Page 21 of The Rescuer

The last stop was the recovery room, and she peeked inside the cage. Sensing her presence, Mr. Whiskers raised his head.

Leo crowded beside her and peered in. “What’s up with the cat?”

“One of the local boys found him under a pile of lumber at a construction site.” She explained the cat’s condition and what she’d done to help him. “I’ve done all I can, and the rest is up to him. But this is day two, and he’s still alive, which is a minor miracle.”

“Thanks to his doctor.” He looked down at her with an expression she couldn’t puzzle out. He was so close she could feel the heat from his body.

“D-do you like cats?” she croaked.

“Can’t say I do.”

Her heart sank. Leo ticked all the right boxes—except for one huge one. So huge that she wasn’t sure she could overlook it. If the guy was leery of Pearl and didn’t like cats, she might as well throw the rest of the compatibility chart out the window. Then a voice told her not to give up so quickly. There were always allergy shots.

He leaned in, and his voice beside her ear was a smooth purr. “I may not be a fan of cats, but I likeyou.”

Was he trying to kiss her? Should she move her head? Anticipation dueled with anxiety inside her. Did she want to kisshim? Yeah, she did, if only to find out if he could curl her toes. But she didn’t get a chance because he reared back and sneezed.

“Damn, I’m sorry.” Backstepping, he sneezed again.

“Are you allergic?”

“Apparently so.” He sneezed three more times. “That’s probably why I’m not too fond of them.”

She quickly ushered him to the front door. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.” The tip of his nose was bright pink. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. When he spoke, he was all stuffed up. “I really enjoyed myself tonight, Neve. Can I call you before the wedding? Maybe we can carve out some time to see each other before then.”

“I’d like that.”

He leaned in once more and hesitated. Her eyes fluttered closed in anticipation but snapped open when he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Good night, pretty lady.”

As she watched his truck pull away, questions streamed through her head. Was she disappointed he hadn’t kissed her? Like,reallykissed her? Yes and no. Did he like other types of dogs, or was he allergic to them too? Would he warm to Pearl?

“Love me, love my dog,” she muttered.

Setting aside the troubling thought, she looked around her deserted clinic, and a happy bubble rose up and popped. She loved what she did.

If he couldn’t tolerate animals, their chances at a happily ever after would be grounded before they could lift off. But another question slapped her like a cold trout across the mouth.

Did she likehimenough to explore the possibility of long-term with him?

She released Pearl from her office and stood back while her dog sniffed the floor where Leo had stood moments before.

“What’s not to like?” she asked aloud. Pearl glanced at her over her muscular shoulder. “He’s charming, good-looking, and rich. He might be the one responsible for me keeping my doors open.” Most importantly, henoticedher. He treated her as though she mattered. Made her feel feminine and beautiful … unlike some people.

She huffed a laugh. “No, Reece Hunnicutt, I am going to enjoy this happy little afterglow. I’ve allowed you to live rent-free in my brain way too long, and I’m over it. I am now evicting you.”

With that, she locked up and took Pearl home.

Despite his efforts torecover it, Reece’s day had gone from merely being in the crapper to taking a deeper dive inside it. He kept his gaze trained on Cantrell’s truck’s taillights as it headed away from the Miners Tavern. At least the dude was going in the right direction down Bowen Street, which meant there was an even chance he was taking Neve to her clinic like he’d said he would. Only when the red glow winked out did he finally break his stare.

At that very moment, Noah clapped a hand on his shoulder and looked toward the same void where the truck had just been. “So. Neve and Leo Cantrell. Did not see that one coming.” He swiveled his head toward Reece. “Did you?”

“Nope.”

Noah released him and tucked his hands under his armpits. “It totally makes sense, though. I can see how that would work.”

Reece aped a noncommittal resting face. For reasons he couldn’t comprehend, it was a struggle to put it there and keep it in place. “What does that mean?”

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