Chapter 1

Attending an all-girls Catholic school as a teen, Michaela's friends frequently made fun of her for being pure. "The Virgin Michaela", they called her. Often in her yearbook they'd write things like "Get to first base this summer.". Or, "Come back a woman next fall.". But Michaela was different. Not because of her upbringing, even her mother questioned her a time or two on losing her virginity, saying it would be better for her if she had experience before getting married. But nothing worked. Not that the thought of losing her virginity hadn't crossed Michaela's mind, it did. It's that she'd always felt that being with someone, even it was just making out was pointless unless there was an emotional attachment established. And was the point of getting emotionally involved with someone if it would not be the person you'd spend the rest of your life with?

Now almost 40 she was a successful veterinarian and a mother to a beautiful six-month-old girl whom she adopted at birth. She was getting older yes, and the thought of her falling in love for the first, and last time still crossed her mind whenever she felt lonely, but she would just assure herself that if it was supposed to happen, then it will. Besides, she already had enough on her plate with an infant, a veterinary practice, and being on call at the local zoo every other Saturday.

Sully woke and glanced at the clock. "10:30", it flashed, which was unusual. Wolf, his 2-year-old Alaskan Malamute would have already woken him up at 7 wanting to go out, fed, or to play. Thinking it was the latter he got up.

"Wolf!", he called as he exited his bedroom and enter the hallway. No answer. "Wolf," he called out again as he headed towards the kitchen, still no answer. Trying not to get worried Sully figured that he finally grasped the concept of using the doggy door to let himself out, but not the concept of using it to let himself back in. Wolf was smart, but he still had his moments of not being the brightest bulb in the box.

"Man, I love that dog.", Sully couldn't help but say out loud as he realized what had happened.

Heading onto the back porch he called out, "Wolf!" hoping he would hear him and come running. When he heard no answer, he walked out into the yard and called again, "Wolf!". That's when he heard a whimper.

"Wolf!" he called out again and heard that it was coming from the garage. Opening the door, he saw Wolf laying there, with Sully's empty toolbox and tools scattered around him. When he got closer, he noticed his hunting knife blade wet with blood and Wolf's leg having almost been severed.

"There you are buddy.", Sully said trying to sound as calm as possible for Wolf's sake. He couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

Sully carefully picked Wolf up trying his best not to disturb his leg. He gently placed him in the back seat of his truck and went inside for his keys and to get dressed.

When he got back, he checked on Wolf one last time before heading to vet. He was the same as when he left him except for a little heavy breathing. Not wanting to risk the 30-minute drive to Wolf's vet, Sully stopped by the first clinic he could find.

"Good boy, Oscar!" Michaela praised her patient as she gave the pup his checkup. "Well, Mrs. Johnson I see nothing wrong with him. He's very healthy for his age and breed."

"Mike, we've been neighbors and friends for ten years, how long before you call you call me Gra-...", the sound of a man screaming interrupted her.

"Oh, God I need help." Sully screamed as he walked towards the front desk, Wolf's limp body in his arms.

"Sir, Dr. Mike is in with a patient she will see you as soon as she gets through." the receptionist reassured him.

"Mrs. Johnson, I guess that's my clue. Me and Katie will see you and Anthony tomorrow for our playdate." she said as she left the room.

"Is everything all right, Dorothy?", Michaela asked before she turned around and saw him.

Usually Michaela noticed her patients first, but this time was different. This time she noticed the owner before giving the patient a thought. And how could she not when facing her was the most handsome man she'd ever seen? Never mind the limp dog he was holding. All she could think of was those deep blue eyes, and long blond hair. It wasn't long before she heard a voice."

"Dr. Mike.", it was Dorothy. "The patient?"

The sound of Dorothy's voice brought Michaela back to reality, and she took charge of the emergent situation.

"Sir.."

Sully. The name's Sully. And this is Wolf.

Mr. Sully could you follow me and place Wolf on the examination table.

"He was still breathing before I left. Please tell me you could save him."

"Take a deep breath and tell me what happened." Michaela tried her best to calm Sully as she examined Wolf.

He usually wakes me up at 7, but this morning when I woke it was half past ten. So I called him and when I didn't get an answer, I realized that he finally learnt how to use the doggy door to get out, but could figure out how to let himself back in. After heading out to the porch I called him and heard him whimper from the garage. When finally got to him he was lying on the floor, my toolbox on one side, and my tools all around him. I believe it was my hunting knife that got his leg because it the blade it had blood on it. I came here because I didn't want to risk the 30-minute drive to his vet.

"Mr. Sully…"

"Sully. Just Sully."

"Sully, I can fix the leg, but I don't know about the rest of him until he wakes up."

"Oh, God!"

"I would like to keep him here a few for evaluation."

"You Said his vet was 30 minutes away, could you sign a release form so I can get his medical records?"

"Yes, whatever you need just make sure he makes it through this."

"Okay leave the information with Dorothy at the front desk before you leave. I'll see that she gets to it first thing Monday morning."