodded.

A bit confused, Annabel offered her thanks. The nurse waved it off and then disappeared.

“Miss?”

Annabel turned back to the woman. “Oh, I was wondering if Forrest Traub has arrived for his appointment with Dr. North yet?”

“And you are?”

She opened her mouth to reply, but a low, measured voice came from over her shoulder.

“What are you doing here, Annabel?”

She whirled around, surprised to find the man she’d asked about had somehow snuck up on her. Not usually easy to do with Smiley close by. Annabel then noticed her dog remained sitting at her side, perfectly still, not even his tail moving as he stared intently up at Forrest.

And there was a lot to look at.

Tall, muscular, dark hair and the coolest light brown eyes. Yes, he was very nice to look at. Annabel was sure her sisters would use words like yummy and sexy. Even the two recently married ones, one of whom was the bride of Forrest’s cousin, Jackson, would have to admit good looks ran strong in the Traub family tree.

Too bad the man did nothing for Annabel. No spark, no fizzle.

But that was fine with her. Annabel wanted more. She wanted true love.

The kind of love that came at you like a bolt of lightning and left you dazed, confused and tingly all over. She’d never felt that way in her life, but darn it, after a dry dating spell that had been going on for three years, she was ready for it!

“Hello?” Forrest leaned heavily on a cane with one hand while waving the other in her face. “Annabel?”

“Oh, sorry!” She blinked hard and chased away her dreams. “I … um, I’m here to see you.”

His mouth pressed into a hard line as he looked down at Smiley. Annabel did the same, noticing how her pet returned the man’s stare with a simple tilt of his head.

She wasn’t sure who was sizing up whom.

“How did you know I was going to be at the hospital this morning?” he asked.

Her cheeks turned hot. “I overheard you talking to Jackson at the family barbecue yesterday.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but Annabel kept talking. “I know you’ve been through so much since you got back from overseas. Even before then. And after all that time you spent at Walter Reed Medical Center to still need … well, I thought we could help.”

Forrest sighed and directed his gaze to the secretary. “Would it be okay if I—if we waited for the doctor inside his office?”

A thrill raced through Annabel. It wasn’t a complete victory, but it was a start.

“I’ll take full responsibility for them being here,” he continued. “And I really need to sit down.”

The woman’s blue eyes flickered toward the chairs in the corner of the room, but then she said, “Of course, please go in. The doctor is running late, but he should be here soon.”

Forrest gestured toward the open doorway with a wave of his hand. Annabel gave a quick tug on the leash and entered the office, Smiley at her side. Forrest followed, and the doctor’s secretary stood to close the door behind him.

It was a large room, with a wall of windows behind tightly closed blinds. Two chairs sat in front of a large desk with a more comfortable-looking leather couch along one wall.

Annabel stayed off to the side, not wanting to get in Forrest’s way as he dropped into the closest chair. He jammed the cane she didn’t remember him using yesterday into the armrest and closed his eyes. His right leg stuck out straight. The bulk of the brace underneath his jeans pulled the worn denim tight around his knee.

This time Smiley tugged a bit at the leash and Annabel released the slack, allowing the dog a bit more leeway while keeping a tight grip on the looped handle. Just in case.

Smiley had been with her yesterday at the barbecue, but he and Forrest didn’t interact at all. Considering her pet’s reaction to the man a few minutes ago, Annabel wanted to be sure she could pull him away if needed.

Seconds later Smiley was at Forrest’s side, instinctively resting his furry head on the man’s uninjured leg. Then a deep sigh echoed in the dog’s chest.

A full minute passed before Forrest’s large hand came to rest behind Smiley’s ears, his fingers digging into the dog’s thick coat.

Annabel titled her head back slightly and rolled her eyes, upward, pretending a sudden interest in the tiled ceiling. She’d learned it was the fastest way to stop the sharp stinging in her eyes.

Tears, or any sign of pity, were the last thing most people wanted.

The last thing Forrest Traub wanted.

He’d made that very clear while talking to his cousin yesterday about the reason he was in Thunder Canyon for the summer.

“So, Dr. North’s secretary seemed a bit hesitant about us being in here.” Annabel wanted to talk to Forrest about Smiley being a part of his upcoming medical treatment, but she couldn’t just jump into the topic. Not when she’d taken it upon herself to be here instead of waiting for an invitation. “Me and Smiley, that is. Don’t tell me your doctor is a stodgy, old curmudgeon who considers his office his inner sanctum?”

