Note: I chose the Canadian Eskimo dog because it is in the endangered list. If you don't know this breed of dog, I encourage you to do a research it will take all of two minutes. Please be warned that you could potentially fall in love.

Giggle and giddy alert:

Finding Bridget

It was midday when Spike reached Thunder Bay, his stomach was complaining. Fine, he said to himself, let's feed you.

He found a restaurant with a wine bar, he could use one stiff drink just about now. He opened the door and saw the most beautiful woman he has ever met, Bridget. His heart skipped and he was pinned to the ground where he stood. Bridget smiled, approached slowly and took his hands. "How are you?" she said almost in the whisper.

"I'm fine," he said.

"Liar," she said. He blushed and avoided her eyes. "Are you alone?"

"Yeah"

"Join me." How could he refuse? They found a table, ordered their food and their wine and chatted like old friends. I could just drown in those eyes. Her brunette hair came to her shoulders and framed her fine chiselled face. She wore no make-up. She looks just like a doll.

When he couldn't control himself anymore, he reached to touch her hair, "Back in high school I have always wanted to touch your hair."

"And back in high school, I prayed you would."

"You did?"

"Michaelangelo Scarlatti! Wasn't I obvious?"

Lunch could have gone on forever but she had to go. He paid for lunch.

"Where are you staying?" he asked.

"I live here. I work at the veterinary hospital, I just operated on a pup. I need to check on her."

"A Canadian Eskimo dog?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I found her."

"Oh, so that was you. Do you want to see how she's doing?"

"Yeah, I'd love that."

The pup was still sleeping when they got there but her vitals were fine. Her prognosis was good and will be in good health as long as she's looked after.

"Can I adopt her?" Bridget looked at him in surprise. "Are you sure? With the hours you work it will be hard for both of you."

"I'm sure. What do I have to do?"

She gave him a form which he filled and wrote the name "Liley Lewis Scarlatti". She smiled. "When are you going back to Toronto?'

"Saturday morning, I have to be back by sun down," he said.

"That's not enough time. She needs to stay here for at least four. If you like I can take her back, I'm attending a conference there in four days." Destiny speaks, don't question it.

"OK, that's great. But only if I can take you out to dinner."

"You don't have to. Come over tonight. Let's cook dinner together, bring wine, I'll supply the food and the music." She wrote down her address. Spike checked into a hotel, rested, showered and dressed. He looked at his dress shoes in his hands and thought, Yeah I live in hope.

Her home was closer to the wilderness than down town. It was rustic; and simple. The fireplace was glowing, the candles were lit. She was wearing a white dress, her hair tied in a pigtail. She was barefoot. Dianna Krall played in the background.

"Welcome to Bridget country." She greeted him with a kiss. His heart jumped and he blushed which made her laughed. He gave her the bottle of wine to chill and a bunch of flowers which brought on a huge smile. She put these in a vase and placed it by the window which made the flower look even better.

She tossed him an apron and they chopped the ingredients together. "Italian tonight," she said. Her dark eyes glinted in the light. It was relaxed, happy. Spike felt a contentment he has not felt before. He felt very comfortable in her presence and his defenses came down. He couldn't help it.

She went to the CD player and put on The Righteous Brothers, "dance with me". They slow danced to the song, "Let it be me."

It was nearly midnight when she ended the evening, "work tomorrow." He didn't want to go, but he did for the sake of his sanity. This must be what love feels like.

Spike spent Friday with Liley and Bridget. They had dinner again on Friday night, it was a happy occasion. The food was delicious. The wine was rich in flavour and the conversation was amazing. Then Spike sought her hands, "Bridg, I'm sorry I didn't contact you again after Ocho Rios."

She touched his lips, "Don't be. You have nothing to apologize for. I understand completely." Spike told her what Lou said that day about taking her out to the ballgame. Bridget teared up and just said, "There's a time and a place. It's wasn't then… maybe now?"

Spike kissed her hands and said, "Now is the time and the place." They slow danced again to The righteous Brothers' Let it be Me.

Lou, my friend, you always saw things better than I.