Wilder Hearts. Karen Rose Smith

that couldn’t be true. She was terrific with the pediatric patients who came in to the E.R.

      “You know,” Mike said, “not being able to have children wouldn’t be the end of the world.”

      “You’re right. And honestly, Millie was far more concerned about losing Fred than her chance at adopting a baby. She loves him more than anything in the world and is glad to have him for as long as possible. She’s also resigned to the fact that their pets will be the only children they have.” Simone unhooked her seat belt, handed Wags to Mike and reached for the door handle. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to one of the nicest couples in Walnut River.”

      Millie Baxter, a tall, slender blonde in her late thirties, broke into a smile that lit up the room when she spotted Simone enter the pet shop.

      “Well, if it isn’t my favorite nurse.” She left her position near the cash register and greeted Simone at the door with a warm hug.

      The Baxters tried hard to remember the names of not only their customers, but also their customers’ pets, but they didn’t offer hugs to just anyone.

      “Where’s Woofer?” Millie asked.

      “He’s at home and not all that happy about it. But he’d really be pouting if he knew where I was. He loves coming here with me to shop, although part of the reason is because of those meaty treats you always give him.” Simone turned to Mike and introduced him to Millie, calling him her friend and mentioning that he was a paramedic.

      “And who is this sweet little guy?” Millie asked, zeroing in on the puppy in Mike’s arms.

      “His name is Wags,” Mike said, “and he’s going to stay with Simone until I find another place to live.”

      “I’ll bet Woofer loves you,” Millie said to the dog.

      “They haven’t met yet,” Simone said. “And I’m not sure how Woofer is going to feel about sharing my time or having a houseguest.”

      “Just take it slow and easy when you introduce them. There’s always a bit of an adjustment period, but I’m sure they’ll be the best of friends before you know it.” Millie looked at Mike. “Would you like me to hold Wags for you while you shop?”

      “Thanks. I have a feeling we’ll be needing both hands.” Mike passed the puppy to Millie. “So, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better get a cart.”

      “Where’s Fred?” Simone asked. She hoped he was feeling okay and hadn’t stayed home.

      “Helen Walters purchased a new aquarium for her nephew, so he drove over to the boy’s house to help them set it up. He’s been gone quite a while, so I expect him back soon.”

      The Baxters were very generous with their time and their expertise, so going the extra mile wasn’t surprising.

      “That was sweet of Fred to help.”

      “Aw, you know how Fred is.” Millie smiled, eyes crinkling. “If there’s anything he likes more than animals it’s kids.”

      “Okay,” Mike said upon his return with a cart. “Where do we find the dog supplies?”

      “They’re on aisle one.” Simone pointed to the right. “I’ll show you.”

      As they strode through the small but well-stocked and -organized shop, Simone pointed to the basset hound snoozing on a blue pad by the cash register. She noticed that he was wearing the usual bandanna around his neck. It was red this time, although the color and print usually varied from day to day.

      “That’s Popeye Baxter,” Simone told Mike. “He comes to work with Fred and Millie each day and is practically a fixture around here.”

      “Lucky dog.”

      “Yes, he certainly is. The Baxters own quite a few pets.” All of which they referred to as “the kids.”

      “Are the other animals here at the store?”

      “Most of them are. Tina the cat is usually playing on a carpet-covered climbing structure in the kitty section. And Herb the parrot is perched in the bird aisle.”

      Mike scanned the interior of the pet store. “I can see why you like to stop in and visit.”

      “Can you?” she asked. She’d always thought animal lovers were a bit…over the top. But that was until she met the Baxters—and adopted Woofer. The big, goofy dog had really grown on her. She suspected that was because she and the mutt had a lot in common.

      “Honey,” a man’s voice rang out. “I’m back.”

      “That’s Fred.” Simone nodded to the short, heavyset man who’d entered the store through the back door. “I’ll introduce you after we finish stocking up on supplies.”

      Ten minutes later, they’d filled the cart with a doggie bed, chew toys, puppy food, a pet carrier, leash and collar.

      “Hey, wait.” Mike threw in a bulky piece of knotted rope and a rawhide bone. “We don’t want Woofer feeling left out.”

      She figured the toys would all become community property eventually. “You don’t need to worry about Woofer.”

      “Maybe not, but my sister Kari just had her second baby—a boy. And she bought a doll and a toy stroller for his big sister. She didn’t want her little girl to be jealous of the new baby.”

      See? Simone knew nothing about that sort of thing, which was another reason she would make a lousy mother, if given the chance.

      “You know,” Mike said as they approached the checkout counter, “speaking of kids, this kind of feels like we’re preparing a doggie nursery.”

      The hint of a chuckle tickled the tone of his voice, but Simone didn’t find anything warm or amusing in the words.

      They weren’t co–dog owners.

      And there wasn’t anything parental about their relationship, even though a child they’d created was growing in Simone’s womb.

      A sense of uneasiness settled over her as she thought of giving up the baby. But the child deserved a loving home with two parents, a couple who would lovingly prepare a nursery in anticipation of the child they’d always wanted. And she tamped down the momentary discomfort.

      Simone glanced at Millie and recognized a soulful longing that whisked across her face, a momentary stab of grief.

      It wasn’t likely that Millie and Fred would ever have the chance to decorate a nursery. And the shame of it all was that they’d make great parents. If given the opportunity, they’d welcome a new baby…

      Simone’s musing took an interesting turn.

      Maybe Fred and Millie would want her baby.

      Wouldn’t it be easier to give the child to people she knew? A couple she trusted?

      It was certainly something to consider. And she hoped that Mike would see the wisdom in it—when the time came to tell him that during their one night together they conceived a baby.

      She sure hoped he wouldn’t give her a hard time about the decision she’d made.

      Still, her tummy tossed and turned.

      What if Mike didn’t agree? What if he didn’t let up on her and tried to push her into something she knew was wrong—at least, for her?

      “That will be a hundred and twenty-seven dollars and sixteen cents,” Millie said, drawing Simone from her musing.

      Mike whipped out his credit card in a blur. Or so it seemed.

      Simone blinked, feeling a bit dizzy and light-headed.

      Whew. All she needed to do was to pass out. The dedicated paramedic and the dutiful suitor in Mike would have a field day with that.

      Uh-oh.