The Nice Guy

Copyright Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name] All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Contents Connect with Abi Sabina Books by Abi Sabina Dedication 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9 10. Chapter 10 11. Chapter 11 12. Chapter 12 13. Chapter 13 14. Chapter 14 15. Chapter 15 16. Chapter 16 17. Chapter 17 18. Chapter 18 19. Chapter 19 20. Chapter 20 21. Chapter 21 22. Chapter 22 23. Chapter 23 24. Chapter 24 25. Chapter 25 26. Chapter 26 27. Chapter 27 28. Chapter 28 Acknowledgments About Author Connect with Abi Sabina You can connect with Abi on her website: https://www.abisabina.com You can also follow her here: Instagram Facebook Page Goodreads BookBub Follow Abi on Amazon For a free novella and to be the first to receive book news, sign-up to Abi’s Sweet Reads here: https://bit.ly/3fmljsz Books by Abi Sabina It’s Amor Series The Nice Guy The Single Dad Meet Cute Series Meet Again Meet Fake Meet Hate Dedication Nice guys don’t always finish last. This one is for the good guys in our lives that make us believe in love. Chapter 1 Ivan I check the time on my watch and run a hand down my face. The line at the coffee shop is longer than usual, and I’m about to leave before I’m late to my appointment. As much as I need some coffee, I can’t risk being late to work. I look behind me, and my eyes catch on the woman standing there with round, green eyes. She’s unfamiliar, which is rare in my small town. Nothing is a secret in Sunshine Falls—not even a new person, so I wonder how I haven’t heard of her before. Her long auburn hair falls in waves around her heart-shaped face, and she has an air about her that seems misplaced here. My eyes catch on the light freckles across the bridge of her nose before taking in her professional attire. “Do I have something on my face?” Her brows lift when I don’t stop staring at her. “What? No. Of course not.” I turn around, facing the front of the line and cursing myself for gawking at her. I couldn’t help it, though. She’s beautiful. It’s not every day that I see a woman like her. I feel a tap on my shoulder and look back at her. “I was kidding.” She smiles, and dimples pop up on her cheeks. My weakness. “Oh, good.” I nod, smiling back. “And if I did have something on my face, I’d appreciate the head’s up. There’s nothing worse than walking around with food smeared on you.” She scrunches up her nose. “I agree.” I chuckle. “If I ever see you with something like that, I’ll make sure to tell you.” I wink before looking back at the line. Old Joe has been at the front for five minutes, ordering the entire coffee shop. I should have known hitting snooze would put me behind him in line on Lion’s Club meeting day. I step out of line and look at the beautiful stranger. “You can have my spot.” If I stay here, I won’t make it to see my client on time, and an animal’s well-being is more important than coffee. I can always grab a cup at work after my appointment. “You’re leaving?” She tilts her head. “Yup. Duty calls. It was nice to meet you.” “You, too.” I glance at her once more before walking out of the coffee shop and racing to my car to drive to the ranch where I have to check on my client’s horse. Being a vet has always been my dream job, and becoming a partner at Healing Hands six months ago maximized that dream. Now I don’t only work the job I want, I have the role I’ve worked hard for. Driving out of town, I think back to the auburn beauty. I wonder where she’s from. Based on her dress pants and silky top, she’s probably here for work or something. Unfortunately, women like her aren’t abundant in town, making the dating scene very difficult. It doesn’t help when you’re not exactly a flirt who easily approaches women. I pull into the ranch and drive down the long dirt road. Vast land lies before me with a house to the right and a large barn behind it with another smaller one next to it. I park near the smaller barn, and Roger, the rancher, walks out of it to meet up with me. A smile lifts my lips as I grab my bag and get out of my vehicle. “Ivan, mi amigo,” Roger says. “Hey, what’s going on?” I shake his hand. He’s one of my favorite clients. Coming out here always gives me a sense of peace. “It’s Buddy.” I recognize the name as one of his horses. “He’s had some yellow discharge from his nose and his breathing is labored. I thought it was a cold, but I’m starting to sense it’s something more.” We walk into the barn, and Buddy is peeking out of a stall, looking nothing like his usual self. His eyes are downcast, and I spot the yellow discharge Roger mentioned right away. “Hey, Buddy.” I smile at the horse, opening the stall door. My movements are tentative and soft so he doesn’t get spooked. Reaching out, I run a hand down the side of his face. “I hear you’re not doing too great,” I tell the horse. “I’m going to help you feel better, all right?” I begin assessing him, running my hands carefully down his neck before I examine the area by pressing down a bit more. Buddy flinches and flares his nostrils when I