“He’s not—”

“I’m only asking because the more senior the doctor the more they tend to think the only good medicine is the kind that comes in a pill or from the sharp end of a scalpel.” She glanced around for clues, but wasn’t close enough to see the graduation dates on the medical degrees hanging from the wall. “Wow, look at all those awards and certificates. Pretty impressive. Then again, this place could use some brightening, a splash of color. Everything in here is brown.”

“Annabel—”

“No family photos on his desk. There’s not even a plant,” she pushed on, afraid if she shut up Forrest was going to kick her and her dog out. “His secretary practically has a jungle around her desk. You’d think she’d put at least one green leafy thing in her boss’s office.”

“Annabel, stop.”

Forrest’s soft, yet firm command included an unspoken request for her to look at him. She obeyed, while holding her breath.

“I know why you’re here,” he said.

She waited a moment, then air became a necessity. “You do?”

“I know all about the work you and your dog do.”

“Smiley.”

“Excuse me?”

“My dog’s name is Smiley, and how do you know?”

“Your sister is very proud of you … and Smiley.” Forrest looked down at the dog, continuing to scratch him behind his floppy ears. “But I don’t think he can help me.”

Annabel had heard those words, many times before and from many different types of people. Young children fighting diseases they couldn’t pronounce, the elderly fighting to hold on to their memories and their dignity, and those fighting for the most important thing of all, hope.

“How do you feel?” she asked. “I mean, right now?”

Forrest shook his head. “Forget it, Annabel. I’m not going there.”

“I’m not trying to psychoanalyze you.” She moved closer. “And I know there’s nothing medically we can do—”

“Good. That’s my job.”

Annabel whirled around at the very deep, very male voice coming from the open doorway.

She immediately cataloged a pair of men’s shiny black shoes, dark slacks with a sharp crease down the center of each leg, a cobalt-blue shirt, striped tie and white lab coat.

Dr. Thomas North.

Before her perusal could get past a nicely chiseled jaw, Smiley bounced across the office, pulling his leash to its full length.

Offering an enthusiastic greeting that included a playful bark, her pet rose on his back legs and planted his front paws on the man’s midsection.

The move knocked the doctor back against the door frame and sent the paperwork in his hands flying everywhere.

“Smiley!”

Horrified at her pet’s unusual behavior, Annabel rushed to help. A quick tug on the collar and Smiley dropped back to all four paws on the ground, but the tail continued to wag up a storm.

“I’m so sorry!” She quickly wound the dog’s lead around her palm, pulling him back to her side. “He usually doesn’t act like this. I have no idea—” She then focused on the mess on the floor. “Oh, here, let me help you!”

Dropping to her knees, she started grabbing the loose pages and the manila folders, but the man in front of her mirrored her actions. Their heads collided with a resounding crack.

“Oh, fudge nuggets!” Annabel swore and fell backward, landing on her butt. She rubbed hard at the stinging at her temple hoping to erase the pain.

Darn, that hurt!

Suddenly, the warmth and strength of male hands, one capturing her rubbing fingers and the other cupping her jaw, caused a shiver to dance over her skin.

“Look at me. Are you all right?”

Annabel blinked hard as her world tilted. She could swear she saw a dizzying array of stars.

Forcing her gaze upward, she found icy blue eyes, serious and probing and perfectly matching his shirt, staring intently back at her.

Forget the stars.

This was a full-blown meteor shower.

Thomas North knelt on the carpet, cringing at the wrinkled paperwork beneath his feet.

The last thing he’d expected when he hurried into his office, cursing himself for being late thanks to his weekly breakfast date with his grandmother, was to be attacked by an overgrown hairy beast.

Or by the woman who was obviously its owner.

“Hello, miss? Did you hear me? Are you okay?”

“Y-yes, I think so.”

Ignoring how her breathy words warmed the inside of his wrist, then transformed into a tremor that raced up his entire arm, Thomas focused on her pale blue eyes. They seemed clear and bright, but her speech was a bit slow.

He waved his hand, holding up three fingers in front of the woman’s face. “How many fingers do you see?”

“Two.”

Hmm, not good.

His own head still smarted from where they’d come together with a hard thunk, but he didn’t have any problem directing Forrest Traub back into the chair he started to rise from or to see the beautiful blonde on the floor in front of him.

Not to mention another blond, with four legs and a wet nose, who was getting in his way.

