Page 63 of Redeeming Harmony

Lord, did she want to kiss those perfect lips of his. She cleared her throat and leaned back, breaking free of his arms. He just wanted to be friends.

“So, what can I do to help?” Nathan asked.

“Well, now that I know you’re in, I’ll meet with Rayna at the Whiskey Grill tonight for dinner and to go over the action plan. If you’re free tonight, you could join us.”

“Sure, I’d love to,” he said. “Do I have time to go home to shower and change my clothes? I’m sure you can probably smell that my only appointment peed on me today.”

She laughed. “I didn’t want to mention it, but yes, the Eau de cat pee smell is a little intense.”

Didn’t stop you from hugging him, did it?

She ignored her urge to offer to follow him home and wash his back for him. “There’s enough time. We’re not meeting until seven. Rayna has to drop some food supplies off to a foster and check on another foster’s cat first.”

“Okay, great,” he said but made no move to stand.

Not that she wanted to leave either, despite the unappealing aroma of cat pee drifting from him. “So, did you always want to be a vet?”

“Yes. I’ve been around cats and dogs my entire life. My parents are both huge animal lovers, and they volunteered and fostered for a few different rescues when I was growing up. Although, I prefer large animal practice.”

“So that’s why you do most of the ranch and farm calls now, huh?”

He nodded. “Yes. I love horses in particular, and it’s my dream to have a couple of my own. It’s why I was happy your dad agreed to include the house in the sale of the clinic. Not just because it’s convenient, but because the property is large enough to build a barn and fence in a few acres. In a couple of years, if all goes according to plan, I’ll have a barn built and then take in a couple of rescue horses.”

“That sounds nice,” she said. “I like horses too. I took riding lessons as a child and teenager, and I begged Dad to build a barn so I could have a horse.”

“He didn’t want the maintenance?” Nathan asked.

“No, my mom didn’t…”

“Didn’t what?” Nathan asked.

She settled on, “Didn’t like animals.”

“Seems strange to marry a vet when you don’t like animals.”

“It wasn’t ideal,” she said. “But they made it work.”

“So, you didn’t have childhood pets?” he said.

“Not really. We had a lab named Betty, but she was really my dad’s, and my mom refused to have any other animals in the house. If I keep Winston, he’ll technically be my first pet.”

“You’re thinking of keeping Winston?” he said in surprise.

“If we can’t find his owner, yeah, probably,” she said. “He’s a lovely dog. If he could climb the stairs, I’m pretty sure he’d sleep in my bed with me.”

“The picture of your dad in the fishing boat with Betty on the lake is amazing,” he said.

“Thank you.” She could feel a hot blush in her cheeks. Why did Nathan believing she was a good artist feel so important to her?

“You’re welcome. So, my turn to ask - did you always want to be an artist?”

“Definitely. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. I used to get in trouble every year with my teachers for doodling instead of listening to the lesson.”

He grinned. “Nothing wrong with doodling. Especially when you’re as talented as you are.”

She was blushing again.

“Hazel bought some of my work.” She sounded like a teenage girl, eager for the approval of her crush.

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