in her usual, cheerful manner, humming under her breath as she prepared for the next patient. The walls, lined with soothing green paint and potted plant

uiet light-a light that could not be ignored. With her silver curls falling over her shoulders, tucked behind her ears, her hazel eyes-eyes that held a quiet wisdom beyond her years-scanned the

rgical instruments in the back. Her tall figure, long and slender, moved with purpose, but there was an easy grace in her every step. Ivy was tall-about 175 cm, a height that always m

r cascading over her shoulder. It caught the light in a way that m

ading the name aloud. "Hope you're a friendly one." She smiled

s she walked by. The lanky young man's hair was a bit tousled, and his button-up shirt looked as though it had been chosen purely for comfort and not style. He had been working here just as long as

vy asked, giving him a wa

nose, and gave her a lazy smile in return. "Same old. Just

mischievous glint lighting her hazel eyes. "I swear you spen

dogs like you do." Finn stretched and yawned, clearly content in his

around. Besides, someone's gotta keep you on your toes." She pat

the calm dog sitting in the corner. She greeted him softly, her vo

as as though she had stepped into her element. The husky's large eyes met hers, and for a moment, there was a flicker of understandi

he door behind he

the doorway, where he stood with a neutr

it was. Finn always found a reason to ste

ust grab the clipboard,

she could only call humor. "You know, you really do have a

"I guess it's just a gift. But really, I think it

ething akin to admiration. He had seen her treat every animal with the sa

as on her way to the back office to give her mentor an update on the day's appointments. But as she made

ck?" Ivy asked brightly, h

. You know how I feel about your work. Ju

ratitude. "Thanks, Dr. Thorne. I always

hough there was a gentleness to h

nging. Here, at Thornbridge, she felt at home. It wasn't just the work-it was the people. She was part of

urned. "You know," he said, "it's hard to believe you don't have

unce off the walls of the clinic. "I'm just

und, looking at the small, quiet clinic that had become her world. It wasn't glamorous, it wasn't fl

was all s

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