“And a thumb.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re holding up two fingers, index and middle, and your thumb.” She laid a hand on the dog’s snout, where it tunneled into her loose waves at her shoulder. “I’m okay, Smiley. Please, sit.”

The dog obeyed the woman’s command, just barely, as its backside continued to shimmy, helped by the rapid wagging of its tail.

Thomas took the paperwork from the woman’s grip, added it to the pile he’d shoved back into the top folder. He handed it all to his secretary, who stood over his right shoulder. “Can you put this back into some semblance of order, please?”

“Wow, how did you know she was standing there?” the woman asked, drawing his attention back to her.

“He’s got eyes in the back of his head,” his secretary quipped as she stepped around them and headed for his desk. “It’s something they must teach them in medical school.”

Thomas did what he always did when Marge got mouthy. Ignored her. She’d come with the office, having worked for his predecessor for a dozen years, and knew the inner workings of the hospital like the back of her hand. Thomas had only been at TC General two years and he’d be lost without her.

Concentrating on getting the woman back on her feet, he rose and held out one hand. “Do you think you can stand?”

“Of course I can.”

She grabbed his wrist with a surprisingly strong grip, and pushed to her feet. He couldn’t help but notice the dark polish on her bare toes, the snug fit of her jeans over curvy hips or how the loose ruffled neckline of her blouse had slipped to reveal one bare shoulder.

“Annabel, are you sure you’re okay?” Forrest asked.

She turned her head, sending long waves of blond hair flying, covering that shoulder. “Yes, I’m fine.”

Thomas swallowed hard and pulled from her heated touch, refocusing his attention on his patient and the reason he was here.

“I don’t mind your girlfriend being at your appointment, Mr. Traub—” he moved to sit at his desk, not surprised to find Marge had already left the office, closing the door behind her “—but a dog is a different matter entirely.”

“She’s not my—”

“Oh, I’m not his girlfriend.” The woman dropped into the second empty chair. “Forrest and I are practically family. I’m Annabel Cates.”

Thomas tucked away the news these two weren’t involved, and why he even cared, to concentrate on finding out what exactly was going on. “Then what are you and your dog doing in my office, Miss Cates?”

“Two reasons, moral support and a proposition you can’t refuse.”

Chapter Two

“Oh, and please call me Annabel. This is Smiley.” Thomas watched the oversize furball move to sit between her and his patient, ears flopping as it looked back and forth between the two. Then the mutt leaned toward Forrest. Thomas was about to call out, until he saw how the dog rested its chin lightly on Traub’s uninjured knee.

“Smiley is a certified therapy dog,” she continued. “As his owner and handler, I’ve been trained and certified, as well. Because of Forrest’s injury, and his ongoing treatment, I thought Smiley might be able to help.”

He looked back to the woman. “Help how?”

“Therapy dogs are used to assist patients in dealing with the stress and uncertainty that comes with medical issues.”

Thomas didn’t put much stock in therapy dogs—or meditation, or aromatherapy, or any number of other alternative therapies that floated around out there.

All he believed in were cold, hard facts. And science.

“Miss Cates, I really don’t have time for this. Your visit today is not authorized, by me or, I’m guessing, Mr. Traub, and is distracting to say the least.”

“Oh, I don’t mean to be any trouble—”

“You’ve already been that.” Thomas dropped his hand to the folder in the middle of his desk, drumming his thumb repeatedly on the cover. An action her dog apparently took as a cue to perch its large front paws on the edge of his desk and swat its large, fluffy tail at the shoulder of Forrest Traub.

“Smiley, stop that and get down.” She gently tugged at her dog’s leash. “I’m so sorry, Dr. North. I promise you he never acts this way. I guess he must really like you.”

“I doubt that.”

The dog sat again and returned its attention to Forrest. Miss Cates did the same. “I guess this wasn’t such a good idea. Maybe you can spend time with Smiley another day.”

“I’d like you to stay.” Traub laid his hand back on the dog’s head. “Both of you.”

Surprised by his patient’s request, Thomas studied him closely, silently admitting the animal did seem to be having an impact on the man.

He and Forrest had only met twice before, the last time being a week ago when Thomas had performed a thorough examination of the ex-soldier’s injured leg. Forrest had been withdrawn and testy, speaking only when asked a direct question.

In the subsequent reading of his military medical records, Thomas had found the former army sergeant had good reason for his surliness, having gone through hell after a roadside explosive destroyed the Humvee he was riding in during his last tour in Afghanistan.